WO2015072239A1

WO2015072239A1 - Device and method for accumulating articles relating to absorptive articles

Info

Publication number: WO2015072239A1
Application number: PCT/JP2014/076301
Authority: WO
Inventors: 細川　雅司; 譲二柴垣
Original assignee: ユニ・チャーム株式会社
Priority date: 2013-11-13
Filing date: 2014-10-01
Publication date: 2015-05-21
Also published as: JP5865885B2; CN105722758A; KR20160084452A; JP2015093707A; CN105722758B

Abstract

Provided is a device for accumulating articles relating to absorptive articles. The device has: an endless chain moving in the circulation direction; partition plates arranged side by side in the circulation direction and provided to the chain; an insertion mechanism for inserting the articles into receiving spaces defined between the partition plates which are adjacent to each other in the circulation direction; and a push-out mechanism for simultaneously pushing out the articles respectively having been inserted into a predetermined number of the receiving spaces, from the predetermined number of the receiving spaces. The partition plates are affixed at the roots thereof to the chain, and the size of the gap between the front ends of partition plates adjacent to each other in the circulation direction changes according to the bending deformation of the chain. The device has a restriction section for preventing the size of the gap from becoming smaller than a predetermined value.

Description

Accumulation apparatus and accumulation method for articles relating to absorbent articles

The present invention relates to an article accumulating apparatus and an accumulating method for articles related to absorbent articles such as panty liners.

Conventionally, in the production line of the panty liner 1 (FIG. 1A) as an example of an absorbent article, the produced liners 1 are individually packaged one by one to generate individual packaged articles 11 (FIG. 1C). Then, a predetermined number of the generated

individual packages

11, 11... Are accumulated by the accumulating device 20 ′, that is, collected and stacked, and then the predetermined number of stacked

individual packages

11, 11. Ship in one bag (see, eg, FIG. 2).

The stacking device 20 ′ (see, for example, FIG. 12) includes an endless chain 30 that circulates in the circumferential direction Dc30 and a plurality of partition plates 50 ′ that are provided in the chain 30 along the circumferential direction Dc30 at a predetermined pitch P50 ′. , 50 ′, and an insertion mechanism 60 that inserts and inserts the individual packages 11 one by one into the accommodation space S50 ′ defined between the partition plates 50 ′ and 50 ′ adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction Dc30, and a predetermined number of accommodations The individual packaged

articles

11, 11... Inserted into the spaces S50 ′, S50 ′,... Are pushed out from the predetermined number of storage spaces S50 ′, S50 ′,. And a push-out mechanism 70 that accumulates (Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent No. 3283466

Here, for example, as shown in FIG. 9, the partition plate 50 ′ is fixed to the chain 30 at the root portion 50 b ′ of the partition plate 50 ′, and based on the bending deformation of the chain 30, the partition plate 50 ′. The front end portion 50LE ′ opens and closes with respect to the front end portion 50LE ′ of the partition plate 50 ′ adjacent to the circumferential direction Dc30. Therefore, depending on the bending deformation of the chain 30, the interval D50 'formed by the partition plates 50' and 50 'adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction Dc30 between the tip portions 50LE' and 50LE 'can be excessively reduced. And when this state occurs at the position of the push-out mechanism 70 on the circular orbit Tr30 ′ of the chain 30 (see, for example, FIG. 12), when the individual packaged product 11 is pushed out from the accommodation space S50 ′ by the mechanism 70, The tip part 50LE ′ of the partition plate 50 ′ may come into contact with the individually packaged product 11, and as a result, it may be hindered from being smoothly pushed out.

The present invention has been made in view of the conventional problems as described above, and its purpose is to extrude an article such as an individual package of panty liners from an accommodation space between partition plates of an accumulation device. In order to facilitate the extrusion of the article.

The main invention for achieving the above object is:
An apparatus for accumulating articles related to absorbent articles,
An endless chain that circulates in the circulation direction;
A plurality of partition plates provided in the chain side by side in the circumferential direction;
An insertion mechanism for inserting the article into an accommodation space defined between the partition plates adjacent in the circumferential direction;
An extrusion mechanism for extruding the articles respectively inserted into the predetermined number of the accommodating spaces from the predetermined number of the accommodating spaces,
The partition plate is fixed to the chain at the base portion of the partition plate, and based on the bending deformation of the chain, the front end portion of the partition plate is connected to the front end portion of the partition plate adjacent in the circumferential direction. Change the size of the gap between
An article stacking apparatus according to an absorbent article, characterized by having a regulating portion that regulates that the size of the interval is smaller than a predetermined value.

Also,
A method for accumulating articles related to absorbent articles,
By circling an endless chain in the circumferential direction to circulate in the circumferential direction a plurality of partition plates provided in the chain side by side in the circumferential direction of the chain;
Inserting the article into an accommodation space defined between the partition plates adjacent in the circumferential direction;
Extruding the articles respectively inserted into the predetermined number of the accommodating spaces from the predetermined number of the accommodating spaces,
The partition plate is fixed to the chain at the base portion of the partition plate, and based on the bending deformation of the chain, the front end portion of the partition plate is connected to the front end portion of the partition plate adjacent in the circumferential direction. Change the size of the gap between
An article accumulation method according to an absorbent article, wherein the article has a restricting part that restricts the size of the interval from being smaller than a predetermined value.

Other features of the present invention will be clarified by the description of the present specification and the accompanying drawings.

According to the present invention, when an article such as an individual package of a panty liner is pushed out from the accommodation space between the partition plates of the stacking apparatus, the article can be easily pushed out.

1A is a schematic plan view of the panty liner 1, FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG. 1A, and FIG. 1C is a schematic plan view of the individual package 11 of the panty liner 1, 1D is a schematic plan view of an unfolded state where the packaging of the individually packaged product 11 of FIG. 1C is unwound. It is a schematic perspective view which shows a mode that the

individual package goods

11, 11 ... are conveyed in the state arranged in a line with the standing posture. It is the schematic plan view which looked at the accumulation device 20 of this embodiment from the upper part. FIG. 4 is a view taken along arrow IV-IV in FIG. 3. It is the schematic plan view which looked at the integration | stacking apparatus 20 from which the

partition plates

50, 50 ... was removed from upper direction. 6A is a schematic side view of the partition plate 50 as viewed from the side, and FIG. 6B is a schematic top view as seen from the direction of arrows BB in FIG. 6A. 7A is a schematic top view of the state in which the partition plate 50 is fixed to the chain 30 as viewed in the direction of arrows VIIa-VIIa in FIG. 6A, and FIG. 7B shows the state in which the partition plate 50 is also fixed in the state of VIIb- FIG. 7C is a schematic bottom view as seen in the direction of arrow VIIb, and FIG. 7C is a view in the direction of arrow CC in FIG. 7A. It is a schematic top view which shows the state which the

partition plates

50 and 50 adjacent to each other opened. It is a schematic bottom view of the partition plate 50 'of a comparative example. FIG. 6B is a sectional view taken along line XX in FIG. 6A. FIG. 5 is a schematic top view of an example of a partition plate 50 in which a root portion 50b itself of the partition plate 50 can function as a restricting portion 51. It is a schematic plan view of an example of the stacking device 20 ′ in which the chain 30 is stretched by the outer side.

At least the following matters will become clear from the description of this specification and the accompanying drawings. *

An apparatus for accumulating articles related to absorbent articles,
An endless chain that circulates in the circulation direction;
A plurality of partition plates provided in the chain side by side in the circumferential direction;
An insertion mechanism for inserting the article into an accommodation space defined between the partition plates adjacent in the circumferential direction;
An extrusion mechanism for extruding the articles respectively inserted into the predetermined number of the accommodating spaces from the predetermined number of the accommodating spaces,
The partition plate is fixed to the chain at the base portion of the partition plate, and based on the bending deformation of the chain, the front end portion of the partition plate is connected to the front end portion of the partition plate adjacent in the circumferential direction. Change the size of the gap between
An article stacking apparatus according to an absorbent article, characterized by having a regulating portion that regulates that the size of the interval is smaller than a predetermined value.

According to the article accumulation apparatus according to such an absorbent article, the size of the interval formed between the front end portions of the partition plates adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction is smaller than a predetermined value. Regulated by the regulation department. Therefore, when extruding an article from the accommodation space partitioned between the partition plates, the article can be smoothly extruded.

An article collecting apparatus according to such an absorbent article,
When the partition plates adjacent in the circumferential direction are engaged with each other via the restricting portion, it is restricted that the size of the interval between the tip portions is smaller than the predetermined value. desirable.

According to the article stacking apparatus related to such an absorbent article, the engagement between the partition plates via the restricting portion restricts the distance between the tip portions from being smaller than a predetermined value. The Therefore, the regulation can be performed reliably.

An article collecting apparatus according to such an absorbent article,
As the restricting portion, the partition plate has a protruding portion protruding in the circumferential direction,
It is desirable that the size of the gap between the tip portions be regulated to be smaller than the predetermined value by the projecting portion hitting the partition plate adjacent in the circumferential direction.

According to such an article stacking apparatus related to absorbent articles, the partition plate has a protruding portion as a restricting portion, and the protruding portion hits an adjacent partition plate, so that the interval between the front end portions is large. Is restricted from becoming smaller than a predetermined value. Therefore, the regulation described above can be realized with certainty by adjusting the protruding amount of the protruding portion.

An article collecting apparatus according to such an absorbent article,
The protrusions are respectively provided on both sides of the circumferential direction of the partition plate,
It is desirable that the partition plate adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction is in contact with each other at the projecting portion so that the size of the gap between the tip portions is regulated to be smaller than the predetermined value.

According to the article stacking apparatus related to such an absorbent article, it is regulated that the size of the interval between the front end portions becomes smaller than a predetermined value by the partition plates hitting each other at the protruding portions. The Therefore, the regulation can be performed reliably.

An article collecting apparatus according to such an absorbent article,
The protrusion has a dent that is recessed in the circumferential direction,
The portions on both sides of the indented portion of the projecting portion abut against the partition plate adjacent in the circumferential direction, so that the size of the gap between the tip portions is restricted to be smaller than the predetermined value. Is desirable.

According to the article stacking apparatus according to such an absorbent article, as long as the portions on both sides of the dent portion in the protruding portion are selectively formed with high accuracy, the size of the gap between the tip portions is affected. The above regulation can be performed with high accuracy. That is, it is not necessary to form all the portions in the protruding portion with high accuracy, and the partition plate can be manufactured at a low cost.

An article collecting apparatus according to such an absorbent article,
The root portion of the partition plate has a fixed portion as a portion fixed to the chain,
It is desirable that the restricting portion is provided in a portion of the partition plate that is closer to the tip than the fixed portion.

According to the article stacking apparatus relating to such an absorbent article, the restricting portion is provided in a portion closer to the tip than the fixed portion in the partition plate. Therefore, based on this regulation part, said regulation concerning the size of the interval between tip parts can be performed reliably.

An article collecting apparatus according to such an absorbent article,
The plate thickness direction of the partition plate faces the circumferential direction,
The adjacent partition plates divide the accommodation space between the plate surfaces of each other,
On the plate surface, a rib protruding in the circumferential direction is provided extending from the root portion side to the tip portion side,
Regarding the plate thickness of the partition plate at the position of the rib, it is desirable that the base portion is thicker than the tip portion.

According to such an article accumulating apparatus relating to an absorbent article, the braking force that the article receives from the rib when the article is inserted into the accommodation space is small on the tip side, but large on the root side. Therefore, while the article is smoothly inserted from the front end side of the partition plate, it becomes easy to quickly shift to the insertion stop state on the base side, thereby preventing the article from being inserted too far into the accommodation space. Thus, it can be quickly accommodated at a target position in the same space.

An article collecting apparatus according to such an absorbent article,
In the state regulated by the regulation part, it is desirable that the partition plates adjacent in the circumferential direction are parallel to each other.

According to the article stacking apparatus related to such an absorbent article, all the partition plates are in a state parallel to the adjacent partition plates in the restricted state by the restricting portion. Therefore, the extrudability of the articles can be improved for all the accommodation spaces.

An article collecting apparatus according to such an absorbent article,
It is desirable that the circular orbit of the chain is formed by combining a plurality of curved orbit portions bent outwardly and a plurality of linear orbit portions.

According to the article stacking apparatus related to such an absorbent article, it is possible to prevent a large load from acting on the restricting portion of the partition plate, thereby effectively preventing damage to the restricting portion. Details are as follows. First, in the case where the circular orbit of the chain has a curved orbit portion curved inwardly, when the partition plate passes through the orbit portion, the direction in which the tips are brought into contact with each other is determined. A force is applied from the chain to the partition plate, whereby a large load acts on the restricting portion and the restricting portion may be damaged. However, in this regard, according to the above configuration, the circular orbit of the chain is formed by combining a plurality of curved orbit portions bent outward and a plurality of linear orbit portions. Therefore, it does not have a curved orbital portion bent inwardly, and as a result, damage to the restricting portion can be effectively prevented.

According to the method for collecting articles according to such an absorbent article, the size of the interval formed between the front end portions of the partition plates adjacent in the circumferential direction is smaller than a predetermined value. Regulated by the regulation department. Therefore, when extruding an article from the accommodation space partitioned between the partition plates, the article can be smoothly extruded.

=== This Embodiment ===
The article accumulation apparatus 20 according to the absorbent article of the present embodiment is used in a production line for a panty liner 1 as an example of an absorbent article.

FIG. 1A is a schematic plan view of the panty liner 1, and FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG. 1A. FIG. 1C is a schematic plan view of the individual packaged product 11 of the panty liner 1, and FIG. 1D is a state where the individual packaged product 11 of FIG. 1C is unpacked, that is, both the packaging sheet 5 and the panty liner 1 are combined. It is a schematic plan view of the unfolded state opened to.

The panty liner 1 shown in FIG. 1A is a thin sheet-like member having a vertically long shape in plan view that is attached to underwear and absorbs falling objects and the like. Specifically, the liner 1 is mainly composed of a liquid-absorbing material such as pulp fiber between a liquid-permeable top sheet 3 such as a nonwoven fabric and a liquid-impermeable back sheet 4 such as a resin film. The thin absorbent body 2 is inserted.

The liner 1 is provided to the user in the form of individually packaged individual packages 11 as shown in FIG. 1C. *

For example, the individual package 11 is obtained by folding a laminate of the packaging sheet 5 and the panty liner 1 shown in FIG. 1D in a plurality of fold lines such as tri-fold or quadruple in the longitudinal direction of the liner 1. In such a folded state, a joining portion 5s such as a seal portion is formed and sealed at a predetermined portion of the packaging sheet 5 having an outer contour. And the external appearance of the said individual package 11 has comprised the vertically long thin body which has a longitudinal direction, as shown to FIG. 1C.

In addition, the processing of such individual packaging is also performed on the same production line. Then, the individually packaged

items

11, 11... That have been subjected to the same processing are conveyed to the final bagging step in a state of being aligned in a standing posture as shown in the schematic perspective view of FIG. , A predetermined number of sheets are stacked in the thickness direction to form a group G11 in an accumulated state, and are packed in one bag before shipment. The stacking apparatus 20 according to the present embodiment is responsible for the process of making this stacking state.

FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view of the stacking apparatus 20 of this embodiment as viewed from above. 4 is a view taken in the direction of arrows IV-IV in FIG. FIG. 5 is a schematic plan view of the stacking apparatus 20 with the

partition plates

50, 50. In FIG. 3, some items such as the individual package 11 and the slide base 25 inserted in the accommodation space S50 between the

partition plates

50 and 50 are not shown in order to prevent complication of the drawing. Yes. Also, in FIG. 4, some objects such as the chain 30 are not shown for the purpose of preventing the complication of the drawing.

As shown in FIG. 3, the stacking device 20 includes a base 21 that is immovably supported on the floor BL of the production line, and an endless chain 30 that is provided above the base 21 and circulates in the circumferential direction Dc30. And a plurality of

partition plates

50, 50... Fixed to the chain 30 at a predetermined arrangement pitch P50 in the circulation direction Dc30, and an accommodation space S50 defined between the

partition plates

50, 50 adjacent to each other in the rotation direction Dc30. Are inserted into a predetermined number of storage spaces S50, S50... And inserted into the predetermined number of storage spaces S50, S50. ..., an extrusion mechanism 70 for accumulating a predetermined number of

individual packages

11, 11, ... by extruding them simultaneously from S50.

The circular orbit Tr30 of the chain 30 is defined by a plurality of rotating

members

41, 42, and 43. In this example, three rotating

members

41, 42, and 43 are provided as a plurality of examples. Of the three

rotating members

41, 42, 43, two rotating

members

41, 42 are provided with predetermined rotating shafts C 41, C 42 on a slide table 25 (FIG. 4), which will be slidably supported by the base 21. On the other hand, the remaining one rotating member 43 is rotatably supported by the base 21 via a predetermined rotation axis C43. The rotation axes C41, C42, and C43 of any of the

rotation members

41, 42, and 43 are parallel to each other. In this example, the rotation axes C41, C42, and C43 are provided along the vertical direction. Yes. Therefore, the chain 30 hung around the outer peripheral surfaces of the three

rotating members

41, 42, and 43 moves around in a horizontal plane as an example of a plane.

Further, in this example, all of the three

rotating members

41, 42, 43 defining the circular track Tr30 of the chain 30 are provided inside the circular track Tr30, whereby the chain 30 is a so-called lining system. It is stretched with. That is, each rotating

member

41, 42, 43 abuts the chain 30 from the inner peripheral side of the chain 30 to apply tension to the chain 30, so that the chain 30 is stretched without sagging. .

Further, in this example, for one of the three

rotating members

41, 42, 43, the portion 41a around which the chain 30 is hung is a large-diameter disk 41a, while the remaining one As for the two

rotating members

42 and 43, the portions 42a and 43a around which the chain 30 is hung are small-diameter disks 42a and 43a having a smaller diameter than the large-diameter disk 41a. When the chain 30 is hung around each of these disks 41a, 42a, 43a, the orbital track Tr30 has a pair of linear track portions TrL1, TrL2 parallel to each other and a pair of these linear track portions TrL1. , TrL2 and a linear orbit portion TrL3 inclined obliquely from TrL2. The track portions TrB1, TrB2, and TrB3 that connect the linear track portions TrL1, TrL2, and TrL3 are engaged with any one of the three

rotating members

41, 42, and 43. Since the track portions TrB1, TrB2, and TrB3 are curved, the track portions TrB1, TrB2, and TrB3 are curved track portions TrB1, TrB2, and TrB3 that are curved outwardly, respectively. Thus, in this example, the circular orbit Tr30 has a plurality (three in this example) of linear orbital portions TrL1, TrL2 and TrL3 and a plurality (three in this example) bent outwardly. The curved orbital portion TrB1, TrB2, TrB3.

Hereinafter, a direction parallel to the pair of linear track portions TrL1 and TrL2 is referred to as an “X direction”, and directions orthogonal to the X direction are referred to as a “Y direction” and a “Z direction”. The Y direction is a direction that forms a plane including the circular trajectory Tr30 of the chain 30 in cooperation with the X direction, that is, the circular trajectory Tr30 is included in the XY plane. The Z direction is the normal direction of the XY plane, and in this example, the Z direction faces the vertical direction. The shorter linear track portion TrL1 of the pair of linear track portions TrL1 and TrL2 parallel to each other is referred to as a “first linear track portion TrL1”, and the longer linear track portion TrL2 This is called “second linear track portion TrL2”, and the inclined linear track portion TrL3 is called “inclined linear track portion TrL3”.

In this example, sprockets are used as the large-diameter disc 41a and the two small-diameter discs 42a and 43a, respectively, whereby the chain 30 is engaged with the outer peripheral portions of the discs 41a, 42a and 43a. However, it is not limited to this. For example, the outer circumferential surface of each disk 41a, 42a, 43a may be a smooth surface, and the chain 30 may be guided while the chain 30 slides on each disk 41a, 42a, 43a.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the slide base 25 on which the two

rotary members

41, 42 out of the three

rotary members

41, 42, 43 defining the circular trajectory Tr 30 are supported is provided on the base 21. A linear guide 26 as an example of a guide member is guided so as to be reciprocally movable in the X direction. As a result, the chain 30 can also be reciprocated in the X direction while maintaining the shape of the orbit Tr30. As an example of the linear guide 26, a guide rail 26R that is fixed to the base 21 along the X direction and a guide rail 26R that is reciprocally movable in the X direction are engaged with the slide base 25. A configuration having

guide blocks

26B and 26B fixed to each other can be given.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the base 21 includes servomotors M1 and M2 as drive sources for revolving the chain 30 in a first linear track portion TrL1 and a second linear track portion TrL2. Each is provided correspondingly. That is, at a predetermined position of the first linear track portion TrL1, the first sprocket SP1 driven and rotated by the first servo motor M1 is engaged with the chain 30, and at a predetermined position of the second linear track portion TrL2. The second sprocket SP2 driven and rotated by the second servo motor M2 is engaged with the chain 30. The movement operation of the chain 30 of the first linear track portion TrL1 and the adjacent arc-curved track portion TrB3 is controlled by the first servo motor M1, while the movement of the chain 30 of the second linear track portion TrL2 is performed. The operation is controlled by the second servo motor M2. The difference in the movement operation is absorbed when the slide table 25 reciprocates in the X direction.

For example, in the example of FIG. 5, the chain 30 is configured to rotate clockwise as viewed from above, but in this configuration, the first linear track portion TrL1 and the arc-curved track portion TrB3 are assumed. Then, when the chain 30 is moving but the chain 30 is stopped at the second linear track portion TrL2, the slide base 25 is set so that the length of the first linear track portion TrL1 is increased. By moving to the right side of the direction, and when the relationship between the stop and the movement is reversed, the difference in the moving operation is absorbed by moving to the left side. As a result, the overall length of the circular orbit Tr30 of the chain 30 is maintained at a substantially constant length. Incidentally, this relates to the fact that the insertion mechanism 60 is provided in the arc-shaped curved track portion TrB3 adjacent to the first linear track portion TrL1, and the push-out mechanism 70 is provided in the second linear track portion TrL2. Will be described later.

As shown in FIG. 3, the

partition plates

50, 50... Are provided in the circumferential direction Dc30 of the chain 30 over the entire circumference of the chain 30 with the arrangement pitch P50 described above. Thus, an accommodation space S50 for accommodating the individually packaged product 11 is defined between the

partition plates

50 and 50 adjacent to each other. Each partition plate 50 is fixed to the chain 30. Therefore, based on the bending deformation of the chain 30, the front end portion 50LE of each partition plate 50 is connected to the front end portion 50LE of the partition plate 50 adjacent to the circumferential direction Dc30. The size of the interval D50 is changed. For example, in the first linear track portion TrL1, the second linear track portion TrL2, and the inclined linear track portion TrL3, the chain 30 is basically not bent and deformed. Open in a state of being substantially parallel to each other. However, in the arc-shaped curved track portions TrB1, TrB2, and TrB3, the chain 30 is bent outwardly in accordance with the circular arc shape of the track portions TrB1, TrB2, and TrB3, so that they are adjacent to each other based on the bending deformation. The size of the distance D50 between the

partition plates

50 and 50 is in a state of being opened further than the parallel state. The details of the structure of the partition plate 50 will be described later.

As shown in FIG. 3, the insertion mechanism 60 is provided so as to face the arc-curved track portion TrB3 between the first linear track portion TrL1 and the inclined linear track portion TrL3. The mechanism 60 receives the individually packaged product 11 sent from the upstream process at a predetermined pitch P11 and inserts it into the empty accommodation space S50 between the

partition plates

50, 50. In this example, the belt It is a conveyor 60. Specifically, in this example, each individual packaged

product

11, 11... From the upstream process is spaced one by one in an upright posture with its own thickness direction oriented in the X direction. However, it is sent along the Y direction. Therefore, the belt conveyor 60 has a pair of

endless belts

60a and 60a arranged in the X direction with their outer peripheral surfaces facing each other, and each of the

endless belts

60a and 60a circulates to make a pair of them. A portion between the outer peripheral surfaces of the

endless belts

60a, 60a serves as a transport path Tr11 for the individually packaged

items

11, 11. The transport path Tr11 is along the Y direction, and the downstream end of the transport path Tr11 is an arc-curved track portion TrB3 between the first linear track portion TrL1 and the inclined linear track portion TrL3. Close to and opposite. As a result, the belt conveyor 60 can send out the individually packaged product 11 toward the arc-curved track portion TrB3.

Meanwhile, in conjunction with the insertion operation by the belt conveyor 60, the first servo motor M1 (FIG. 5) of the chain 30 moves the chain 30. That is, every time the belt conveyor 60 conveys the individually packaged product 11 by the predetermined pitch P11, the first servo motor M1 moves the chain 30 intermittently by the arrangement pitch P50 of the partition plate 50. In this intermittent movement operation, the chain 30 is adjusted in advance so that the accommodation space S50 between the

partition plates

50 and 50 is opposed to the downstream end of the transport path Tr11 of the belt conveyor 60. ing. Moreover, in the said stop position, the accommodation space S50 between the

partition plates

50 and 50 is the state opened more fan-shaped than said parallel state based on the circular arc shape of circular arc-shaped track part TrB3 as mentioned above. It has become. That is, when the chain 30 passes through the arc-curved track portion TrB3, the chain 30 is based on the outwardly curved shape unique to the arc-curved track portion TrB3 as described above. Bend and deform. Therefore, based on the bending deformation of the chain 30, the accommodation space S50 between the

adjacent partition plates

50 and 50 opens in a fan shape. Therefore, the individually packaged product 11 conveyed from the belt conveyor 60 can be quickly inserted into the accommodation space S50. When the individually packaged product 11 is inserted into the accommodation space S50, the movement operation of the chain 30 is resumed, and the chain 30 moves by the arrangement pitch P50 of the partition plate 50 and stops again. Then, the next storage space S50 is also in a state of facing the downstream end of the transport path Tr11 of the belt conveyor 60. Therefore, the next individual packaged product 11 is quickly transported and inserted by the belt conveyor 60 toward the accommodation space S50. Then, the chain 30 repeats the intermittent movement operation in conjunction with the conveying operation of the belt conveyor 60 in this way, so that one each in each accommodation space S50 between the

partition plates

50, 50. The individual package 11 is inserted.

As shown in FIG. 3, the push-out mechanism 70 is provided in the second linear track portion TrL2. When the predetermined number of storage spaces S50, S50,... Enter the discharge area A70 set in the predetermined range A70 of the second linear track portion TrL2, the mechanism 70 starts from the storage spaces S50, S50,. Each

individual package

11, 11,... Is extruded all at once in the Y direction, whereby a predetermined number of these

individual packages

11, 11,. Specifically, in the process of being pushed out in the Y direction, the predetermined group of

individual packages

11, 11... G11 is gradually compressed in the X direction by

appropriate guide members

71, 71, whereby a predetermined number of individual packages 11 are compressed. The

packages

11, 11... Are stacked in the X direction. *

On the other hand, the belt conveyor 80 is located below the pushed-out position. Therefore, the group G11 of the individual packaged

articles

11, 11,... In the accumulated state is conveyed in the X direction by the belt conveyor 80, and is sent to the downstream process.

During the pushing operation, the movement operation of the chain 30 of the second linear track portion TrL2 is stopped by the second servo motor M2. When the pushing operation is completed, the moving operation of the second linear track portion TrL2 is resumed so that the next predetermined number of accommodation spaces S50, S50... Enter the discharge area A70. That is, the chain 30 is intermittently moved also in the second linear track portion TrL2. However, the intermittent movement operation in the second linear track portion TrL2 is different from the intermittent movement operation in the first linear track portion TrL1. That is, in the first linear track portion TrL1, the amount of movement for one time is the size of the arrangement pitch P50 of the partition plate 50, but in the second linear track portion TrL2, the amount of movement for one time is the size of the arrangement pitch P50. The size is a predetermined number of times. And the difference of this movement operation | movement is absorbed when the slide stand 25 (FIG. 5) moves to a X direction.

Incidentally, the above-described extrusion operation is realized by using the following box motion. First, the push-out mechanism 70 includes a pusher plate 70a and a drive mechanism (not shown) that drives the pusher plate 70a. The pusher plate 70a has an extrusion surface used for extrusion, and the extrusion surface is a plane whose normal direction is the Y direction. On the other hand, the

individual packages

11, 11... Inserted into the respective accommodation spaces S50, S50... Protrude slightly upward from the

respective partition plates

50, 50. Therefore, if the plate 70a moves forward toward the guide member 71 in the Y direction while hooking the protruding portion of the individual package 11 with the pushing surface of the pusher plate 70a, a predetermined number of the

individual packages

11, 11,. Are pushed out from the respective accommodating spaces S50, S50... To be stacked in the thickness direction. Then, when the pusher plate 70a is retracted upward in the vertical direction, retracted along the Y direction as it is, and returned to the position before being pushed out by returning to the position before extrusion, the plate 70a. Is in a state in which it can be pushed out with respect to each

individual package

11, 11,... In the next predetermined number of accommodation spaces S50, S50.

6A to 7B are explanatory views of the configuration of the partition plate 50. FIG. 6A is a schematic side view of the partition plate 50 as viewed from the side, and FIG. 6B is a top view as seen from the arrow BB in FIG. 6A. 7A is a schematic top view of the state in which the partition plate 50 is fixed to the chain 30 as viewed in the direction of arrows VIIa-VIIa in FIG. 6A, and FIG. 7B shows the state in which the partition plate 50 is also fixed in FIG. 6A. FIG. 7C is a schematic bottom view as seen in the direction of arrows VIIb-VIIb, and FIG. 7C is a view in the direction of arrows CC in FIG. 7A.

6A and 6B, the partition plate 50 has a horizontally long plate portion 50a having a plate length direction, a plate width direction, and a plate thickness direction as three directions orthogonal to each other. One end portion 50ae1 in the plate length direction of the plate portion 50a is the above-described tip end portion 50LE. On the other hand, the other end portion 50ae2 is continuously and integrally provided with a bifurcated root portion 50b fixed to the chain 30. It has been. 7A to 7C, each partition plate 50 is fixed to the chain 30 in a posture in which the plate width direction is directed to the vertical direction (Z direction) while the plate thickness direction is directed to the circumferential direction Dc30 of the chain 30. Has been.

Note that each partition plate 50 is fixed to the chain 30 as follows. *

First, as the chain 30, a so-called roller chain or a bushed chain in which a roller of the roller chain is omitted is used. In this example, the latter bushed chain 30 is used. As shown in FIGS. 7B and 7C, the bushed chain 30 is formed by alternately connecting inner links 31 and outer links 32 into an annular shape. As shown in FIG. 7C, the inner link 31 is formed by connecting and fixing a pair of opposed

inner plates

31p and 31p with a pair of cylindrical bushes 31b. The outer link 32 is formed by connecting and fixing a pair of

outer plates

32p and 32p facing each other with a pair of

cylindrical pins

32n and 32n. The inner link 31 and the outer link 32 are connected to each other by arranging the

outer plates

32p and 32p outside the pair of

inner plates

31p and 31p, respectively, and connecting the pair of

outer plates

32p and 32p to each other. A cylindrical pin 32n is formed by passing through the internal space 31bh of the cylindrical bush 31b connecting the pair of

inner plates

31p, 31p. As a result, the inner link 31 and the outer link 32 can be rotated relative to each other with the pin 32n and the bush 31b as a rotation axis, and the chain 30 is bent and deformed based on the relative rotation.

Here, as shown in FIG. 7C, the pin 32n of each outer link 32 of the chain 30 is provided to extend upward in the vertical direction from the outer plate 32p. Further, as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, grooves 50bt and 50bt having substantially arc-shaped cross sections are respectively provided on the surfaces 50bs and 50bs on both sides of the base portion 50b of the partition plate 50 in the plate thickness direction. It is formed in a straight line along the vertical direction. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7A and FIG. 7C, while the root portion 50b of the partition plate 50 is interposed between the

pins

32n and 32n adjacent in the circumferential direction Dc30, the groove portions 50bt and 50bt ( Corresponding

pins

32n and 32n are fitted into the fixing portions), and the base portions 50b are sandwiched between the

adjacent pins

32n and 32n, so that the partition plate 50 is fixed to the chain 30 so as not to be relatively movable. . That is, each partition plate 50 is fixed to at least one of the outer link 32 and the inner link 31 via the pin 32n. Therefore, based on the bending deformation of the chain 30 due to the relative rotation between the outer link 32 and the inner link 31 described above, as shown in FIGS. The size of the interval D50 formed between the portions 50LE and 50LE is changed.

In the partition plate 50, a groove portion is formed in the root portion 50b for the purpose of opening the tip portions 50LE and 50LE between the partition plates 50 adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction Dc30 as shown in FIG. The portion 50be located on the opposite side of the tip 50LE from 50bt is chamfered obliquely from both sides in the plate thickness direction, whereby the dimension t50be in the plate thickness direction is reduced. Specifically, the portion 50be has a tapered shape in which the thickness t50be in the plate thickness direction becomes smaller as the distance from the tip portion 50LE is increased, and thus the thickness t50be in the plate thickness direction corresponds to the circumferential direction Dc30 of the pin 32n. It is made smaller than arrangement pitch P32n. Therefore, when the

partition plates

50 and 50 adjacent to each other are about to be opened largely as shown in FIG. 8 from the parallel state of FIG. 7A, the situation where the portions 50 be and 50 be interfere with each other and cannot be opened effectively is avoided. Yes.

Further, as in the comparative example of FIG. 9, if the size of the distance D50 ′ between the adjacent partition plates 50 ′ and 50 ′ becomes excessively small, the partition plate 50 ′ and 50 by the push-out mechanism 70. When the individual packaged product 11 is pushed out from the “accommodating space S50” between the two, the tip 50LE ′ of the partition plate 50 ′ is tightly contacted with the individual packaged product 11, and as a result, the smooth extrusion is hindered. Can do. Supplementally, in this example, as shown in FIG. 3, since the push-out mechanism 70 is located in the second linear track portion TrL2, the chain 30 is basically linear in the portion TrL2. Should be. However, there is a sufficient possibility that the chain 30 is bent and deformed while the chain 30 is intermittently moved. As a result, based on the bending deformation of the chain 30, as shown in FIG. It is assumed that a situation in which 50 ′ and 50 ′ are almost completely closed at the tip portions 50LE ′ and 50LE ′ of each other can occur sufficiently.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7A, in the present embodiment, the size of the interval D50 formed by the

partition plates

50, 50 between the tip portions 50LE, 50LE is greater than a predetermined value (a positive value excluding zero). The

partition plates

50 and 50 have

restriction portions

51 and 51 for restricting the decrease in size. In this example, the restricting portion 51 is provided in the portion 50be1 on the tip portion 50LE side in the plate length direction with respect to the groove portion 50bt in the base portion 50b of the partition plate 50. More specifically, the restricting portion 51 extends from the portion 50be1 in the circumferential direction Dc30. It is provided as a pair of projecting

portions

51 and 51 projecting on both sides. And when the said

protrusion parts

51 and 51 contact | abut with the protrusion part 51 of the adjacent partition plate 50, the

partition plates

50 and 50 are controlled so that it cannot close rather than a mutually parallel state. Thereby, smooth extrusion of the individually packaged product 11 from the accommodation space S50 is guaranteed.

In order to cause the projecting portion 51 to reliably perform such a regulation function, as shown in FIG. 7A, the maximum value t50m of the dimension in the circumferential direction Dc30, which is the plate thickness t50m of the partition plate 50 at the position of the projecting portion 51, What is necessary is just to set to the same value as arrangement pitch P32n of the rotation direction Dc30 of the pin 32n of the chain 30. FIG.

Further, in this example, as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the protrusion 51 is provided with a predetermined length along the vertical direction which is the plate width direction. FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along the line XX in FIG. 6A. As shown in FIG. 10, the protrusion 51 has a recess 51h that is recessed in the circumferential direction Dc30 at the center in the vertical direction. Thus, the

portions

51s, 51s on both sides of the recessed portion 51h in the protruding portion 51 come into contact with the protruding portion 51 of the partition plate 50 adjacent to the circumferential direction Dc30.

Therefore, as long as the

portions

51s and 51s on both sides of the recessed portion 51h are selectively formed with high accuracy, the above-described regulation can be performed with high accuracy, that is, all the portions of the protruding portion 51 are high. The partition plate 50 can be manufactured at a low cost because it is not necessary to form it with accuracy. In addition, in this example, although the top surfaces of the

parts

51s and 51s on both sides are flat, they are not limited to flat surfaces.

In this example, as shown in FIG. 6B, such protrusions 51 are provided on both sides of the root portion 50b in the thickness direction, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, you may provide only in the part of one side of a plate | board thickness direction. However, in that case, the protruding height of the protruding portion 51 is twice as large as that provided on both sides, and the protruding portion 51 protrudes into the adjacent partition plate 50 to which the protruding portion 51 should hit. The part where the part 51 is not provided is associated.

Furthermore, in this example, as shown in FIG. 7A, the restricting portion 51, which is the protruding portion 51, restricts the

partition plates

50 and 50 from being further closed from a state in which they are parallel to each other, but is not limited thereto. That is, in the state regulated by the regulation part 51, if the size of the interval D50 formed between the adjacent end plates 50LE and 50LE between the

adjacent partition plates

50 and 50 is larger than zero, from the accommodation space S50. When extruding the individually packaged product 11, it is possible to achieve a suitable extruding ease, so that the present invention is not limited to the above parallel state.

Further, in this example, as shown in FIG. 6A, the protruding portion 51 is provided on the root portion 50b. However, depending on the outer shape of the root portion 50b, the root portion 50b itself is regulated even if the protruding portion 51 is not provided. It may function as the unit 51. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, when the

adjacent partition plates

50 and 50 are closed to a parallel state, the surface 50bs on one side of the root portion 50b in the circumferential direction Dc30 is positioned closer to the tip 50LE than the groove 50bt. In P50bsLE, if one side surface 50bs of the root portion 50b of the adjacent partition plate 50 is hit, the root portion 50b can function as the restricting portion 51. In this case, the base portion 50b projects. The part 51 may not be provided. In order to ensure that the base portion 50b performs such a regulation function, the maximum value t50mb of the dimension in the circumferential direction Dc30, which is the plate thickness t50mb of the partition plate 50 at the position P50bsLE at the base portion 50b, is set to the pin 32n of the chain 30. What is necessary is just to set to the same value as arrangement pitch P32n of the circumference direction Dc30.

Further, in this example, as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, a plurality of ribs 50ar, 50ar,... Projecting in the circumferential direction Dc30 are respectively provided on the plate surfaces 50as, 50as of the plate portion 50a of the partition plate 50. Although it is provided so as to extend from the root portion 50b side to the tip end portion 50LE side, preferably, as shown in FIG. 6B, the root portion is about the plate thickness 50a of the plate portion 50a including the rib 50ar. The 50b side should be thicker than the tip 50LE side.

If this is done, the braking force that the individual package 11 receives from the rib 50ar when the individual package 11 is inserted into the accommodation space S50 based on the rib 50ar formed as described above is as follows. Although small on the tip 50LE side, it is large on the root 50b side. Therefore, the individual packaged article 11 is quickly inserted into the insertion stop state on the base portion 50b side while being smoothly inserted from the front end portion 50LE side of the partition plate 50, and thereby, in the back of the accommodation space S50. Without being inserted too much, it can be quickly accommodated in the target position in the space S50.

By the way, depending on the case, after insertion of the individually packaged

articles

11, 11,... Into the predetermined number of accommodation spaces S50, S50... By the insertion mechanism 60 of FIG. The mechanism 60 may pass through the individual packages 11 without inserting them, thereby forming empty accommodation spaces S50 every predetermined number. In this case, if the chain 30 of the second linear track portion TrL2 is stopped so that the empty accommodation spaces S50 and S50 face the pair of

guide members

71 and 71 related to the push-out mechanism 70, respectively. The pusher plate 70a of the push-out mechanism 70 can smoothly guide a predetermined number of

individual packages

11, 11,... Between the pair of

guide members

71, 71. Further, at this time, according to the partition plate 50 of the present embodiment, the

partition plates

50 and 50 are maintained in a state parallel to each other by the protruding portion 51 as the restricting portion 51 and are not closed any further. Therefore, each empty accommodation space S50, S50 can be stably opposed to the pair of

guide members

51, 51, respectively.

=== Other Embodiments ===
As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to this embodiment, The deformation | transformation as shown below is possible.

In the above-described embodiment, the individual package 11 is illustrated as an example of the articles to be collected, but the present invention is not limited thereto. That is, the articles to be accumulated may be non-wrapped absorbent articles that are not packaged by the packaging sheet 5. Further, the absorbent article may be other than the panty liner 1, and may be a sanitary napkin, a tampon, a disposable diaper, or the like.

In the above-described embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the lining method is illustrated as a method for stretching the chain 30, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, an external method may be applied. That is, as shown in FIG. 12, rotating members 41 ′, 42 ′, and 43 ′ that define the circular orbit Tr30 ′ of the chain 30 are provided inside the circular orbit Tr30 ′, and further, outside the circular orbit Tr30 ′. At least one rotating member 44 ′ is arranged, and the outer rotating member 44 ′ is brought into contact with the chain 30 from the outer peripheral side of the chain 30 to apply tension to the chain 30, whereby the chain 30 is slackened. It may be in a tensioned state without any. However, in this outer-lining method, an arc-curved track portion TrB4 ′ bent inwardly is formed in a part of the orbiting track Tr30 ′, and the chain 30 passes through the arc-curved track portion TrB4 ′. In doing so, the chain 30 is bent inwardly in a convex shape, so that the

adjacent partition plates

50 and 50 tend to be in a more closed state than the parallel state based on the bending deformation ( In particular, see the state of the

partition plates

50, 50... Of the arc-curved track portion TrB4 ′ in FIG. Therefore, a large compressive force is generated in the protruding portion 51 which is the restricting portion 51 that restricts the closing, and the protruding portion 51 may be damaged. Therefore, from the viewpoint of preventing damage to the restricting portion 51, the above-described lining method is more desirable.

In the above-described embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 5, the chain 30 is circulated so that the circular trajectory Tr30 of the chain 30 is included in the horizontal plane, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the chain 30 may be circulated so that the circular trajectory Tr30 of the chain 30 is included in the vertical plane, or the circular trajectory Tr30 is included in an inclined plane inclined from both the horizontal plane and the vertical plane. The chain 30 may be circulated as described above.

In the above-described embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 7C, the chain 30 is provided only on one side in the vertical direction, which is the plate width direction of the partition plate 50. However, in some cases, the chain 30 is provided on both sides in the vertical direction. The partition plate 50 may be supported on both sides in the plate width direction.

In the above-described embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7C, a single (single row) chain having one row of

inner links

31, 31... Is used as the chain 30, but this is not a limitation. For example, a multi-row chain having two or more rows of

inner links

31, 31,. In the case of a multi-row chain, the pins 32n of the outer link 32 are formed longer than in the case of a single chain, and the number of rows of the plates 32p of the outer link 32 is the number of rows of the

inner links

31, 31,. The number of columns is one column added to the number.

1 Panty liner (absorbent article),
2 absorber, 3 surface sheet, 4 back sheet, 5 packaging sheet,
11 Individual packaged goods (articles)
20 stacking device, 21 base, 25 slide base,
26 Linear guide, 26B guide block, 26R guide rail,
30 chains,
31 inner link, 31b bush, 31bh inner space, 31p inner plate,
32 outer links, 32n pins, 32p outer plates,
41 rotating member, 41a large-diameter disk,
42 rotating member, 42a small diameter disk,
43 rotating member, 43a small diameter disk,
44 'rotating member,
50 partition plate, 50LE tip,
50a plate part, 50ae1 one end part, 50ae2 other end part,
50as plate surface, 50ar rib,
50b root part, 50be end part, 50be1 part, 50be part,
50bs plane,
50bt groove,
51 protrusion (regulation part), 51h dent part, 51s part,
60 belt conveyor (insertion mechanism), 60a endless belt,
70 Extrusion mechanism, 70a pusher plate,
71 guide members,
80 belt conveyor,
BL floor,
M1 first servo motor, M2 second servo motor,
SP1 sprocket, SP2 sprocket,
A70 discharge area,
C41 rotation axis, C42 rotation axis, C43 rotation axis,
G11 Group of individually packaged products,
S50 accommodation space,
P50bsLE, position,
Dc30 orbiting direction,
Tr30 orbit,
TrL1 first linear trajectory portion (linear trajectory portion),
TrL2 second linear orbit part (linear orbit part),
TrL3 inclined linear track part (straight track part),
TrB1 circular arc-shaped orbit portion (curved orbit portion),
TrB2 Arc curved track part (curved track part),
TrB3 Arc curved track portion (curved track portion),
TrB4 ′ arc curved track portion (curved track portion),
Tr11 transport path,

Claims

An apparatus for accumulating articles related to absorbent articles,
An endless chain that circulates in the circulation direction;
A plurality of partition plates provided in the chain side by side in the circumferential direction;
An insertion mechanism for inserting the article into an accommodation space defined between the partition plates adjacent in the circumferential direction;
An extrusion mechanism for extruding the articles respectively inserted into the predetermined number of the accommodating spaces from the predetermined number of the accommodating spaces,
The partition plate is fixed to the chain at the base portion of the partition plate, and based on the bending deformation of the chain, the front end portion of the partition plate is connected to the front end portion of the partition plate adjacent in the circumferential direction. Change the size of the gap between
An article accumulating apparatus according to an absorbent article, characterized by having a restricting part that restricts the interval from being smaller than a predetermined value.
An apparatus for accumulating articles according to claim 1,
That the partition plates adjacent in the circumferential direction engage with each other via the restricting portion is such that the size of the gap between the tip portions is restricted to be smaller than the predetermined value. An apparatus for collecting articles according to a characteristic absorbent article.
An apparatus for collecting articles according to claim 2,
As the restricting portion, the partition plate has a protruding portion protruding in the circumferential direction,
The absorbent article is characterized in that the size of the gap between the tip portions is regulated to be smaller than the predetermined value by the projecting portion hitting the partition plate adjacent in the circumferential direction. An apparatus for collecting articles according to the present invention.
An apparatus for accumulating articles according to claim 3,
The protrusions are respectively provided on both sides of the circumferential direction of the partition plate,
The partition plates adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction are in contact with each other at the projecting portions, whereby the size of the gap between the tip portions is restricted to be smaller than the predetermined value. An apparatus for collecting articles related to absorbent articles.
An apparatus for collecting articles according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the article is an absorbent article.
The protrusion has a dent that is recessed in the circumferential direction,
The portions on both sides of the indented portion of the projecting portion abut against the partition plate adjacent in the circumferential direction, so that the size of the gap between the tip portions is restricted to be smaller than the predetermined value. An apparatus for collecting articles according to an absorbent article.
An apparatus for accumulating articles according to any one of claims 2 to 5,
The root portion of the partition plate has a fixed portion as a portion fixed to the chain,
The article stacking apparatus according to an absorbent article, wherein the restricting portion is provided in a portion of the partition plate closer to the tip than the fixing portion.
An apparatus for accumulating articles according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The plate thickness direction of the partition plate faces the circumferential direction,
The adjacent partition plates divide the accommodation space between the plate surfaces of each other,
On the plate surface, a rib protruding in the circumferential direction is provided extending from the root portion side to the tip portion side,
Regarding the plate thickness of the partition plate at the position of the rib, the article stacking apparatus according to the absorbent article, wherein the root portion is thicker than the tip portion.
An apparatus for accumulating articles according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
In the state regulated by the regulation part, the partition plates adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction are parallel to each other, and the article stacking apparatus according to the absorbent article.
An apparatus for accumulating articles according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
The chain orbit of the chain is formed by combining a plurality of curved track portions bent outwardly and a plurality of linear track portions, and an accumulation of articles according to an absorbent article, apparatus.
A method for accumulating articles related to absorbent articles,
By circling an endless chain in the circumferential direction to circulate in the circumferential direction a plurality of partition plates provided in the chain side by side in the circumferential direction of the chain;
Inserting the article into an accommodation space defined between the partition plates adjacent in the circumferential direction;
Extruding the articles respectively inserted into the predetermined number of the accommodating spaces from the predetermined number of the accommodating spaces,
The partition plate is fixed to the chain at the base portion of the partition plate, and based on the bending deformation of the chain, the front end portion of the partition plate is connected to the front end portion of the partition plate adjacent in the circumferential direction. Change the size of the gap between
A method for accumulating articles according to an absorbent article, wherein the article has a restricting portion that restricts the size of the interval from being smaller than a predetermined value.