JP7300141B2 - Processing equipment and processing method - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a processing apparatus and a processing method for performing predetermined processing on containers being conveyed.

As a conventional example of a processing apparatus according to the present invention, there is a processing apparatus that performs a process of inserting a label into an egg container (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

As shown in FIG. 10, in this conventional processing apparatus, the containers Sa containing the eggs E are conveyed along the conveying direction Y from the container conveyor 108 to the collection conveyor 110, and then collected. The processing apparatus 100 performs a process of inserting a strip-shaped label Ls into a container Sa when being conveyed along the conveying direction Z by a conveyor 110 .

A label input device 103 is arranged on the collecting conveyor 110, and after detecting that the container Sa has reached the optical sensor 102, the control unit 105 of the processing device 100 detects the container Sa being conveyed by the collecting conveyor 110. The label inserting device 103 is controlled so as to insert the label Ls at a predetermined timing. A container into which the label Ls is put is represented as a container Sb in FIG.

The container Sb into which the label Ls has been inserted is further conveyed downstream along the conveying direction Z, and the lid is closed by the closing member 111. An adhesive tape T is attached to the . The container to which the adhesive tape T is attached and sealed is represented as container Sc in FIG.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-10102

Since the label Ls put into the container Sa of the egg E must be arranged at a predetermined position on the container Sa, the control unit 105 of the conventional processing device 100 causes the label feeding device 103 to put the label Ls into the container at a predetermined timing. In addition to 10 egg containers, there are various types of containers such as 4 egg containers and 6 egg containers. It is necessary to adjust the timing at which the label Ls is put into each container by changing the position of 102 or the like.

In particular, consumer needs have become more diverse and sophisticated in recent years, and high-mix low-volume production is being carried out not only for eggs, but also for products in various fields. was not

The present invention solves the above problems, and its object is to process various types of containers at appropriate timings.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, there is provided a processing apparatus for processing a container being conveyed, comprising: a detecting unit for detecting the front end and the rear end of the container being conveyed; an inspection unit that picks up an image of the container whose edge is detected; and a control unit that determines the timing at which the inspection unit picks up an image of the container based on a signal output when the detection unit detects the front end and the rear end of the container. The processing apparatus is provided, wherein the timing is the timing when the center of the container reaches the front of the inspection unit or the timing when the portion of the container to be inspected reaches a predetermined position with respect to the inspection unit.

With the processing apparatus according to the present invention, various types of containers can be processed at appropriate timings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is a schematic plan view which shows the structure of the processing apparatus which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is a schematic side view which shows the structure of the label injection|throwing-in apparatus which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic side view which shows operation|movement of the label injection|throwing-in apparatus which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. 1 is a schematic front view showing the configuration of a label inspection device according to a first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 1 is a schematic side view showing the configuration of a label inspection device according to a first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. It is a schematic plan view showing the configuration of a processing apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure explaining the container which the processing apparatus based on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention processes. It is a schematic plan view showing the configuration of a processing apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure explaining the container which the processing apparatus based on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention processes. It is a schematic plan view showing a conventional processing apparatus.

(First embodiment)
A processing apparatus 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described below. A processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is used for processing containers conveyed on a collecting conveyor 10 in an egg sorting and packaging apparatus. The egg sorting and packaging apparatus is a device that cleans, dries, inspects, and weighs eggs E laid in a poultry house, and sorts and packages the eggs E based on the inspection results and weighing results.

As shown in FIG. 1, the processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes a detection unit 2 for detecting the front end and the rear end of the container Pa transported along the transport direction Z by the collecting conveyor 10, and the detection unit 2. A label inserting unit 3 which is a first processing unit for inserting a strip-shaped label Lp into the container Pa whose front end and rear end are detected, and a second processing unit for inspecting the arrangement of the inserted label Lp. and a control unit 5 that determines the timing at which the label input unit 3 and the inspection unit 4 perform processing on the container.

First, the container P to be processed by the processing apparatus 1 according to this embodiment will be described. The container P is a transparent container made of synthetic resin called a so-called "regular pack", which is used for packaging eggs. A container P containing an egg E in a container body is represented as a container Pa in FIG.

The containers Pa are transferred to the gathering conveyor 10 on the downstream side of the container conveyor 8, and the containers Pa transferred to the gathering conveyor 10 are conveyed along the conveying direction Z.

Next, the detector 2 will be described. The detection unit 2 according to the present embodiment is a photoelectric sensor composed of a light emitter/receiver and a reflector plate, and is provided at a position for detecting the container Pa conveyed by the collective conveyor 10, as shown in FIG. ing. The detector 2 converts the amount of light emitted from the light projector and reflected by the reflecting plate reaching the light receiver into an electrical signal. In addition, a guide member (not shown) that guides the containers Pa to accurately pass along a predetermined path is provided on the collecting conveyor 10 so that the detection unit 2 can accurately detect the containers Pa.

The detector 2 detects the front end and the rear end of the container Pa based on the amount of light that changes when the container Pa crosses in front of the detector 2 . When the detection unit 2 detects the front end and the rear end of the container Pa, it outputs a signal related to the detection to the control unit 5 which will be described later.

As described above, a so-called retroreflective photoelectric sensor is used in the detection unit 2 according to the present embodiment. Sensors can also be used.

Alternatively, an image of the container may be obtained by using an area sensor such as a CCD camera or a line sensor, and image analysis may be performed to detect the front end and the rear end of the container. Furthermore, not only optical sensors but also capacitive sensors, ultrasonic sensors, mechanical contact sensors, etc. may be used to detect the front and rear ends of the container, or these sensors may be combined. .

Next, the label inserting section 3 will be described. The label inserting section 3 according to the present embodiment is provided in the collecting conveyor 10 as shown in FIGS. A plurality of labels Lp are stocked in a label stock position 13 inside the label inserting section 3 , and the labels Lp are sent one by one to a label standby position 15 by a plurality of rollers 14 .

The label input unit 3 drives the roller 14 at the label standby position 15 according to the label input timing determined by the control unit 5 (to be described later) to the container Pa conveyed by the collecting conveyor 10, thereby inserting the label Lp onto the container Pa. throw into. The container into which the label Ls has been placed is represented as container Pb in FIGS.

Next, the inspection unit 4 will be explained. The inspection unit 4 according to the present embodiment is a device that images the container Pb and inspects the arrangement of the label Lp in the container Pb, the date printed on the label Lp, and the like. In addition, although the content inspected by the inspection unit 4 according to the present embodiment relates to the label Lp, it is not limited to this, and the egg E in the container Pb may be inspected, or the container Pb may be visually inspected. you can go

The inspection unit 4 is provided on a collective conveyor 10, as shown in FIGS. The inspection unit 4 captures an image of the container Pb conveyed by the collecting conveyor 10 according to the label inspection timing determined by the control unit 5, which will be described later. In the present embodiment, as indicated by the dashed line in FIG. 4, the imaging is performed at the timing when the center of the container Pb reaches the front of the inspection section 4. As shown in FIG. Further, the inspection unit 4 according to the present embodiment is controlled by the control unit 5 so as to perform imaging at the timing when the center of the container Pb reaches the front. The imaging may be performed at the timing when the inspection unit 4 reaches a predetermined position.

Next, the controller 5 will be described. The control unit 5 according to the present embodiment outputs a signal output when the detection unit 2 detects the front end and the rear end of the container Pa, and a signal output according to the distance over which the collective conveyor 10 conveys the containers Pa and Pb. A receiver (not shown) for receiving a signal is provided, and the controller 5 determines the distance from the front end to the rear end of the container Pa, that is, the conveying direction of the container Pa, based on the signal received by the receiver. Calculate the length of At this time, the paths of the signals output from the detecting section 2 and the collective conveyor 10 are indicated by solid arrows in FIG. In addition, in the present embodiment, the signal output by the collective conveyor 10 is a signal output from an encoder (not shown) attached to the collective conveyor 10, but is not limited to this, and controls the driving of the collective conveyor 10. It may be a signal output from a controller that

Based on the calculated length of the container Pa in the transport direction, the control unit 5 determines the timing at which the label inserting unit 3 inserts the label into the container Pa and the timing at which the inspection unit 4 images the container Pb. A signal is output to the label input section 3 and the inspection section 4 . At this time, the respective paths of the signals output from the control unit 5 are indicated by the dashed arrows in FIG.

Next, operations of the processing apparatus 1 and the sorting and packaging apparatus including the processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment will be described.

On the upstream side in the conveying direction X of the distribution conveyor 6 shown in FIG. The eggs E are conveyed downstream along the conveying direction X by the distribution conveyor 6 shown in FIG. The distribution conveyor 6 is provided with a discharge section 7 that discharges the eggs E to the containers P on the container conveyor 8 based on the results of inspection and weighing.

The container conveyor 8 is a device for conveying the containers P along the conveying direction Y, and as shown in FIG. A plurality of container conveyors 8 for conveying containers P are provided.

Each container conveyor 8 conveys the container P to directly below the distribution conveyor 6, and when the egg E released from the ejection part 7 is accommodated in the container body, the container is further conveyed downstream in the conveying direction Y, Pass it on the collective conveyor 10 . The container in which the egg E is housed is indicated as container Pa in FIGS.

The container Pa, which contains the eggs E, is transferred to the collecting conveyor 10 and conveyed along the conveying direction Z by the collecting conveyor 10 .

The container Pa conveyed by the collective conveyor 10 reaches the detection unit 2, and the front end and the rear end of the container Pa are detected by the detection unit 2. As shown in FIG. When detecting the front end and the rear end of the container Pa, the detection unit 2 outputs a signal related to the detection to the control unit 5 .

The control unit 5 receives a signal when the detection unit 2 detects the front end and the rear end of the container and a signal output according to the distance that the collection conveyor 10 conveys the container by the reception unit, and based on the received signal , the distance from the front end to the rear end of the container Pa, that is, the length of the container Pa in the transport direction is calculated.

Based on the calculated length of the container Pa in the transport direction, the control unit 5 determines the timing at which the label inserting unit 3 inserts the label into the container Pa and the timing at which the inspection unit 4 images the container Pb. A signal is output to the label input section 3 and the inspection section 4 . At this time, the respective paths of the signals output from the control unit 5 are indicated by the dashed arrows in FIG.

The label inserting unit 3 receives the signal regarding the timing of inserting the label Lp from the control unit 5, and inserts the label Lp from the label standby position 15 toward the container Pa as shown in FIG. The container into which the label Lp has been placed is represented as container Pb in FIGS. 3(1) to 3(3) show the operation of the label input unit 3 when the label Lp is input into the container Pa in chronological order. When the label Lp is input into the container Pa, the label One label Lp is sent from the stock position 13 to the label standby position 15 by the roller 14 .

The container Pb into which the label Lp has been inserted by the label inserting section 3 is conveyed to the inspection section 4 provided on the downstream side in the conveying direction Z. As shown in FIG. The inspection unit 4 images the container Pb according to the label inspection timing determined by the control unit 5 . In the present embodiment, as indicated by the dashed line in FIG. 4, the imaging is performed at the timing when the center of the container Pb reaches the front of the inspection section 4. As shown in FIG.

The inspection unit 4 according to the present embodiment takes an image of the container Pb, and inspects the arrangement of the label Lp put into the container Pb, the date printed on the label Lp, and the like.

The lid of the container Pb inspected by the inspection unit 4 is closed by the closing member 11 provided on the downstream side in the conveying direction Z. As shown in FIG. The lid closing member 11 is a member that lifts the lid of the container Pb conveyed by the collecting conveyor 10 and guides the lid so that the lid is closed.

The container Pb whose lid is closed by the closing lid member 11 is further sealed by a sealing part 12 provided on the downstream side in the conveying direction Z with an adhesive tape T attached to the flange portion. The container sealed by the sealing part 12 is represented as container Pc in FIG.

After being sealed by the sealing unit 12, the containers Pc are transported by the gathering conveyor 10 to a gathering place (not shown) provided further downstream in the transport direction Z. As shown in FIG.

As described above, the processing apparatus according to the present embodiment determines the timing of processing the container based on the signal output when the detection unit detects the front end and the rear end of the container. Various types of containers with different lengths in the direction can be processed at appropriate timing.

(Second embodiment)
A processing apparatus 21 according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described below. In the description of the identification device 21 according to the present embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the same or corresponding parts as in the description of the processing device 1 according to the first embodiment, and detailed description will be given. omitted.

As shown in FIG. 6, the processing apparatus 21 according to the present embodiment includes detection units 22a and 22b for detecting the front and rear ends of the container Qa conveyed along the conveying direction Z by the collective conveyor 10, and a detection unit A label attaching unit 23, which is a first processing unit that performs a process of attaching a label Lq to the lid of the container Qa whose front end and rear end are detected by the label attaching unit 22a, and a label attaching unit 23 that attaches the label Lq to the container Qb whose front end and rear end are detected by the detecting unit 22b. An inspection unit 24, which is a second processing unit that inspects the arrangement of the attached label Lq, etc., and a control unit 25 that determines the timing at which the labeling unit 23 and the inspection unit 24 perform processing on the container. and

First, the container Q to be processed by the processing apparatus 21 according to this embodiment will be described. The container Q is a so-called "flat pack", a synthetic resin transparent container used for packaging eggs, and having a space for attaching a label on the lid. A container in which eggs E are accommodated in a container body is represented as container Qa in FIGS.

6 and 7, the container after the lid is closed by the lid closing member 11 and the adhesive tape T is applied to the flange portion by the sealing part 12 to seal the container is represented as container Qb in FIGS. 6 and 7, the container after the label has been attached to the lid by the label attachment unit 23, which will be described later, is represented as container Qc.

Next, the detectors 22a and 22b will be described. The detection units 22a and 22b according to the present embodiment are photoelectric sensors similar to the detection unit 2 described in the first embodiment, and as shown in FIG. It is provided at the detection position.

The detector 22a detects the front end and the rear end of the container Qb based on the amount of light that changes when the container Qb crosses in front of the detector 22a. When detecting the front end and the rear end of the container Qb, the detection unit 22a outputs a signal related to the detection to the control unit 25, which will be described later.

Further, the detector 22b detects the front end and the rear end of the container Qc based on the amount of light that changes when the container Qc crosses in front of the detector 22b. When detecting the front end and the rear end of the container Qc, the detection unit 22b outputs a signal related to the detection to the control unit 25, which will be described later.

Next, the label sticking section 23 will be described. The label attaching section 23 according to the present embodiment is provided in the collecting conveyor 10 as shown in FIG. The labeling unit 23 affixes the label Lq to the lid of the container Qb conveyed by the collecting conveyor 10 according to the labeling timing determined by the control unit 25, which will be described later.

Next, the inspection section 24 will be described. The inspection unit 24 according to the present embodiment is a device that captures an image of the container Qc and inspects the arrangement of the label Lq attached to the lid of the container Qc, the date printed on the label Lq, and the like. Also, although the content inspected by the inspection unit 24 according to the present embodiment relates to the label Lp, the inspection is not limited to this, and an appearance inspection or the like of the container Qc may be performed.

The inspection unit 24 is provided on the collecting conveyor 10, as shown in FIG. The inspection unit 24 captures an image of the container Qc conveyed by the collecting conveyor 10 according to label inspection timing determined by the control unit 25, which will be described later. In this embodiment, the imaging is performed when the center of the container Qc reaches the front of the inspection section 24 . Further, the inspection unit 24 according to the present embodiment is controlled by the control unit 25 so as to perform imaging at the timing when the center of the container Qc reaches the front. The imaging may be performed at the timing when the inspection unit 24 reaches a predetermined position.

Next, the controller 25 will be described. The control unit 25 according to the present embodiment includes signals output when the detection units 22a and 22b detect the front and rear ends of the containers Qb and Qc, and the distance over which the collecting conveyor 10 conveys the containers Qb and Qc. A receiver (not shown) is provided for receiving a signal output in response, and the controller 25 determines the distance from the front end to the rear end of the containers Qb and Qc, that is, based on the signal received by the receiver. , the lengths of the containers Qb and Qc in the conveying direction are calculated. At this time, the paths of the signals output from the detectors 22a and 22b and the collecting conveyor 10 are indicated by solid arrows in FIG. Further, since the length of the container in the transport direction can be specified by the detector 22a, the detector 22b may only detect the arrival of the container Qc.

Based on the calculated length of the container in the transport direction, the control unit 25 determines the timing at which the labeling unit 23 affixes the label to the container Qb and the timing at which the inspection unit 24 images the container Qc. is output to the labeling unit 23 and the inspection unit 24 . At this time, the paths of the signals output from the control unit 25 are indicated by arrows indicated by dashed lines in FIG.

Next, the processing device 21 according to the present embodiment and the operation of the sorting and packaging device including the processing device 21 will be described.

The container Qa is conveyed along the conveying direction Z by the gathering conveyor 10, and the lid is closed by the closing member 11 provided downstream in the conveying direction Z, and the lid is closed by the closing member 11. is further sealed by a sealing part 12 provided on the downstream side in the conveying direction Z with an adhesive tape T attached to the flange portion.

The container Qb after being sealed by the sealing unit 12 reaches the detection unit 22a, and the front end and the rear end of the container Qb are detected by the detection unit 22a. The detection unit 22a outputs a signal related to the detection to the control unit 25 when detecting the front end and the rear end of the container Qb.

The control unit 25 receives a signal when the detection unit 22a detects the front end and the rear end of the container and a signal output according to the distance that the collecting conveyor 10 conveys the container by the reception unit, and based on the received signal Then, the distance from the front end to the rear end of the container Qb, that is, the length of the container Qb in the conveying direction is calculated.

The control unit 25 determines the timing at which the labeling unit 23 affixes the label Lq to the container Qb from the calculated length of the container Qb in the transport direction, and outputs a signal related to the determined timing to the labeling unit 23 . At this time, the path of the signal output from the control section 25 is indicated by the dashed arrow in FIG.

The label attaching unit 23 receives a signal indicating the timing of attaching the label Lq from the control unit 25, and attaches the label Lq to the container Qb.

The container Qc to which the label Lq is attached by the label attaching unit 23 reaches the detection unit 22b, and the front end and rear end of the container Qc are detected by the detection unit 22b. The detection unit 22b outputs a signal related to the detection to the control unit 25 when detecting the front end and the rear end of the container Qc.

The control unit 25 receives a signal when the detection unit 22b detects the front end and the rear end of the container and a signal output according to the distance that the collecting conveyor 10 conveys the container by the reception unit, and based on the received signal Then, the distance from the front end to the rear end of the container Qc, that is, the length of the container Qc in the conveying direction is calculated.

The control unit 25 determines the timing for the inspection unit 24 to image the container Qc from the calculated length of the container Qc in the transport direction, and outputs a signal related to the determined timing to the inspection unit 24 . At this time, the path of the signal output from the control section 25 is indicated by the dashed arrow in FIG.

The container Qc whose length in the transport direction has been calculated by the control unit 25 is transported to the inspection unit 24 provided on the downstream side in the transport direction Z. As shown in FIG. The inspection unit 24 images the container Qc according to the label inspection timing determined by the control unit 25 . In this embodiment, the imaging is performed when the center of the container Qc reaches the front of the inspection section 24 .

The inspection unit 24 according to the present embodiment takes an image of the container Qc, and inspects the placement of the label Lq attached to the container Qc, the date printed on the label Lq, and the like.

The containers Qc inspected by the inspection unit 24 are transported by the gathering conveyor 10 to a gathering place (not shown) provided further downstream in the transport direction Z. As shown in FIG.

As described above, the processing apparatus according to the present embodiment determines the timing of processing the container based on the signal output when the detection unit detects the front end and the rear end of the container. Various types of containers with different lengths in the direction can be processed at appropriate timing.

Furthermore, by providing the detection units 2a and 2b upstream of the labeling unit 23 and the inspection unit 24, respectively, when the labeling unit 23 affixes the label Lq, the position of the container on the collecting conveyor 10 is not misaligned. Even if it does occur, it can be inspected at an appropriate time.

(Third Embodiment)
A processing apparatus 31 according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described below. The description of the identification device 31 according to the present embodiment is the same as or corresponding to the description of the processing device 1 according to the first embodiment and the description of the processing device 21 according to the second embodiment. are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

As shown in FIG. 8, the processing apparatus 31 according to the present embodiment includes detection units 32a and 32b for detecting the front and rear ends of the container Ra conveyed along the conveying direction Z by the collecting conveyor 10, and a detection unit A label inserting unit 33, which is a first processing unit that inserts the label Lr into the lid of the container Ra whose front end and rear end are detected by the detector 32a, and the inside of the container Rc whose front end and rear end are detected by the detector 32b. The inspection unit 34, which is a second processing unit that inspects the arrangement of the label Lr put into the container, and the control unit that determines the timing at which the label inserting unit 33 and the inspection unit 34 perform processing on the container 35.

First, the container R to be processed by the processing apparatus 31 according to this embodiment will be described. The container R is a synthetic resin transparent container called “Eco Tama Pack (registered trademark)” used for packaging eggs, and has a space for inserting a label in the lid. The container in which the eggs E are accommodated in the container body is represented as container Ra in FIGS. 8 and 9, the container after the label Lr has been inserted into the lid by the label inserting unit 33 is represented as container Rb.

Further, after the label Lr is put on the lid, the lid is closed by the lid closing member 11, and the sealing part 12 adheres the adhesive tape T to the flange portion to seal the container. It is denoted as Rc.

Next, the detectors 32a and 32b will be described. The detection units 32a and 32b according to the present embodiment are photoelectric sensors similar to the detection units 32a and 32b described in the second embodiment, and as shown in FIG. It is provided at a position where Rc is detected.

The detector 32a detects the front end and the rear end of the container Ra based on the amount of light that changes when the container Ra crosses in front of the detector 32a. When detecting the front end and the rear end of the container Ra, the detection unit 32a outputs a signal related to the detection to the control unit 35, which will be described later.

Further, the detector 32b detects the front end and the rear end of the container Rc based on the amount of light that changes when the container Rc crosses in front of the detector 32b. When detecting the front end and the rear end of the container Rc, the detection unit 32b outputs a signal related to the detection to the control unit 35, which will be described later.

Next, the label inserting section 33 will be described. The label input unit 33 according to the present embodiment is provided in the collecting conveyor 10 as shown in FIG. The label inserting unit 33 inserts the label Lr into the lid of the container Ra conveyed by the gathering conveyor 10 according to the label inserting timing determined by the control unit 35, which will be described later.

Next, the inspection section 34 will be described. The inspection unit 34 according to the present embodiment is a device that captures an image of the container Rc and inspects the placement of the label Lr put on the lid of the container Rc, the date printed on the label Lr, and the like. Also, although the content inspected by the inspection unit 34 according to the present embodiment relates to the label Lr, the inspection is not limited to this, and an appearance inspection or the like of the container Rc may be performed.

The inspection unit 34 is provided on the collecting conveyor 10 as shown in FIG. The inspection unit 34 captures images of the containers Rc conveyed by the collecting conveyor 10 according to label inspection timings determined by the control unit 35, which will be described later. In this embodiment, the imaging is performed at the timing when the center of the container Rc reaches the front of the inspection section 34 . Further, the inspection unit 34 according to the present embodiment is controlled by the control unit 35 so as to perform imaging at the timing when the center of the container Rc reaches the front. The imaging may be performed at the timing when the inspection unit 34 reaches a predetermined position.

Next, the controller 35 will be described. The control unit 35 according to the present embodiment includes signals output when the detection units 32a and 32b detect the front and rear ends of the containers Ra and Rc, and the distance over which the collecting conveyor 10 conveys the containers Ra and Rc. A receiver (not shown) is provided for receiving a signal output in response, and the controller 35 determines the distance from the front end to the rear end of the containers Ra and Rc, that is, based on the signal received by the receiver. , the lengths of the containers Ra and Rc in the conveying direction are calculated. At this time, the paths of the signals output from the detectors 32a and 32b and the assembly conveyor 10 are indicated by solid arrows in FIG. Further, since the length of the container in the transport direction can be specified by the detector 32a, the detector 32b may only detect the arrival of the container Rc.

Based on the calculated length of the container in the transport direction, the control unit 35 determines the timing at which the label insertion unit 33 inserts the label into the lid of the container Ra and the timing at which the inspection unit 34 images the container Rc. Such a signal is output to the label input section 33 and the inspection section 34 . At this time, the respective paths of the signals output from the control section 35 are indicated by broken arrows in FIG.

Next, the processing device 31 according to the present embodiment and the operation of the sorting and packaging device including the processing device 31 will be described.

The container Ra is conveyed along the conveying direction Z by the collecting conveyor 10 and reaches the detecting section 32a, and the front end and the rear end of the container Ra are detected by the detecting section 32a. The detection unit 32a outputs a signal related to the detection to the control unit 35 when detecting the front end and the rear end of the container Ra.

The control unit 35 receives a signal when the detecting unit 32a detects the front end and the rear end of the container and a signal output according to the distance that the collecting conveyor 10 conveys the container by the receiving unit, and based on the received signal to calculate the distance from the front end to the rear end of the container Ra, that is, the length of the container Ra in the conveying direction.

The control unit 35 determines the timing at which the label inserting unit 33 inserts the label Lr into the lid of the container Ra from the calculated length of the container Ra in the transport direction, and outputs a signal related to the determined timing to the label inserting unit 33. do. At this time, the path of the signal output from the control unit 35 is indicated by the dashed arrow in FIG.

The label inserting unit 33 receives the signal regarding the timing of inserting the label Lr from the control unit 35, and inserts the label Lr into the lid of the container Ra.

The container Rb after the label Lr has been placed on the lid is conveyed along the conveying direction Z by the collecting conveyor 10, and the lid is closed by the closing member 11 provided downstream in the conveying direction Z. The container Rb, the lid of which is closed by the member 11, is further sealed by the sealing part 12 provided on the downstream side in the conveying direction Z with an adhesive tape T attached to the flange portion.

After being sealed by the sealing unit 12, the container Rc reaches the detection unit 32b, and the front end and the rear end of the container Rc are detected by the detection unit 32b. The detection unit 32b outputs a signal related to the detection to the control unit 35 when detecting the front end and the rear end of the container Rc.

The control unit 35 receives a signal when the detecting unit 32b detects the front end and the rear end of the container and a signal output according to the distance that the collecting conveyor 10 conveys the container by the receiving unit, and based on the received signal to calculate the distance from the front end to the rear end of the container Rc, that is, the length of the container Rc in the transport direction.

The control unit 35 determines the timing for the inspection unit 34 to image the container Rc from the calculated length of the container Rc in the transport direction, and outputs a signal related to the determined timing to the inspection unit 34 . At this time, the path of the signal output from the control unit 35 is indicated by the dashed arrow in FIG.

The container Rc whose length in the transport direction has been calculated by the control unit 35 is transported to the inspection unit 34 provided on the downstream side in the transport direction Z. As shown in FIG. The inspection unit 34 images the container Rc according to the label inspection timing determined by the control unit 35 . In this embodiment, the imaging is performed at the timing when the center of the container Rc reaches the front of the inspection section 34 .

The inspection unit 34 according to the present embodiment takes an image of the container Rc and inspects the arrangement of the label Lr attached to the container Rc, the date printed on the label Lr, and the like.

The containers Rc that have been inspected by the inspection unit 34 are transported by the gathering conveyor 10 to a gathering place (not shown) provided further downstream in the transport direction Z. As shown in FIG.

As described above, the processing apparatus according to the present embodiment determines the timing of processing the container based on the signal output when the detection unit detects the front end and the rear end of the container. Various types of containers with different lengths in the direction can be processed at appropriate timing.

Furthermore, by providing the detection units 32a and 32b on the upstream side of the label input unit 33 and the inspection unit 34, respectively, when the adhesive tape T is applied to the flange portion of the container by the sealing unit 12, the containers on the collecting conveyor 10 are detected. Even if there is a shift in the position of , the inspection can be performed at an appropriate timing.

With the processing apparatus and processing method according to the present invention, when performing predetermined processing on various types of containers being transported, the position of the sensor can be adjusted for each type of container, and the settings can be switched. no longer need to.

Further, in the embodiments of the present invention, an egg container has been described as an object to be processed, but the object to be processed by the processing apparatus and method according to the present invention is not limited to the egg container.

The embodiment disclosed this time is an example and is not limited to this. The present invention is defined by the scope of the claims rather than the scope described above, and is intended to include all modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the scope of the claims.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention is effectively used in a processing apparatus that performs predetermined processing on various types of containers being transported.

1 processing device 2 detection unit 3 label input unit 4 inspection unit 5 control unit 6 distribution conveyor 7 discharge unit 8 container conveyor 9 container supply unit 10 gathering conveyor 11 lid closing member 12 sealing unit 13 label stock position 14 roller 15 label standby position

Claims (3)

A processing device for processing a transported container,
a detection unit that detects the front end and the rear end of the container being conveyed;
an inspection unit that captures an image of the container whose front end and rear end are detected by the detection unit;
A control unit that determines the timing at which the inspection unit images the container based on the signal output when the detection unit detects the front end and the rear end of the container ,
The processing apparatus, wherein the timing is timing when the center of the container reaches the front of the inspection unit or timing when a portion of the container to be inspected reaches a predetermined position with respect to the inspection unit. further comprising a receiving unit for receiving a signal output by the conveyor according to the distance for conveying the container,
The control unit outputs a signal when the detection unit detects the front end and the rear end of the container;
2. The processing device according to claim 1, wherein the inspection unit determines the timing of imaging the container based on the signal received by the reception unit. A method for processing a container being transported, comprising:
detecting the leading and trailing edges of the container being transported;
a step of capturing an image of the container whose front end and rear end are detected by the inspection unit ;
determining the timing of imaging the container based on signals output when the front end and the rear end of the container are detected ;
The processing method, wherein the timing is the timing when the center of the container reaches the front of the inspection unit or the timing when the portion of the container to be inspected reaches a predetermined position with respect to the inspection unit.

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