JPH0479927B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a boxing device with a container direction changing device, and more specifically, it rotates a group of containers grouped into a predetermined number by, for example, 90 degrees. This invention relates to a boxing device with a direction changing device for containers that changes direction.

``Prior Art'' Conventionally, in order to change the direction of a group of containers, an endless chain is hung between a pair of sprockets disposed in a horizontal plane so as to circulate freely, and a pair of sprockets are connected to the endless chain. It is known that a pair of parallel plate members are provided and the pair of plate members are rotated around a sprocket (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 178803/1983).

In this boxing device equipped with a direction changing device, containers grouped into a predetermined number conveyed by the conveyor, for example, containers arranged in two horizontal rows and five vertical columns, are transported by the pair of plate members or around the sprocket. While it is rotating, it is carried inside and stored,
In this state, the plate member is further rotated by 1/4 turn, that is, 90 degrees, around the sprocket, thereby converting the grouped containers by 90 degrees in the direction of 5 horizontal rows and 2 vertical rows. There is.

``Problems to be Solved by the Invention'' However, in the boxing device with the direction changing device configured as described above, the containers from the transport conveyor are carried into the plate member, and the plate member is placed on the sprocket perpendicular to the carrying direction. Since the containers are conveyed in the circumferential direction and the direction is changed, the conveying direction of the containers is abruptly changed from the direction of conveyance by the conveyor to the circumferential direction of the sprocket, resulting in a large gap between the containers. There was a certain limit to high-speed operation because shocks were likely to occur.

``Means for Solving the Problems'' In view of such circumstances, the present invention includes a conveyor that conveys a group of containers grouped into a predetermined number in a straight line, and a conveyor that is installed parallel to this conveyor to convey boxes in a straight line. a box transport conveyor, which is disposed in parallel with the transport conveyor, is circularly transported, and moves and accommodates a group of containers transported by the transport conveyor into a box transported by the box transport conveyor; A boxing device equipped with an endless chain that is stretched between a plurality of sprockets and circulated, and a frame body that is provided on the endless chain so as to be movable up and down, and that is circularly conveyed and that can accommodate the group of containers. an elevating mechanism for raising and lowering the frame body, lowering the frame body from above the group of containers conveyed by the transport conveyor, and accommodating the group of containers in the frame body at the lowered position; A rotation drive mechanism is provided that rotates the frame body to change the direction of the container group when accommodated in the body, and the pushing member moves the container group whose direction has been changed by the rotation of the frame body into the frame at the lowered position. It is designed to be moved and housed in the box.

"Function" According to such a configuration, the frame accommodates the group of containers while being transported in the same direction as the group of containers, and while continuing to transport, changes the direction of the group of containers as the frame rotates. Since the container can be turned around, it is possible to change the direction of the container more smoothly and at a higher speed than in the conventional apparatus described above.

"Example" The present invention will be described below with reference to the illustrated example.
In FIG. 1, containers 2 are conveyed by a conveyor 1 in two horizontal rows in contact with each other.
A pair of stopper wheels 3 provided oppositely on both sides of the conveyor 1 provide a required distance between them.

At a downstream position of the stopper wheel 3, an endless chain (not shown) is disposed on one side of the conveyor 1 and circulates in a vertical plane at a slightly slower speed than the conveyor 1. The chain is provided with engaging members 4 at predetermined intervals, and each engaging member 4 is projected onto the conveyor 1 by a cam (not shown) to apply braking to the container 2. In this example, containers arranged in two rows and five rows can be grouped as one set.

The container groups 2 that are grouped into two horizontal rows and five vertical rows and are conveyed while being braked by the engaging members 4 are transported by the engaging members 4 as described in detail later.
It is housed in a frame 5 that is circulated and conveyed on a predetermined circular trajectory in synchronization with the operation of. When the container group 2 is housed in the frame 5, the engaging member 4 is retracted by a cam (not shown) to release the brake on the containers 2, and then the frame 5 transports the container group 2. When conveyed from the conveyor 1 onto a smooth slide plate 6, the frame body 5 rotates 90 degrees to change the orientation of the containers 2 on the slide plate 6 into five horizontal rows and two vertical columns.

In the illustrated embodiment, by changing the direction of the frame 5, 90
The rotated container group 2 is pushed out from within the frame 5 by the pushing member 7 in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction thereof.

On the side from which the container group 2 is pushed out, a delivery conveyor 8 is disposed adjacent to the slide plate 6, and a box conveyor 9 is disposed adjacent to the delivery conveyor 8. The conveyors 8 and 9 each run at the same speed as the frame 5, and the delivery conveyor 8 is provided with a pair of guide members 10 for guiding both sides of the container group 2 pushed out from within the frame 5. .

On the other hand, the box transport conveyor 9 is transporting the boxes 11 containing the container group 2, and therefore the container group 2 pushed out from within the frame 5 by the extrusion member 7 is transferred to the guide member 10. It is housed in the box 11 via. A box 11 containing container group 2
is then completed as a box containing the container group 2 by bending and gluing each part.

Therefore, the conveying device 1 that circulates and conveys the frame body 5
5, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, includes a pair of vertically disposed rotating shafts 16 and a pair of sprockets 17 fixed at the upper and lower positions of each rotating shaft 16. A pair of upper and lower endless chains 18 are stretched between the sprockets 17.

As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, a pair of connecting shafts 19 are attached to the pair of upper and lower endless chains 18 in the vertical direction, and the lower end of each connecting shaft 19 A rotating roller 20 provided on the frame 21 is rotatably placed on a rail 22 fixed to a frame 21, so that each connecting shaft 19 can smoothly move as the endless chain 18 moves.

Further, a support member 23 is attached to each pair of connection shafts 19 so as to be able to rise and fall freely.
The cam follower 24 provided in 3 is attached to the frame 21.
The support members 23 are placed on an elevating cam 25 fixed to the cam 25, and each support member 23 can be moved up and down according to the cam curve of the elevating cam 25.

Further, each support member 23 is provided with a rotational drive mechanism 3.
The above-mentioned frame bodies 5 are rotatably provided via 0. The rotary drive mechanism 30 includes a rotary shaft 31 that is vertically supported at the tip of the support member 23, and the frame 5 is attached to the lower end of the rotary shaft 31. On the other hand, the rotating shaft 31
A bevel gear 32 is attached to the upper end, and this bevel gear 32 is arranged horizontally to support the support member 2.
3 is meshed with a bevel gear 34 attached to one end of a rotating shaft 33 which is rotatably supported by a rotating shaft 33.

A torque spring 35 is provided between the rotating shaft 33 and the support member 23, and the torque spring 35 normally causes a cam lever 36 provided at the other end of the rotating shaft 33 to come into contact with a stopper (not shown). In this state, the rotating shaft 32 interlocked with the rotating shaft 33 via bevel gears 34 and 32 is held in a non-operating position, and the frame 5 attached thereto is held in a non-operating position. 5 is oriented in a direction in which a group of containers 2 to be transported by the transport conveyor 1 can be accommodated.

Further, a cam follower 37 is provided at the tip of the cam lever 36 provided at the other end of the rotating shaft 33, and the cam follower 37 can engage with a rotating cam 38 fixed to the frame 21.
When the cam lever 36 is rotated by the rotating cam 38 against the torque spring 35, the frame 5 can be rotated 90 degrees accordingly.

Next, the frame 5 includes side walls 41 and a ceiling wall 42 on four sides surrounding the grouped containers 2, and is located on one longitudinal side of the side wall 41 and rotated 90 degrees. Container group 2 to be extruded after
The front side wall in the extrusion direction is constituted by a shutter 43.

The shutter 43 is attached to a pair of guide shafts 44 vertically attached to the ceiling wall 42 so as to be able to rise and fall, and a cam follower 45 provided at the top of the shutter 43 engages with an open cam 46 fixed to the frame 21. It is possible. When the cam follower 45 engages with the opening cam 46, the shutter 43 is raised so that the front surface of the frame 5 in the extrusion direction can be opened.

Further, as shown in FIG.
By attaching the bracket 48 to a pair of endless chains 49 disposed in a vertical plane, the chains 4
9. Each extrusion member 7 is provided with a cam follower 50, and the frame 21 is provided with a cam 51 on which the cam follower 50 rolls, and the extrusion member 7 is moved forward and backward by the cam 51 and the cam follower 50, and the extrusion member 7 is moved forward and backward. Group 2 can be extruded.

In the above configuration, when the support member 23 conveyed by the endless chain 18 rotates around the sprocket 17 and is carried onto the conveyor 1, it is supported by the support member 23. The frame body 5 shown in FIG.
Moreover, the longitudinal direction thereof is the longitudinal direction of the conveyor 1. In addition, the shutter 4 constituting the frame 5
3 is located at the lower end due to its own weight, and the frame 5
The four sides around it are closed.

On the other hand, container group 2 grouped into a predetermined number
is conveyed by the conveyor 1 while being braked by the engaging member 4, and when the frame 5 is carried onto the conveyor 1, the frame 5 is positioned directly above the container group 2. and is transported at the same speed as container group 2.

When the frame 5 is positioned directly above the container group 2, the support member 23 is lowered via the cam follower 24 mounted on the elevating cam 25, so the frame 5 is also lowered and positioned directly below. conveyor 1
The upper container group 2 is relatively accommodated therein. As described above, when the container group 2 is housed in the frame 5, the engaging member 4 is retracted by a cam (not shown) to release contact with the containers 2, and the container group 2 continues to move on the conveyor 1. from there onto a smooth slide plate 6.

When the container group 2 is carried onto the slide plate 6, the container group 2 comes to be slid on the slide plate 6 by the conveyance of the frame 5, and further in this state, the cam follower 37 is moved onto the rotating cam 38. , and rotates the rotating shaft 33 against the elastic force of the torque spring 35, so that the frame 5 is rotated 90 degrees counterclockwise in FIGS. Also rotate container group 2 by 90 degrees.

When the frame body 5 is rotated 90 degrees, the cam follower 45 of the shutter 43 is then engaged with the opening cam 46 to raise the shutter 43 and open the front side of the container group 2 in the extrusion direction. At the same time, the frame 5 is slightly raised via the support member 23, and the extrusion member 7 located on the rear side in the extrusion direction of the container group can enter into the frame 5. At this time, the lower end of the side wall 41 on the rear side in the extrusion direction is set higher than the lower end of the side wall 41 on both sides in the extrusion direction, so that the extrusion member 7 can move the frame 5 without raising the frame 5 significantly. It is possible to enter inside.

In this state, the cam 51 starts moving the pushing member 7 forward via the cam follower 50, so that the pushing member 7 pushes out the container group 2 inside the frame 5 along the side walls 41 on both sides. The container group 2 pushed out from the frame body 5 is accommodated in the box 11 conveyed by the box conveyor 9 via the guide member 10 of the delivery conveyor 8, as described above.

When the extrusion member 7 finishes extruding the container group 2 in this way and the extrusion member 7 retreats to its original position, the cam follower 45 of the shutter 43 is separated from the opening cam 46, so that the shutter 43 is pushed to the lower end by its own weight. descend to the position. Also, the rotating cam 38
The cam follower 37 that had been engaged with the rotating cam 38 also separates from the rotating cam 38, so the rotating shaft 33 is rotated in the opposite direction by the elastic force of the torque spring 35.
Therefore, the frame 5 returns to its original position. Furthermore, the support member 23 is also raised by the lifting cam 25 to the initial state, and the same operation is repeated thereafter.

In the above embodiment, the speeds of the container group 2 and the frame body 5 transported by the transport conveyor 1 are set to be the same, but the speed is not limited thereto.
For example, the rear side of the frame 5 in the transport direction is opened, the transport speed of the container group 2 is set faster than the transport speed of the frame 5, the frame 5 is quickly lowered to the lower end position, and the container group 2 is lowered to the lower end position at an early stage. 2 can be housed in the frame body 5 from the opening section by the speed difference. Then, the opening section is rotated toward the pushing member, and the shutter 43 on the opposite side to the opening section is raised to push out the container group from there.

Conversely, it is also possible to rotate the opening toward the delivery conveyor 8 and push out the group of containers from the opening, and it is clear that the shutter 43 can be omitted in this case. Furthermore, it goes without saying that the shutter 43 can be omitted even when simply changing the direction of a group of containers.

"Effects of the Invention" As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to achieve the effect that the direction of the container can be changed more smoothly and at a higher speed than in conventional devices.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a plan view showing the main parts of Fig. 1, Fig. 3 is a front view of Fig. 2, and Fig. 4 is shown along the - line in Fig. 2. 5 is a plan view of the main part of FIG. 4, and FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along the line - in FIG. 4. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Conveyor, 2... Container, 5... Frame, 15... Conveyance device, 17... Sprocket,
18... Endless chain, 19... Connection shaft, 23...
... Support member, 25 ... Elevating cam (elevating mechanism), 3
0...Rotary drive mechanism, 38...Rotary cam, 41...
...Side wall, 42...Ceiling wall, 43...Shutter, 4
6...Open cam.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A transport conveyor that transports containers grouped into a predetermined number in a straight line, a box transport conveyor that is installed in parallel with this transport conveyor and transports boxes in a straight line, and In the boxing device, the box packing device is provided with a pushing member that moves and accommodates a group of containers transported by the transport conveyor into a box transported by the box transport conveyor. An endless chain that is passed and circulated, a frame that is provided on the endless chain so as to be able to be raised and lowered and that is circularly conveyed and that can accommodate the group of containers, and a frame that is raised and lowered to be moved up and down the conveyor. A lift mechanism lowers the frame from above the group of containers to be transported and accommodates the group of containers in the frame at the lowered position; and a rotational drive mechanism for changing the direction of the container, and the push-out member moves and accommodates the group of containers whose direction has been changed by rotation of the frame from the frame in the lowered position into the box. Boxing device with container direction change device. 2. The frame according to claim 1, wherein the frame is provided with a shutter that can be opened and closed, and when the shutter is opened, a group of containers housed in the frame can be pushed out from the frame. Boxing device with container direction change device.