JPH06234428A - Case separating device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a caseseparating device capable of mechanically separating a special shape case in which irregularity such as a rib is formed. CONSTITUTION:Respective container groupe A by one row, in which plural stages are stacked, are transferred on an elevating conveyer, and then many respective locking claws 53a, composing respective right and left case retaining plates 53, are independently pushed respectively to both the side surfaces of respective containers (a) stacked on the second stage from the lower side on the elevating conveyer. In this case, only the plural respective locking claws, abutting on ribs (b) formed on both the side surfaces of the containers (a), are independently pushed back; and the remaining respective locking claws, evaded from abutting on the ribs (b), are locked respectively from the lower side to both the side edge parts of the containers (a). Consequently, remaining respective container groups on the upper stage side, except respective containers (a) on the lowest stage placed onto the elevating conveyer, can be surely retained by the respective right and left case retaining plates 53; and the respective container groups A by one row can be separated, one stage by one stage, from the lower stage side.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention has a plurality of cases such as a synthetic resin container case formed in a nesting type or a stacking type, or a corrugated cardboard carrying case assembled in a box form. The present invention relates to a case separating device that is used in a work of separating stacked case groups one by one.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a case separating device for separating a case group in which cases such as those described above are stacked one by one, for example, a case separating device that has been already developed by the present applicant (Practical application 3) -75767).

In this device, after a group of containers for one row stacked on a pallet are transferred onto a lifting conveyor, both side edges of the containers stacked on the second lifting conveyor from the bottom. The left and right holding arms are respectively locked to the part,
The remaining container groups on the upper stage side, excluding the lowermost container, are held in an upright posture by the left and right holding arms. After that, the elevating conveyor is vertically lowered, and the bottommost containers placed on the elevating conveyor are supplied to the next step. In the same manner, the remaining upper container groups held by the left and right holding arms are lifted by the elevating conveyor, and the remaining upper container groups placed on the elevating conveyor are moved one step from the lower side. Separate one by one.

[0004]

However, when the container groups for one row are collectively transferred on the elevator conveyor as described above, for example, the number of stacking stages, the number of stacking rows, the stacking weight, etc. are changed. Because the loading force applied to each container group for one row is different depending on the loading, due to inertia during loading, each container stacked in the second stage from the bottom on the elevator conveyor and the left and right holding arms are locked. The positions are slightly displaced, and it is difficult to stop each container group for one row at a preset case separation position.

Further, when reinforcing ribs are formed to project on both side surfaces of each container that locks each of the left and right holding arms, the left and right holding portions are held at both side edge portions of the containers stacked in the second stage. When the arms are locked, the ribs formed on each container and the left and right holding arms interfere with each other to prevent mutual locking, and the left and right holding arms move up and down with incomplete holding. Vertically descending the conveyor for
The remaining upper container groups may drop or fall due to their own weight, and the respective containers may be damaged or damaged.

Therefore, the shape of the container that can be separated is limited in advance, and cannot be used for the operation of separating containers having other peculiar shapes. Moreover, the impact of dropping or falling may cause scratches, abrasions, or the like on the input material that has been input to the container, which may reduce the commercial value before shipping. In addition, when the containers stacked in the second stage are held by the left and right holding arms, the lifting conveyor is stopped up and down.
It takes time and effort to separate each container group of rows.

In view of the above problems, the present invention independently forms the irregularities such as ribs by independently engaging the left and right case holding claws with the side edges of the uniquely formed case. An object of the present invention is to provide a case separation device that can reliably separate even a peculiar case, and that can mechanically separate other cases having a peculiar shape.

[0008]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a case separating device, wherein left and right case holding means for holding cases of an appropriate number of stages placed on a lifting conveyor are provided for the lifting and lowering. It is characterized in that it is constituted by a plurality of case holding claws that are arranged in a keyboard shape so as to face both side surfaces of a case placed on a conveyor and that are independently displaced according to the side surface shape of the case.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first aspect, the case separating device has a closed position in which both side edges of the case are locked and fixed, and both sides of the case. The operation of the pawl moving means for moving the left and right case holding pawls to the open position where the lock is released from the edge portion is interlocked with the conveyor elevating means for elevating the elevating conveyor.

[0010]

In the case separating device according to the first aspect of the present invention, a case group having a plurality of stacked stages is placed on a lifting conveyer and vertically moved up and down. By pressing the left and right case holding claws arranged in a row, for example, only the plurality of case holding claws that come into contact with the ribs formed on both side surfaces of the case are independently displaced, and contact with the ribs is avoided. An appropriate number of case holding claws are locked from below to both side edges of the case, and the left and right case groups are retained, except for the bottom case mounted on the lifting conveyor. It can be held securely by the claws.

In the case separating device according to claim 1, in addition to the operation according to claim 1, the case groups stacked in a plurality of stages are placed on a conveyor for lifting and lowering vertically and at the same time, for lifting the same. By driving the pawl moving means in conjunction with the conveyor elevating means for vertically elevating the conveyor, an appropriate number of case holding pawls are locked to both side edges of the cases stacked in an appropriate number of stages, and the elevating conveyor The case groups stacked in a plurality of stages can be efficiently separated one by one in conjunction with the lifting operation.

[0012]

According to the present invention, a plurality of case holding claws arranged in a keyboard shape are independently locked to both side edges of a case formed in a peculiar shape. Even a peculiar case in which irregularities such as ribs are formed on the side surface portion for locking the case holding claw can be reliably separated. Moreover, even if the engagement positions of the case and the case holding claws formed in the unique shape are slightly displaced, the left and right case holding claws are independently engaged in correspondence with the side shape of the case. The shape of the case that can be separated as in the conventional device is not limited, and the separation work of the case having another peculiar shape can be performed mechanically, and the commercial value of the input thing put in the case is impaired. Can also be prevented.

Further, since the pawl moving means is driven in conjunction with the raising / lowering operation of the raising / lowering conveyor, it is necessary to stop raising / lowering of the raising / lowering conveyor when the left and right case holding pawls are locked to the case of an appropriate number of stages. Therefore, the case groups stacked in a plurality of stages can be efficiently separated one by one, the processing time required for separating the case groups for one row can be shortened, and the efficiency of the separation work can be improved.

[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. The drawings show, as an example of a case, a case separation device used for separating the nesting-shaped synthetic resin containers one by one.
In this case separating device 1, after transferring a pallet P on which a predetermined number of containers a ... Are stacked on a conveyor 2 for transportation, the conveyor 2 is driven to be stacked on the pallet P. Each of the plurality of rows of container groups A ... Is intermittently supplied to the unloading position one row at a time. At the same time, the case support machine 3
Drive each container group A stacked on the pallet P
The container loading / unloading machine 4 is driven and the container groups A stacked on the pallet P are supported while ...
Are loaded and unloaded one by one, the case separator 5 is driven, and each container group A ... for one column is separated one by one from the lower side and supplied onto the distribution conveyor 6.

In the above-mentioned transporting conveyor 2, the respective feed chains 9 and 9 are stretched between the respective sprockets 7 and 7 and the sprockets 8 which are axially supported at the feed end and the feed end. By the driving force of the feed motor 10 with a reduction gear arranged at the lower end side, the feed chains 9 and 9 are rotated in the pallet feed direction via the sprockets 11 and 12 and the drive chain 13 and stacked on the pallet P. The plurality of rows of container groups A ... Are intermittently driven when loading and unloading one row at a time, and are continuously driven during pallet supply and pallet discharge.

In the case supporter 3 described above, a mounting frame 14 is installed above the loading / unloading position on the conveyor 2 in parallel with the pallet feeding direction, and each guide rail 15 is installed on the lower surface side of the mounting frame 14. A movable base 16 is movably attached between the first and the second movable bases 15, and a case support plate 17 is pivotally supported on the rear end of the lower surface of the movable base 16 so as to be vertically rotatable. and,
A moving chain 20 is stretched between sprockets 18 and 19 which are axially supported at the feed-side start end and the feed-side end of the mounting frame 14, and the move chain 20 is connected and fixed to the central portion on the upper surface side of the movable table 16. Then, the sprocket 22,
23 for movement via 23 and drive chain 24
In the feeding direction, and in synchronization with the intermittent feeding of the above-described transporting conveyor 2, the case support plate 17 is brought close to the container groups A in the final row stacked on the pallet P at a predetermined interval. Move as it is.

In the case supporting plate 17, the piston rod of the revolving cylinder 25 arranged on one side of the movable base 16 is connected to the shaft end of the case supporting plate 17 to operate the revolving cylinder 25. The vertical position facing the feed side rear surface of each container group A ... Stacked on the pallet P,
The container is vertically moved to a horizontal position that allows passage of each container group A ... Stacked on the pallet P. In addition, a spring 27 is stretched between a rear lower end of the case support plate 17 and a lower rear end of the pressing plate 26 pivotally supported by the lower end of the case support plate 17, and the spring 27 is attached to the front side of the case support plate 17. Urging the pressing plate 26 in a direction in which it always projects.

In the case unloading machine 4 described above, a mounting frame 28 is erected above the unloading position on the transporting conveyor 2 orthogonal to the pallet feeding direction, and each guide rail is erected on the front side of the mounting frame 28. A movable base 30 is movably attached between the movable bases 29, 29, and a pusher plate 31 is vertically connected and fixed to a central portion on the front surface side of the movable base 30. In addition, the moving chain 3 is provided between the sprockets 32 and 33 that are axially supported at the feed side start end and the feed side end of the mounting frame 28.
4 is stretched, the same moving chain 34 is connected and fixed to the central portion on the rear surface side of the movable table 30, and the sprocket 32, 33 is driven by the driving force of the moving motor 35 with a reduction gear arranged on the upper end side. The moving chain 34 is circulated in the unloading direction via the reciprocating position to face each container group A for one row stacked on the pallet P, and on the elevator conveyor 39 of the case separator 5 described later. Container group A for one row
The pusher plate 31 is moved back and forth to the forward position for transferring.

As shown in FIGS. 3, 4, 5, and 6, the above-mentioned case separator 5 is mounted on the side of the unloading position on the transporting conveyor 2 in parallel with the case unloading direction and is attached to the mounting frame 36.
And a lifting platform 38 is movably mounted between the guide rails 37, 37 mounted on the front side of the mounting frame 36, and at the top end of the lifting platform 38 on the front side, one container group A for one row is mounted. A conveyor 39 for raising and lowering, which is formed to have a size for mounting, is horizontally fixed.

Further, the front peripheral edge of the rotary plate 40 bearing the central portion of the upper end of the mounting frame 36 and the rear lower end of the lift table 38 are connected by a crank arm 41, and the lower end of the same is disposed. By the driving force of the lifting motor 42 with the speed reducer,
The rotating plate 40 is rotated in one direction via the sprockets 43 and 44 and the drive chain 45, and the rotation of the rotating plate 40 is converted into the vertical movement of the elevating table 38 by the crank motion of the crank arm 41, and is arranged on the upper stage side. Conveyor 2 installed
The ascending / descending conveyor 39 is stopped to ascend / descend to a rising position that is horizontal to the upper pallet P and a descending position that is horizontal to the distribution conveyor 6 disposed on the lower stage side.

The above-described elevator conveyor 39 is for feeding each V-shaped section between the pulleys 46, 46 pivotally supported at the start end of the feed side and the pulleys 47, 47 pivotally supported at the end of the feed side. The belts 48, 48 are stretched, and by the driving force of the feed motor 49 with a reduction gear arranged at the lower end side, the feed belts 48, 48 are loaded in the loading direction via the sprockets 50, 51 and the drive chain 52. Orbit. That is, when the ascent is stopped, the conveyor 2 for transportation arranged on the upper stage side.
When transferring each group of containers A for one row from the upper pallet P, the elevating conveyor 39 is rotationally driven in the case loading direction, and when the descending is stopped, it is placed on the distribution conveyor 6 arranged on the lower stage side. When the containers a for one stage are transferred, the elevating conveyor 39 is rotationally driven in the case loading direction.

In addition, the support shafts 5 are provided on both upper sides of the elevator conveyor 39 stopped at the raised position in parallel with the case feed direction.
4, 54 are mounted on the outer peripheral surface of each of the support shafts 54, 54,
The case holding plates 53, which are three sheets, are fixed so as to face both side surfaces of the containers a, which are stacked in the second stage from the bottom on the elevator conveyor 39, and one side of each of the support shafts 54, 54. The end portion and the left and right end portions of the interlocking shaft 55 that is mounted on the upper end side are connected to each other via umbrella-shaped gears 56 and 57, respectively.

Further, one end of the support shaft 54, which is supported on one side, and one end of the support shaft 58, which is supported in parallel with the support shaft 54, are connected by an arm 59. The cam roller 60 pivotally supported on the other end of the rotary plate 58 and the cam portion 61 formed on the peripheral edge of the rear surface of the rotary plate 40 are engaged to support the piston rod of the traction cylinder 62 disposed on the upper end side. By connecting to one end of the shaft 54 and operating the traction cylinder 62,
The cam roller 61 of the support shaft 58 is urged to rotate against the cam portion 61 of the rotary plate 40 in a direction in which it is constantly pressed. That is, the rotating plate 4 is driven by the driving force of the lifting motor 42 described above.
0 to rotate, via the cam roller 60 and the cam portion 61, the second position from the bottom on each of the containers a ... The case holding plates 53, 53 on the left and right are rotated to the open position where the holding of ... Is released.

In addition, the support plates 63, which are placed close to the upper side containers a ...
63 are arranged at the left and right positions, respectively, and a support plate 64 is arranged close to the front surface of the container group A placed on the terminal side of the elevator conveyor 39 on the unloading side.

Since the above-mentioned case holding plates 53 ... Are symmetrically arranged, the structure of the case holding plate 53 disposed on one side will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 7, FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, each of the ten locking claws 5 bent into an L shape is formed at the upper end of the rear surface of the movable plate 53b fixed on the support shaft 54.
3a are arranged in a keyboard shape, and the lower ends of the locking claws 53a are erected on the upper end of the rear surface of the movable plate 53b.
3c is connected and fixed orthogonally to the case feeding direction, and the upper ends of the respective locking claws 53a ... Are L-shaped toward the direction facing one side surface of the container a placed on the elevator conveyor 39. It is bent and formed.

A movable plate 53b fixed on the support shaft 54
And one side surface of the container a placed on the elevator conveyor 39 by compressing and loading the coil springs 53d on the lower end facing surfaces of the locking claws 53a supported on the movable plate 53b. While biasing the locking claws 53a in a direction opposite to each other, the adjustment screws 53e screwed into the intermediate portions of the locking claws 53a and the rear end of the movable plate 53b are brought into contact with each other. Thus, the rotation of the container a placed on the elevating conveyer 39 is regulated to an appropriate angle at which the respective locking claws 53a are locked with respect to one side edge of the container a.

With the illustrated embodiment configured as described above, the separating operation of the container group A by the case separating device 1 will be described below. First, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the transporting conveyor 2 is driven to intermittently feed the pallet P on which the container groups A for 5 rows are placed, and the case supporter 3 is driven. Then, the container groups A for five rows are moved while being supported by the case support plate 17 in the upright posture.
At the same time, the case unloading machine 4 is driven to move each of the container groups A for 5 rows in the case unloading direction by the pusher plate 31 one row at a time, and for raising and lowering the case separator 5 waiting in the ascending position. The conveyor 39 is rotationally driven in the case loading direction, and the five groups of container groups A ... which are unloaded from the pallet P are transferred onto the lifting conveyor 39 one by one.

Next, as shown in FIGS. 3, 4, 6, and 7, the lifting motor 42 of the case separator 5 is driven to drive the rotary plate 40 through the sprockets 43 and 44 and the drive chain 45. Is rotated in one direction, and the lifting / lowering conveyor 39 is vertically lowered by the crank motion of the crank arm 41 connected to the rotary plate 40, so that one group of container groups A ...
The conveyor 39 for raising and lowering is lowered from the ascending position to the descending position. At the same time, the cam portion 6 formed on the rotary plate 40
1 and the cam roller 60 are engaged to rotate the left and right case holding plates 53, 53 fixed on the support shafts 54, 54 to the open position.

Immediately before reaching the descending position, the rotary plate 40
The engagement between the cam portion 61 and the cam roller 60 formed in the above is released, and the left and right case holding plates 53, 53 fixed on the support shafts 54, 54 are rotated in the closing direction. At the same time, the case holding plates 53, 53 on the left and right are respectively locked to both side edges of the containers a ... Stacked in the second stage from the bottom on the elevator conveyor 39, and the remaining container groups A on the upper stage side. ... are held in a standing posture by the left and right case holding plates 53, 53.

8 and 9 show the case where the reinforcing ribs b ... Are formed on both side surfaces of the container a which holds the left and right case holding plates 53, 53 when holding the case. As described above, when the left and right case holding plates 53, 53 are pressed against both side surfaces of the containers a stacked in the second stage, the ribs b formed on both side surfaces of the container a and the left and right case holding plates are held. A plurality of locking claws 5 pivotally supported on the plates 53, 53
3a ... and abuttingly contacting each rib b ..., the respective locking claws 53a ... Are pushed back in the unlocking direction against the biasing force of each coil spring 53d. The remaining locking claws 53a, which have been prevented from contacting, are locked from below on both side edges of the container a, so that the lifting conveyor 3
9 except the bottommost containers a ... Placed on the top 9 and the remaining upper container groups A ..
It can be securely held by the appropriate number of locking claws 53a ...

Further, when one group of container groups A ... Stacked on the pallet P are transferred onto the elevator conveyor 39, each of the containers stacked on the elevator conveyor 39 at the second stage from the bottom. Container a ... and left and right case holding plates 53,
Even if the locking position with 53 is slightly displaced, in the same manner as described above,
The case holding plates 53, 53 on the left and right are securely locked to both side edges of the containers a ... Stacked in the second stage,
The remaining container groups A on the upper stage side can be held in a standing posture by the left and right case holding plates 53, 53.

On the other hand, the elevating conveyor 39 on which the containers a for one stage are placed is vertically lowered, and the elevating conveyor 39 is lowered to a height position which is horizontal to the distribution conveyor 6 on the lower side. After stopping, the conveyor 39 for raising and lowering is rotationally driven in the case-loading direction to sequentially transfer the containers a for one stage onto the conveyor 6 for distribution, and the next step (not shown).
Supply to.

Next, the lifting / lowering conveyor 39 is vertically lifted by the crank motion of the crank arm 41 connected to the rotary plate 40, and the remaining upper container groups A ... Held by the left and right case holding plates 53, 53 are retained. The lifting / lowering conveyor 39 is temporarily lifted, and the lifting / lowering conveyor 39 is stopped to be lifted to a height position which is horizontal to the pallet P placed on the upper-stage-side transporting conveyor 2. At the same time, the left and right case holding plates 5 fixed on the support shafts 54, 54 by engaging the cam portion 61 formed on the rotary plate 40 and the cam roller 60.
Rotate 3,53 to the open position.

Thereafter, in the same manner as described above, the remaining container groups A ... Mounted on the elevator conveyor 39 are sequentially separated one by one from the lower side. After the separation work of each container group A for one row is completed, the transporting conveyor 2 and the case unloading machine 4 are driven, and each container group A for the second to fifth rows is ...
Are loaded and unloaded from the pallet P one row at a time. At the same time, the case separator 5 is driven to sequentially separate each of the second to fifth row container groups A ... From the lower side. After the separation work of all the container groups A ... Stacked on one pallet P is completed, the next pallet P is transported to the unloading position on the transporting conveyor 2, and each container group A stacked on the pallet P ... Continue the unloading work and separation work.

As described above, after one row of each container group A ... Stacked on the pallet P is transferred onto the lifting / lowering conveyor 39, it is stacked on the second lifting / lowering conveyor 39 from the bottom. Further, since the locking claws 53a forming the left and right case holding plates 53, 53 are independently locked to both side edges of each container a, the plurality of ribs b are formed on both side surfaces. Even the formed unique container a can be reliably separated.

Moreover, even if the locking positions of the containers a ... Stacked in the second stage and the left and right case holding plates 53, 53 are slightly displaced, the left and right containers a ... Retaining claws 53 forming the case holding plates 53, 53
Since a ... Are independently locked, the shape of the container a that can be separated is not limited unlike the conventional device.
It is possible to mechanically separate the container a having another peculiar shape, and it is possible to prevent the commercial value of the input material in the container a from being impaired.

In addition, since the left and right case holding plates 53, 53 are driven to open and close in conjunction with the raising and lowering operation of the raising and lowering conveyor 39, the left and right case holding plates 53, 53 are stacked on the second container a. It is not necessary to stop the lifting / lowering conveyor 39 when stopping 53 when locking 53, and each container group A for one row can be efficiently separated one stage at a time, and each container group A can be separated. The required processing time can be shortened, and the efficiency of separation work can be improved.

In the correspondence between the configuration of the present invention and the above-described embodiment, the case of the present invention corresponds to the container a of the embodiment, and hereinafter, similarly, the case group corresponds to the container group A and the case holding. The case holding claws constituting the means correspond to the case holding plate 53 and the respective locking claws 53a, and the claw moving means is the rotating plate 40, the lifting motor 42, and the support shafts 54, 5.
8, an interlocking shaft 55, an arm 59, gears 56, 57
Corresponding to the cam roller 60 and the cam portion 61, the conveyor elevating means includes a rotating plate 40, a crank arm 41,
Although it corresponds to the lifting motor 42, the sprockets 43 and 44, and the drive chain 45, the present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above-described embodiment.

In the above-mentioned embodiment, the container groups A on the remaining upper side, which are stacked in the second stage from the bottom on the elevator conveyer 39, are held by the case holding plates 53, 53 on the left and right sides, and the container is moved up and down. The container groups A for one row placed on the conveyor 39 for use are separated one by one from the lower stage side. For example, the case holding plates 53, 53 on the left and right are provided for each container a for one stage.
Elevating means (not shown) at a height position where is completely separated
It is also possible to move up and down in order to separate one row of each container group A ... Mounted on the lifting conveyor 39 from the upper side one by one.

Further, the respective locking claws 53a forming the left and right case holding plates 53, 53 are connected to the coil springs 53d.
Although the rotation is biased by ..., The rotation may be biased by an elastic body such as a leaf spring or synthetic rubber.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view showing a container unloading operation by a case separating device.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing container unloading operation by the case separating device.

FIG. 3 is a side view showing a standby state before the start of the separating operation by the case separator.

FIG. 4 is a front view showing a standby state before the start of the separating operation by the case separator.

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a case before the separation operation is started by the case separator or after the separation operation is completed.

FIG. 6 is a side view showing a container separating operation by the case separating device.

FIG. 7 is a front view showing a container separating operation by the case separator.

FIG. 8 is a side view showing a container holding state by the case separator.

FIG. 9 is a front view showing a container holding state by a case separator.

[Explanation of symbols]

 a ... Container b ... Rib A ... Container group 5 ... Case separator 39 ... Elevating conveyor 40 ... Rotating plate 41 ... Crank arm 53 ... Case holding plate 53a ... Engaging claw 60 ... Cam roller 61 ... Cam part

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A group of cases stacked in a plurality of stages is placed on a conveyor for raising and lowering and vertically ascending and descending, and cases corresponding to an appropriate number of stages placed on the conveyor for raising and lowering are held by left and right case holding means. And a case separating device for separating the case groups placed on the lifting conveyor one by one, wherein each of the case holding means is provided on both side surfaces of the case mounted on the lifting conveyor. A case separating device, which is arranged in a keyboard shape facing each other and is composed of a plurality of case holding claws which are independently displaced in accordance with the side surface shape of the case. 2. A plurality of case holding claws are moved between a closed position where they are locked and fixed to both side edges of the case and an open position where they are unlocked from both side edges of the case. The case separating device according to claim 1, wherein the operation of the pawl moving means is linked to a conveyor elevating means for vertically elevating the elevating conveyor.