Packaging device for glass plates

Abstract

The present invention provides a bundling device for a glass plate that can prevent defective bending of a sheet when forming a laminate in which glass plates and sheets are alternately arranged. A bundling device (8) for a glass plate (GS) includes a device for loading a rectangular glass plate (GS) onto a tray (7). The bundling device (8) for the glass plate (GS) further includes: a sheet conveying device (18) that conveys a rectangular protective sheet (20) in a longitudinal posture; and a second transfer mechanism (23) as a loading device that receives the protective sheet (20) from the sheet conveying device (18) and loads the protective sheet (20) onto the tray (7). The sheet conveying device (18) includes a clamping mechanism (25a) as a conveying chuck that holds the protective sheet (20). The second transfer mechanism (23) includes a clamping mechanism (31a) as a loading chuck that holds the protective sheet (20). Either the conveying chuck or the loading chuck has a hand that holds the upper corner portion (20a1) of the protective sheet (20), and the other has a hand that holds the lower portion and the horizontal portion of the upper corner portion (20a1) of the protective sheet (20).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a bundling device for glass plates. Background Art

[0002] As is well known, for glass plates used in various fields, such as glass substrates for displays represented by liquid crystal displays (LCDs) and organic EL displays (OLEDs), the actual product quality has strict requirements for surface defects and undulations.

[0003] To meet such requirements, the down-draw method is widely used as a manufacturing method for glass plates.

[0004] As this down-draw method, the overflow down-draw method and the slot down-draw method are well known.

[0005] The overflow down-draw method is as follows: molten glass is made to flow into an overflow trough provided at the upper part of a forming body having a substantially wedge-shaped cross section, and the molten glass that has overflowed from the overflow trough to both sides is made to flow down along the side wall portions on both sides of the forming body while being fused and integrated at the lower end portion of the forming body, continuously forming a glass ribbon.

[0006] In addition, the slot down-draw method is as follows: a slit-shaped opening is formed in the bottom wall of a refractory to which molten glass is supplied, and the molten glass is made to flow down through this opening, thereby continuously forming a glass ribbon.

[0007] In particular, in the overflow down-draw method, the front and back surfaces of the formed glass ribbon are formed without contacting any part of the forming body during the forming process, so that a very smooth and defect-free forged surface is obtained.

[0008] As a manufacturing device for glass plates using the overflow down-draw method, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, it includes a forming section having a forming body inside, an annealing section provided below the forming section, and a cooling section and a cutting section provided below the annealing section.

[0009] This glass plate manufacturing device is configured to cause molten glass to overflow from the top of the forming body and fuse at its lower end portion to form a glass ribbon, and to remove internal strain of the glass ribbon by passing it through the annealing section. After cooling to room temperature using the cooling section, a glass plate of a specified size is cut out from the glass ribbon using the cutting section.

[0010] The cut-out glass plates are carried out from the cutting section, bundled with a dedicated tray, and conveyed.

[0011] In this case, a plurality of glass plates are stacked in a vertically placed state on the tray.

[0012] When loading a glass plate onto a tray in a vertically placed state, for the purpose of preventing scratches caused by direct contact between glass plates and preventing breakage of the glass plates during transportation, etc., a protective sheet (sheet material) as a buffer material and spacer is interposed between the glass plates.

[0013] Thereby, a laminate in which the glass plates and the protective sheets are alternately arranged is formed on the tray.

[0014] As a sheet supply device for placing the protective sheet on the tray, a sheet supply device including a cutting mechanism for cutting a strip-shaped sheet raw material to form a protective sheet and a holding mechanism for holding the protective sheet is disclosed in Patent Document 2.

[0015] The holding mechanism is configured to be movable in the longitudinal direction (vertical direction) and the lateral direction (front-rear direction), and transfers the protective sheet held at a position near the cutting mechanism to the tray.

[0016] Prior Art Documents

[0017] Patent Documents

[0018] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-197185

[0019] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-223965 Summary of the Invention

[0020] Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0021] As Figure 11 shown, a tray 7 on which a laminate in which a glass plate GS and a protective sheet 20 are alternately arranged is placed includes a back support portion for supporting the back surface of the laminate and a bottom support portion for supporting the bottom edges of a plurality of glass plates GS.

[0022] The back support portion is slightly inclined with respect to the vertical direction, and the bottom support portion is slightly inclined with respect to the horizontal direction.

[0023] With this structure, the laminate is supported on the tray 7 in a vertically placed posture slightly inclined with respect to the vertical direction.

[0024] Here, when forming such a laminate, under the action of wind generated from an air conditioner or the like, etc., sometimes the upper corner portion (also simply referred to as the upper corner) of the protective sheet 20 tilts forward (refer to Figure 11 ), and is bent in a triangular shape like a dog's ear, for example.

[0025] The bent portion ( Figure 12 the portion indicated by reference numeral 20D in the drawing) is a defective bend of the protective sheet 20, and is also referred to as a so-called folded corner.

[0026] If such a fold angle is generated, there is a possibility that the edges of the glass plates may come into contact with each other during conveyance, resulting in scratches.

[0027] In addition, if a fold angle is formed between the glass plates, a gap is generated during handling, allowing dust and the like to enter.

[0028] The present invention has been completed in view of the above-described problems of the current situation, and the object is to provide a bundling device for glass plates that can prevent defective bending of a sheet when forming a laminate in which glass plates and sheets are alternately arranged.

[0029] Means for Solving the Problem

[0030] The problem to be solved by the present invention is as described above. Next, the means for solving this problem will be described.

[0031] That is, the bundling device for glass plates of the present invention includes a device for loading a rectangular glass plate onto a tray. The bundling device for glass plates is characterized in that the bundling device for glass plates further includes: a conveying device that conveys a rectangular sheet in a longitudinal posture; and a loading device that receives the sheet from the conveying device and loads the sheet onto the tray. The conveying device includes a conveying chuck that holds the sheet, and the loading device includes a loading chuck that holds the sheet. Either the conveying chuck or the loading chuck has a hand that holds the upper corner portion of the sheet, and the other has a hand that holds the lower portion and the horizontal portion of the upper corner portion of the sheet.

[0032] According to the bundling device for glass plates including such a structure, when forming a laminate in which glass plates and sheets are alternately arranged, the upper corner portion of the sheet is held by the hand that holds the upper corner portion of the sheet and the hand that holds the lower portion and the horizontal portion of the upper corner portion of the sheet, and it is possible to prevent the upper corner portion of the sheet from being bent (so-called fold angle).

[0033] Thereby, for example, it is possible to prevent scratches caused by the upper corner portions of the glass plates coming into contact with each other during conveyance.

[0034] In addition, in the bundling device for glass plates of the present invention, more preferably, the conveying chuck has a hand that holds the upper corner portion of the sheet, and the loading chuck has a hand that holds the lower portion and the horizontal portion of the upper corner portion of the sheet.

[0035] According to the bundling device for glass plates including such a structure, the conveying chuck that holds the upper corner portion is located above the loading chuck.

[0036] Therefore, even if the conveying chuck is raised in order to convey the next sheet, it does not interfere with the loading chuck, so that the conveyance and loading of the sheet can be performed efficiently.

[0037] In addition, in the glass plate bundling device of the present invention, more preferably, the loading chuck has a hand on the tray side for holding the lower part and the lateral part of the sheet.

[0038] According to the glass plate bundling device including such a structure, even if the sheet loaded on the tray tilts toward the side opposite to the tray side (the laminate side), it is possible to efficiently correct the sheet by using the hand on the tray side when loading the sheet.

[0039] Therefore, it is possible to prevent the upper corner portion of the loaded sheet from tilting toward the laminate side and being caught between the loaded sheet and the loaded glass plate.

[0040] In addition, in the glass plate bundling device of the present invention, more preferably, another hand of the loading chuck holds the lower part of the upper corner portion of the sheet.

[0041] Here, when the hand on the tray side of the loading chuck that opens and closes the tray for loading the sheet contacts the loaded sheet and the tray, it is fixed.

[0042] Therefore, as the loading chuck opens and closes with another hand, the sheet is held and the holding is released.

[0043] In this case, if another hand holds the lateral part of the upper corner portion, it is not likely to interfere with the handling chuck (handling device) when moving the other hand in an open state.

[0044] As described above, if it is assumed that another hand holds the lower part of the upper corner portion, it is possible to easily prevent interference with the handling chuck (handling device).

[0045] In addition, in the glass plate bundling device of the present invention, more preferably, the loading chuck has a convex portion for bending the upper corner portion of the sheet toward the tray side.

[0046] According to the glass plate bundling device including such a structure, when holding the sheet with the loading chuck, it is possible to prevent the front end of the upper corner portion of the sheet from tilting toward the tray side and being caught by the loaded glass plate by using the convex portion.

[0047] In addition, in the glass plate bundling device of the present invention, more preferably, the bundling device further includes: a supply device that unwinds a strip-shaped sheet from a coil and supplies the strip-shaped sheet; and a cutting device that cuts out the sheet from the strip-shaped sheet, and a handling device that handles the sheet cut out from the cutting device, and the loading device is configured to load the sheet in a state where the surface on the inner peripheral side of the coil among the two surfaces of the sheet is on the tray side.

[0048] In the coil material that is the supply raw material of the strip-shaped sheet, the strip-shaped sheet is in a wound state.

[0049] Therefore, if the strip-shaped sheet is unwound from the coil material and a sheet is cut out from the strip-shaped sheet, the sheet has the characteristic of becoming round.

[0050] If the surface on the inner peripheral side in the coil material among the two surfaces of the sheet is arranged on the side opposite to the tray side (laminated body side), the sheet loaded on the tray is likely to fall toward the side opposite to the tray side (laminated body side).

[0051] On the other hand, if the surface on the inner peripheral side in the coil material is arranged on the tray side, the sheet loaded on the tray is likely to fall toward the tray side.

[0052] Therefore, according to the above structure, the situation where the sheet loaded on the tray falls toward the side opposite to the tray side (laminated body side) can be reduced.

[0053] Advantages of the Invention

[0054] As an effect of the present invention, the following effects are achieved.

[0055] That is, according to the bundling device for glass plates of the present invention, it is possible to prevent the upper corner portion of the sheet from being bent (so-called corner folding) when forming a laminated body in which glass plates and sheets are alternately arranged. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0056] Figure 1 It is a conceptual diagram showing the overall structure of a glass plate manufacturing apparatus.

[0057] Figure 2 It is a perspective view of a sheet conveying device.

[0058] Figure 3 It is a flowchart showing a manufacturing method of a glass plate, a laminated body, and a bundled body.

[0059] Figure 4 It is a side view for explaining a bundling process.

[0060] Figure 5 It is a side view for explaining a bundling process.

[0061] Figure 6 It is a side view for explaining a bundling process.

[0062] Figure 7A It is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of conveying a protective sheet by the clamping mechanism (carrying chuck) of the first holding portion and the clamping mechanism (loading chuck) of the third holding portion, and is a diagram showing a state where the clamping mechanism of the third holding portion is on standby in an open state and a state during the descent of the protective sheet by the first holding portion.

[0063] Figure 7B It is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of transporting a protective sheet by the clamping mechanism (transport chuck) of the first holding part and the clamping mechanism (loading chuck) of the third holding part, and is a diagram showing a state where the clamping mechanism of the third holding part is on standby in an open state and the descent of the protective sheet by the first holding part has stopped.

[0064] Figure 7C It is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of transporting a protective sheet by the clamping mechanism (transport chuck) of the first holding part and the clamping mechanism (loading chuck) of the third holding part, and is a diagram showing a state where the clamping mechanism of the third holding part becomes a closed state.

[0065] Figure 7D It is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of transporting a protective sheet by the clamping mechanism (transport chuck) of the first holding part and the clamping mechanism (loading chuck) of the third holding part, and is a diagram showing a state where the first holding part is separated from the protective sheet.

[0066] Figure 8A It is an explanatory diagram for explaining the clamping mechanism (loading chuck) of the third holding part, and is a front view showing the open state of the clamping mechanism.

[0067] Figure 8B It is an explanatory diagram for explaining the clamping mechanism (loading chuck) of the third holding part, and is a side sectional view showing the closed state of the clamping mechanism.

[0068] Figure 9 It is a side view for explaining the bundling process.

[0069] Figure 10 It is a side view for explaining the bundling process.

[0070] Figure 11 It is an explanatory diagram showing a bending defect of the protective sheet.

[0071] Figure 12 It is an explanatory diagram showing a bending defect of the protective sheet. Detailed Embodiments

[0072] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0073] Figures 1 to 10 Shows an embodiment of the bundling device for a glass plate of the present invention.

[0074] It should be noted that for the following description, for convenience, Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figures 4 to 6 , FIGS. 8 to Figure 10 The up and down directions shown are described as the up and down directions of the bundling device.

[0075] In addition, Figure 1 The left-right direction in the description is defined as the front-back direction, and the direction perpendicular to the front-back direction and the up-down direction is defined as the width direction of the packaging device.

[0076] like Figure 1 As shown, the manufacturing device 1 includes: a forming section 2, which continuously forms molten glass GM into a glass ribbon GR by a down-draw method; an annealing section 3, which removes internal strain of the glass ribbon GR below the forming section 2; a cooling section 4, which is arranged below the annealing section 3; a cutting section 5, which is arranged below the cooling section 4; a conveying section 6, which transfers the glass sheet GS cut from the glass ribbon GR by the cutting section 5; and a packing device 8, which constitutes a packing section for placing the glass sheet GS in a state of being loaded on a tray 7.

[0077] The forming part 2 is provided with the forming body 9 which performs the overflow down-draw method, and the edge roll 10 which draws out the molten glass GM overflowing from this forming body 9 as a glass ribbon GR inside a furnace wall.

[0078] The molded body 9 is configured in an elongated shape and includes an overflow groove 11 formed at the top, and a vertical surface portion 12 and an inclined surface portion 13 constituting a pair of side walls facing each other.

[0079] The pair of inclined surface parts 13 gradually approach each other as they go downward, and intersect with each other, thereby constituting a lower end part 14 of the molded body 9 .

[0080] The edge roller 10 is comprised as a left-right roller pair so that the edge part of the glass ribbon GR may be clamped|pinched at the width direction edge part.

[0081] The annealing part 3 anneals the glass ribbon GR descending from the forming part 2 to suppress the generation of internal strain at the time of temperature drop.

[0082] That is, the temperature in the annealing section 3 is set so as to have a predetermined temperature gradient.

[0083] The temperature of the glass ribbon GR gradually decreases as it descends in the annealing section 3 .

[0084] The annealing part 3 guides the glass ribbon GR vertically downward by the guide rollers 15 of multiple upper and lower stages arranged inside.

[0085] The cooling part 4 allows the glass ribbon GR transferred from the annealing part 3 to pass therethrough, and further cools the glass ribbon GR.

[0086] The cooling part 4 cools the glass ribbon GR to near room temperature.

[0087] The glass ribbon GR cooled by the cooling unit 4 is sent to the cutting unit 5 below.

[0088] The cutting unit 5 is provided with a breaking device 16 that cuts the glass ribbon GR transferred downward from the cooling unit 4 into a specified size.

[0089] The glass ribbon GR continuously formed by the forming unit 2 is cut into a rectangular shape by the breaking device 16, and a rectangular glass plate GS is obtained.

[0090] As needed, a process of cutting and removing the thick wall portions (ears) formed at both ends in the width direction of the glass plate GS obtained by cutting, and an inspection of the glass plate GS obtained by cutting are performed.

[0091] The glass plate GS obtained by cutting is carried out from the cutting unit 5 by the carrying unit 6 and sent to the bundling device 8.

[0092] The carrying unit 6 is configured as a glass supply device that places the glass plate GS on the tray 7.

[0093] The carrying unit 6 includes a plurality of holding portions 17 that move the glass plate GS.

[0094] Each holding portion 17 has a clamping mechanism 17a that can hold the glass plate GS.

[0095] The carrying unit 6 holds the upper portion GSa of the glass plate GS in a vertical posture by the clamping mechanism 17a of the holding portion 17, and carries the glass plate GS in such a manner that the surface of the glass plate GS faces its moving direction, in other words, along a direction perpendicular to the surface of the glass plate GS.

[0096] In addition, the carrying unit 6 carries the glass plate GS without holding the lower portion GSb of the glass plate GS.

[0097] It should be noted that each holding portion 17 can be three-dimensionally moved by a robotic arm or various other moving mechanisms.

[0098] The bundling device 8 includes a sheet carrying device 18 that carries a protection sheet 20, which is an example of a rectangular sheet, in a vertical posture (including an inclined posture) and supplies it to the tray 7.

[0099] The sheet carrying device 18 includes: a cutting device 21 that cuts out the protection sheet 20 from the strip-shaped sheet raw material 19 fed out from the raw material roll; a first transfer mechanism 22 (corresponding to the carrying device of the present invention), which is disposed below the cutting device 21 and transfers the protection sheet 20 in the longitudinal direction (vertical direction); a second transfer mechanism 23 (corresponding to the loading device of the present invention), which transfers the protection sheet 20 in the lateral direction (front-rear direction); and a control device 24 that mainly controls the first transfer mechanism 22 and the second transfer mechanism 23.

[0100] In the bundling device 8, the glass plate GS and the protective sheet 20 are alternately stacked on the tray 7 in a vertical posture (including an inclined posture) by the operation of the conveying unit 6 and the sheet conveying device 18.

[0101] The tray 7 has a first support surface 7a that supports one surface of the glass plate GS and one surface of the protective sheet 20, and a second support surface 7b (loading surface) that supports the lower end portion GSc of the glass plate GS.

[0102] The first support surface 7a intersects the second support surface 7b at 90°.

[0103] The first support surface 7a is inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the vertical direction.

[0104] In addition, the second support surface 7b is inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the horizontal direction.

[0105] Note that, as the strip-shaped sheet raw material 19 (protective sheet 20) supplied by the sheet conveying device 18, resin sheets, paper, and various other materials are used.

[0106] As the resin sheet, a foamed resin sheet such as a high-foamed polyethylene sheet can be preferably used.

[0107] The cutting device 21 cuts the strip-shaped sheet raw material 19 with its cutting edge 21a while a part of the strip-shaped sheet raw material 19 is held by the first transfer mechanism 22.

[0108] The cutting device 21 is supported by the first transfer mechanism 22.

[0109] The first transfer mechanism 22 includes a first holding portion 25 and a second holding portion 26 that can move in the longitudinal direction (vertical direction), and a first guide member 27 that guides the holding portions 25 and 26.

[0110] As shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2 , the first holding portion 25 holds the widthwise end portions of the upper portion 20a of the protective sheet 20.

[0111] The second holding portion 26 holds the widthwise end portions of the lower portion 20b of the protective sheet 20.

[0112] Each of the holding portions 25 and 26 has clamping mechanisms 25a and 26a that hold the widthwise end portions of the protective sheet 20.

[0113] The clamping mechanisms 25a and 26a correspond to the transfer chucks of the present invention, and hold the widthwise end portions of the protective sheet 20 and transfer them to the second transfer mechanism 23, which will be described in detail later.

[0114] The first guiding member 27 is a long member that guides the respective holding portions 25 and 26 in the longitudinal direction (vertical direction).

[0115] The first guiding member 27 is inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the vertical direction.

[0116] The inclination angle of the first guiding member 27 is desirably equal to the inclination angle of the first support surface 7a of the tray 7.

[0117] The first guiding member 27 is provided with a drive mechanism for moving the respective holding portions 25 and 26 in the longitudinal direction (vertical direction).

[0118] This drive mechanism is constituted by a belt transmission mechanism, but is not limited to this structure. For example, it may also be constituted by a ball screw mechanism, a rack and pinion mechanism, a linear motor, etc.

[0119] The first guiding member 27 is suspended and supported by a feed mechanism 28 above the tray 7.

[0120] The feed mechanism 28 is divided into upper and lower parts, a base portion 29 and a moving portion 30.

[0121] The base portion 29 is fixed to a beam of the building as a structure.

[0122] The moving portion 30 is supported on the lower surface of the base portion 29 so as to be movable in the lateral direction (front-rear direction).

[0123] The base portion 29 moves the moving portion 30 in the lateral direction (front-rear direction) that is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction.

[0124] That is, the moving portion 30 can move in the lateral direction (front-rear direction) parallel to the second support surface 7b that is formed as an inclined surface in the tray 7.

[0125] The base portion 29 is provided with a drive mechanism for moving the moving portion 30 in the lateral direction (front-rear direction).

[0126] This drive mechanism is constituted by, for example, a ball screw mechanism, a rack and pinion mechanism, a linear motor, a belt transmission mechanism, etc.

[0127] The second transfer mechanism 23 includes a third holding portion 31 and a fourth holding portion 32 that hold the protective sheet 20, and a second guiding member 33 and a third guiding member 34 that move the respective holding portions 31 and 32 in the lateral direction (front-rear direction).

[0128] The third holding portion 31 holds the upper portion 20a of the protective sheet 20, and the fourth holding portion 32 holds the lower portion 20b of the protective sheet 20.

[0129] The respective holding portions 31 and 32 hold the portions of the protective sheet 20 that protrude from the glass plate GS.

[0130] In addition, each of the holding parts 31 and 32 has clamping mechanisms 31a and 32a (see Figure 2 ).

[0131] The clamping mechanism 31a corresponds to the loading chuck of the present invention, holds the end portions in the width direction of the protective sheet 20, transports them to the tray 7, and loads them onto the glass plate GS, which will be described in detail later.

[0132] The second guide member 33 and the third guide member 34 are elongated members that cross (e.g., are orthogonal to) the first guide member 27.

[0133] The second guide member 33 and the third guide member 34 are fixed to the first guide member 27.

[0134] Therefore, the second guide member 33 and the third guide member 34 are configured to change their positions in the lateral direction (front - rear direction) along with the movement of the first guide member 27 by the feed mechanism 28.

[0135] The second guide member 33 and the third guide member 34 are inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the horizontal direction.

[0136] The inclination angles of the second guide member 33 and the third guide member 34 are desirably equal to the inclination angle of the second support surface 7b of the tray 7.

[0137] The second guide member 33 and the third guide member 34 support the third holding part 31 and the fourth holding part 32 so as to be movable in the lateral direction (front - rear direction, more specifically, along the inclination direction of the second support surface 7b).

[0138] The second guide member 33 and the third guide member 34 have a drive mechanism for moving the third holding part 31 and the fourth holding part 32 in the lateral direction (front - rear direction and inclination direction).

[0139] The drive mechanism is composed of a feed mechanism such as a belt transmission mechanism, a ball screw mechanism, a rack - pinion mechanism, a linear motor, etc.

[0140] Thereby, the third holding part 31 and the fourth holding part 32 are configured to be retractable along a predetermined inclination direction (lateral direction).

[0141] The control device 24 controls operations such as the gripping and release of the glass plate GS in the transfer unit 6, the lifting and lowering operations, the movement, and the stop.

[0142] The control device 24 controls the first transfer mechanism 22, the second transfer mechanism 23, and the feeding mechanism 28, so that with the lower end portion 20c of the protective sheet 20 separated from the second support surface 7b of the tray 7 by a certain distance, the protective sheet 20 is overlapped (contacted) with the first support surface 7a of the tray 7 or the glass plate GS placed on the tray 7.

[0143] The control device 24 includes, for example, a computer (such as a PC) that mounts various hardware such as a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, an HDD, a monitor, and an input / output interface.

[0144] The control device 24 includes: an arithmetic processing unit (CPU) that performs various operations; a storage unit (ROM, RAM, HDD) that stores various data; and a communication unit that performs signal transmission and reception with respect to the transfer unit 6, the transfer mechanisms 22, 23, and the feeding mechanism 28.

[0145] The communication unit of the control device 24 is communicably connected to the transfer unit 6, the transfer mechanisms 22, 23, and the feeding mechanism 28.

[0146] Hereinafter, a method for manufacturing the glass plate GS using the manufacturing apparatus 1 having the above structure, a method for manufacturing the laminate LM in which the glass plate GS and the protective sheet 20 are laminated, and a method for manufacturing the package PC in which the laminate LM is loaded on the tray 7 will be described.

[0147] As Figure 3 shown, this method mainly includes a forming process S1, an annealing process S2, a cooling process S3, a cutting process S4, a transfer process S5, and a packaging process S6.

[0148] In the forming process S1, the molten glass GM of the formed body 9 supplied to the forming section 2 overflows from the overflow trough 11 and flows down along the vertical surface portion 12 and the inclined surface portion 13.

[0149] The molten glass GM is integrated by fusion at the lower end portion 14 of the formed body 9 and formed into a glass ribbon GR.

[0150] The edge rollers 10 clamp the respective end portions in the width direction of the glass ribbon GR and guide the glass ribbon GR downward.

[0151] In the annealing process S2, the glass ribbon GR descending from the forming section 2 passes through the annealing section 3.

[0152] At this time, the glass ribbon GR is guided downward by the guide roller 15 and annealed according to a specified temperature gradient.

[0153] In the cooling process S3, the glass ribbon GR is further cooled by natural cooling in the cooling section 4.

[0154] Thereafter, in the cutting process S4, the glass ribbon GR is cut by the breaking device 16 into glass plates GS of a specified size.

[0155] The glass plate GS formed into a rectangle by cutting is discharged from the cutting section 5 through the conveying process S5 and is conveyed toward the tray 7 disposed in the bundling device 8.

[0156] It should be noted that between the cutting process S4 and the conveying process S5, a process of cutting and removing the thick wall portions formed at both ends in the width direction of the glass plate GS and a process of inspecting the glass plate GS are provided as needed.

[0157] In the conveying process S5, the upper portion GSa of the glass plate GS is held by the holding portion 17 (clamping mechanism 17a) of the conveying portion 6.

[0158] The holding portion 17 conveys the glass plate GS from the cutting section 5 to the tray 7 in a suspended state in which the lower portion GSb of the glass plate GS is separated from the floor surface.

[0159] The bundling process S6 is a process performed by the bundling device 8 and includes a sheet supply process of supplying the protective sheet 20 to the tray 7 by the sheet conveying device 18 and a placing process of placing the glass plate GS on the tray 7 by the conveying portion 6.

[0160] In the bundling process S6, the sheet supply process and the placing process are performed simultaneously.

[0161] Hereinafter, with reference to Figures 4 to 10 The operation of the bundling device 8 in the sheet supply process and the placing process will be described.

[0162] It should be noted that in the following example, a case where the first protective sheet 20A, the second protective sheet 20B, the first glass plate GS1, and the second glass plate (not shown) are alternately loaded on the tray 7 will be described.

[0163] In the sheet supply process, the sheet conveying device 18 operates the feeding mechanism 28 by the control device 24 and moves the cutting device 21, the first transfer mechanism 22, and the second transfer mechanism 23 to a specified position (loading start position).

[0164] In this case, the second guide member 33 and the third guide member 34 of the second transfer mechanism 23 are disposed above the second support surface 7b of the tray 7.

[0165] The second transfer mechanism 23 positions the third holding portion 31 and the fourth holding portion 32 at positions where the first protective sheet 20A can be received (see Figure 4 )

[0166] The sheet conveying device 18 supplies the strip-shaped sheet raw material 19 to the cutting device 21.

[0167] As shown Figure 4 in the figure, each holding part 25, 26 of the first transfer mechanism 22 stands by at a position near the cutting device 21.

[0168] The second holding part 26 holds the end portion in the width direction of the strip-shaped sheet raw material 19 by means of the clamping mechanism 26a.

[0169] In this case, the strip-shaped sheet raw material 19 is held in a state where the lower end portion 19a protrudes downward from the second holding part 26.

[0170] The protruding length LSa of the lower end portion 19a can be adjusted by the position control of the second holding part 26 performed by the control device 24.

[0171] When the second holding part 26 holds the strip-shaped sheet raw material 19, it moves downward along the first guide member 27 (see Figure 5 ).

[0172] Thereby, the strip-shaped sheet raw material 19 is sent downward.

[0173] The second holding part 26 stops after moving a predetermined distance.

[0174] After that, the clamping mechanism 25a of the first holding part 25 holds the end portion in the width direction of the strip-shaped sheet raw material 19.

[0175] Thereby, the strip-shaped sheet raw material 19 is held by the first holding part 25 and the second holding part 26 in a state where it is sent out from the cutting device 21 by a predetermined length.

[0176] Next, the cutting device 21 brings the cutting edge 21a into contact with the strip-shaped sheet raw material 19 and cuts the strip-shaped sheet raw material 19 in the entire width direction range above the first holding part 25.

[0177] Thereby, the first protective sheet 20A is cut out from the strip-shaped sheet raw material 19.

[0178] The first protective sheet 20A is in a state where the upper corner portion 20a1 of its upper part 20a and the end portion in the width direction of the lower part 20b are held by the clamping mechanism 25a of the first holding part 25 and the clamping mechanism 26a of the second holding part 26.

[0179] In addition, the lower end portion 19a of the strip-shaped sheet raw material 19 becomes the lower end portion 20c of the first protective sheet 20A.

[0180] After that, the first transfer mechanism 22 lowers the first holding part 25 and the second holding part 26 along the first guide member 27 to move the first protective sheet 20A downward.

[0181] AsFigure 6 As shown, the third holding part 31 and the fourth holding part 32 of the second transfer mechanism 23 standby at positions where they can receive the first protective sheet 20A from the first transfer mechanism 22.

[0182] Specifically, all of the clamping mechanisms 31a and 32a of the third holding part 31 and the fourth holding part 32 standby in an open state (for the clamping mechanism 31a, refer to Figure 7A ).

[0183] At this time, the clamping mechanism 25a of the first holding part 25 holds the upper corner part 20a1 of the first protective sheet 20A by using both hands 25a1 and 25a2 of the clamping mechanism 25a.

[0184] That is, in the present embodiment, the clamping mechanism 25a equivalent to the transfer chuck has hands 25a1 and 25a2 for holding the upper corner part 20a1 of the first protective sheet 20A.

[0185] The first holding part 25 and the second holding part 26 of the first transfer mechanism 22 stop after descending to positions where they can transfer the first protective sheet 20A to the second transfer mechanism 23 (refer to Figure 7B ).

[0186] Next, the second transfer mechanism 23 holds the first protective sheet 20A by setting the clamping mechanisms 31a and 32a of the third holding part 31 and the fourth holding part 32 to a closed state (refer to Figure 7C ).

[0187] After that, the first transfer mechanism 22 releases the holding of the first protective sheet 20A by the clamping mechanisms 25a and 26a of the first holding part 25 and the second holding part 26.

[0188] Thereby, the first protective sheet 20A is transferred from the first transfer mechanism 22 to the second transfer mechanism 23.

[0189] The structure and operation of the clamping mechanism 31a on the side of the loading chuck when transferring the first protective sheet 20A from the first transfer mechanism 22 to the second transfer mechanism 23 as described above will be specifically described.

[0190] The clamping mechanism 31a has: a first hand 36 having a substantially L shape in the front view, which is disposed on the side of the tray 7 (the first support surface 7a); a first arm 38 that supports the first hand 36; a second hand 37 having a substantially rectangular shape in the front view, which is disposed opposite to the first hand 36 when the clamping mechanism 31a is in a closed state (refer to Figure 7C ); and a second arm 39 that supports the second hand 37.

[0191] It should be noted that hereinafter, the "side of the tray 7" will be described by specifying it as the side of the first support surface 7a of the tray 7.

[0192] In addition, hereinafter, the "stacked body side" is the opposite side of the "tray 7 side", and is defined as the side in the direction in which the glass plate GS and the protective sheet 20 are alternately stacked.

[0193] In addition, in FIGS. 7 and 8, the tray 7 side is indicated by an arrow P.

[0194] The first hand 36 has a substantially rectangular first main body portion 36a and an elongated finger-shaped extension portion 36b that extends upward by a predetermined length from an upper end on one end side in the width direction of the first main body portion 36a.

[0195] The first hand 36 is fixed to one end of the first arm 38 and is supported substantially parallel to the first support surface 7a of the tray 7.

[0196] That is, the first hand 36 stands by in a state of being disposed on the back side of the transported protective sheet 20 and being substantially parallel to the protective sheet 20.

[0197] The first hand 36 is, when the clamping mechanism 31a is in the closed state (see Figure 7C ), holding the lower part of the upper corner portion 20a1 of the first protective sheet 20A by the first main body portion 36a, and holding the horizontal portion of the upper corner portion 20a1 of the first protective sheet 20A (the portion located on the left side facing the upper corner portion 20a1 in Figure 7C ).

[0198] In addition, when the protective sheet 20 loaded on the tray 7 is disposed on the tray 7 side of the extension portion 36b, the extension portion 36b supports the upper corner portion 20a1 of the protective sheet 20 so as not to fall toward the stacked body side.

[0199] The second hand 37 has a substantially rectangular second main body portion 37a and a pressing jig 37b that extends upward in an inverted L shape in side view from the upper end of the second main body portion 37a.

[0200] The pressing jig 37b has a rectangular base portion 37b1 that is disposed on the outer side surface of the second main body portion 37a and extends upward along the outer side surface, and a convex portion 37b2 that protrudes from the front end of the base portion 37b1 toward the tray 7 side.

[0201] The convex portion 37b2 of the pressing jig 37b is disposed at a position where it does not interfere with the extension portion 36b of the first hand 36 when the first hand 36 and the second hand 37 are in the closed state.

[0202] When the convex portion 37b2 of the pressing jig 37b holds the first protective sheet 20A using the first hand 36 and the second hand 37, the front end of the convex portion 37b2 is formed to protrude toward the tray 7 side from the back side of the first main body portion 36a of the first hand 36 in a side view (see Figure 8B ).

[0203] The second main body portion 37a of the second hand 37 is substantially the same size as the first main body portion 36a of the first hand 36 in a front view.

[0204] The second hand 37 is fixed to one end of the second arm 39, and the other end of the second arm 39 is supported by an arm shaft (not shown) provided in the third holding portion 31.

[0205] The second hand 37 is supported so as to be rotatable by driving the second arm 39.

[0206] The second hand 37 holds the lower part of the upper corner portion 20a1 of the first protective sheet 20A using the second main body portion 37a in the closed state of the clamping mechanism 31a (see Figure 7C ), and is a hand that bends the upper corner portion 20a1 of the first protective sheet 20A using the convex portion 37b2 as shown in Figure 7D .

[0207] In the clamping mechanism 31a, when holding the protective sheet 20, the first hand 36 is disposed on the back side of the protective sheet 20 substantially parallel to the first support surface 7a of the tray 7, and the second hand 37 is supported so as to be openable and closable with respect to the first hand 36.

[0208] It should be noted that the shape of the convex portion 37b2 is not limited to a plate shape as in the present embodiment, and may be, for example, a rod shape, a hemispherical shape, etc., and may also be a structure in which a single or a plurality are provided.

[0209] The first hand 36 and the second hand 37 are set to the open state by rotating only the second hand 37 in the direction of opening the respective ends of the first arm 38 and the second arm 39, and when holding the both ends in the width direction of the first protective sheet 20A, only the second hand 37 is rotated in the direction of approaching the end of the second arm 39 to the end of the first arm 38 to become the closed state (see Figure 8A ).

[0210] The pressing jig 37b is a jig that bends the upper corner portion 20a1 of the first protective sheet 20A toward the tray 7 side when holding the first protective sheet 20A using the first hand 36 and the second hand 37.

[0211] It should be noted that in the present embodiment, the front end of the convex portion 37b2 is formed to protrude toward the tray 7 side from the back side of the first main body portion 36a of the first hand 36, but there is no particular limitation.

[0212] For example, the tip of the convex portion 37b2 may be formed to have such dimensions that when the first hand 36 and the second hand 37 hold the first protective sheet 20A, it can at least abut against the first protective sheet 20A and cause the abutting portion to bend toward the tray 7 side without bending it.

[0213] In addition, the operation of holding the first protective sheet 20A by the first hand 36 and the second hand 37 is also performed in the same manner for the second protective sheet 20B described later, and is applied in the process of forming the laminate LM.

[0214] In this way, by constituting the first hand 36 and the second hand 37, when forming the laminate LM in which the glass plate GS and the protective sheet 20 are alternately arranged, the first hand 36 can hold the lower part of the upper corner portion 20a1 of the protective sheet 20 and hold the horizontal part of the upper corner portion 20a1 of the protective sheet 20, and the second hand 37 can hold the lower part of the upper corner portion 20a1 of the protective sheet 20 to prevent the upper corner portion 20a1 of the protective sheet 20 from being bent (so-called corner folding).

[0215] Thereby, for example, it is possible to prevent the upper corner portions 20a1 of the glass plates GS from contacting each other and causing scratches during the conveyance of the laminate LM.

[0216] In addition, as Figure 7C shown, according to the bundling device 8, the clamping mechanism 25a serving as a handling chuck for holding the upper corner portion 20a1 is located above the clamping mechanism 31a serving as a loading chuck.

[0217] Therefore, even if the clamping mechanism 25a is raised to handle the next protective sheet 20, the clamping mechanism 25a does not interfere with the clamping mechanism 31a, so that the handling and loading of the protective sheet 20 can be performed efficiently.

[0218] In addition, the clamping mechanism 31a serving as a loading chuck has a first hand 36 on the tray 7 side for holding the lower part and the horizontal part of the upper corner portion 20a1 of the protective sheet 20.

[0219] Thereby, even if the protective sheet 20 already loaded on the tray 7 is tilted toward the side opposite to the tray 7 side (laminate side), when loading the protective sheet 20, it can be held by the extension portion 36b of the first hand 36 on the tray 7 side and corrected efficiently.

[0220] Therefore, it is possible to prevent the upper corner portion 20a1 of the loaded protective sheet 20 from tilting toward the laminate side and being clamped between the loaded protective sheet 20 and the loaded glass plate GS.

[0221] In addition, according to the bundling device 8, the second hand 37, which is the other hand of the clamping mechanism 31a serving as the loading chuck, holds the lower part of the upper corner portion 20a1 of the protective sheet 20.

[0222] Here, when the clamping mechanism 31a that loads the protective sheet 20 onto the tray 7 opens and closes the first hand 36 on the tray 7 side, it comes into contact with the loaded protective sheet 20 and the tray 7, so it is fixed in a non-operating state.

[0223] Therefore, the clamping mechanism 31a holds and releases the holding of the protective sheet 20 in association with the opening and closing of the second hand 37, which is the other hand.

[0224] In this case, if the second hand 37, which is the other hand, holds the horizontal portion of the upper corner portion 20a1, it is likely to interfere with the clamping mechanism 25a when the second hand 37 is moved in an open state.

[0225] However, if the second hand 37, which is the other hand, is configured to hold the lower part of the upper corner portion 20a1 as described above, interference with the clamping mechanism 25a can be easily prevented.

[0226] In addition, the clamping mechanism 31a serving as the loading chuck has a convex portion 37b2 that bends the upper corner portion 20a1 of the protective sheet 20.

[0227] Thereby, when the protective sheet 20 is held by the clamping mechanism 31a, the convex portion 37b2 can prevent the front end of the upper corner portion 20a1 of the protective sheet 20 from tilting toward the tray 7 side and being clamped by the loaded glass plate GS.

[0228] In addition, the bundling device 8 includes: a supply device (not shown) that is disposed upstream of the sheet conveying device 18 and unwinds the strip-shaped sheet raw material 19 from the raw material roll and supplies it to the sheet conveying device 18; and a cutting device 21 that cuts out the protective sheet 20 from the strip-shaped sheet raw material 19.

[0229] The sheet conveying device 18 conveys the protective sheet 20 cut out by the cutting device 21, and the second transfer mechanism 23 serving as the loading device is configured to load the protective sheet 20 in a state where the surface on the inner peripheral side in the coil stock of the two surfaces of the protective sheet 20 is on the tray 7 side.

[0230] In the raw material roll, the strip-shaped sheet raw material 19 is in a wound state. Therefore, if the strip-shaped sheet raw material 19 is unwound from the raw material roll and the protective sheet 20 is cut out from the strip-shaped sheet raw material 19, the protective sheet 20 has the characteristic of becoming round to restore its original shape.

[0231] Therefore, if the surface on the inner circumferential side in the web among the two surfaces of the protective sheet 20 is arranged on the side opposite to the tray 7 side (laminated body side), the protective sheet 20 loaded on the tray 7 is likely to fall toward the side opposite to the tray 7 side (laminated body side).

[0232] On the other hand, if the surface on the inner circumferential side in the web is arranged on the tray 7 side, the protective sheet 20 loaded on the tray 7 is likely to fall toward the tray 7 side.

[0233] Therefore, according to the above structure, the situation where the protective sheet 20 loaded on the tray 7 falls toward the side opposite to the tray 7 side (laminated body side) can be reduced.

[0234] In this way, after the first protective sheet 20A is transferred from the first transfer mechanism 22 to the second transfer mechanism 23, as Figure 6 and Figure 9 shown, the second transfer mechanism 23 moves the third holding portion 31 and the fourth holding portion 32 that hold the first protective sheet 20A in and out along the second guide member 33 and the third guide member 34 from the standby position.

[0235] When the second transfer mechanism 23 moves the first protective sheet 20A toward the loading position PS1 relative to the tray 7, the third holding portion 31 and the fourth holding portion 32 are stopped.

[0236] The control device 24 controls the holding portion 17 of the transfer unit 6 in order to place the first glass plate GS1 at a prescribed loading position, and moves the first glass plate GS1.

[0237] In Figure 10 as shown by the solid line, the holding portion 17 temporarily stops at a position above the second support surface 7b of the tray 7.

[0238] After that, the control device 24 controls the holding portion 17, and moves the first glass plate GS1 obliquely downward (in the direction indicated by the arrow in Figure 10 ) from the stop position toward the prescribed loading position.

[0239] The first glass plate GS1 is placed at the prescribed loading position on the second support surface 7b of the tray 7 so as to overlap with the first protective sheet 20A.

[0240] After that, the holding portion 17 of the transfer unit 6 releases the holding of the first glass plate GS1 and moves toward the cutting unit 5.

[0241] When the first glass plate GS1 is placed at the prescribed loading position, the lower end portion 20c of the first protective sheet 20A is separated from the second support surface 7b, and the first protective sheet 20A is in a state of being sandwiched between the first support surface 7a and the first glass plate GS1.

[0242] When the placement of the first glass plate GS1 is completed, the third holding portion 31 and the fourth holding portion 32 of the second transfer mechanism 23 release the holding of the first protective sheet 20A.

[0243] More specifically, in the case of the third holding portion 31, only the second hand 37 is rotated to release the holding of the first protective sheet 20A.

[0244] In this state, the third holding portion 31 withdraws the first hand 36 from the laminate LM by moving the clamping mechanism 31a in the width direction of the first glass plate GS1.

[0245] After that, the third holding portion 31 and the fourth holding portion 32 of the second transfer mechanism 23 retract in order to hold the subsequent second protective sheet 20B.

[0246] In addition, the next second protective sheet 20B is held by the sheet transfer device 18 and is moved to a predetermined loading position on the front side of the first glass plate GS1 placed on the tray 7 in the same manner as the first protective sheet 20A.

[0247] By repeating the above operations, a laminate LM is formed in which a predetermined number of glass plates GS and protective sheets 20 are alternately laminated.

[0248] At the same time, a package PC is formed in which the laminate LM is loaded on the tray 7.

[0249] After that, a protective cover is placed over the laminate LM.

[0250] The protective cover is fixed to the tray 7.

[0251] Through the above, the bundling process S6 ends.

[0252] The present invention is not limited to the structure of the above-described embodiment, nor is it limited to the above-described effects.

[0253] The present invention can be variously modified without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[0254] Explanation of reference numerals

[0255] 1 Manufacturing apparatus

[0256] 7 Tray

[0257] 8 Bundling apparatus

[0258] 18 Sheet transfer device

[0259] 20 Protective sheet (sheet material)

[0260] 22 First transfer mechanism (transfer device)

[0261] 23 Second transfer mechanism (loading device)

[0262] GS glass plate

[0263] LM laminate

Claims

1. A bundling device for glass plates, which includes a device for loading rectangular glass plates onto a tray. The bundling device for glass plates is characterized in that the bundling device for glass plates further includes: a conveying device that conveys a rectangular sheet in a longitudinal posture; and a loading device that receives the sheet from the conveying device and loads the sheet onto the tray. The conveying device includes a conveying chuck for holding the sheet. The loading device includes a loading chuck for holding the sheet. Either the conveying chuck or the loading chuck has a hand for holding the upper corner portion of the sheet, and the other has a hand for holding the lower portion of the sheet that is opposed to the upper corner portion in the vertical direction of the sheet and is lower than the upper corner portion, and the horizontal portion of the sheet that is opposed to the upper corner portion in the width direction of the sheet and is closer to the inner side in the width direction than the upper corner portion.

2. The bundling device for glass plates according to claim 1, characterized in that the conveying chuck has a hand for holding the upper corner portion of the sheet, and the loading chuck has a hand for holding the lower portion and the horizontal portion of the upper corner portion of the sheet.

3. The bundling device for glass plates according to claim 2, characterized in that the loading chuck has a hand for holding the lower portion and the horizontal portion of the upper corner portion of the sheet on the tray side.

4. The bundling device for glass plates according to claim 3, characterized in that the other hand of the loading chuck holds the lower portion of the upper corner portion of the sheet.

5. The bundling device for glass plates according to claim 4, characterized in that the loading chuck has a convex portion for bending the upper corner portion of the sheet toward the tray side.

6. The bundling device for glass plates according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the bundling device further includes: a supply device that unwinds and supplies a strip-shaped sheet from a coil; and a cutting device that cuts out the sheet from the strip-shaped sheet. The conveying device conveys the sheet cut out by the cutting device. The loading device is configured to load the sheet in a state where the surface on the inner peripheral side of the coil among the two surfaces of the sheet is on the tray side.

Images