JPH0628497Y2 - Conveying device for egg containers, etc. - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed description of the device] "Industrial application field" This device is used for the packaging work of chicken eggs and the like, and for the accompanying work, after filling an object to be packaged in a predetermined packaging container, and then directly to the next work process. It relates to a device for transporting. In addition to chicken eggs, this device can also be used for fruits, vegetables,
It can also be used for transporting packaging containers for seafood, meat, processed foods, confectionery and the like.

"Prior art" Generally, in the packaging work of chicken eggs and the like, the following work processes such as a label loading process and a lid-sealing process are performed after filling a predetermined packaging container with an object to be packaged. In many cases, it is transported to a process, or after the lidding process is completed, it is further transported to a calibration (weighing) process, an inspection process, or the like.

However, the conveyors in each work process, that is, the conveyor, are driven at different drive speeds depending on the work contents, or are driven intermittently. Many container groups
It becomes difficult to keep the individual front-back intervals constant. Therefore, the front and the back contact each other in a certain section, and the distances from each other become too wide in another section.

When the front and rear containers are in strong contact with each other, there is a risk that the object to be packaged will roll when it is in an uncovered state. Also, if the next step is a lid sealing step or a weighing step when the sheet is conveyed in the contact state, the contact may interfere with normal lid sealing operation or accurate weighing operation due to the contact. Become. However, it is the current situation that no effective means to avoid this can be found.

"Problem to be Solved by the Invention" The problem to be solved by the invention is to allow a sufficient distance between containers before and after being conveyed.

"Means for Solving Problems" The present invention has the following features.

That is, at least on the conveyance start end side of a conveyor that conveys a container in which a plurality of stages and a plurality of rows of individual conveyance seats are projected downward, in parallel with the conveyance direction, on a plurality of fixed rails and on an extension line of the fixed rail, Both rails have a plurality of movable rails that have the length of the container, in order to regulate the transport direction of the container.
It is provided along the conveyor so as to engage with the lower surface of the individual accommodation seat of the container conveyed from the fixed rail side to the movable rail side.

Then, when one of the containers passes a certain position, a lifting mechanism is provided to tilt the movable rail in an upward gradient in the same direction as the transport direction to lift the container and separate it from the conveyor to interrupt the progress.

[Embodiment] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, reference numeral 1 denotes a conveyor constituted by an endless belt (or an endless chain), which is driven to convey a container P in a conveying direction a indicated by an arrow. It It is preferable to select at least the loading surface of the conveyor 1 made of a material having a small coefficient of friction with the container P, for example, a polyamide resin.

Here, the container P is formed in a thin plastic sheet such as a vinyl chloride sheet, for example, with individual storage seats P'of the egg E protruding downward in a plurality of rows and a plurality of stages, and is generally called an egg pack. Is. In the container P of the illustrated embodiment, five rows and two stages of individual storage seats P ′ are provided, and
It can hold one egg E.

Reference numeral 2 denotes a pair of left and right fixed rails, which are fixed to the frame 3 at positions near the left and right edges of the conveyor 1 in parallel with the conveyance direction a from the conveyance start end side of the conveyor 1. The left and right spacing l of the fixed rail 2 is the left and right length of the container, that is, the lateral width l1.
Designed smaller.

The container P supplied from the supply conveyor (not shown) to the conveyor start end side of the conveyor 1 is conveyed by the conveyor 1. At this time, the fixed rail 2 is provided on the lower surface of the individual accommodation seat P ′ of the container P.
The container P is engaged so as to be sandwiched from both sides, so that the transport direction a of the container P is regulated.

Reference numeral 4 denotes a movable rail provided in the conveying direction of the conveyor 1, which is connected to the end of the fixed rail 2 on the extension line of the fixed rail 2 and at a position close to the side edge of the conveyor 1.
The container 3 is tilted in the same direction as the conveying direction a of the container P in an upward slope, and pivotally attached to the frame 3 so as to be swingable so as to be able to return to a flat state again.

Similar to the fixed rail 2, a pair of left and right movable rails 4 are prepared, and the left and right spacing l is the left and right length of the container, that is, the lateral width l.
Designed to be smaller than 1. The length of the movable rail 4 is at least the length L2 of the container P, preferably slightly longer than the container P.

The container P that has passed through the fixed rail 2 is conveyed by the conveyor 1 similarly to the fixed rail 2, and is engaged with the lower surface of the individual accommodation seat P ′ of the container P so that the conveying direction a thereof is regulated. ing.

Reference numeral 5 is a solenoid used as a lifting mechanism, which tilts the movable rail 4 upwardly. Reference numeral 6 is a return spring for returning the slanted movable rail 4 to a flat state. Instead of the solenoid 5, for example, an air cylinder, a cam device, a crank device, or the like can be appropriately selected.

Reference numeral 7 is a photo sensor for detecting the passage position of the container P, which operates the solenoid 5 by an electric signal generated by the photo sensor. In the drawing, the case where the sensor 7 is installed to detect the arrival of the container P at a position in front of the tip 4'of the movable rail 4 by a distance substantially corresponding to the front-rear length 12 of the container P is shown.

Reference numeral 8 denotes a pair of left and right auxiliary rails for stabilizing the transporting posture of the container P on the extension line of the front side of the movable rail 4 when the movable rail 4 is in a flat state. Is fixed to the frame 3 at a position close to, and engages with the lower surface of the individual accommodating seat P ′ of the container P that is conveyed through the movable rail 4 and is in the conveying direction a.
Is regulated. Reference numeral 9 indicates a conveyor for the next step.

[Operation] When the preceding container P1 of the containers P conveyed by the conveyor 1 reaches the position detected by the sensor 7, the solenoid 5 is activated by the electric signal generated by the sensor 7 at that moment, and the movable rail 4 is moved. Slopes uphill. At this time, when the succeeding container P2 is advanced to the movable rail 4, the lower surface of the individual storage seat P'of the container P2 is engaged with the movable rail 4, so that the movable rail 4 inclined upwardly. It is lifted and leaves the conveyor 1 and the advancement is interrupted. In the meantime, the preceding container P1 advances.

If the length of the movable rail 4 is shorter than the length l2 of the container P, only the front end portion is lifted when the container P2 is stopped,
Since the rear end portion remains on the conveyor 1, it is difficult to completely stop it, and there is a risk that the succeeding container P3 will ride on the container P2. Furthermore, if the container P is a thin plastic molded product as in the illustrated embodiment, the eggs E may be bent into a V shape, and the eggs E may come into contact with each other and be damaged.

Next, when the movable rail 4 is returned to the flat state, a distance corresponding to one container P is generated between the containers P1 and P2. In this case, when the containers P3 and P4 subsequent to the container P2 are in a stock state, the loading surface of the conveyor 1 is excellent in terms of material smoothness, so that the conveyor 1 can easily move under the container group. There is no risk of slipping and exerting a strong pressure on the container group, and therefore there is no possibility of strongly pressing the container P2 on the movable rail 4 or pushing it forward.

Further, since the lower surface of the individual accommodation seat P'of the container P is engaged with the fixed rail 2, the preceding container is pushed by the following container,
These containers do not disturb the transportation posture and prevent smooth transportation.

[Other Embodiments] FIG. 4 shows another embodiment in which the movable rail 4 is provided with an operation of inclining upward. Reference numeral 10 is a pawl attached to the belt (or chain) of the conveyor 9 in the next step at equal intervals, and is a lifting mechanism that uses the rotation of the pawl 10 as a cam.

In the case of this embodiment, the number of claws 10 arranged, the distance between them,
If the rotation speed or the like is designed as a mortgage, the movable rail 4 can be vertically swung at a fixed timing without requiring a special device such as a sensor for detecting the passage position of the container P. As a result, the container P can be easily transferred to the next process conveyor 9 while keeping a certain distance.

"Effect of the device" Since a sufficient distance can be maintained between the front and rear of the container, especially during the lid sealing process and the weighing process, the lid sealing work,
The reliability and smoothness of the calibration work can be achieved. Moreover, the structure is extremely simple, robust, and affordable.

[Brief description of drawings]

1 is a side view, FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line AA, and FIG. 3 is B.
It is a -B line sectional view. FIG. 4 is a side view of another embodiment. 1 ... conveyor, 2 ... fixed rail, 4 ... movable rail, 5 ... solenoid (lifting mechanism), 10 ... claw (lifting mechanism), P ... container, P '... individual storage seat

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] 1. A conveyor for transporting a container, in which a plurality of stages and a plurality of rows of individual carrier storage seats are projected downward, is provided at a starting end side in a transport direction.
A plurality of fixed rails parallel to the transport direction, and a plurality of movable rails having at least the length of the container on the extension line of the fixed rail are provided from the fixed rail side to the movable rail side in order to regulate the container transport direction. It is provided along the conveyor so as to engage with each other on the lower surface of the individual accommodation seat of the container to be transported to, and when one of the containers passes a certain position,
A carrier device for a chicken egg container or the like, which is provided with a lifting mechanism that lifts the container and separates it from the conveyor by suspending the movable rail in an upward gradient in the same direction as the carrier direction.