JPH11245915A - Product supply apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a product supply apparatus capable of supplying products to a packaging machine by discharging them for each lot without causing frictional contact with one another. SOLUTION: Products MD supplied through a supply conveyor 2 are stacked on one another and stored in a hopper 6. When a hopper outlet is in a closed state, a product receiving plate 92 supports stacked tiers of the products MD and, when at least the predetermined number of the products MD is stacked in the hopper 6, the product receiving plate 92 is opened, whereby the stacked tiers of the products MD are dropped onto a bottom board 26. Thereafter, the product receiving plate 92 closes the outlet of the hopper 6 and lifts the stacked tiers of the residual products (#6-#12) in the hopper 6 to separate them from the integrated products MD (#1-#5). The integrated products MD on the bottom board 26 are transferred toward a packaging machine by a pusher 48.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a product supply device for supplying products to a packaging machine in a state of being accumulated.

[0002]

[Related Background Art] This kind of product supply apparatus is, for example,
The present invention is applied to a packaging machine for packaging a plurality of products together. According to this type of product supply device, a fixed number of products are sequentially cut out from the bottom of the products stacked in the hopper, and the cut out products are directed to the packaging machine in an accumulated state. Conveyed.

[0003] For cutting and transporting such products, for example, a chain drive type pusher is used. In this case, the pressing surface of the pusher has a height enough to press a certain number of products, and the height of the hopper outlet is set slightly higher than the height at which the certain number of products are accumulated. I have. Therefore, when the products stacked in the hopper are pressed by the pusher, a certain number of products are pushed out from the hopper outlet, while the remaining products remain in the hopper while being in contact with the inner wall of the hopper. I do. As a result, the above-described cutting is performed, and thereafter, a certain number of products are conveyed to the packaging machine in a state of being accumulated.

[0004]

However, in the above-described product supply apparatus, when cutting out a product,
The top product of the cut products and the bottom product of the products remaining in the hopper rub against each other. At this time, if the outer surfaces of these products are scratched, the product value may be significantly impaired.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a product supply apparatus capable of supplying a fixed number of products to a packaging machine without rubbing the products. is there.

[0006]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a product supply apparatus, comprising: a hopper for receiving products transported from a product line and stacking and storing the products; and a hopper disposed below the hopper. Open and close the hopper outlet and the transfer surface extending toward the packaging machine, open the hopper outlet, drop the product line in the hopper onto the transfer surface, and direct the product line between the hopper outlet and the transfer surface toward the packaging machine. After forming a fixed number of integrated products to be supplied, the hopper outlet is closed, the remaining product line remaining in the hopper is lifted, and the integrated product cutting means for separating from the integrated products, and packaging of the integrated products on the transfer surface are performed. Transport means for transporting the paper toward the machine.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the outlet of the hopper is opened by the integrated product cutting means, all the products stacked in the hopper fall onto the conveying surface.
At this time, a fixed number of integrated products are formed on the transport surface, and thereafter, the hopper outlet is closed and the residual product row is lifted, so that a gap is formed between the integrated product and the residual product row. Occurs, thereby completing the cutting of the integrated product. Therefore, when this integrated product is carried by the carrying means, the products do not rub against each other.

[0008] In the product supply device of the second aspect, the transport surface thereof can be moved up and down. In this case, the vertical position of the conveying surface with respect to the integrated product cutting means is adjusted according to the set number of the integrated products to be supplied to the packaging machine.

[0009]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to FIG. 1, an overall configuration of a packaging machine 1 to which a product supply device as an embodiment is applied is schematically shown. The packaging machine 1 includes a supply conveyor 2 for taking in a product sent from a product line (not shown). The supply conveyor 2 is supported by legs 4 at one end.

The product supply apparatus of this embodiment is applied in a state of being incorporated in a packaging machine 1. Specifically, a hopper 6 arranged near the end of a supply conveyor 2 in the packaging machine 1 is used. And a supply unit 8 disposed below the hopper 6. The hopper 6 receives the products transported from the supply conveyor 2, and stores the products in a row in the hopper. Here, the product is, for example, a mini-disc product in which a disc case containing a mini-disc floppy is individually packaged. Note that products handled in the product supply device need not be individually packaged. The supply unit 8 supplies the products in an integrated state to the packaging unit in the packaging machine 1 as articles to be packaged.

The function of the packaging machine 1 is as follows.
At 0, the film unwound from the film reel FR is cut into predetermined lengths to form a packaging film, and the packaging film is used to package the article to be packaged. In addition,
A tear tape fed from the tear tape bobbin TB is attached to one side edge of the film in the middle of the feeding path. The packaging film is folded in a U-shape along the outer surface of the article to be packaged, and in this state,
An article to be packaged is inserted into a pocket of the turret 12. Thereafter, the packaging film is sealed with the body as the turret 12 rotates, and when the article to be packaged is discharged from the turret 12, both sides of the packaging film are sealed next to complete the packaging.

Referring to FIG. 2, the configurations of the hopper 6 and the supply unit 8 of the product supply device are shown in detail. FIG.
2 shows in detail the cross section of the hopper 6 along the line III-III in FIG. 2 and the configuration of an integrated product cutting mechanism 14 described later. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the hopper 6 includes a pair of left and right side walls 20, a front wall 22, and a rear wall 24 when viewed in the transport direction of the supply unit 8. The rear wall 24 is disposed at an interval enough to allow the products MD to be stacked in the hopper 6. Product M
D is supplied from the supply conveyor 2 in the direction of the arrow in FIG. The supply unit 8 includes a pair of left and right flooring plates 26 having a horizontal surface, and a chain drive type pusher unit 28. As described above, the pusher unit 28 conveys the products MD in an integrated state toward the arrow direction shown in the drawing, that is, toward the turret 12.

More specifically, the side wall 20 of the hopper 6 and the supply unit 8 are formed as flange portions 30 whose bases protrude in the horizontal direction. Is fixed to the upper surface of the corresponding floor plate 26. The left and right floor boards 26 are respectively fixed to a frame 32 of a pusher unit 28 described later. FIG. 3 shows a cross section of one of the side walls 20 and the floor board 26.

A front wall 22 and a rear wall 24 on the corresponding side are fixed to the left and right side walls 20, respectively. The front wall 22 is disposed vertically at the front edge of the side wall 20 when viewed in the supply direction of the supply conveyor 2, and the upper end thereof is
It is set to the same level as the upper end of 0. On the other hand, the lower end of the front wall 22 is not set at the same level as the lower end of the side wall 20. Therefore, a predetermined interval is secured between the lower end of the front wall 22 and the upper surface of the floor plate 26. ,
The pair of front walls 22 partially open the front surface of the hopper 6.

On the other hand, the rear wall 24 is vertically arranged at the rear edge of the side wall 20, and its upper end is located at a level slightly below the end of the supply conveyor 2. Therefore, the product MD delivered from the end of the supply conveyor 2
Can fall over the upper end of the rear wall 24 and fall into the hopper 2. The lower end of the rear wall 24 is positioned at the same level as the lower end of the side wall 20 and contacts the floor plate 26, while FIG.
As shown in the figure, the lower end region is largely cut away. Therefore, these rear walls 24 do not completely close the back surface of the hopper 6, and the
The back is partially open.

The pusher unit 28 has a pair of left and right frame frames 32 forming both side surfaces thereof, and these frame frames 32 are arranged at predetermined intervals in the width direction. A plurality of cross members 34 extending horizontally in the width direction are arranged at predetermined intervals in the front-rear direction between the frame frames 32, and the left and right frame frames 32
They are interconnected via these cross members 34.

Each of the frame frames 32 is provided with bearings 36 at both front and rear ends thereof.
2 rotatably supports a pair of front and rear sprocket shafts 38 and 40 via these bearings 36. The rear sprocket shaft 38 protrudes outside the frame 32 and has a drive gear (not shown) attached to an end thereof. The driving gear is supplied with a driving force from a main motor of the packaging machine.

A pair of sprockets 42 and 44 are mounted on the front and rear sprocket shafts 38 and 40, respectively. They are arranged on the same line. Therefore, the sprocket 42,
The reference numeral 44 is a pair on the left and right. An endless roller chain 46 is wound around each of the sprockets 42 and 44 forming the set, and the left and right roller chains 46 are arranged in parallel with each other. FIG. 2 shows only one roller link constituting the roller chain 46.

As is well known, the pusher 48 is driven as the left and right roller chains 46 travel, and conveys the integrated product MD on the floor plate 26 in the direction of the arrow shown in the figure. Therefore, the upper surface of the floor plate 26 is a transport surface. In addition, a rod 50 for driving the pusher 48 is disposed between the left and right roller chains 46. The rod 50 extends through the base of the pusher 48, and both ends are connected to the roller chain 46, respectively.

As shown in FIG. 2, a pair of left and right lateral guide plates 52 are provided on the upper surface of the floor plate 26 and extend along the direction of conveyance of the pusher 48. It guides both sides of the conveyed integrated product MD. An upper guide plate 54 is provided on the front wall 22 of the hopper 6 and extends from the front surface of the hopper 6 in the transport direction of the pusher 48. This upper guide plate 54
It is bent at the lower end of the front wall 22, and its base is fixed to the inner surface of the front wall 22.

Next, the integrated product cutting mechanism 14 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. The integrated product cutout mechanism 14 includes a pair of left and right air cylinder units. Each air cylinder unit includes a horizontally moving cylinder 60 and a vertically moving cylinder 62.
Such left and right cylinder units are fixed to a main body frame 64 of the packaging machine 1 via a bracket 66. The bracket 66 has a base end fastened to the main body frame 64, extends vertically upward from the main body frame 64, and
It is bent horizontally toward the hopper 6 at a position higher than that. Between the horizontal and vertical portions of the bracket 66,
A gusset plate 68 is provided to prevent the horizontal portion from sagging.

The horizontal portion of the bracket 66 is
8 has a constant width in the conveying direction, and on the upper surface thereof,
Support bases 70 and 72 for supporting the individual cylinders 60 and 62 are provided upright, respectively. Cylinder 60
Are supported on the corresponding support base 70 so as to be vertically swingable. Specifically, the support base 70 is provided with a pin 72 penetrating in the width direction thereof.
On the other hand, the receiving plate 74 of the cylinder 60 has
2 and is swingably supported by the support base 70. Therefore, the cylinder 60 can also swing with the swing of the receiving plate 74.

On the other hand, the cylinder 62 is fixed to the support base 72 via a fixing plate 76 as shown. Specifically, the base end of the fixing plate 76 is fastened to the top of the support base 72, and extends horizontally from the top toward the hopper 6. The cylinder 62 is fastened to the tip of the fixed plate 76. The piston rod 78 of the cylinder 62 extends downward through the fixing plate 76,
Below the fixed plate 76, it is connected to a lift plate 80 extending orthogonally to the fixed plate 76. The lift plate 80 has the same length as the width of the receiving plate 74 and the bracket 66
When viewed in the width direction, bolt insertion holes are formed at both ends of the lift plate 80, respectively. On the other hand, in the receiving plate 74, bolt insertion holes are formed at positions corresponding to the bolt insertion holes of the lift plate 80, and these corresponding bolt insertion holes form a pair. A lift bolt 82 is inserted downward from the upper surface of the lift plate 80 into each of the bolt insertion holes forming these sets, and a nut is screwed into each lift bolt 82 on the lower surface of the receiving plate 74. Have been. Therefore, when the cylinder 62 is driven and the piston rod 78 is lifted, the cylinder 60 receives a lifting force via the lift plate 80, the lift bolt 82, and the receiving plate 74 described above.

A stopper bolt 86 is screwed into the lift plate 80, and a predetermined clearance is secured between the top surface of the stopper bolt 86 and the lower surface of the fixed plate 76. On the other hand, a stopper bolt 88 is screwed into the horizontal portion of the bracket 66 from below, and the distal end of the stopper bolt 88 contacts the lower surface of the receiving plate 74 in a state shown by a solid line in the drawing. In this state, the cylinder 60 and the receiving plate 74 are supported by the bracket 66 via the stopper bolt 88, whereby the downward rotation of the cylinder 60 is stopped.

Accordingly, when the piston rod 78 is pulled up by driving the cylinder 62, the piston rod 7
The stroke 8 is limited to the clearance between the top surface of the stopper bolt 86 and the lower surface of the fixing plate 76 described above. In FIG. 3, the two-dot chain line shows the cylinder 60 and the like that have been rotated upward by the lifting operation of the piston rod 78.

The piston rod 90 of the cylinder 60 has
A product receiving plate 92 is attached to the end thereof, and the piston rod 90 has a stroke enough to push the product receiving plate 92 from a position indicated by a two-dot chain line to a position indicated by a solid line in the figure. Here, the reason why the product receiving plate 92 does not interfere with the side wall 20 of the hopper 6 at the solid line position shown in FIG.
This is because the insertion hole 94 for the second hole 2 is formed.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the product receiving plate 92. As is clear from FIG. 4, the width of the product receiving plate 92 is set smaller than the width of the insertion hole 94. On the other hand, since the width of the insertion hole 94 is set smaller than the front and rear length of the product MD, the product MD does not fall out of the hopper 6 through the insertion hole 94. In addition, the brackets 66 include sensors 100 and 1 for detecting the height and the stacking posture of the products MD accumulated in the hopper 6.
02 are provided in pairs on the left and right, respectively. More specifically, each of the sensors 100 and 102 is a light-transmitting / receiving sensor, and is provided with a sensor bracket 104 extending from the front end of the left and right brackets 66.
And is fixed to the bracket 66 via.

FIG. 4 also shows a plan view of the sensors 100 and 102 and the sensor bracket 104. Referring to FIGS.
The arrangement of No. 2 will be described. The pair of sensors 100 are arranged on a straight line that is orthogonal to the transport direction shown in FIG. 4 and substantially passes through the center of the product MD. Send and receive light. These sensors 100 are for detecting whether the product MD integrated on the floor plate 26 has reached a predetermined number of stages (for example, five stages), and therefore,
The detection levels of these sensors 100 are set in accordance with the highest rank (fifth stage) of the integrated product MD.

On the other hand, the sensors 102 are provided in pairs in the front-rear direction when viewed in the transport direction shown in FIG. 4, that is, two pairs of sensors 102 are provided. Each pair is arranged on a straight line that passes. Such two sets of sensors 102 are for detecting the height and the posture of the products MD stacked in the hopper 6, and therefore, each of these sensors 102 is more than the sensor 100 described above. Located at the upper level.

Here, the detection light levels of the two front and rear sensors 102 are arranged at the same level, and the height of the products MD stacked in the hopper 6 can be detected at the detection light levels. Together with the front and rear sensors 102
By detecting the product MD at the same time, it is possible to detect that the stacking posture of the product MD is normal, that is, there is no inclination or the like in the hopper 6. Specifically, when the two sets of front and rear sensors 102 can detect the product MD, the products MD are stacked to a predetermined height in the hopper 6, and the stacking posture is a normal flat stacking. It is considered to be in the state. In contrast, only one set of sensors 102 before and after detects the product MD, and two sets of sensors 1
02 cannot detect the product MD at the same time, the hopper 6
It is considered that the product MD is in an inclined state and the stacking posture is not normal.

As shown in FIG. 2, the left and right side walls 20 have sensor light slits 1 extending in the vertical direction, respectively.
06 are provided in a pair at the front and rear, and each set of sensors 1
02 transmits and receives sensor light through these sensor light slits 106. Also, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4,
The sensor bracket 104 has a pair of front and rear vertical portions 105 spaced apart in the transport direction, and each of the vertical portions 105 has a pair of bolt holes 108.
Are formed in the vertical direction. Each sensor 102 can be changed in detection light level by being fastened corresponding to any one set of bolt holes 108 in such a bolt hole row.

Referring next to FIG. 5, a control block diagram of the product supply device and the packaging machine 1 is shown. As shown, the controller of the packaging machine 1 includes a main start switch 110, a manual changeover switch 112, a sensor 10
0, 102, the electronic cam 114 of the packaging machine 1 and the start switch 115 of the supply conveyor 2 supply signals. On the other hand, the controller receives these signals, and receives the main motor 116, the cylinders 60 and 62.
And controls the operation of the supply conveyor 2.

Referring to FIG. 6, there is shown a flowchart of a main operation routine executed by the controller of the packaging machine 1. Hereinafter, the operation of the product supply device will be described with reference to this flowchart. First, step S10
Then, the pusher unit 28 is driven with the activation of the main motor 116. This main operation routine is executed by turning on the start switch 110. At this time, the supply conveyor 2 is also driven by turning on the supply conveyor start switch 115.

FIG. 7 is a model diagram showing the state of the product supply device in the initial stage of such startup. In other words, the products MD in an individually packaged state are supplied into the hopper 6 by driving the supply conveyor 2 from the direction of the arrow in the figure. In FIG. 7 and FIGS. 8 to 14 described below, the arrangement of the product receiving plate 92 is shown differently from the actual one, but this is merely for the convenience of drawing.

In the initial stage of the start-up, the left and right cylinders 60 are held in the driven state (the position shown by the solid line in FIG. 3). Therefore, the left and right product receiving plates 92 are provided with the insertion holes 94 as described above. Through the hopper 6.
When the product MD is supplied into the hopper 6 in this state, the first product MD (# 1) is received by the product receiving plate 92 (see FIG. 8). It does not fall onto 26. That is, FIG.
Is a state in which the outlet of the hopper 6 is closed.

In the next step S12, it is determined whether or not the number of products MD stacked in the hopper 6 has reached a predetermined number. This determination is made based on the sensor signal of the sensor 102. Specifically, as shown in FIG.
Detection light level L ₁ of the pre-sensor 102, the product receiving plate 9
2 is set to a height that can detect that six or more products MD are stacked on the sensor 102. At this time, the sensor 102
Supplies a detection signal to the controller.

Unless the detection signal is supplied from the sensor 102, it can be determined that the product MD has not yet been stacked on six or more pieces. In this case, the determination result in step S12 is false (No). As long as the determination result in step S12 is false, this determination is repeatedly performed. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 9, when six or more products MD are stacked, a detection signal is supplied from the sensor 102, and the determination result in step S12 becomes true (Yes). In this case, the process proceeds to step S13.

In the next step S13, it is determined whether or not the stacking posture of the products MD is normal. This determination is performed based on the detection signals from the two sets of sensors 102 as described above. If the stacking posture of the products MD is normal as usual, the determination result in step S13 is true, and the process proceeds to the next step S14. By any chance,
If a detection signal is not supplied from any one of the two sets of sensors 102, for example, it is considered that the product MD is tilted in the hopper 6, and the product attitude is abnormal,
The result of the determination in step S13 is false. In this case, the controller immediately stops the main motor 116 and ends the execution of the main operation routine. At this time, the controller also stops driving the supply conveyor 2. Thereafter, if the operator corrects the posture of the product MD in the hopper 6 normally, the execution of the main operation routine can be resumed.

In step S14, the drive timing of the pusher 48 is confirmed. Such timing can be confirmed based on the electronic cam signal of the packaging machine body. Specifically, when each pusher 48 passes through the inside of the hopper 6, a timing signal is output from the electronic cam 114 at this time, and the controller controls the pusher 48 inside the hopper 6 based on the timing signal. Confirm that you have passed.

In the state shown in FIG. 9, the pusher 48 has not yet passed through the hopper 6, and in this case, step S
The determination result at 14 is false. In this case, step S1
4 is repeatedly executed. Thereafter, when the pusher 48 passes through the hopper 6, the above-described timing signal is supplied to the controller, and the result of the determination in step S14 becomes true. In this case, the process proceeds to the next step S16.

In step S16, the product receiving plate 92 is opened. Specifically, the cylinder 6
0 is output, and the left and right cylinders 6
0 causes the piston rod 90 to stroke toward the retracted side. Therefore, as a result of the left and right product receiving plates 92 moving outside the hopper 6, the outlet of the hopper 6 is opened,
The product MD row (# 1) held by the product receiving plate 92
To # 10) fall on the floor plate 26 (see FIG. 10). At this time, five integrated products MD (# 1 to # 5) to be supplied to the packaging machine are formed on the floor board 26 as a transport surface. During this time, the product MD is supplied to the supply conveyor 2
Needless to say, they are continuously supplied from.

In the next step S18, the product receiving plate 92
Is closed and the residual product M remaining in the hopper 6
Row D (# 6 to # 12) is lifted. In particular,
The controller outputs an operation control signal for the left and right cylinders 60 to push and drive the piston rod 90. Accordingly, the left and right facing product receiving plates 92 advance toward the hopper 6, and sandwich the lowermost product MD (# 6) of the remaining product MD rows from both sides (see FIG. 11).

Thereafter, the controller operates the left and right cylinders 6
2 to output an operation control signal to drive each piston rod 78 to the lifting side. In this case, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 2, the product receiving plate 92 is a product MD (#
In the state where 6) is sandwiched, it is moved in the direction of the arrow in the figure to lift the remaining product MD train (# 6 to # 12). As a result, the integrated products MD (# 1 to # 5) on the bottom plate 26 and the residual products MD
Since a clearance is generated between the rows (# 6 to # 12), they are separated from each other.

In the next step S20, it is determined whether there is a required number of integrated products MD to be supplied. This determination can be made based on the detection signal from the sensor 100 described above. If the number of the integrated products MD is a predetermined required number, that is, five, a detection signal is output from the sensor 100, so that the determination result in step S20 is true. In this case, the controller continues to operate the main motor of the main unit,
The main operation routine (steps S10 to S20) is repeatedly executed. Therefore, the integrated products MD (# 1 to # 5) formed on the floor board 26 are thereafter conveyed by the pusher 48 (see FIG. 13).

FIG. 13 shows the next step S16.
The state at the time when is executed is shown. Thereafter, by repeating the main operation routine described above, FIGS.
The operations up to 3 are repeated. In contrast, step S
If the determination result at 20 is false, the controller ends the main operation routine and stops the operation of the main motor. Accordingly, the drive of the pusher 48 is stopped, and at this time, the controller also stops the drive of the supply conveyor 2 (FIG. 14).
reference). In such a case, even if step S18 is already executed and the product receiving plate 92 is closed, the operator can open the product receiving plate 92 by switching the position of the switch 112 described above. it can. Thereafter, for example, if the operator refills the insufficient product MD to form the integrated product MD, the execution of the above-described main operation routine can be resumed.

Although the above-described embodiment is an example in which the number of integrated products MD is set to five, the product supply device can change the set number of integrated products MD as desired. Specifically, the pusher unit 8 shown in FIG.
In the figure, the left and right frame frames 32 are connected at the lower part thereof via two cross members 120, and for example, two feed screws 122 are screwed into the cross members 120, respectively. These feed screws 122 are rotated in conjunction with the rotation of the handle 124 shown in FIG. 1. By rotating the handle 124, the height of the pusher unit 8 can be adjusted as desired. it can.

If the pusher unit 8 is moved upward from the state shown in FIG. 2, the upper surface of the floor plate 26 can be raised. Further, since the hopper 6 is fixed on the floor plate 26 as described above, the hopper 6 also moves upward. On the other hand, since the height of the supply conveyor 2 and the height of the integrated product cutout mechanism 14 are both set to be constant, the set number of the integrated products MD is reduced to less than five by setting the upper surface position of the floor plate 26 high. be able to. Note that the sensor light level of the sensor 100 is also set to be constant. More specifically, as is clear from FIG. 3, the set number of the integrated products MD is defined by the height from the upper surface of the floor plate 26 to the lower surface of the product MD to be sandwiched by the product receiving plate 92. If the upper surface position of the floor board 26 is set higher, the set number of the integrated products MD decreases accordingly. The components of the pusher 48 and the hopper 6 can be exchanged according to the height of the set number of the integrated products MD. In this case, the height of the pusher 48 and the hopper 6
, That is, the height of the rear wall 24 to be replaced is set according to the set number of the integrated products MD,
The height at which the upper guide plate 54 is attached to the front wall 22 is
It is adjusted according to the set number.

According to the product supply device of the above-described embodiment,
As shown in FIG. 12, the cutting of the integrated product MD is completed in a state where the remaining product row is lifted. Therefore,
Since the rubbing between the products MD due to the transport of the pusher 48 is prevented, it greatly contributes to maintaining the quality of the products MD. Further, until the height of the product MD stacked on the hopper 6 becomes equal to or higher than the predetermined height, the product MD does not fall on the floor plate 26, so that the pusher 48 can always be operated at a constant speed. . On the other hand, immediately after the row of products MD is dropped on the bottom plate 26, the required number of integrated products MD is cut out and the remaining row of products is lifted in the hopper 6, so that the operation of the supply conveyor 2 is performed. There is no need to monitor the state, and random supply of the product MD is possible.

Further, in this product supply apparatus, since the set number of the integrated products MD is changed by adjusting the height of the upper surface of the floor plate 26, it is not necessary to adjust the supply height of the supply conveyor 2 each time, and the packaging is not performed. It is reasonable and suitable as a product supply device for application to machines. In addition, the above-mentioned pusher unit 8 may be simply a belt conveyor,
It can be replaced with another transporter. Further, the set number of the integrated products MD is not limited to two or more, and may be one.

In the embodiment, the start switch 115 for the supply conveyor 2 is provided. However, the supply conveyor 2 starts the main motor 11 in step S10 of the main operation routine.
6 may be driven in conjunction with the activation. Further, the number of sensors 100 and 102 may be appropriately increased or decreased.

[0051]

As described above, according to the product supply device of the first aspect, since the products are not rubbed by cutting out the integrated products, the integrated products are stably packed without deteriorating the appearance quality of the products. Machine can be supplied. Also,
Since the timing of cutting out the integrated products is stabilized, the operation of the packaging machine is not hindered.

According to the product supply device of the second aspect, the set number of integrated products can be easily changed, and a product supply device excellent in versatility can be obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a packaging machine to which a product supply device of an embodiment is applied.

FIG. 2 is a side view showing a hopper and a pusher unit of the product supply device in detail.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing in detail a cross section of the hopper along a line III-III in FIG. 2 and a configuration of an integrated product cutting mechanism.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing in detail an arrangement of a product receiving plate and a sensor in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a control block diagram of the product supply device.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a main operation routine.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a state of the product supply device at an early stage of activation.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a state in which a product supplied into the hopper is received by a product receiving plate.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a state in which products are stacked and accumulated in a hopper.

10 is a diagram showing a state in which the hopper outlet is opened from the state of FIG. 9 and an integrated product row is formed.

11 is a diagram showing a state in which the hopper outlet is closed from the state of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a state in which a residual product row is lifted from the state of FIG. 11;

13 is a diagram showing a state in which an integrated product is transported from the state of FIG. 12 and a hopper outlet is opened.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a state where the supply conveyor and the pusher are stopped when the formation of the integrated product is incomplete.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Wrapping machine 6 Hopper 8 Pusher unit 14 Integrated product cutout mechanism 26 Floor plate

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A product supply device for supplying a fixed number of products delivered from a product line to a packaging machine, wherein the hopper receives the products delivered from the product line, and stores the products in a single row. A transport surface disposed below the hopper and extending toward the packaging machine; and an outlet of the hopper is opened and closed, and the hopper outlet is opened to drop a product row in the hopper onto the transport surface, Forming a fixed number of integrated products to be supplied to the packaging machine between the outlet and the conveying surface, and thereafter closing the hopper outlet and lifting the remaining product line remaining in the hopper, A product supply device comprising: an integrated product cutout unit configured to separate the integrated product from the package; and a transport unit configured to transport the integrated product on the transport surface toward the packaging machine. 2. The product supply device according to claim 1, wherein the transport surface is vertically movable.