JPH0632313A - Method of aligning products - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To align different products in a predetermined order by a method wherein the different products discharged from a plurality of transfer paths through which several kinds of products are intermittently transferred under an alignment condition, are transferred individually in a normal direction along intermediate transfer paths and aligned in a direction normal to the intermediate transfer paths at the terminal ends thereof. CONSTITUTION:In the case where first and second products A, B are continuously aligned in this order, first and second product transfer paths 1, 2 for supplying the respective products A, B to first and second intermediate transfer paths 11, 21 are symmetrically arranged, holding the intermediate transfer paths 11, 21 therebetween. Each product A, B supplied from each product transfer path 1, 2 is continuously discharged, under an intermittent transfer condition. to the intermediate transfer paths 11, 21 arranged in a direction normal to each transfer path 1, 2. At the terminal ends of the intermediate transfer paths 11, 21 in a direction in which the products are transferred, an alignment discharge path 3 is arranged in a direction normal to the intermediate transfer paths 11, 21. When the products A, B on the intermediate transfer paths 11, 21 are intermittently transferred, the products A, B at the terminal ends of both the transfer paths 11, 21 are discharged to the alignment discharge path 3 as a group, whereby a desired alignment condition can be obtained.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an alternating arranging method, and more particularly to a method for arranging a plurality of types of products such as biscuits and caramels alternately.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In the process of manufacturing confectioneries such as biscuits and caramels, products discharged continuously are packaged in fixed quantities. At this stage, it is necessary to align the posture suitable for the packaging. Therefore, along with the route up to the packaging process, the posture of the product is optimized and the product is continuously kept in this proper posture.

However, recently, for products such as biscuits and caramels, it is also necessary to pack two kinds of products having the same shape but different colors and different tastes alternately and continuously. In this case, the alignment mode can be changed to a state in which the first product and the second product are alternately continuous while the product group discharged through the separate manufacturing process is transferred to the final packaging process. Is desirable. Conventionally, there is no such requirement, and as far as the applicant knows, a method of alternately arranging as described above has not been proposed.

The present invention has been made in view of the above point. "A plurality of types of products having substantially the same shape are grouped as a unit product group in which different types of products are consecutive in a fixed order and in the same posture. In the method of aligning unit product groups with a transfer route, '' a plurality of types of products discharged from the manufacturing process are automatically arranged in the same order in the transfer route reaching the packaging process. The task is to

[0005]

The present invention has an object to make it possible to align a unit product group consisting of a plurality of types of products in a transfer path so as to be continuous, and a technical technique adopted for this purpose. The means is "a plurality of product transfer paths provided in the same number as the number of product types so that products of a specific type are aligned in a fixed posture and continuously discharged in an intermittent transfer state. An intermediate transfer path which is continuously arranged at the end and intermittently runs in a direction perpendicular to the product transfer path, and an intermediate transfer path which is continuous to the end of the intermediate transfer path and runs in a direction perpendicular to these intermediate transfer paths. The intermediate discharge path (3), the intermediate transfer paths are arranged adjacent to each other, and the products are intermittently transferred while being put in the intermediate transfer path. Aligning the input position from each intermediate transfer path in The products are arranged in series in the transfer direction of (3), and these products are intermittently discharged as a group in the same posture.The transfer of products on each transfer path is performed on the product receiving side when the product discharging side is moved. Is in a stopped state, and after the product loading is completed, the transfer path on the product discharge side is stopped and the transfer path on the receiving side is moved. ”

[0006]

The above technical means operates as follows. The intermediate transfer path is loaded with a product from the product transfer path when the intermediate transfer path is stopped. In addition, at this time, each product moves along the intermediate transfer path in a posture in which the product is still loaded. Since the product transfer path is in a posture orthogonal to the intermediate transfer path, the product in the intermediate transfer path is changed in posture with respect to the transfer direction by an angle of 90 degrees.

The product transferred by each intermediate transfer path in this posture is stopped at the terminal end of the aligned discharge path (3),
It is put in the same state and in series. Since the transfer direction of this alignment discharge path (3) is the serial direction of the products, the posture of each product put in the alignment discharge path (3) with respect to the transfer direction is the same as that of each product transfer path. Or, it will be reversed. Further, since the product transfer paths are arranged adjacent to each other, the products put into the aligned discharge path (3) form a continuous group.

When the above operation is repeated, a group of products of different kinds are continuous in the aligned discharge path (3) and have the same posture or the inverted posture in the transfer direction. Therefore, in the case of a product that does not have a front-back posture with respect to the transfer direction or a product that does not have a problem in the alignment state even if the posture is reversed, the products that are continuously loaded in the intermittent transfer state are alternately aligned in the discharge path (3 ), It is possible to discharge continuously in an intermittent transfer state.

[0009]

[Effect] Since different kinds of product groups are arranged in a predetermined order while passing through the intermittent transfer path, the product manufacturing process and the packaging process can be continued.

[0010]

【Example】

[Embodiment 1] Next, referring to FIG.
Details will be described with reference to FIG. In this embodiment, two products of different types, that is, the first product (A) and the second product (B) are arranged so as to be consecutive in this order. The product transfer paths are both belt conveyors, and the first product transfer path (1) for supplying the first product (A) to the first intermediate transfer path (11) and the second product (B)
And a second product transfer path (2) for supplying the product transfer path (21) to the second intermediate transfer path (21), the product transfer paths being symmetrically arranged with the intermediate transfer path group sandwiched therebetween, and aligned from the product supply section. The first product (A) and the second product (B) supplied in step 2 are intermittently transferred in a fixed posture.

Further, here, the first product (A) and the second product (B) are both rectangular parallelepiped products, and the flat surfaces are up and down, and the facing long sides of the surfaces are front and back. Then, each product is transferred to the corresponding intermediate transfer path. The intermediate transfer path group is arranged in a posture orthogonal to the product transfer path, and in this embodiment, the transfer rod is configured to project above the transfer surface from a long hole formed in the middle of the transfer surface,
The first intermediate transfer path (11) has a long hole (13) formed in the transfer surface (12).
The transfer rods (14) and (14) are configured to project from the above. Also,
The second intermediate transfer path (21) has an elongated hole (23) formed in the transfer surface (22).
The transfer rods (24) and (24) project from the above.

The transfer surface (12) and the transfer surface (22) are formed by dividing one flat plate into two in the longitudinal direction by the partition wall (W), and the width of each transfer surface is the first product (A) and The length is set slightly larger than the length of the short side of the plane shape of the second product (B). As shown in FIG. 2, the transfer rod (14) and the transfer rod (24) are both L-shaped, each consisting of a guide rod (L ₁ ) and a protruding rod (L ₂ ), and the bending point thereof is a chain ( It is pivotally supported by 4). As shown in FIG. 3, this shaft support structure has a shaft portion (41) projecting laterally from the connecting pin of the chain link at a distance that matches the distance between the long hole (13) and the long hole (23). The transfer rods (14) (24) are rotatably supported by bending points, and the guide plate (42) is fixed along the upper horizontal traveling portion of the traveling path of the chain (4). When the guide plate (42) and the guide rod (L ₁ ) of each of the transfer rods are in contact with each other, the projecting rod (L ₂ ) is maintained in an upright posture and runs horizontally.

At the start point and the end point in the transfer direction by the chain (4), the guide rod (L ₁ ) is disengaged from the guide plate (42) to be in a free state, whereby the protruding rod (L ₂ ) is Run with the posture of hanging from the fulcrum. The guide plate (42) and the chain are connected so that the guide rod (L ₁ ) of each transfer rod in the free state at the fulcrum portion is rotated in an upright posture by the pair with the starting point of the guide plate (42). The relationship with the transfer trajectory of (4) has been determined.

The aligned discharge path (3) has transfer stands (31a) and (31b) formed so as to be orthogonal to the transfer surfaces (12) and (22) at the end points of the transfer surfaces (12) and (22), and the products are intermittently supplied thereto. It is composed of a pushing device (30) for selectively feeding. The starting points of the transfer tables (31a) and (31b) are continuous with the distribution table (32), and the transfer surface (12) is provided on the distribution table.
And the end point of the transfer surface (22) is continuous. The pushing device (30) is a linear reciprocating device (30a) equipped with an output part that reciprocates at a predetermined timing, and an extruding piece (3a) attached to the output part of this device.
0b) The extruded piece (30b) moves along the upper surface of the distribution table (32), and the reciprocating movement distance is the transfer surface (1
2) and the width of the product transfer area on the transfer surface (22) are set slightly larger than the sum.

In the above embodiment, the first product (A) and the second product (B) continuously and intermittently transferred from the product transfer path.
However, the long sides of the transfer surface 12 and the transfer surface 22 are separately placed with their long sides in the horizontal posture. At this time, the chain (4) is stopped and the transfer rod (14) of the first intermediate transfer path (11) and the transfer rod (24) of the second intermediate transfer path (21) are on the upper side of the loading position. It stands upright and stops, and the first product transfer path (1) and the second product transfer path (2) move by a constant stroke. As a result, when the product is completely loaded at the starting point of the transfer surface (12) and the transfer surface (22), the chain (4) moves by a constant stroke,
The transfer rods (14) and the protruding rods (L ₂ ) (L ₂ ) of the transfer rods (24) are moved along the upper surfaces of the transfer surfaces (12) (22). At this time, the postures of the first product (A) and the second product (B) are maintained such that their long sides are in a horizontal posture.

In this way, the first product transfer path (1) and the second product transfer path (2) intermittently connect the first product (A) and the second product (B) to the transfer surface (12). When put on the transfer surface (22), each product is intermittently transferred along the transfer surface (12) and the transfer surface (22) at a timing suitable for this. The first product (A) and the second product (B) that have reached the end points of the transfer surfaces (12) (22) are extruded by the transfer rod (14) and the transfer rod (24) onto the distribution table (32). ,
During this pushing operation, the pushing piece (30b) is retracted to one end of the distribution table (32). Then, when the pushing operation is completed and the first product (A) and the second product (B) are completely moved to the distribution table (32), the linear reciprocating device (30a) operates in this state to output the output. The part is moved to one side by a constant stroke and then stopped. As a result, the first product (A) put on the distribution table (32)
The second product (B) is placed in this order on the starting point of the transfer table (31a). The extruded piece (30b) is stopped at this position. After that, the first product (A) and the second product (B) are put into the distribution table (32) from the end points of the transfer surfaces (12) and (22) by the same procedure as above, and at the time of the completion of the feeding, a straight line is formed. The reciprocating device (30a) performs a return operation, and the pushing piece (30b) is driven to return. As a result, the second product (B) and the first product (A) in the front of the moving direction and the first product (A) in the rear of the moving direction are continuously loaded into the transfer table (31b) as a group.

When the above operation is continued, the transfer table (31a)
The first product (A) and the second product (B) are alternately and continuously arranged in the same posture on the transfer table (31b). [Embodiment 2] It is also possible to employ a transfer means that rotates as an intermediate transfer path. In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the transfer table (31a) is provided in parallel with the first product transfer path (1).
The transfer table (31b) is arranged parallel to the second product transfer path (2), and the pushing device (30) consisting of the linear reciprocating device (30a) and the extruding piece (30b) is used as the transfer table (31a). It is arranged between the transfer table (31b).

The intermediate transfer means that rotates is the first product (1) at the confluence part (10) where the discharge part of the first product transfer path (1) and the discharge part of the second product transfer path (2) face each other. A) and the second product
Hold (B) at the same time, and rotate 180 degrees in this holding state and the starting point of the transfer stand (31a) and the transfer stand.
It is moved to the distribution section (20) between the starting point of (31b). Therefore, a disk (5) having a diameter equal to the distance between the confluence part (10) and the distribution part (20), and a cover (51) for covering the peripheral edge of the upper half of the disk and the side wall in the vicinity thereof. ) And. The rotation surface of the disk (5) is set at right angles to the transfer direction of the product transfer path, and the thickness of the disk (5) is the same for the first product (A) and the second product (B). It is set to be slightly larger than the sum of the short sides in the plan view when they are installed side by side. The width of the first product (A) and the second product (B) is slightly larger than the thickness of the first product (A) and the second product (B) at the confluence part (10), and the long side of the first product (A) and the second product (B) is large. A rectangular notch (5
3) is formed, and this notch is open to both the peripheral direction and both end faces at a position where the circumference of the disc (5) is divided into four equal parts.

The product transfer path has the same structure as that of the first embodiment, but the outer side wall of the guide side wall of the transfer path of the product transfer path is extended and connected to the merging part (10). The partition plate (K) protrudes in the middle part in 10), and the first product (A) and the second product (B) that are put in from the product transfer path are this partition plate.
It is set to a predetermined posture while being in contact with (K). And
A slit (54) having a constant width is formed on the outer peripheral portion of the disc (5) at a position corresponding to the partition plate (K) over the entire circumference.

In this embodiment, when one notch (53) of the disc (5) coincides with the confluence (10), the disc is broken at this point.
(5) is stopped, and in this state, join the product transfer path to the junction (10).
The first product (A) and the second product (B) put in the inside are partition plates
It is housed in the notch (53) while being set in a predetermined posture in contact with (K). When this charging is completed, the disc (5) rotates by a certain angle. In this embodiment, since the notches (53) and (53) are formed at positions that divide the circumference into four equal parts, the rotation angle is 90 degrees.

When it is rotated by the angle and stopped, the new notch portion (53) is stopped at the same position as the merging portion (10). At this time, a new first product ( A) and the second product (B) are put into the notch (53), and then rotated by the same angle as described above. In this disc (5), the first product (A) and the second product (B) are accommodated in a state that they are arranged side by side in the thickness direction of the disc (5).
Moved to 0).

In this distributing section (20), a pushing device (30) similar to that in the first embodiment is provided, and an extruding piece (30b) of this pushing device (30b) is driven by a linear reciprocating device (30a) (not shown). Notch part is driven by reciprocating at a predetermined timing
First product (A) and second product (B) contained in (53)
Are sequentially arranged on the transfer tables (31a) and (31b). In the second embodiment, the first product (A) and the second product (B) held by the notch (53) of the disc (5) move in the space surrounded by the cover (51). It does not escape from the notch (53) during transfer. Further, the transfer path by the disc (5) exhibits the same function as the above-mentioned intermediate transfer path.

[Embodiment 3] In this embodiment, as shown in the figure, the first product transfer path (1) and the second product transfer path (2) are joined to the intermediate transfer path from the same direction. The second product transfer path (2) is provided at the upstream end of the intermediate transfer path.
However, the first product transfer path (1) merges with this downstream side.

The intermediate transfer path supports the product slidably in a direction perpendicular to the transfer direction, and specifically, the first intermediate transfer path (11) and the second intermediate transfer path of the first embodiment. Road (2
Adopt the same configuration as 1). In this one, the second
The second product introduced from the product transfer path (2) to the transfer surface (12)
(B) The second product (B) is transferred by the transfer rod (14). Then, when these reach the confluence of the first product transfer path (1), the first product (A) charged from the first product transfer path (1) is charged to the transfer surface (12). As a result, the second product (B) on the transfer surface (12) is extruded to the transfer surface (22) side,
The first product (A) is transferred to the alignment discharge path (3) while the second product (B) is supported on the transfer surface (22) in the second).

At the end points of the transfer surface (12) and the transfer surface (22), an extruding piece (30b) driven by a linear reciprocating device (30a) is provided as in the above embodiments, and this operation is carried out. In the example, the configuration is such that one reciprocating operation is performed by one operation.
Therefore, the product introduced from the product transfer path is transferred to the transfer surface (12).
And, while being transferred while being placed on the transfer surface (22), it becomes a parallel state, and this is sequentially arranged by the pushing device (30) provided at the starting point of the alignment discharge path (3). The same function as in the above embodiment.

In this embodiment, two first products (A) are used.
And the second product (B) are arranged alternately.
When arranging two or more products in a specific order, the number of product transfer paths according to the number of product types is merged with the intermediate transfer path, and the number of transfer paths in this intermediate transfer path is set to the product type. The number should match the number of. Further, in this case, the transfer paths of each type may be symmetrically arranged with the intermediate transfer path interposed therebetween.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an array diagram of each part of a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory sectional view of an intermediate transfer device.

[Fig. 3] Relationship diagram between transfer rod and chain (4)

FIG. 4 is an array diagram of each part of the second embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line XX.

FIG. 6 is an array diagram of each part of the third embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 (1) ・ ・ ・ First product transfer path (2) ・ ・ ・ Second product transfer path (11) ・ ・ ・ First intermediate transfer path (21) ・ ・ ・ Second intermediate transfer path (3) ・ ・ ・Aligned discharge path

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁵ Identification code Office reference number FI technical display location B65G 47/68 E 8010-3F C 8010-3F

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A method for arranging a plurality of types of products having substantially the same shape as a unit product group in which different types of products are continuous in a certain order and in the same posture, and aligning these unit product groups in a transfer path. Products of the same type are arranged in a fixed posture and are continuously discharged in an intermittent transfer state. An intermediate transfer path which is provided and intermittently runs in a direction perpendicular to the product transfer path, and an alignment discharge path (3 which is continuous with the end of the intermediate transfer path and runs in a direction perpendicular to the intermediate transfer path). ), The intermediate transfer paths are arranged adjacent to each other and the products are intermittently transferred while being put in the intermediate transfer paths. Align the input positions from the transfer direction of the discharge path (3) In this case, the products are intermittently discharged as a group in the same posture as they are in series, and the transfer of products on each transfer path is stopped when the transfer path on the product receiving side is stopped when the product discharging side moves. A product alignment method in which the transfer path on the product discharge side is stopped and the transfer path on the receiving side is moved after the product input is completed. 2. A plurality of product transfer paths are merged in the same direction with respect to an intermediate transfer path group consisting of a plurality of intermediate transfer paths adjacent to each other, and the product is connected to the uppermost stream side of the merge points. At the downstream merging point, the product is introduced from the product transfer path to a predetermined intermediate transfer path and the product transferred through the intermediate transfer path is transferred to an adjacent transfer path.
The product alignment method described in. 3. A product discharged from a plurality of product transfer paths for intermittently transferring a specific type of product in an aligned state is intermittently transferred individually in a direction perpendicular to the discharge direction in each intermediate transfer path, The transfer end points are aligned in the direction perpendicular to the intermediate transfer path. As a group of products discharged simultaneously from this end point,
A product alignment method in which the products are intermittently transferred in the series direction.