JPH04239424A - Method and device for stacking cup container - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To reduce the personnel expenses and improve the working efficiency by automating stacking work in which cup containers under a normally standing condition and upside-down condition are arranged to be adjacent for each row, each line and each stage. CONSTITUTION:Cup containers 1 which are carried by a carrying conveyor 2 one after another under a normally standing condition are guided to a dividing process A, and divided into a divided row number (n+1). Then, they are guided to a reversing process B, and cup containers on odd or even number divided rows among the cup containers for divided row number (n+1) are reversed and stood upside-down. Then, they are guided to an arranging process C, the divided row number (n+1) is changed to (n), and at the same time, the cup containers are rearranged in such a manner that on each divided row, two cup containers under a normally standing condition and two cup containers under an upside-down condition are situated alternately, and also on the same line for each divided row, a cup container under a normally standing condition becomes adjacent to a cup container under an upside-down condition, and then, one cup container at the leading position for each divided row is removed. Then, they are guided to a stacking process D, preceding two rows of cup containers among the cup containers on each divided row are raised, and they are stacked on the following two rows which enter under the first two rows.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for stacking cup containers.

0002

[Prior Art] A conventional method of accumulating cup containers using a corrugated cardboard caser will be explained with reference to FIG. In the stacking process, E is the pushing process, and F is the packaging process, as shown in Figures 11 and 12, 12 cup containers are placed in an upright position (3 rows, 2 rows, and 2 tiers).
This section explains how to stack and package containers.

In FIG. 10, cup containers (cup containers sealed with food such as instant noodles that have been weighed in advance in the previous process) 1 are sent to a sorting process A by a conveyor 2, where they are sorted into three rows, and then to a stacking process. The material is guided to D, where the conveyance is temporarily stopped, and the preceding four rows of each sorting column are stacked in two stages (3 columns - 2 rows - 2 stages), and then guided to the pushing process E. , and push it into the cardboard box 3 prepared here. The cardboard boxes 3 are molded in advance, folded, and stacked in the state shown in (a). The cardboard boxes 3 are delivered one by one to the conveyor 4 according to the progress of the cup containers 1.
The cup containers 1 pushed out from the pushing process E (3 rows - 2 rows - 2 stages) are sent from the (b) position to the (c) position, and are then transferred from the (d) position to the (e) position. → (f) The product is sent to the position and the packaging is completed. Furthermore, cup container 1
In addition to the above combination (3 columns, 2 rows, 2 tiers), there are also cases where they are combined (2 columns, 2 rows, 2 tiers), but the stacking method and packaging method are basically the same as the above example. Since it is the same as , detailed explanation will be omitted.

0004

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] In the conventional method of stacking cup containers shown in FIG. Even when the cup containers 1 are stacked in two tiers, all of the cup containers 1 are in an upright position (in some cases, all of them are in an inverted position), and the packaging space becomes larger, so the material cost of the cardboard box 3 is reduced accordingly. , and transportation costs will be high.

Therefore, when the same number of cup containers 1 as above are stacked in (3 rows - 2 rows - 2 tiers) or (2 columns - 2 rows - 2 tiers), they will be in an upright state as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. If the cup containers 1 in an inverted state are packed adjacent to each other in each column, row, and tier, the packaging space becomes narrower, and the material cost and transportation cost for the cardboard box 3 can be reduced accordingly. However, this stacking process was done manually, which resulted in high labor costs and extremely low work efficiency.

The present invention has been proposed in view of the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to automate the stacking operation of adjoining cup containers in upright and inverted positions in each column, row, and tier. The object of the present invention is to provide a method and device for accumulating cup containers that can reduce labor costs and improve work efficiency.

[0007]

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above object, the method of accumulating cup containers of the present invention guides the cup containers that are successively conveyed in an upright state to a sorting process.
The cups are sorted into the number of sorting columns n+1 or the number of sorting columns n, and then the cups are led to a reversing step, and among the cup containers of the number of sorting columns n+1 or the number of sorting columns n, the cup containers in the odd sorting column or even numbered sorting column are inverted. , inverted, and then led to the arranging process to change the number of distributed columns n+1 to the number of distributed columns n
or change the number of sorting columns n to the number of sorting columns n-1, and in each sorting column, two pieces in an upright position and two pieces in an inverted position are lined up alternately, and in the same row of each sorting column. After rearranging the cups so that the upright and inverted cups are adjacent to each other, the first cup containers in each sorting column are removed one by one, and then the cups are led to the stacking process, and among the cups in each sorting column, It is characterized by raising the preceding two rows and stacking them and the following two rows below.

Further, the cup container accumulating device of the present invention includes a sorting device having a swingable guide member and a multi-point stop cylinder for sorting that swings the guide member, and a cup container in the middle of being conveyed to a stop bar. A reversing device that alternates between an inverted/inverted system that contacts the system and inverts it, and an upright system that sends it in an upright state, and a switch that changes the number of distributed columns to one less. An arrangement device includes a lever, a cylinder for swinging the switching lever, a movable stopper installed upstream of each switching lever in the transport direction, a movable stopper for temporarily stopping the cup containers in each row, and a movable stopper for temporarily stopping the cup containers in each row, and a cylinder for swinging the switching lever. It is equipped with a stacking device having a suction cup that attracts objects and temporarily raises them.

[0009]

[Operation] The method for accumulating cup containers of the present invention is constructed as described above, and the cup containers conveyed one after another in an upright state are guided to the sorting process and divided into the number of sorting rows n+1 or the number of sorting rows n. Sorting, then leading to an inversion process, inverting and inverting cup containers in odd-numbered sorting columns or even-numbered sorting columns among the cup containers in the number of sorting columns n+1 or the number of sorting columns n, and then guiding them to the arranging step. hand,
The number of sorting columns n+1 is changed to the number of sorting columns n, or the number of sorting columns n is changed to the number of sorting columns n-1, and in each sorting column, two pieces in an upright position and two pieces in an inverted position are arranged alternately. After rearranging the items so that the upright and inverted items are adjacent to each other in the same row of each sorting column, the pieces are then led to the stacking process, and the first item in each sorting column is removed one by one. , raise the preceding two rows, and stack this and the following two rows below it.

0010

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, a method and apparatus for accumulating cup containers according to the present invention will be explained with reference to FIGS. 1 to 9. Fig. 1 shows an outline of a method for stacking cup containers and a method for packaging them using a cardboard caser, and Figs. 2 and 3 show a method for stacking cup containers 1 in an upright state and an inverted state so that they are adjacent to each other in each column, each row, and each tier. The case is shown in which the product is packed in a box, and FIGS. 4 to 9 show an example of the configuration of the equipment in each process and the operation status.

[0011] In Fig. 1, A is the distribution process, B is the reversal process, and C
is the arrangement process, D is the stacking process, E is the pushing process, and F is the packaging process. In the sorting process A (see Fig. 1), the upright cup containers 1 (cup containers 1 sealed with food such as instant noodles that have been weighed in advance in the previous process) are sent one after another by the conveyor 2 to the sorting device X. (Figure 4,
(see 5) into four columns.

FIG. 6 shows the specific configuration of the sorting device X installed in the sorting process A.
(see Fig. 1) guides the upright cup containers 1 that are being sent one after another into the guide member 15, then operates the multi-point distribution stop cylinder 13, and moves the lever 14 and guide member 15 around point O. Move the cup container 1 from the solid line position to the four distribution positions (see broken lines) and place the cup container 1 in each passage member 17.
Divide into 4 rows in between. Note that the guide member 15
A counter 16 such as a phototube is installed near the exit of the holder to count the number of cup containers 1 passing through the exit and check whether the cup containers 1 have been reliably distributed among the four rows of passage members 17. I'm checking to see if it's true.

In the next reversing step B (see FIG. 1), among the upright cup containers 1 sent from the sorting step A (the cup containers 1 sorted into four rows), the first and third rows are The cup containers 1 in the first row (or the cup containers 1 in the second and fourth rows) are reversed and turned upside down by the reversing device Y. Figures 8 and 9
8 shows a specific configuration of the reversing device Y installed in the reversing process B, and FIG.
The figure shows an upright system in which the robot is loaded onto the vehicle and sent in an upright position.

FIG. 9 also shows that the cup container 1 in the upright state is sent from the conveyor 2a to the conveyor 2b, and while it is being dropped from the downstream end of the conveyor 2b in the conveying direction, the stop bar 12
This figure shows an inverted/inverted system in which the object is placed on the floor, turned upside down, placed on the conveyor 2c in that state, and then reversed and turned upside down.This inverted/inverted system and the above-mentioned upright system are arranged alternately.

FIG. 4 shows that due to the action of the reversing device Y, 1
The figures are shown in a state in which the 2nd and 3rd rows are arranged in an inverted state, and the 2nd and 4th rows are arranged in an upright state. In the next arranging process C (see Figure 1), the cup containers 1 sent from the reversing process B (the first and third rows are inverted, and the second and fourth rows are upright). , the number of sorted cup containers 1) was changed from 4 to 3, and the number of cup containers 1) was changed from 4 to 3, and in each sorting column, 2 cups in an upright position and 2 cups in an inverted position were lined up alternately. After rearranging the upright and inverted items in the same row of columns so that they are adjacent to each other, the first item in each sorting column is removed one by one.

FIG. 4 shows the arrangement device Z installed in the arrangement process C.
, the plurality of cylinders 7 arranged in each row are operated in the contraction direction to move the plurality of switching levers 8 arranged in each row to the solid line position, while the arrangement device Z
A plurality of movable stoppers 6 disposed immediately before are made to appear and disappear,
In addition to changing the number of distributed columns from 4 to 3, the first column on the upstream side of the arraying device Z (inverted) is arranged in the first column on the downstream side of the arraying device Z, and the second column on the upstream side of the arraying device Z (upright) is arranged. Feed two cylinders each to the second row on the downstream side of device Z, the third row (inverted) on the upstream side of arrangement device Z to the third row on the downstream side of arrangement device Z, and then feed the plural cylinders arranged in each row. 7 in the extension direction to move the plurality of switching levers 8 arranged in each row to the dotted line position, and at the same time move the plurality of movable stoppers 6 disposed immediately before the arrangement device Z to move the number of sorting rows to 4. →3, and at the same time move the 2nd row (upright) on the upstream side of the array device Z to the 1st row on the downstream side of the array device Z, and move the 3rd row (upright) on the upstream side of the array device Z
Send two pieces each (inverted) to the second row on the downstream side of the arraying device Z, and send two pieces each (upright) from the fourth column on the upstream side of the arraying device Z to the third row on the downstream side of the arraying device Eyes are inverted, inverted, erect, erect..., second row is erect, erect, inverted, inverted..., third row is inverted, inverted, erect, erect... They will be lined up in 3 rows.

FIG. 5 shows another example of the arranging device Z for converting three rows of cup containers into two rows. In the next stacking process D, among the cup containers 1 in each sorting row sent from the arranging process C, the first one is removed one by one, and then the containers in the two preceding rows are raised, and this and the one below it are removed. Stack the following two rows.

FIG. 7 shows a specific configuration of the stacking device W installed in the stacking process D, in which the cylinder 10 is actuated in the extension direction, the movable stopper 9 is raised, and the stacking device W is moved from the arranging process C. The cup containers 1 that are coming are stopped once, and the cup container 1 at the head of each row (one cup container 1) is removed, and the first row is inverted, upright, upright, etc., and the second row is upright. Stand, handstand, handstand..., the third column is lined up in the order of handstand, erect, erect..., and then lower and raise the suction cup 5 to display the two rows from the top of each column, i.e. , the items in the a-th row and the items in the b-th row are sucked and raised by the suction cup 5, and then the items in the following two rows, that is, the items in the c-th row and the items in the d-th row, are Then, the suction cup 5 is lowered and the suctioned items in rows a and b are stacked on top of the items in rows c and d.

In this way, the cup containers 1 in the upright and inverted states are automatically rearranged into adjacent states in each column, each row, and each stage. In the next pushing process E, the group of cup containers sent from the stacking process D is pushed into the cardboard box 3 by a pushing means (not shown). The cardboard boxes 3 are molded in advance, folded, and stacked in the state shown in (a). Then, the cardboard boxes 3 are sent one by one by the delivery conveyor 4 from the (B) position to the (C) position according to the progress of the cup container 1, where they are pushed out from the pushing process E (3rd row - 2nd row). It accepts the cup containers 1 in (row - 2 tiers) (or the cup containers 1 in (2 rows - 2 rows - 2 tiers) shown in Figure 5), and then sends them to the (d) position → (e) position → (f) position. The packaging is completed.

[0020]

[Effects of the Invention] The method for accumulating cup containers of the present invention as described above guides the cup containers conveyed one after another in an upright state to the sorting step, sorts them into the number of sorting rows n+1 or the number of sorting rows n, and then Leading to the reversal process, the number of sorting columns n
Among the cup containers with +1 or the number of sorting rows n, the cup containers in the odd sorting row or the even numbered sorting column are inverted and turned upside down, and then led to the arranging process and placed in the number of sorting rows n.
+1 to the number of sorting columns n or the number of sorting columns n to the number of sorting columns n-1, and in each sorting column, two pieces in an upright position and two pieces in an inverted position are arranged alternately. The items in the upright state and the inverted state are rearranged so that they are adjacent to each other in the same row of each sorting column, and then they are led to the stacking process, where the first item in each sorting column is removed one by one. Since the items in the row are raised and the items in the following two rows below are stacked, it is possible to automate the stacking process in which upright and inverted cup containers are placed adjacent to each other in each column, each row, and each tier. This has the effect of reducing labor costs and improving work efficiency.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the cup container accumulation method and apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an example of the cup container of the present invention packed in a box.

FIG. 3 is a front view showing an example of the cup container of the present invention packed in a box.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing an embodiment of a sorting device, a reversing device, and an arrangement device.

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing another embodiment of the arrangement device.

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing an embodiment of the sorting device.

FIG. 7 is a plan view showing an embodiment of a stacking device.

FIG. 8 is a side view showing an upright system of the reversing device.

FIG. 9 is a side view showing an inverted system of the reversing device.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a conventional method of stacking cup containers.

FIG. 11 is a plan view showing a conventional cup container packed in a box.

FIG. 12 is a front view showing a conventional cup container packed in a box.

[Explanation of symbols]

A Sorting process B Reversing process C Arranging process D Stacking process E Pushing process F Packaging process Movable stopper 7 of arraying device Z Cylinder 8 of arraying device Z Switching lever 9 of arraying device Z Movable stopper 10 of stacking device W Cylinder 11 of stacking device W Slide 12 of upright system of reversing process B Reversing/inverted of reversing process B System stop bar 13 Distribution multi-point stop cylinder 15 of distribution device X Guide member 17 of distribution device X Passage member of distribution device X

Claims (2)

[Claims] Claim 1: Cup containers that are conveyed one after another in an upright state are guided to a sorting process, sorted into a sorting column number n+1 or sorting column number n, then led to an inversion process, and then transferred to a sorting column number n+1 or a sorting column. Out of the number n of cup containers, the cup containers in the odd sorting row or the even numbered sorting column are inverted and turned upside down, and then led to the arranging step, where the number of sorting columns n+1 becomes the number n of the sorting columns or the number n of the sorting columns becomes the number n. In addition to changing the number of distribution columns to n-1, in each distribution column, 2 items in the upright position and 2 items in the inverted position are arranged alternately, and in the same row of each distribution column, 2 items in the upright position. The items in the inverted position are rearranged so that they are adjacent to each other, and then the stacking process is carried out, and after removing the first item in each sorting column, the items in the preceding two rows are raised and stacked on top of this one and below it. A method for accumulating cup containers characterized by stacking cup containers in the subsequent two rows. [Claim 2] A sorting device having a swingable guide member and a multi-point stop cylinder for sorting that swings the guide member, and an inversion device in which cup containers in the middle of transportation are brought into contact with a stop bar and turned over or turned upside down.・A reversing device that alternates between an inverted system and an upright system that feeds in an upright state, and a switching lever that swings the switching lever to change the number of distributed rows to one less. an arraying device that has a cylinder for the transfer and a movable stopper installed upstream of each switching lever in the transport direction, a movable stopper that temporarily stops the cup containers in each row, and a suction cup that attracts the containers in the preceding two rows and raises them once. A stacking device for cup containers, comprising: a stacking device having a stacking device;