JP6419239B2 - Article distribution device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention, for example, an article distribution apparatus that distributes articles such as containers that are sequentially supplied from the upstream side in a state where dry noodles are accommodated, while being conveyed toward a packaging machine disposed on the downstream side. About.

  Patent Document 1 describes an article distribution device. The article distribution device (column dividing device) described in Patent Document 1 is arranged in the middle of the conveyance on the conveyance surface of the conveyance conveyor. The article distribution apparatus includes an oscillating body and a machine base that supports the oscillating body. The machine base is disposed above the conveyance surface. The oscillating body supports the base end side shaft on the machine base with the front end side shaft positioned upstream and the base end side shaft positioned downstream, and side belts are supported on the front end side shaft and the base end side shaft. Wrapped and configured. Then, by swinging the swinging body left and right along the transport surface around the base end side, the article conveyed from the upstream side on the transport surface is guided by the side belt, and the article is evenly distributed to the left and right. Distributed and guided to the downstream conveying surface.

JP-A-11-139544

  The article distribution device described in Patent Document 1 is configured to distribute articles by swinging a swinging body having a side belt set to a certain length. That is, the length of the side belt cannot be adjusted.

  Here, for example, it is assumed that a large number of articles are distributed to one side instead of left and right when distributing the articles. In this case, the front end side shaft of the swinging body is swung to one side, and a large number of articles are guided to the other side. Then, the inclination angle on the other side of the side belt with respect to the conveyance direction becomes larger than that in the case where the articles are evenly distributed on the left and right. In other words, the inclination angle of the surface for guiding the article increases. However, there is a concern that when the inclination angle becomes large as described above and a large number of articles are conveyed, the articles are clogged.

  It is an object of the present invention to provide an article distribution apparatus that can distribute articles so that the articles can be smoothly conveyed.

The present invention has an article conveyance space that has a carry-in entrance part for carrying in articles and has at least two carry-out exit parts arranged on the downstream side in the article conveyance direction with respect to the carry-in entry part. An article distribution apparatus for guiding articles to the carry-out section, wherein the article distribution apparatus is relatively close to and away from the area between the carry-in section and the carry-out section in the article transport space. One member and a second member, and a strip-shaped guide member passed to the first member and the second member, wherein at least one of the first member and the second member is the first member and the second member The guide member can be unwound along with the approaching and separating operation of the two members. Further, the second member is arranged on the carry-out port side, and the first member is configured to be able to approach and separate from the second member. Furthermore, in a state where the upper side of the article conveyance space is covered with a top plate that prevents the articles carried in from the carry-in entrance section from falling, the first member is placed in the article conveyance space with the carry-in entrance section and the carry-in section. And a moving operation means that is movable between the outlet portion, the moving operation means is provided with an operating member that is movable on an upper surface of the top plate, and the operating member and the first member are the top plate. The first member is moved by the magnetic force along with the movement of the operation member.

In the article distribution apparatus of the present invention having the above-described configuration, the guide member is wound around at least one of the first member and the second member in accordance with the relative approaching and separating operation of the first member and the second member. As a result, the state extending from the carry-in port side to the carry-out port side is ensured, whereby the article is guided by the guide member, and the first member and the second member are brought into the carry-in port in the article transport space. The article can be smoothly carried out of the carry-out part by moving the guide member relative to the carry-out part and directing the guide member in an arbitrary direction within the article conveyance space. Distributed. Moreover, in the article distribution apparatus having the above-described configuration, the first member is moved closer to and away from the second member between the carry-in entrance portion and the carry-out exit portion in the article transport space, and the articles are separated for each carry-out portion. Be distributed. Furthermore, in the article distribution apparatus having the above configuration, the upper side of the article transport space is covered with the top plate, so that the articles carried in from the carry-in entrance portion are prevented from being overturned. Since the one member is locked by the magnetic force passing through the top plate, when the operating member is moved on the top surface of the top plate, the first member moves along with the movement of the operating member within the article transport space. Since the guide member moves between the transporting portion and the carry-out portion, the guide member is directed in an arbitrary direction within the article transport space.

This onset Ming, article transport having a discharge opening for unloading the articles are arranged in the article transport direction downstream side with respect to該搬inlet and having an entrance portion for loading an article into at least two portions An article distribution device arranged in a space and for guiding articles to the carry-out port, which is relatively close to and away from the area between the carry-in port and the carry-out port in the product transport space A first member and a second member; and a strip-shaped guide member passed to the first member and the second member, wherein at least one of the first member and the second member is the first member and As the second member approaches and separates, the guide member can be unwound, and the first member and the second member are located in the region between the carry-in port portion and the carry-out port portion in the article transport space. The first member and the second member are moved in the article conveyance space in a state where the upper side of the article conveyance space is covered with a top plate that prevents the article carried from the carry-in entrance portion from falling down. The moving operation means is configured to be movable between the carry-in entrance portion and the carry-out exit portion, and the move operation means includes an operation member that is movable on an upper surface of the top plate, the first member, and the second member. The first member and the second member, and the operation member provided for each of the first member and the second member are locked by a magnetic force that passes through the top plate. The first member and the second member are configured to move by magnetic force as they move.

In the article distribution apparatus having the above-described configuration, the first member and the second member are moved closer to and away from the carry-in port portion and the carry-out port portion in the article transfer space, and the articles can be distributed for each carry-out port portion. In the article distribution apparatus having the above configuration, the operation member of the moving operation means provided for each of the first member and the second member, and the first member and the second member are locked by a magnetic force passing through the top plate. When the operating member is moved on the top surface of the top plate, the first member and the second member are moved between the carry-in port portion and the carry-out port portion in the article transport space as the operation member is moved. Is directed in any direction within the article transport space.

  In the article distribution device of the present invention, at least one of the first member and the second member is for unwinding the guide member in accordance with an approaching and separating operation of the first member and the second member. A configuration having an unwinding mechanism can be employed.

  In the article distribution apparatus having the above configuration, the guide member is unwound and stretched by the unwinding mechanism in accordance with the approaching and separating operation of the first member and the second member, and the article is distributed to the carry-out port by the stretched guide member. Is done.

  In the article distribution apparatus of the present invention, articles can be distributed so that they can be smoothly conveyed.

It is a principal part top view of the article conveyance apparatus which concerns on 1st embodiment of this invention, and an article distribution apparatus. It is a top view of the stop means of the article conveyance apparatus which concerns on the embodiment, Comprising: (a) is the state which has stopped rotating a rotary body, (b) is allowing rotation of a rotary body. Indicates the state. It is a principal part figure of the article conveyance apparatus which concerns on the same embodiment, Comprising: (a) And (b) is a top view, respectively. It is a principal part figure of the article conveyance apparatus which concerns on the same embodiment, Comprising: (a) And (b) is a top view, respectively. It is sectional drawing showing the structure of the 2nd latching | locking part among the goods distribution apparatuses. It is sectional drawing showing the structure of the 1st latching | locking part among the article distribution apparatuses. It is a schematic plan view of the article conveyance apparatus and the article distribution apparatus which concern on 2nd embodiment of this invention, (a), (b), (c) arranges a 1st latching | locking part in a different position, respectively. Indicates the state. It is a schematic plan view of the article conveyance apparatus and article distribution apparatus which concern on 3rd embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic plan view of the article conveyance apparatus and article distribution apparatus which concern on 4th embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic plan view of the article conveyance apparatus and article distribution apparatus which concern on 5th embodiment of this invention.

  Hereinafter, a first embodiment of an article transporting apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 1, the article conveying apparatus according to the present embodiment includes a conveying unit 1 that conveys an article X, and an article distributing apparatus 2 that accumulates (stores) or distributes the article X. . Further, the article transport apparatus includes a carry-in means 3 for carrying the article X from the transport means 1 to the article distribution apparatus 2 and a carry-out means 4 for carrying the article X from the article distribution apparatus 2 to the transport means 1. The article conveying apparatus includes a branching unit 5 that branches from the conveying unit 1 to the carrying-in unit 3 and a joining unit 6 that merges the carrying-out unit 4 with the conveying unit 1.

  The article conveying device of the present embodiment is employed in a container noodle manufacturing apparatus. Specifically, the article conveying apparatus is arranged downstream after the article X manufactured by the noodle filling apparatus (not shown and numbered) arranged on the upstream side is bifurcated and conveyed. The article X is conveyed toward a pair of shrink wrapping devices (not shown and numbered). Therefore, in this embodiment, the article X is a container filled with noodles and sealed with a lid.

  The transport means 1 includes a first transport conveyor 11 that transports an article X from a noodle filling device that is a transport source toward one shrink wrapping device that is a first transport destination, and a second from the noodle filling device that is a transport source. And a second transport conveyor 12 for transporting the article X toward the other shrink wrapping apparatus.

  Each of the conveyors 11 and 12 is a belt-like and annular conveyor belt that rotates endlessly, thereby conveying the placed articles X in a single row. Each of the conveyors 11 and 12 is formed in a long shape and is linearly arranged to convey the article X from the upstream side to the downstream side along the longitudinal direction. Moreover, the 1st conveyance conveyor 11 and the 2nd conveyance conveyor 12 are mutually arrange | positioned in parallel.

  The article distribution apparatus 2 includes a long distribution conveyor 21 that conveys the articles X along the longitudinal direction. In addition, the article distribution device 2 includes a pair of narrow guides 22 and 22 for narrowing the width of the articles X carried out from the distribution conveyor 21 on the downstream side of the distribution conveyor 21 at both ends in the width direction. The narrow guides 22 and 22 are disposed slightly upward from the conveying surface of the distribution conveyor 21, and the opposite surfaces thereof are inclined so as to narrow the width of the articles X being carried out from the distribution conveyor 21. Surface.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the space above the distribution conveyor 21 is an article conveyance space S. The upper side of the article transport space S is covered with a top plate 7 that prevents the article X from overturning. The top plate 7 is formed in a transparent flat plate shape. The distance from the distribution conveyor 21 to the top plate 7 is set to such a distance that the article X can be prevented from falling even if the article X is tilted with respect to the transport surface that is the upper surface of the distribution conveyor 21. In addition, the conveyance surface of the distribution conveyor 21 is made into a substantially horizontal surface, and the top plate 7 is arrange | positioned in parallel with the conveyance surface.

  At the upstream end of the article transport space S, a carry-in end (corresponding to a carry-in entrance portion) of the first carry-in conveyor 31 for carrying the article X into the article carry space S, which will be described later, and the first carry-in conveyor 31 The carry-in end (corresponding to the carry-in entrance portion) of the second carry-in conveyor 32 for carrying the articles X into the article transport space S is arranged so as to be spaced apart in the width direction of the distribution conveyor 21.

  At the downstream end of the article transport space S, the width direction of the distribution conveyor 21 with respect to the first outlet conveyor 41 and the outlet section of the first outlet conveyor 41 to be described later, The carry-out part of the 2nd carry-out conveyor 42 for carrying out the goods X from the goods conveyance space S is spaced apart and connected. That is, the article transport space S includes two carry-in port portions 13 and 14 at the upstream end and two carry-out port portions 8 and 9 at the downstream end.

  The article distribution apparatus 2 further includes distribution guide means 23. The distribution guide means 23 is engaged with guide members 25 and 26 that can be extended from the carry-in port portions 13 and 14 side to the carry-out port portions 8 and 9 and one end side of the guide members 25 and 26 in the article transport space S. The first member 29 (hereinafter referred to as “first locking portion”) 29 arranged on the carry-in port portions 13 and 14 side and the other end side of the guide members 25 and 26 are locked and arranged on the carry-out port side. Two members (hereinafter referred to as “second locking portions”) 30 and 30.

  The guide members 25 and 26 are composed of long strips having flexibility. The guide members 25 and 26 are arranged in the article conveyance space S so that the width direction thereof extends in the vertical direction, and one end is attached (locked) to the first locking portion 29. The other ends of the guide members 25 and 26 are attached to the second locking portions 30 and 30 so as to be unwound (locked). One first locking portion 29 is provided, and two second locking portions 30 and 30 are provided. In the present embodiment, the guide members 25 and 26 are provided between the first locking portion 29 and one of the second locking portions 30 and 30, and between the first locking portion 29 and the other second locking portion 30 and 30. Are connected to each other.

  Here, for convenience of explanation, the second locking portions 30 will be described. The second locking portions 30, 30 are arranged on the back surface of the top plate 7 so as to be in contact with the back surface of the top plate 7 and are fixed to the back surface of the top plate 7. A front surface side fixing member 36 for fixing the back surface side fixing member 34 to the top plate 7 and an unwinding mechanism 37 for unwinding the guide members 25 and 26 are provided.

  The back surface side fixing member 34 contacts the back surface of the top plate 7 and is fixed to the back surface. The back surface side fixing member 34 has a mounting space for a spiral spring 35 to be described later, and is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape. The unwinding mechanism 37 is attached to the back surface side fixing member 34. The unwinding mechanism 37 includes a shaft-shaped unwinding member 38 that hangs down from the center in the radial direction of the back surface side fixing member 34, and an upper end portion of the unwinding member 38 is rotatably supported by the back surface side fixing member 34. Yes. The other ends of the guide members 25 and 26 are fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the unwinding member 38. An accommodation box 39 that accommodates the guide members 25 and 26 is attached to the lower part of the rear surface side fixing member 34. The storage box 39 is disposed at a position slightly floating from the transport surface of the distribution conveyor 21.

  The unwinding mechanism 37 further includes a spiral spring (spring spring, rose strip) 35. The spiral spring 35 is housed in the back surface side fixing member 34, one end of which is fixed to the upper part of the unwinding member 38 inserted into the back surface side fixing member 34, and the other end is the inner periphery of the back surface side fixing member 34. It is fixed to the surface.

  The front surface side fixing member 36 is in contact with the surface of the top plate 7 and is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape. The front surface side fixing member 36 includes a tightening screw portion 40 that penetrates the top plate 7 and is screwed to the back surface side fixing member 34. By tightening the tightening screw portion 40 on the front side of the top plate 7, the back surface side fixing member 34 can be securely fixed to the back surface of the top plate 7, and by loosening the tightening screw portion 40, The back surface side fixing member 34 can be removed from the back surface.

  The second locking portions 30, 30 having such a configuration are provided as a pair by being positioned and arranged on the inner side in the width direction for each of the narrow guides 22, 22. Each of the second locking portions 30, 30 is disposed on the inner side in the width direction with respect to the opposing surface, which is the inclined surface of the narrow guides 22, 22, with a gap through which one article X can pass. In other words, the second locking portions 30 and 30 are disposed in the narrow guides 22 and 22 with a gap therebetween, so that the carry-out port portions 8 and 9 are formed at two locations apart in the width direction. .

  The first locking portion 29 is movable between the carry-in port portions 13 and 14 and the carry-out port portions 8 and 9 in the article conveyance space S. The first locking portion 29 includes an upper movable member 43 and a lower movable member 44 that are spaced apart in the vertical direction. The first locking portion 29 is movable along the back surface of the top plate 7 with the upper movable member 43 in contact with the back surface of the top plate 7. The upper movable member 43 is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape with the upper side opened. The lower movable member 44 is attached to the upper movable member 43 via the attachment shaft portion 45 and is formed in a cylindrical shape. One end of each guide member 25, 26 is fixed to both ends in the radial direction on the outer peripheral surface of the lower movable member 44. The lower movable member 44 is disposed at a position slightly floating from the transport surface of the distribution conveyor 21.

  The article distribution apparatus 2 includes a movement operation means that allows the first locking portion 29 to move between the carry-in entrance sections 13 and 14 and the carry-out exit sections 8 and 9 in the article transport space S. The movement operation means includes an operation member 46 that can move the surface of the top plate 7, a surface side movement means 47 that can move the operation member 46 along the surface of the top plate 7, the operation member 46, and the first locking portion. Magnets 48 and 49 that link 29 by a magnetic force, and a rear surface side moving means 50 that can move the first locking portion 29 along the rear surface of the top plate 7.

  The operation member 46 is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape with the lower side open, and includes a grip portion 63 that is gripped by the user on the upper surface thereof. The surface side moving means 47 is a rolling element that is a ball arranged on the lower surface edge side of the operation member 46. The rolling element is made of a non-magnetic material such as ceramic. One magnet 48 is embedded in the recess of the upper movable member 43 of the first locking portion 29, and the other magnet 49 is embedded in the recess of the operation member 46. These magnets 48 and 49 have different magnetic surfaces facing each other in the vertical direction across the top plate 7. The back surface side moving means 50 is a rolling element which is a ball arranged on the upper surface edge side of the upper movable member 43. The rolling element is made of a non-magnetic material such as ceramic.

  With this configuration, even if the operation member 46 and the first locking portion 29 are arranged via the top plate 7, they are linked by the magnetic force of the magnets 48 and 49. Then, the operation member 46 can move the surface of the top plate 7 in the surface direction by rolling of the surface side moving means 47, and if the surface side moving means 47 moves on the surface of the top plate 7, The engaging portion 29 moves along the back surface of the top plate 7 by the rolling of the back surface side moving means 50. The first locking portion 29 follows the movement of the operation member 46, and the operation member 46 moves the first locking portion 29 toward the second locking portions 30 and 30 on the side of the carry-in port portions 13 and 14. It is operated to move in any direction, that is, in the width direction and the transport direction. Therefore, the surface direction is a direction along the conveyance direction of the article X and a width direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction.

  The first locking portion 29 is for abutting the upper movable member 43 against the back surface of the top plate 7 by the magnetic force of the magnets 48 and 49, and therefore the operation member 46 is resisted by the magnetic force from the top surface of the top plate 7. When separated, the magnetic force between the magnets 48 and 49 does not act on the first locking portion 29, so the first locking portion 29 falls on the distribution conveyor 21.

  The pair of guide members 25 and 26 has one end locked to the first locking portion 29 and the other end locked to the second locking portions 30 and 30, and each guide member 25 and 26 is unwound. The mechanism 37 is unwound on the second locking portions 30 and 30 side. Therefore, the operating member 46 moves against the elasticity of the spiral spring 35 of the unwinding mechanism 37 when the first locking portion 29 is separated from the second locking portions 30, 30. When the first locking portion 29 is separated from the second locking portions 30, 30, the guide members 25, 26 are released from the unwinding member 38. When the operating member 46 is moved so as to bring the first locking portion 29 closer to the second locking portions 30, 30, the unwinding member 38 is rotated by the unwinding member 38 due to the elasticity of the spiral spring 35. The member 38 is wound up.

  In any case, the first locking portion 29, the second locking portions 30, 30 and the guide members 25, 26 vertices the first locking portion 29 and the second locking portions 30, 30 in plan view. The triangular non-intrusion area where the article X does not enter is formed in the article transport space S. And this non-intrusion area can be made into the triangular shape of free shape in the article conveyance space S on the basis of the 2nd latching | locking parts 30 and 30. FIG. And in the distribution guide means 23, the distance of the 1st latching | locking part 29, the 2nd latching | locking parts 30 and 30, and the width direction position of the 1st latching | locking part 29 with respect to the 2nd latching | locking parts 30 and 30 are required. It can be changed accordingly.

  The article distribution apparatus 2 includes a transfer plate 24 disposed between the downstream side of the distribution conveyor 21 and the upstream side of the discharge means 4 so that the articles X can be transferred from the distribution conveyor 21 to the discharge means 4.

  The distribution conveyor 21 is disposed between the first transport conveyor 11 and the second transport conveyor 12. And the distribution conveyor 21 conveys the articles | goods X currently mounted toward the other side (downstream side) from the one side (upstream side) of a longitudinal direction, when a strip | belt-shaped and cyclic | annular conveyor belt rotates endlessly. . Moreover, the distribution conveyor 21 is formed so that the width dimension is larger than the width dimension of each of the conveyors 11 and 12, and a plurality of articles X can be arranged in parallel in the width direction.

  The carry-in means 3 includes a first carry-in conveyor 31 for carrying an article X on one side in the width direction of the distribution conveyor 21 and a second carry-in conveyor 32 for carrying the article X on the other side in the width direction of the distribution conveyor 21. . The carry-in means 3 also includes carry-in swing guides 33, 33 that swing around the base end portion so that the articles X are carried from the carry-in conveyors 31, 32 to the distribution conveyor 21. Prepare on the downstream side.

  The first carry-in conveyor 31 is arranged to branch from the first carry conveyor 11 so as to carry the article X from the first carry conveyor 11. Moreover, the 1st carrying-in conveyor 31 conveys the articles | goods X currently mounted in a single row | line | column by a belt-like and cyclic | annular conveyor belt rotating endlessly. Then, the first carry-in conveyor 31 conveys the article X from the upstream side of the first conveyor 11 toward the upstream side of the distribution conveyor 21.

  The first carry-in conveyor 31 is disposed adjacent to the first transfer conveyor 11 on the upstream side so that the article X can be transferred from the first transfer conveyor 11. Further, the first carry-in conveyor 31 is arranged such that the downstream side is adjacent to one side in the width direction on the upstream side of the distribution conveyor 21 so that the articles X can be transferred to the distribution conveyor 21.

  The second carry-in conveyor 32 is arranged to branch from the second carry conveyor 12 so as to carry the article X from the second carry conveyor 12. Moreover, the 2nd carrying-in conveyor 32 conveys the articles | goods X currently mounted in a single row | line | column by a belt-shaped and cyclic | annular conveyor belt rotating endlessly. Then, the second carry-in conveyor 32 conveys the article X from the upstream side of the second conveyor 12 toward the upstream side of the distribution conveyor 21.

  The second carry-in conveyor 32 is disposed adjacent to the second transfer conveyor 12 on the upstream side so that the article X can be transferred from the second transfer conveyor 12. Further, the second carry-in conveyor 32 is arranged such that the downstream side is adjacent to the other side in the width direction on the upstream side of the distribution conveyor 21 so that the articles X can be transferred to the distribution conveyor 21.

  The carry-out means 4 includes a first carry-out conveyor 41 that conveys the article X carried out from one side in the width direction of the distribution conveyor 21 toward one shrink wrapping apparatus that is a first conveyance destination. Moreover, the carrying-out means 4 is provided with the 2nd carrying-out conveyor 42 which conveys the articles | goods X carried out from the other side of the width direction of the distribution conveyor 21 toward the other shrink wrapping apparatus which is a 2nd conveyance destination.

  The first carry-out conveyor 41 is arranged so as to join the first carry conveyor 11 in order to carry the article X to the first carry conveyor 11. Moreover, the 1st carrying-out conveyor 41 conveys the articles | goods X currently mounted in a single row | line | column by a belt-shaped and cyclic | annular conveyor belt rotating endlessly. Then, the first carry-out conveyor 41 conveys the article X from the downstream side of the distribution conveyor 21 toward the downstream side of the first conveyance conveyor 11.

  The first carry-out conveyor 41 is adjacent to one side in the width direction on the downstream side of the distribution conveyor 21 via the transfer plate 24 so that the article X can be transferred from the distribution conveyor 21 via the transfer plate 24. Has been placed. Further, the first carry-out conveyor 41 is disposed adjacent to the first transfer conveyor 11 on the downstream side so that the article X can be transferred to the first transfer conveyor 11.

  The second carry-out conveyor 42 is arranged so as to join the second carry conveyor 12 in order to carry the article X to the second carry conveyor 12. Moreover, the 2nd carrying-out conveyor 42 carries the articles | goods X currently mounted in a single row | line | column by a belt-like and cyclic | annular conveyor belt rotating endlessly. Then, the second carry-out conveyor 42 conveys the article X from the downstream side of the distribution conveyor 21 toward the downstream side of the second conveyance conveyor 12.

  The second carry-out conveyor 42 is adjacent to the other side in the width direction on the downstream side of the distribution conveyor 21 via the transfer plate 24 so that the article X can be transferred from the distribution conveyor 21 via the transfer plate 24. Has been placed. Further, the second carry-out conveyor 42 is disposed adjacent to the second transfer conveyor 12 on the downstream side so that the article X can be transferred to the second transfer conveyor 12.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the branching unit 5 branches the first branching portion 51 that branches the first carry-in conveyor 31 from the first transfer conveyor 11 and the second carry-in conveyor 32 from the second transfer conveyor 12. And a second branch part 52. And each branch part 51 and 52 is provided with the stop means 511 and 521 which stops conveyance of the articles | goods X, and the switching guides 512 and 522 which can switch the direction which guides the articles | goods X.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the stopping means 511 of the first branching unit 51 hangs a rotating body (free star wheel) 511 a that can be rotated by being pushed by the article X conveyed to the conveying conveyor 11, and the rotating body 511 a. By stopping, it has the latching body 511b which prevents that the rotary body 511a rotates.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 2A, the stopping means 511 of the first branch portion 51 includes a state in which the hooking body 511b hooks the rotating body 511a (a state in which the rotating body 511a stops rotating). As shown in FIG. 2B, the latching body 511b is rotated so as to switch to a state where the latching body 511b does not latch the rotating body 511a (a state where the rotating body 511a is allowed to rotate). A drive unit (cylinder) 511c is provided.

  The rotating body 511a includes a plurality of concave portions corresponding to the article X on the outer peripheral portion, and conveys a predetermined number (six in the present embodiment) of articles X toward the downstream side by one rotation. It is configured. Therefore, each time the rotating body 511a rotates, the hooking body 511b hooks the rotating body 511a, so that a predetermined number of articles X can be conveyed downstream. Note that the stopping means 521 of the second branch portion 52 has substantially the same configuration as the stopping means 511 of the first branch portion 51.

  The switching guide 512 of the first branching portion 51 rotates about the base end portion, thereby moving the article X from the upstream side to the downstream side of the first conveyor 11 as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2 (b), it is configured to be switchable between a state of guiding and a state of guiding the article X from the upstream side of the first transport conveyor 11 toward the first carry-in conveyor 31. Note that the switching guide 522 of the second branch portion 52 has substantially the same configuration as the switching guide 512 of the first branch portion 51.

  Returning to FIG. 1, the merging means 6 includes a first merging unit 61 that merges the first carry-out conveyor 41 with the first transport conveyor 11, and a second merging unit 62 that joins the second carry-out conveyor 42 with the second transport conveyor 12. With. Then, each merging portion 61, 62 guides the article X from stop means 611, 621 for stopping the article X to be conveyed and from the respective carry-out conveyors 41, 42 to the downstream side of the respective conveyer conveyors 11, 12. And merging guides 612 and 622.

  The stopping means 611 and 621 of the merging portions 61 and 62 have substantially the same configuration as the stopping means 511 of the first branch portion 51. The junction guides 612 and 622 are fixed in a state in which the articles X are guided from the carry-out conveyors 41 and 42 toward the downstream side of the transfer conveyors 11 and 12.

  The configuration of the article transport apparatus according to the present embodiment is as described above. Next, the operation of the article transport apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

  First, at the normal time, as shown in FIG. 3A, the first transport conveyor 11 is directed from the transport source disposed on the upstream side to the first transport destination disposed on the downstream side (FIG. 3A). The article X is being conveyed (in the direction of arrow A), and the second conveyance conveyor 12 is directed from the common conveyance source disposed upstream to the second conveyance destination (in the direction of arrow B in FIG. 3A). B) The article X is being conveyed.

  By the way, for example, when a trouble occurs at the first transport destination and the article X cannot be transported to the first transport destination, as shown in FIG. 512 switches to a state in which the article X is guided from the upstream side of the first conveyor 11 toward the first carry-in conveyor 31. At this time, in the first branch portion 51, the rotation of the rotating body 511a of the stopping means 511 stops the rotation of the article X so that the conveyance of the article X is stopped and the article X is not conveyed. Is switched by rotating around the base end. Moreover, in the stop means 611 of the 1st junction part 61, rotation of the rotary body 611a stops and it sets to the state which does not convey the articles | goods X to the 1st conveyance conveyor 11. FIG.

  The article X is conveyed from the upstream side of the first conveyor 11 toward the first carry-in conveyor 31 (in the direction of arrow C in FIG. 3B). Then, as shown in FIG. 4A, the article X is carried from the first carry-in conveyor 31 to one side in the width direction of the distribution conveyor 21 through one carry-in entrance portion 13.

  When trouble occurs at the first transport destination and the article X cannot be transported to the first transport destination, the article distributor 2 is an example, and the user moves the first locking portion 29 to the distribution conveyor. The guide members 25 and 26 are made equal in length by being arranged at the center in the width direction of 21. Since the second locking portions 30 and 30 are fixed, when the operating member 46 is moved along the surface of the top plate 7, the magnetic force of the magnets 48 and 49 follows the movement of the operating member 46, One locking part 29 moves. That is, the 1st latching | locking part 29 and the 2nd latching | locking parts 30 and 30 move relatively. And the guide members 25 and 26 are unwound by the unwinding mechanism 37 by the side of the 2nd latching | locking part 30 and 30 according to the movement position with respect to the 2nd latching | locking part 30 and 30 of the 1st latching | locking part 29. The article X is stretched between the first locking part 29 and the second locking parts 30, 30 and driven by endless rotation of the distribution conveyor 21. Can guide to the side.

  Since the carry-in swing guide 33 swings around the base end portion, the article X is appropriately dispersed and is carried into the distribution conveyor 21 from the first carry-in conveyor 31, and upstream of the distribution conveyor 21. The article X transported from the downstream side, that is, from one side of the longitudinal direction to the other side (in the direction of arrow D in FIG. 4A) eventually overflows from one side of the distribution conveyor 21 in the width direction. Move to the other side.

  Note that the article transport space S on the upper side of the distribution conveyor 21 is provided on the top plate 7 set at a distance that can prevent the articles X from falling over even if the article X is tilted with respect to the transport surface that is the upper surface of the distribution conveyor 21. Since it is covered, the article X is conveyed downstream without falling down.

  And the article | item X carried out from one delivery outlet part 8 of the distribution conveyor 21 (article conveyance space S) is conveyed to the 1st carrying-out conveyor 41 via the transfer plate 24, and the width direction of the distribution conveyor 21 is used. The article X unloaded from the other unloading port 9 is conveyed to the second unloading conveyor 42 via the transfer plate 24. Thereafter, the first carry-out conveyor 41 conveys the article X toward the first merge section 61 (in the direction of arrow E in FIG. 4A), and the second carry-out conveyor 42 moves to the second merge section 62. The article X is conveyed toward (in the direction of arrow F in FIG. 4A). However, in the stop means 611 of the first junction 61, the rotation of the rotating body 611a is stopped, so that the article X is not transported to the first transport conveyor 11.

  The article distribution device 2 in the present embodiment is configured to move the first locking portion 29 so as to approach and separate from the second locking portions 30 and 30. The moving direction of the first locking portion 29 is not limited to a specific direction as long as it is a surface direction on the top plate 7. In other words, the operation member 46 can be moved along the surface of the top plate 7 in any of the conveyance direction downstream side of the article X, the conveyance direction upstream side, and the width direction of the conveyance surface of the distribution conveyor 21. The locking portion 29 is moved in the same direction as the moving direction of the operation member 46.

  In the above description, when trouble occurs at the first transport destination and the article X cannot be transported to the first transport destination, the user, for example, moves the first locking portion 29 in the width direction of the distribution conveyor 21. The operation member 46 was moved so that the guide members 25 and 26 were arranged at the center and the guide members 25 and 26 were equal in length. However, there are cases where the guide members 25 and 26 have a large inclination with respect to the transport direction (the arrow D direction in FIG. 4A), and the article X may be clogged near the carry-out port portions 8 and 9.

  In such a case, for example, the user moves the operation member 46 to the carry-in port 14 side or moves it to the one side in the width direction so that the inclination angle of the guide member 25 with respect to the conveyance direction is reduced (FIG. 4). The article X is aligned as much as possible by moving the first locking portion 29 (see the phantom line in (a)). By doing in this way, it becomes easy to carry out the article | item X from the carrying-out exit part 8 smoothly.

  In this article distribution apparatus 2, the operation member 46 is swung in the surface direction so that the movement of the first locking portion 29 follows the operation member 46, and the movement of the guide members 25 and 26 is changed to the first locking portion. 29 so that the clogging of the article X can be eliminated.

  Alternatively, by knowing the conveyance amount (number of conveyance) per unit time of the article X of the article conveyance device and setting the inclination angle of the guide members 25 and 26 according to the conveyance amount in advance, It is also possible to prevent clogging in advance.

  By the way, since the second transport conveyor 12 transports the article X toward the second transport destination, the second carry-out conveyor 42 sends the article X to the second transport conveyor 12 via the second junction 62. Take it out. At this time, by repeating the rotation of the rotating body 521a of the second branching section 52 once and stopping, a space in which the article X can be put is formed, and the rotating body 621a of the second joining section 62 has a predetermined timing. The article X is thrown into the space formed by the second branch portion 52 by repeating the rotation once and stopping.

  Thereafter, when the state where the article X can be transported to the first transport destination is restored, as shown in FIG. 4B, the switching guide 512 of the first branching section 51 is downstream from the upstream side of the first transport conveyor 11. It switches to the state which guides the goods X toward the side. At this time, in the 1st branch part 51, after the stop means 511 stops conveyance of the article | item X and the article | item X will be in the state which is not conveyed, the switching guide 512 rotates centering on a base end part. Switch.

  Then, the first carry-out conveyor 41 carries the article X to the first transfer conveyor 11 via the first junction 61. At this time, by repeating the rotation of the rotating body 511a of the first branch part 51 once and stopping, a space where the article X can be put in is formed, and the rotating body 611a of the first joining part 61 has a predetermined timing. The article X is thrown into the space formed by the first branch portion 51 by repeating the rotation once and stopping.

  As described above, according to the article transporting apparatus according to the present embodiment, the first carry-in conveyor 31 carries the article X on one side in the width direction of the distribution conveyor 21, and the second carry-in conveyor 32 has the width direction of the distribution conveyor 21. The article X is carried into the other side. For example, when trouble occurs at the first transport destination and the article X cannot be transported to the first transport destination, the switch X 512 causes the article X to be moved from the upstream side of the first transport conveyor 11. Guided toward the first carry-in conveyor 31, carried into one side in the width direction of the distribution conveyor 21 from one carry-in entrance portion 14, accumulated by the endless rotation of the distribution conveyor 21 and the distribution guide means 23, and thereafter The distribution conveyor 21 conveys the article X along the longitudinal direction.

  And while the 1st carrying-out conveyor 41 conveys the articles | goods X carried out from the one side of the width direction of the distribution conveyor 21 toward a 1st conveyance destination, the 2nd carrying-out conveyor 42 is the other of the width direction of the distribution conveyor 21. The article X unloaded from the side is transported toward the second transport destination. Thereby, the article X accumulated on the distribution conveyor 21 is conveyed to each conveyance destination. Therefore, since the common distribution conveyor 21 can be disposed for the two transport destinations, space saving can be achieved.

  In the article distribution apparatus 2 according to this embodiment, the example described with reference to FIG. 4A is a case where the article X is accumulated on one side in the width direction of the distribution conveyor 21. On the other hand, when accumulating the article X on the other side in the width direction of the distribution conveyor 21, the stop means 521, the switching guide 522, the stop means 621, and the merge guide 622 are arranged on one side in the width direction of the distribution conveyor 21. The operation is the same as when accumulating X.

  The article distribution apparatus according to the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. In the said embodiment, the case where the goods distribution apparatus was applied to the elongate distribution conveyor 21 (accumulation conveyor) which conveys the goods X along a longitudinal direction in order to accumulate the goods X was illustrated. However, the article distribution apparatus can be applied to an article conveyance apparatus including at least one carry-in port portion and at least two carry-out ports as in the second embodiment shown in FIG.

  In the article conveying apparatus shown in FIG. 7, one carry-in port 15 along the width direction of the conveyer 64 is disposed at the upstream end of the conveyer 64, and the carry-out port 8 is disposed at the downstream end of the conveyer 64. Two 9 are spaced apart in the width direction of the conveyor 64. Side guards 65, 65 that prevent the article X from falling off the transport surface of the transport conveyor 64 are disposed on both sides in the width direction of the transport conveyor 64. Further, narrow guides 22 and 22 are arranged on the upper side of the transport surface of the transport conveyor 64 and closer to the carry-out port portions 8 and 9. The narrow guides 22 and 22 are attached to the side guards 65 and 65. Unloading conveyors 66 and 67 for unloading the articles X unloaded from the unloading ports 8 and 9 to the downstream side are connected to the unloading ports 8 and 9.

  The configuration of the article distribution apparatus 2 is the same as that of the first embodiment. Further, the top plate 7 similar to that of the first embodiment is arranged on the upper side of the conveyor 64. In the second embodiment, the article X is a container filled with noodles and sealed with a lid. A plurality (six in the figure) of articles X are supplied side by side in the width direction on the transport surface of the transport conveyor 64.

  In the article distribution apparatus 2 according to the second embodiment, FIG. 7A illustrates the arrangement of the first locking portions 29 with respect to the second locking portions 30 and 30 and the conveyance direction of the articles X of the guide members 25 and 26. In this case, the article X is evenly distributed to the left and right outlets 8 and 9. In Fig.7 (a), the 1st latching | locking part 29 is arrange | positioned in the center part of the width direction by the carrying-in entrance part 15 side with respect to the 2nd latching | locking parts 30 and 30. FIG. In this case, when the distributed article X becomes clogged on the side of any one of the outlet portions 8 and 9, if the first locking portion 29 is further moved to the inlet portion 15 side, The inclination angle of the guide members 25 and 26 becomes gentle. As a result, the article X is easily aligned on the transport surface, so that the article X can be carried out smoothly.

  As shown in FIG. 7B, the article distribution apparatus 2 used in the article conveyance apparatus of the second embodiment is used by moving the first locking portion 29 toward one side in the width direction of the conveyance conveyor 64. Then, the distribution amount of the article X is adjusted for each of the carry-out port portions 8 and 9, or the first locking portion 29 is moved closer to the second locking portions 30 and 30 as shown in FIG. It is possible to adjust the distribution amount of the article X for each of the outlets 8 and 9.

  FIG. 8 shows a third embodiment. In the article transporting apparatus according to the third embodiment, a plurality of (two in the figure) first locking portions 29 of the article distribution device 2 are provided, and any of the first locking portions 29 is moved by the moving operation means. It can move in the surface direction of the top plate 7. The article distribution device 2 includes one second locking portion 30 and one first locking portion 29, both first locking portions 29, the other second locking portion 30 and the other first locking portion. 29, three guide members 25, 26, 27 are provided. Both the 2nd latching | locking parts 30 and 30 are provided with the unwinding mechanism 37 shown in FIG. Note that the end portions of the guide members 27 extending between the first locking portions 29 are locked (hanged) to the first locking portions 29.

  In the article distribution apparatus 2 according to the third embodiment, the first locking portions 29 can be set at the same position in the transport direction, or the other first locking portion 29 can be the other first locking portion 29. The locking portion 29 can also be moved so as to be displaced in the transport direction (see the phantom line in the figure). However, since the guide member 27 extending between the first locking portions 29 has its end locked to the first locking portion 29, one of the first locking portions 29 is connected to the other first locking portion 29. Even if the guide member 27 is moved with respect to the locking portion 29, the length of the guide member 27 does not change.

  FIG. 9 shows a fourth embodiment. In the article conveying apparatus according to the fourth embodiment, the carry-out port portions 8, 9, and 10 are arranged at three locations apart in the width direction. The carry-out conveyors 66, 67, and 68 are provided corresponding to the three carry-out ports 8, 9, and 10, respectively. Further, the article transporting apparatus includes two article distributing apparatuses 2 and 2 (except for the narrow guide 22), and the article distributing apparatuses 2 and 2 are arranged in the width direction. In the article distribution apparatuses 2 and 2, the second locking portions 30 and 30 disposed on the inner side in the width direction are spaced apart from each other in the width direction, and a single outlet port portion is provided between the second locking portions 30 and 30. It is set to 10. The separation distance in the width direction of the second locking portions 30, 30 arranged on the inner side in the width direction is set so that one article X can pass.

  In the fourth embodiment, the article distribution device 2 is provided in a pair, and the articles X are carried out from the three outlets 8, 9, and 10 by forming the outlets 8, 9, and 10 in three places. Can be distributed. Further, for example, the first locking portion 29 in one of the article distribution devices 2 is moved so as to approach the first locking portion 29 of the other article distribution device 2, and the article X is moved to the carry-out port 10 at the center in the width direction. The article X can also be distributed to the carry-out port portions 8 and 9 on both sides in the width direction (see the phantom line in the figure).

  FIG. 10 shows a fifth embodiment. The article distribution apparatus 2 according to the fifth embodiment includes a single first locking portion 29, a single second locking portion 30, and a single piece extending over the first locking portion 29 and the second locking portion 30. The guide member 28 is provided. The 1st latching | locking part 29 can be moved to the surface direction of the top plate 7 by a movement operation means. The 2nd latching | locking part 30 is provided with the unwinding mechanism 37 shown in FIG. 5, and is arrange | positioned at the one exit port 8 side.

  In the article distribution apparatus 2 according to the fifth embodiment, the article X is transported by changing the length and position of the guide member 28 and the inclination angle with respect to the conveying direction by moving one first locking portion 29 in the surface direction. Distribution can be made for each of the outlet portions 8 and 9. Moreover, the clogging of the article | item X can be eliminated by moving the 1st latching | locking part 29 to a suitable direction, and changing the inclination angle of the guide member 28. FIG.

  In each said embodiment, the case where the unwinding mechanism was provided in the 2nd latching | locking part illustrated. However, the unwinding mechanism can also be provided in the first locking portion. Alternatively, the unwinding mechanism can be provided in both the first locking portion and the second locking portion.

  In each said embodiment, the case where the edge part by the side of the 1st latching part in a guide member was latched to the 1st latching part was illustrated. However, in the first embodiment to the fourth embodiment, the guide member may be configured to be wound only without being locked to the first locking portion. In this case, in the first embodiment to the fourth embodiment, only one guide member is required for each article distribution device.

  In the above embodiments, the first locking portion is movable and the second locking portion is fixed. However, both the first locking portion and the second locking portion can be configured to be movable by the movement operation means.

  In each of the above embodiments, the case where the top plate is provided has been illustrated. However, instead of providing a top plate, a bowl-shaped member is provided across the width direction of the conveyor, and the bowl-shaped member is configured to be movable in the conveyance direction, so that the first latch can be moved in the width direction. It can also be configured so that the first locking member can be moved in the surface direction (direction along the conveyance direction and direction along the width direction). In this case, it is not necessary to use a configuration in which the operation member and the first locking portion are connected by a magnetic force using a magnet. That is, the user can hold and move the first locking portion directly with fingers.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Conveyance means, 2 ... Article distribution apparatus, 3 ... Carry-in means, 4 ... Carry-out means, 5 ... Branch means, 6 ... Merging means, 7 ... Top plate, 8, 9, 10 ... Carry-out part, 11 ... 1st Transport conveyor, 12 ... second transport conveyor, 13, 14 ... carry-in port portion, 15 ... carry-in port portion, 21 ... distribution conveyor, 22,22 ... narrow guide, 23 ... distribution guide means, 25, 26 ... guide member, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 29 ... 1st latching | locking part, 30 ... 2nd latching | locking part, 31 ... 1st carrying-in conveyor, 32 ... 2nd carrying-in conveyor, 34 ... Back surface side fixing member, 36 ... Surface side fixing member, 37 ... Unwinding mechanism, 38 ... unwinding member, 41 ... first carry-out conveyor, 42 ... second carry-out conveyor, 43 ... upper movable member, 44 ... lower movable member, 45 ... mounting shaft, 46 ... operating member, 47 ... surface side moving means, 48, 49 ... magnet, 50 ... back side moving means, 51 ... first branching part, 52 ... second part Part, 64 ... conveyor, 66, 67, 68 ... carry-out conveyor, S ... article conveying space, X ... goods

Claims (3)

It is arranged in an article conveyance space having at least two carry-out ports for carrying out articles by having an carry-in part for carrying in articles and being arranged downstream of the carry-in part with respect to the carry-in part. An article distribution device for guiding articles to the carry-out port,
A first member and a second member that are relatively close to and away from each other in a region between the carry-in port portion and the carry-out port portion in the article conveyance space, and a belt-shaped guide that is passed to the first member and the second member With members,
Of the first member and the second member , the second member is disposed on the carry-out portion mouth side, and the first member is moved toward and away from the first member and the second member as the first member moves toward and away from the second member . The guide member can be unwound so as to be able to approach and separate the two members ,
In the state where the upper side of the article conveyance space is covered with a top plate that prevents the articles carried in from the carry-in entrance section from being overturned, the first member is placed in the article conveyance space with the carry-in entrance section and the carry-out exit section. Movement operation means to be movable between and
The movement operation means includes an operation member that is movable on the top surface of the top plate, and the operation member and the first member are locked by a magnetic force that passes through the top plate, along with the movement of the operation member. An article distribution apparatus, wherein the first member is configured to move by magnetic force . It is arranged in an article conveyance space having at least two carry-out ports for carrying out articles by having an carry-in part for carrying in articles and being arranged downstream of the carry-in part with respect to the carry-in part. An article distribution device for guiding articles to the carry-out port,
A first member and a second member that are relatively close to and away from each other in a region between the carry-in port portion and the carry-out port portion in the article conveyance space, and a belt-shaped guide that is passed to the first member and the second member With members,
At least one of the first member and the second member can be unwound with the guide member in association with the approaching and separating operation of the first member and the second member,
The first member and the second member are movable in a region between the carry-in portion and the carry-out portion in the article conveyance space,
In a state where the upper side of the article conveyance space is covered with a top plate that prevents the articles carried from the carry-in entrance section from falling, the first member and the second member are connected to the carry-in entrance section in the article conveyance space. It is provided with a movement operation means that allows movement between the carry-out port part,
The movement operation means includes an operation member that is movable on the top surface of the top plate for each of the first member and the second member,
The first member and the second member, and the operation member provided for each of the first member and the second member are locked by a magnetic force passing through the top plate, and the first member and the second member are moved together with the movement of the operation members. An article dispensing apparatus, wherein the one member and the second member are configured to move by magnetic force . At least one of the first member and the second member includes an unwinding mechanism for unwinding the guide member as the first member and the second member move toward and away from each other. Item distribution apparatus of Claim 1 or Claim 2 .

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