Boxing device

Abstract

The invention relates to a boxing device. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a boxing device capable of boxing a large number of articles in a short time and in a tidied state. The boxing device comprises a conveying part, an arranging part, a transferring part, a contact part, a driving part and a control part. The transport unit transports a plurality of articles from the outside. The arrangement unit arranges the conveyed articles in such a manner that adjacent articles partially overlap each other to form an article group. The transfer unit transfers the arranged article group to a transport path for boxing. The contact part is in contact with an article on the starting end side of a conveying path for boxing in the transferred article group. The driving portion drives the contact portion. The control unit controls the drive unit so as to move the contact unit in the arrangement direction of the article group in a state in which the contact unit is in contact with and supports the article on the start end side of the transport path for boxing, and so as to change the angle formed by the contact surface of the contact unit and the horizontal plane from a first angle to a second angle larger than the first angle after the movement is started.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a boxing device. Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 (Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 6-3806) discloses a boxing device (automatic snack packaging device) that drops articles (packaged snacks) successively supplied by a supply conveyor into a box located directly below the terminal portion of the supply conveyor being conveyed.

[0003] Prior Art Documents

[0004] Patent Documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 6-3806 Summary of the Invention

[0006] Technical Problem to be Solved by the Invention

[0007] In the boxing device disclosed in Patent Document 1, there is a problem that the operation time becomes long in the case of a large number of articles.

[0008] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a boxing device capable of boxing a large number of articles in a short time and in an organized state.

[0009] Technical Solution for Solving the Technical Problem

[0010] The boxing device according to the first aspect includes a conveying unit, an arranging unit, a transferring unit, a contact unit, a driving unit, and a control unit. The conveying unit conveys a plurality of articles from the outside. The arranging unit arranges the conveyed articles so that the articles are partially overlapped with each other to form an article group. The transferring unit transfers the arranged article group to a conveying path for boxing. The contact unit contacts the article on the start-end side of the conveying path for boxing in the transferred article group. The driving unit drives the contact unit. The control unit controls the driving unit to move the contact unit in the arrangement direction of the article group in a state where the contact unit contacts and supports the article on the start-end side of the conveying path for boxing, and to change the angle formed by the contact surface of the contact unit with the horizontal plane from a first angle to a second angle larger than the first angle after starting the movement.

[0011] In this boxing device, a large number of articles can be boxed in a short time and in an organized state.

[0012] The boxing device according to the second aspect, on the basis of the boxing device according to the first aspect, the control unit changes the angle formed by the contact surface of the contact unit with the horizontal plane from the first angle to the second angle from the start to the end of the movement of the contact unit.

[0013] Based on the packing device of the first aspect, in the packing device of the third aspect, after the control unit finishes moving the contact part, the angle formed by the contact surface of the contact part with the horizontal plane changes from the first angle to the second angle.

[0014] Based on the packing device described in any of the first aspects, in the packing device of the fourth aspect, after the control unit finishes moving the contact part and after a specified time, the angle formed by the contact surface of the contact part with the horizontal plane changes from the first angle to the second angle.

[0015] Based on the packing device described in any of the first to fourth aspects, in the packing device of the fifth aspect, while maintaining the arranged state, the transfer unit laterally moves the group of articles in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction.

[0016] Based on the packing device described in any of the first to fifth aspects, in the packing device of the sixth aspect, multiple arranging units and multiple conveying units are respectively arranged.

[0017] Based on the packing device described in any of the first to sixth aspects, in the packing device of the seventh aspect, the transfer unit includes an aggregating unit. The aggregating unit aggregates multiple groups of articles side by side on the conveying path for packing. The aggregating unit has a bottom and two inclined surfaces. When observed in the front view, the two inclined surfaces are inclined so as to separate from each other as they move away from the bottom and stand up from the bottom. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0018] Figure 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a packaging and packing production line including a packing device 300 of one embodiment.

[0019] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the packing device 300.

[0020] Figure 3 is a partially enlarged perspective view of the packing device 300.

[0021] Figure 4 is a top view of the packing device 300.

[0022] Figure 5 is a diagram for explaining the compression ratio in the arranging unit 20.

[0023] Figure 6 is a diagram for explaining the compression ratio in the arranging unit 20.

[0024] Figure 7 is a schematic sectional view of the aggregating unit 30 when observed in the front view.

[0025] Figure 8 is a schematic sectional view of the packing device 300 for explaining the contact part 40.

[0026] Figure 9 It is a schematic sectional view at the left - right center position of the packing device 300.

[0027] Figure 10 It is a schematic diagram for explaining the function of the second support portion 91.

[0028] Figure 11 It is a schematic diagram for explaining the function of the second support portion 91.

[0029] Figure 12 It is a schematic diagram for explaining the function of the second support portion 91.

[0030] Figure 13 It is a schematic sectional view when the pusher 70 is observed from the front.

[0031] Figure 14A It is a block diagram of the control portion 80.

[0032] Figure 14B It is a flowchart of the packing operation.

[0033] Figure 15 It is a schematic diagram of the box C and the bag B after being packed by the packing device 300.

[0034] Figure 16 It is a diagram for explaining the compression ratio in the arranging portion 20.

[0035] Figure 17 It is a diagram for explaining the compression ratio in the arranging portion 20.

[0036] Figure 18 It is a flowchart of the packing operation in the modified example.

[0037] Figure 19 It is a flowchart of the packing operation in the modified example.

[0038] Figure 20 It is a schematic sectional view of a modified example when the aggregating portion 30 is observed from the front.

[0039] Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0040] 10, conveying portion; 20, arranging portion; 30, aggregating portion; 30d, third conveying direction; 31, bottom; 32, inclined surface; 40, contact portion; 50, driving portion; 80, control portion; 90, first support portion; 91, second support portion; 93, box conveying portion; A1, first angle; A2, second angle; B, bag (article); B2, group of articles; B3, aggregated group of articles; R3, third conveying path. Detailed Description of the Invention

[0041] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same reference numerals are assigned to the same elements, and redundant descriptions are omitted. In the following description, for convenience, the front-rear, up-down, and left-right directions with respect to the packing device 300 are used. In some of the figures, orthogonal axes indicating these directions are shown. The front-rear direction and the left-right direction are both horizontally extending directions. The up-down direction is the same as the vertical direction. In addition, expressions such as the same, horizontal, and parallel are sometimes used, but they include not only the cases of being exactly the same, horizontal, and parallel, but also the cases of being substantially the same, horizontal, and parallel.

[0042] (1) Overall Structure

[0043] Figure 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a packaging and packing production line 1 including a packing device 300 of one embodiment. The packaging and packing production line 1 has a packaging machine 100, an inspection device 200, and a packing device 300. In addition, Figure 1 shows the packing device 300 covered by a hood.

[0044] The packaging machine 100 packs the product A manufactured by a manufacturing device (not shown) in a prescribed amount into a packaging material. Hereinafter, the article formed by packing the product A with the packaging material is called a bag B. The packaging machine 100 has a combination weigher 101 and a bag-making and packaging machine 102. The combination weigher 101 is arranged above the bag-making and packaging machine 102. The combination weigher 101 measures the amount of the product A to be accommodated in one bag B and causes it to fall onto the bag-making and packaging machine 102. The bag-making and packaging machine 102 is a vertical pillow-type bag-making and packaging machine, packs the product A measured by the combination weigher 101 into the bag B (vertical pillow bag), and supplies it to the inspection device 200. Although not limited, the product A is, for example, snack foods or the like.

[0045] The inspection device 200 inspects the bag B supplied from the packaging machine 100 for the presence or absence of weight, pinholes, and / or foreign matters, etc., and supplies it to the packing device 300.

[0046] The packing device 300 performs a packing operation of packing a prescribed accommodation quantity N of the bag B supplied from the inspection device 200 into the box C. As Figure 2 , Figure 9 and Figure 9 shown, the packing device 300 includes a conveying unit 10, an aligning unit 20, a transfer unit 35, a contact unit 40, a drive unit 50, a gate 60, a pusher 70, a control unit 80, a first support unit 90, a second support unit 91, and a box conveying unit 93.

[0047] (2) Detailed Structure

[0048] (2-1) Conveying Unit

[0049] AsFigure 2 As shown, the conveying unit 10 is a belt conveyor arranged in the front-rear direction along the first conveying direction 10d.

[0050] The conveying unit 10 constitutes the first conveying path R1. The rear side of the conveying unit 10 is the upstream of the first conveying path R1, and the front side of the conveying unit 10 is the downstream of the first conveying path R1.

[0051] A plurality of the conveying units 10 are arranged. In the present embodiment, two conveying units 10 are arranged. The two conveying units 10 are arranged side by side in the first conveying direction 10d. The two conveying units 10 are arranged symmetrically left and right with the aggregating unit 30 and the gate 60 therebetween when viewed from above. The two conveying units 10 have the same structure except for being symmetric left and right.

[0052] The conveying unit 10 is controlled by the control unit 80.

[0053] The conveying unit 10 places the bag B on the upper surface and conveys it along the first conveying direction 10d. On the upper surface of the conveying unit 10, a plurality of bags B are conveyed at intervals. The direction of the bag B is not particularly limited. For example, the bag B is conveyed with its length direction along the first conveying direction 10d.

[0054] The conveying unit 10 transfers the bag B to the arranging unit 20 at a specified time. Specifically, the conveying unit 10 transfers the bag B near the downstream end of the first conveying path R1 of the conveying unit 10 to the arranging unit 20 disposed below the conveying unit 10. The bag B is conveyed in such a manner that a series of a plurality of bags B are aligned in the up-down direction or the left-right direction and face the first conveying direction 10d.

[0055] The conveying unit 10 may also include a plurality of belt conveyors. In the present embodiment, the conveying unit 10 includes a loading belt conveyor 11, a belt conveyor 12, and a discharging belt conveyor 13. The loading belt conveyor 11 is arranged inclined with respect to the horizontal direction. The loading belt conveyor 11 loads the bag B supplied from the inspection device 200 into the packing device 300. The belt conveyor 12 forms a horizontal plane. The belt conveyor 12 receives the bag B from the loading belt conveyor 11 and conveys it to the discharging belt conveyor 13. The discharging belt conveyor 13 is arranged inclined with respect to the horizontal plane. The discharging belt conveyor 13 moves the bag B toward the arranging unit 20.

[0056] (2-2) Arranging unit

[0057] As Figure 2 and Figure 3As shown, the arranging unit 20 is a belt conveyor arranged such that the second conveying direction 20d is along the front-rear direction. The second conveying direction 20d is toward the opposite direction of the first conveying direction 10d. The arranging unit 20 constitutes the second conveying path R2. The front side of the arranging unit 20 is the upstream of the second conveying path R2, and the rear side of the arranging unit 20 is the downstream of the second conveying path R2.

[0058] The arranging unit 20 is arranged below the conveying unit 10. A plurality of arranging units 20 are arranged. In the present embodiment, two arranging units 20 are arranged. The two arranging units 20 are arranged side by side in the second conveying direction 20d. The two arranging units 20 are arranged symmetrically left and right with the aggregating unit 30 and the gate 60 therebetween when viewed from above. The two arranging units 20 have the same structure except for being symmetric left and right.

[0059] As Figure 3 shown, the arranging unit 20 arranges the conveyed bags B in a so-called sashimi shape such that the bags B adjacent to each other partially overlap, thereby forming the article group B2. Specifically, at the downstream end of the first conveying path R1 of the conveying unit 10, the first bag B is moved to the arranging unit 20. The moving method is not particularly limited. For example, the bag B is conveyed by the belt conveyor of the conveying unit 10 and thus naturally falls from the downstream end of the first conveying path R1 of the conveying unit 10 to the arranging unit 20 located below the conveying unit 10. The up-down direction or left-right direction of the bag B relative to the first conveying direction 10d does not change before and after the natural fall. In the present embodiment, the length direction of the bag B is along the second conveying direction 20d. The first bag B moved to the arranging unit 20 is conveyed by the belt conveyor of the arranging unit 20 on the second conveying path R2 in the second conveying direction 20d.

[0060] The next bag B is moved from the conveying unit 10 to the arranging unit 20 so as to partially overlap with the first conveyed bag B. By repeating this series of movements, the article group B2 arranged such that the bags B adjacent to each other partially overlap is formed. In the article group B2, a plurality of bags B are inclined in the same direction.

[0061] The arranging unit 20 is controlled by the control unit 80 to control the conveyance so as to arrange a predetermined number of bags B. In the present embodiment, the article group B2 includes six bags B.

[0062] As Figure 4 shown, the arranging unit 20 has a first arranging area 21, a second arranging area 22, a third arranging area 23, and a posture changing member 24.

[0063] The first arrangement area 21, the second arrangement area 22, and the third arrangement area 23 are belt conveyors. The first arrangement area 21 is arranged obliquely with respect to the horizontal plane. The first arrangement area 21 receives the bags B moved from the conveying unit 10. During the period before receiving a predetermined number of bags B, the first arrangement area 21 stops or operates at a low speed. Thus, the first arrangement area 21 arranges the conveyed bags B in such a way that the bags B adjacent to each other partially overlap, forming an article group B2. The second arrangement area 22 is arranged more gently inclined than the first arrangement area 21. The second arrangement area 22 is arranged on the terminal side of the first arrangement area 21. The second arrangement area 22 receives the article group B2 conveyed from the first arrangement area 21. The second arrangement area 22 operates in cooperation with the operation of the first arrangement area 21. The third arrangement area 23 is arranged on the terminal side of the second arrangement area 22. The third arrangement area 23 forms a horizontal plane. The third arrangement area 23 receives the article group B2 conveyed from the second arrangement area 22.

[0064] When the arranging unit 20 conveys the article group B2 to the third arrangement area 23, the compression ratio of the article group B2 can be changed. The compression ratio refers to the ratio of the length in the arranging direction of the article group B2 in a plan view of each arranging state to the shortest length in the arranging direction of the article group B2 in a plan view when the adjacent bags B are arranged without overlapping each other. The higher the compression ratio, the shorter the length in the arranging direction of the arranged article group B2 in a plan view. That is, in the article group B2, the adjacent bags B are arranged closely to each other. The lower the compression ratio, the longer the length in the arranging direction of the arranged article group B2 in a plan view. That is to say, in the article group B2, the adjacent bags B are arranged more loosely to each other. The method of changing the compression ratio of the article group B2 is not particularly limited. For example, the arranging unit 20 makes the compression ratio of the article group B2 lower by extending the operation time of the first arrangement area 21.

[0065] Specifically, as Figure 5 shown, when the arranging unit 20 conveys the article group B2 in the first column to the third arrangement area 23, the compression ratio of the article group B2 is made higher than that of the subsequent article groups B2. Thus, the article group B2 in the first column is formed to be shorter in the front-rear direction than the subsequent article groups B2. As Figure 6 shown, when the arranging unit 20 conveys the article group B2 in the second column to the third arrangement area 23, the compression ratio of the article group B2 is made lower than that of the article group B2 in the first column. Thus, the article group B2 in the second column is formed to be longer in the front-rear direction than the article group B2 in the first column. As a result, it is possible to prevent the article group B2 in the first column from spreading fanwise when the article group B2 is moved by the side pusher 33 in the next process.

[0066] As Figure 3As shown, the posture changing member 24 is disposed at the downstream end of the second conveying direction 20d of the arranging unit 20. The posture changing member 24 is a plate-like member extending in the width direction of the arranging unit 20.

[0067] The posture changing member 24 can change the angle with respect to the horizontal plane. When the article group B2 is conveyed to the downstream in the second conveying direction 20d, the posture changing member 24 comes into contact with the bag B at the most downstream side in the second conveying direction 20d in the article group B2. The posture changing member 24 increases the angle of the contact surface with respect to the horizontal plane, raising the angle of the article group B2 with respect to the horizontal plane to be the same as the angle of the contact portion 40 with respect to the horizontal plane, or becoming an angle equal to or greater than the angle of the contact portion 40 with respect to the horizontal plane. In addition, since the plurality of bags B are arranged in the article group B2, the angle of the article group B2 with respect to the horizontal plane is the same as the angle of each bag B with respect to the horizontal plane.

[0068] (2-3) Transfer Unit

[0069] As Figure 2 shown, the transfer unit 35 transfers the arranged article group B2 to a conveying path for packing (hereinafter referred to as the third conveying path R3). The transfer unit 35 has an aggregating unit 30.

[0070] The aggregating unit 30 is disposed between the two arranging units 20. The aggregating unit 30 is disposed such that the left and right ends of the aggregating unit 30 are at the same height as the third arranging area 23 of the arranging unit 20.

[0071] The aggregating unit 30 transfers the arranged article group B2, causing a plurality of article groups B2 to be aggregated side by side on the third conveying path R3. The third conveying path R3 includes the aggregating unit 30 and a gate 60. The rear side of the aggregating unit 30 is the upstream of the third conveying path R3, and the front side of the gate 60 is the downstream of the third conveying path R3.

[0072] As Figure 3 and Figure 7 shown, the aggregating unit 30 has a bottom 31, two inclined surfaces 32, and side pushing members 33.

[0073] The inclined surfaces 32 are disposed on both sides of the bottom 31, that is, on the left and right of the bottom 31, when observed in the front view. The inclined surfaces 32 rise from the bottom 31 while being inclined so as to separate from each other as they move away from the bottom 31. That is, the aggregating unit 30 has a valley shape.

[0074] The angle of the inclined surface 32 with respect to the horizontal plane is not particularly limited. For example, it is 5 degrees to 10 degrees. If the angle of the inclined surface 32 with respect to the horizontal plane is 5 degrees to 10 degrees, it is possible to prevent the columns from deforming when the article groups B2 are aggregated.

[0075] The side pusher 33 is arranged on the outside of the third arrangement area 23 of the arrangement unit 20, with one on each of the left and right end portions. The side pusher 33 is a plate-shaped member that extends parallel to the second conveying direction 20d and is arranged perpendicular to the horizontal plane. The length of the side pusher 33 in the front-rear direction is the same as or shorter than the length of the third arrangement area 23 of the arrangement unit 20 in the front-rear direction. The side pusher 33 can move the article group B2 in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction for packing (hereinafter referred to as the third conveying direction 30d). In addition, the third conveying direction 30d faces the same direction as the first conveying direction 10d. The third conveying direction 30d faces the direction opposite to the second conveying direction 20d.

[0076] The side pusher 33 laterally moves the article group B2 in a direction perpendicular to the third conveying direction 30d while maintaining the arrangement state of the article group B2. Specifically, in a state parallel to the arrangement unit 20, the arranged article group B2 is moved from the left and right toward the central portion of the gathering unit 30. The side pusher 33 is controlled by the controller 80.

[0077] After the side pusher 33 laterally moves the first article group B2, it returns to its original position, that is, the outside of the third arrangement area 23 of the arrangement unit 20 and the left and right end portions. When the side pusher 33 returns to its original position, the next article group B2 is delivered to the third arrangement area 23. The side pusher 33 moves the next article group B2 toward the central portion of the gathering unit 30 in the same manner. By repeatedly performing this series of movements multiple times, the gathering unit 30 gathers a plurality of article groups B2 side by side on the third conveying path. Hereinafter, the plurality of article groups B2 gathered at the gathering unit 30 are referred to as the gathered article group B3. Immediately after being laterally moved by the side pusher 33, the gathered article group B3 is gathered in a state inclined 70 degrees with respect to the horizontal plane.

[0078] In the present embodiment, each side pusher 33 repeats the lateral movement of the article group B2 twice. As a result, the article groups B2 are arranged in four columns side by side on the gathering unit 30 to form the gathered article group B3.

[0079] (2-4) Contact portion

[0080] As Figure 3 shown, the contact portion 40 is arranged at the upstream end portion of the gathering unit 30 in the third conveying direction 30d. The contact portion 40 is a plate-shaped member that extends in the left-right direction of the gathering unit 30. The length of the gathering unit 30 in the width direction (left-right direction) is longer than the length of the contact portion 40 in the width direction (left-right direction).

[0081] As Figure 7As shown, the length of the gathering part 30 in the width direction (left - right direction) is longer than the length of the contact part 40 in the width direction (left - right direction). Although not particularly limited, when viewed from the front, the shape of the lower end of the contact part 40 follows the shape of the upper surface of the gathering part 30. Specifically, when viewed from the front, the lower end of the contact part 40 is a mountain - shaped shape along the upper surfaces of the bottom 31 and the inclined surface 32 of the gathering part 30.

[0082] As Figure 7 and Figure 15 shown, the distance H between the gathering part 30 and the contact part 40 is shorter than the thickness T of the bag B. Specifically, the distance H between the bottom 31 of the gathering part 30 and the contact part 40 is shorter than the thickness T of the bag B.

[0083] As Figure 8 shown, the contact part 40 is arranged to be inclined at a specified angle with respect to the horizontal plane. Although not particularly limited, for example, the contact part 40 is arranged to be inclined at 60 degrees to 70 degrees with respect to the horizontal plane. The contact part 40 can change the angle formed by the contact surface and the horizontal plane from the first angle A1 to the second angle A2. The second angle A2 is greater than the first angle A1. The contact part 40 can also change the angle formed by the contact surface and the horizontal plane in several stages.

[0084] The contact part 40 is controlled by the control part 80.

[0085] Figure 9 is a schematic cross - sectional view of the packing device 300 when the contact part 40 moves to the terminal side of the gathering part 30. As Figure 9 shown, the contact part 40 can move along the third conveying direction 30d. The contact part 40 is driven by the driving part 50 to move along the third conveying direction 30d. After the contact part 40 starts to move along the third conveying direction 30d, it can change the angle formed by the contact surface and the horizontal plane from the first angle A1 to the second angle A2. During the movement of the contact part 40 along the third conveying direction 30d, it can change the moving speed.

[0086] The contact part 40 can move in the up - down direction. The contact part 40 is driven by the cylinder 41 to move up and down. The method of moving the contact part 40 in the up - down direction is not particularly limited, for example, it is a cylinder.

[0087] The contact part 40 can move in a box shape. That is, the contact part 40 starts from the upstream end of the third conveying direction 30d of the gathering part 30 and is driven by the driving part 50 to move to the downstream end of the third conveying direction 30d of the gathering part 30. Thus, the gathered article group B3 is conveyed to the gate 60. When the conveyance is completed, the contact part 40 is driven by the cylinder 41 to rise. The rising height of the contact part 40 is higher than the height of the bag B. In the raised state, the contact part 40 is driven by the driving part 50 to move to the upstream side of the third conveying direction 30d of the gathering part 30. The contact part 40 is driven by the cylinder 41 to descend and return to the starting position.

[0088] The contact part 40 contacts the bag B on the most upstream side (the starting end side of the third conveying path) of the third conveying path in the gathered article group B3. That is, the contact part 40 supports the bag B that is first conveyed to the arranging part 20 in each article group B2. When multiple columns of the article group B2 are gathered, the contact part 40 conveys the gathered article group B3 concentratedly in the third conveying direction 30d and moves it to the gate 60.

[0089] (2-5) First supporting part

[0090] The first supporting part 90 is arranged on the upstream side of the third conveying path of the gathering part 30. The first supporting part 90 extends in the left-right direction of the gathering part 30.

[0091] The first supporting part 90 can move in the up-down direction. The method of moving the first supporting part 90 in the up-down direction is not particularly limited, for example, it is a cylinder. The first supporting part 90 does not move along the third conveying direction 30d.

[0092] The first supporting part 90 is inclined and arranged at the same angle as the contact part 40 with respect to the horizontal plane on the upstream side of the third conveying direction 30d. Although not particularly limited, for example, the first supporting part 90 is arranged to be inclined at 60 degrees to 70 degrees with respect to the horizontal plane.

[0093] The first supporting part 90 is controlled by the control part 80.

[0094] The first supporting part 90 supports the bag B on the most upstream side of the third conveying path in the next gathered article group B3 during the period when the contact part 40 moves the initially gathered article group B3. If the contact part 40 returns to the most upstream side of the third conveying path, the first supporting part 90 descends in such a way that the upper end of the first supporting part 90 is located below the upper surface of the gathering part 30, without hindering the movement of the contact part 40 in the third conveying direction 30d.

[0095] (2-6) Driving part

[0096] The driving part 50 drives the contact part 40. The driving part 50 is controlled by the control part 80.

[0097] The drive unit 50 is not particularly limited, but in the present embodiment, the drive unit 50 is a belt.

[0098] When packing the box, the drive unit 50 moves the contact portion 40 from the upstream side in the third conveying direction of the aggregating portion 30 to the downstream side in the third conveying direction. When the aggregated article group B3 is conveyed to the gate 60, the drive unit 50 raises the contact portion 40 and moves it from the downstream side in the third conveying direction of the aggregating portion 30 to the upstream side in the third conveying direction. When the contact portion 40 reaches the upstream side end portion in the third conveying direction of the aggregating portion 30, the drive unit 50 lowers the contact portion 40 to the back side of the first support portion 90, that is, to the side opposite to the aggregated article group B3.

[0099] (2-7)Second support portion

[0100] The second support portion 91 is disposed on the downstream side in the third conveying direction of the gate 60. The second support portion 91 is a plate-like member extending in the left-right direction of the gate 60. The second support portion 91 is disposed at an angle of 90 degrees with respect to the horizontal plane. The second support portion 91 can change the angle with respect to the horizontal plane. The second support portion 91 is controlled by the control unit 80.

[0101] The second support portion 91 contacts the bag B at the most downstream side of the third conveying path.

[0102] As Figure 10 shown, during the period when the aggregated article group B3 moves to the gate 60 through the contact portion 40, when the packing device 300 suddenly stops, the bag B on the downstream side in the third conveying path in the aggregated article group B3 may sometimes fall due to inertia. In this case, the second support portion 91 holds the aggregated article group B3 inclined at an angle of 45 degrees with respect to the horizontal plane. When the aggregated article group B3 moves to the gate 60 as Figure 11 shown and the bag B on the downstream side in the third conveying path contacts the second support portion 91, as Figure 12 shown, the second support portion 91 stands up 90 degrees with respect to the horizontal plane and supports the bag B on the downstream side in the third conveying path of the gate 60. Thus, by standing up the fallen bag B on the downstream side in the third conveying path so that the angle with respect to the horizontal plane is the same as that of the other bags B with respect to the horizontal plane, packing can be performed without destroying the arrangement state of the aggregated article group B3.

[0103] (2-8)Gate

[0104] The gate 60 is disposed on the downstream side in the third conveying path of the aggregating portion 30. The gate 60 is located above the packing position of the box conveying portion 93.

[0105] The gate 60 is located at the terminal of the third conveying path and supports the article group B3.

[0106] The gate 60 is controlled by the control unit 80. The gate 60 inputs the item group B3 transferred from the aggregation unit 30 into the box C. Immediately before the input, the bags B of the item group B3 on the gate 60 stand vertically with respect to the horizontal plane respectively.

[0107] The gate 60 opens suddenly from the central part to the left and right directions, and centrally inputs the item group B3 into the box C. The action of inputting the item group B3 into the box C can also be performed multiple times for one box C.

[0108] (2 - 9) Pusher

[0109] The pusher 70 is arranged above the gate 60. The pusher 70 can move in the up - and - down direction. The pusher 70 is a plate - shaped member with a horizontal plane. The pusher 70 contacts the upper surface of the aggregated item group B3. As Figure 13 shown, the pusher 70 has a folded - back part 71. The folded - back part 71 folds back toward the bag B.

[0110] The pusher 70 is controlled by the control unit 80. The pusher 70 contacts the aggregated item group B3 on the gate 60 from above and pushes it downward. The pusher 70 pushes the aggregated item group B3 downward at a speed faster than the gravitational acceleration applied to the aggregated item group B3. The pusher 70 packs the item group B3 into the box together.

[0111] (2 - 10) Box conveyor

[0112] The box conveyor 93 performs the conveyance of the box C before loading the bag B to the packing position and the conveyance of the box C loaded with the bag B out. The packing position is set below the gate 60 in a manner that can receive the bag B input from the gate 60. The box conveyor 93 is controlled by the control unit 80.

[0113] (2 - 11) Control unit

[0114] The control unit 80 controls each part of the packing device 300 to realize the packing operation. The detailed content of the packing operation will be described later. Figure 14A is a block diagram of the control unit 80. The control unit 80 is electrically connected to the conveyor 10, the arranging unit 20, the aggregation unit 30, the contact unit 40, the driving unit 50, the gate 60, the pusher 70, the first support unit 90, the second support unit 91, and the box conveyor 93 in a manner that can transmit and receive control signals and detection signals.

[0115] The control unit 80 controls the driving unit 50, and in a state where the contact unit 40 contacts and supports the bag B on the upstream side of the third conveying path, moves the contact unit 40 along the arrangement direction (the third conveying direction 30d) of the aggregated item group B3. As Figure 9As shown, at the same time, after the contact part 40 starts to move the aggregated article group B3, the control unit 80 changes the angle formed by the contact surface of the contact part 40 with the horizontal plane from the first angle A1 to the second angle A2. The second angle is greater than the first angle. In the present embodiment, the first angle is 60 degrees to 70 degrees. The second angle is 90 degrees. The control unit 80 may also control the contact part 40 so that the angle formed by the contact surface with the horizontal plane changes in several stages.

[0116] From when the control unit 80 starts to move the contact part 40 until the movement ends, the control unit 80 changes the angle formed by the contact surface of the contact part 40 with the horizontal plane from the first angle A1 to the second angle A2.

[0117] The control unit 80 is implemented by a computer. The control unit 80 includes a control arithmetic device and a storage device. The control arithmetic device can use a processor such as a CPU or a GPU. The control arithmetic device reads the program stored in the storage device and performs a prescribed arithmetic process according to the program. And the control arithmetic device can write the arithmetic result into the storage device according to the program, or read the information stored in the storage device.

[0118] (3)Packing operation

[0119] The packing operation is an operation of repeatedly packing the bags B with a prescribed accommodation number N into the box C. As Figure 14B shown, the packing operation starts, for example, when the packaging and packing production line (not shown) is started.

[0120] The control unit 80 performs a box loading process. The box loading process is a process of loading the box C to the packing position. The box loading process is a process in which the box conveyor 93 loads the box C before loading the bag B to the packing position.

[0121] The control unit 80 causes the conveyor 10 to convey the bag B supplied from the inspection device 200. When the bag B is conveyed to the vicinity of the downstream end of the first conveying direction 10d, the bag B is conveyed by the belt conveyor of the conveyor 10 and thus naturally falls from the downstream end of the conveyor 10 to the arranging part 20 located below the conveyor 10.

[0122] The control unit 80 arranges the bags B conveyed by the conveyor 10 in the arranging part 20. Specifically, in the first arranging area 21 of the arranging part 20, the next bag B is moved to the arranging part 20 so as to partially overlap with the first conveyed bag B. When the control unit 80 conveys the article group B2 in the first row to the third arranging area 23, the control unit 80 controls the arranging part 20 so that the compression rate of the article group B2 is higher than that of the subsequent article group B2.

[0123] When the article group B2 is conveyed to the downstream of the second conveyance direction 20d, the control unit 80 controls the posture change member 24 so that the posture change member 24 contacts the bag B on the most downstream side in the second conveyance direction 20d in the article group B2. The control unit 80 controls the posture change member 24 to increase the angle of the posture change member 24 with respect to the horizontal plane, so that the angle of the article group B2 with respect to the horizontal plane rises to the same angle as the contact portion 40 with respect to the horizontal plane.

[0124] The control unit 80 causes the side pusher 33 to laterally move the article group B2 in a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction for packing (hereinafter referred to as the third conveyance direction 30d) while maintaining the arrangement state of the article group B2. As a result, the article groups B2 are gathered at the gathering portion 30.

[0125] The control unit 80 controls the drive unit 50 to move the contact portion 40 toward the downstream side of the third conveyance path R3. The control unit 80 changes the angle formed by the contact surface of the contact portion 40 with respect to the horizontal plane from the first angle A1 to the second angle A2 from the start of the movement of the contact portion 40 to the end of the movement in a state where the contact portion 40 contacts and supports the bag B on the upstream side of the third conveyance path. As a result, the contact portion 40 causes the article group B3 gathered at the gathering portion 30 to be centrally moved onto the gate 60. When the movement of the contact portion 40 toward the downstream side of the third conveyance path R3 starts, the control unit 80 causes the side pusher 33 to return to its original position outside the alignment portion 20.

[0126] The control unit 80 controls the first support portion 90 to rise and support the second article group B3 during the period when the contact portion 40 moves the first gathered article group B3.

[0127] When the contact portion 40 finishes moving the first gathered article group B3, the control unit 80 controls the drive unit 50 to raise the contact portion 40 and move it toward the upstream side of the third conveyance path R3. The contact portion 40 moves above the second gathered article group B3 and moves toward the upstream side of the third conveyance path R3. The control unit 80 lowers the contact portion 40 and causes the contact portion 40 to standby on the upstream side of the third conveyance path R3 of the first support portion 90.

[0128] The control unit 80 lowers the first support portion 90. As a result, the contact portion 40 supports the second gathered article group B3.

[0129] The control unit 80 drives the gate 60 and the pusher 70 to centrally pack the gathered article groups B3 into the box C located below the gate 60.

[0130] The control unit 80 repeats the above series of packing operations and determines whether the number Nn1 of the bags B put into the box C has reached the specified number Nf1.

[0131] As Figure 15As shown, in the present embodiment, the aggregated article group B3 composed of 24 bags B is boxed twice, so a total of 48 bags B are boxed.

[0132] The control unit 80 starts the box conveying process. The box conveying process is a process of carrying out the box C loaded with the bags B.

[0133] (4)Features

[0134] (4-1)

[0135] The boxing device 300 of the present embodiment includes a conveying unit 10, an arranging unit 20, a transferring unit 35, a contacting unit 40, a driving unit 50, and a control unit 80. The conveying unit 10 conveys a plurality of bags B from the outside. The arranging unit 20 arranges the conveyed articles so that the adjacent articles partially overlap each other to form an article group B2. The transferring unit 35 transfers the arranged article group B2 to the third conveying path R3. The contacting unit 40 contacts the bag B on the upstream side of the conveying path for boxing in the transferred article group B2. The driving unit 50 drives the contacting unit 40. The control unit 80 controls the driving unit 50, and in a state where the contacting unit 40 contacts and supports the bag B on the upstream side of the third conveying path R3, the contacting unit 40 is moved along the arranging direction of the article group B2, and after starting the movement, the angle formed by the contact surface of the contacting unit 40 with the horizontal plane is changed from the first angle A1 to a second angle A2 larger than the first angle A1.

[0136] In this boxing device, in the third conveying path R3, while moving the arranged article group B2 together, the angle of the bag B with respect to the horizontal plane can be changed together to an angle that is easy to box. As a result, a large number of articles can be boxed in a short time and in an organized state.

[0137] (4-2)

[0138] In the boxing device 300 of the present embodiment, from the start to the end of the movement of the contacting unit 40, the control unit 80 changes the angle formed by the contact surface of the contacting unit 40 with the horizontal plane from the first angle A1 to the second angle A2.

[0139] In this boxing device 300, in the third conveying path R3, the angle of the bag B with respect to the horizontal plane can be changed together during the movement of the arranged article group B2. Therefore, the time taken for the boxing operation can be shortened.

[0140] (4-3)

[0141] In the boxing device 300 of the present embodiment, the transferring unit 35 laterally moves the article group B2 in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction while maintaining the arranged state.

[0142] In this packing device 300, the grouped articles B2 arranged can be moved together to the third conveying path R3. Therefore, the time taken for the packing operation can be shortened.

[0143] (4-4)

[0144] In the packing device 300 of the present embodiment, multiple arranging units 20 and conveying units 10 are respectively arranged.

[0145] In this packing device 300, the bags B can be conveyed from multiple arranging units 20 and conveying units 10 and bagged, so the time taken for the packing operation can be shortened.

[0146] (4-5)

[0147] In this packing device 300, an aggregating unit 30 is further provided. The aggregating unit 30 aggregates multiple grouped articles B2 side by side on the third conveying path R3. The aggregating unit 30 has a bottom 31 and two inclined surfaces 32. The two inclined surfaces 32 are inclined so as to separate from each other as they move away from the bottom 31 on both sides of the bottom 31 and stand up from the bottom 31 when viewed from the front.

[0148] In this packing device 300, even if a guide member for restricting the width direction of the grouped articles B2 is not installed, the expansion of the bag B in the width direction can be restricted.

[0149] (5)Modification

[0150] (5-1)Modification A

[0151] In the above embodiment, the packing device 300 includes multiple conveying units 10 and multiple arranging units 20, but it is not particularly limited thereto. The packing device 300 may also include only one conveying unit 10. Similarly, the packing device 300 may also include only one arranging unit 20.

[0152] When the packing device 300 includes only one arranging unit 20, four columns of grouped articles B2 are moved from one arranging unit 20 to the aggregating unit 30. That is, the packing device 300 repeats the movement of the grouped articles B2 from the arranging unit 20 to the aggregating unit 30 four times. At this time, the surface of the grouped articles B2 on the side of the side pusher 33 is restricted from expanding in the front-back, left-right directions by the side pusher 33. However, there is no member for restricting the expansion in the front-back, left-right directions on the surface of the grouped articles B2 on the side opposite to the side pusher 33, so it is easy to expand in the front-back, left-right directions. Therefore, the more quickly the grouped articles B2 in the column move from the arranging unit 20 to the aggregating unit 30, the easier it is to expand in the front-back, left-right directions. In addition, since there is a contact portion 40 on the upstream side of the third conveying path, the expansion of the bag B in the front-back direction is restricted, but there is no member for restricting the expansion on the downstream side of the third conveying path. Therefore, in particular, the bag B on the downstream side of the third conveying path of the grouped articles B2 in the first column is likely to expand fanwise.

[0153] Therefore, as described above, when conveying the group of articles B2 to the third arrangement area 23, the arranging unit 20 makes the compression rate of the group of articles B2 in the second column lower than the compression rate of the group of articles B2 in the first column. As Figure 16 shown, the arranging unit 20 also makes the compression rate of the group of articles B2 in the third column lower than the compression rate of the group of articles B2 in the second column. The arranging unit 20 also makes the compression rate of the group of articles B2 in the fourth column lower than the compression rate of the group of articles B2 in the third column. Thus, when moving the group of articles B2 by the side pusher 33, as Figure 17 shown, it is possible to prevent the group of articles B2 in the first column from spreading fan - shaped.

[0154] (5 - 2) Modification Example B

[0155] In the above - described embodiment, the gathering unit 30 has a bottom 31 and two inclined surfaces 32, but it is not particularly limited thereto. The gathering unit 30 may also be V - shaped when viewed from the front.

[0156] (5 - 3) Modification Example C

[0157] In the above - described embodiment, the gathering unit 30 gathers multiple columns of the group of articles B2, but it is not particularly limited thereto. The gathering unit 30 may also gather only one column of the group of articles B2.

[0158] (5 - 4)Modification Example D

[0159] In the above - described embodiment, from the start of the movement of the contact portion 40 to the end of the movement, the control unit 80 changes the angle formed by the contact surface of the contact portion 40 with the horizontal plane from the first angle A1 to the second angle A2. However, the timing of the change from the first angle A1 to the second angle A2 is not particularly limited thereto.

[0160] For example, as Figure 18 shown, the control unit 80 may also change the angle formed by the contact surface of the contact portion 40 with the horizontal plane from the first angle A1 to the second angle A2 after the movement of the contact portion 40 ends.

[0161] In addition, as Figure 19 shown, the control unit 80 may also change the angle formed by the contact surface of the contact portion 40 with the horizontal plane from the first angle A1 to the second angle A2 after the movement of the contact portion 40 ends and after a specified time.

[0162] The control unit 80 may also change the angle formed by the contact surface of the contact portion 40 with the horizontal plane from the first angle A1 to the second angle A2 after the movement of the contact portion 40 ends and after moving a specified distance.

[0163] (5 - 5)Modification Example E

[0164] AsFigure 20 As shown, the gathering part 30 may also have a restricting part 34. The restricting part 34 is a plate-like member extending along the third conveying direction 30d. One restricting part 34 is disposed on each of the left and right sides of the gathering part 30 when viewed from the front. Specifically, the restricting part 34 is disposed at the outer edge part of the inclined surface 32. The restricting part 34 is disposed at a position higher than the bottom surface of each bag B of the gathered article group B3. The restricting part 34 is disposed at the same height as the third arranging area 23 of the arranging part 20. The restricting part 34 restricts the bags B of the gathered article group B3 from expanding in the left-right direction. When the article group B2 is laterally moved by the side pusher 33, the article group B2 can gather at the gathering part 30 after passing over the restricting part 34. On the other hand, since the left and right sides of the gathered article group B3 are restricted by the restricting part 34, it will not return to the arranging part 20.

Claims

1. A packing device, comprising: A conveying unit (10) for conveying a plurality of objects (B) from the outside; an arranging unit (20) for arranging the conveyed articles in a manner that the adjacent articles partially overlap to form an article group (B2); A transfer unit (35) transfers the arranged group of articles to a conveying path for packing; A contact portion (40) contacts the article on the starting end side of the conveying path for boxing in the group of transferred articles; A driving portion (50) driving the contact portion; as well as A control unit (80) controls the driving unit to move the contact unit along the arrangement direction of the article group in a state where the contact unit contacts and supports the articles on the starting end side of the conveying path for packing, and after starting to move, changes the angle between the contact surface of the contact unit and the horizontal plane from a first angle (A1) to a second angle (A2) larger than the first angle.

2. The box packing device according to claim 1, wherein: The control unit changes the angle formed between the contact surface of the contact unit and the horizontal plane from the first angle to the second angle from the start of movement of the contact unit to the end of movement.

3. The box packing device according to claim 1, wherein: The control unit changes the angle formed by the contact surface of the contact unit and the horizontal plane from the first angle to the second angle after the contact unit finishes moving.

4. The box packing device according to claim 1, wherein: The control unit changes the angle formed by the contact surface of the contact unit and the horizontal plane from the first angle to the second angle after a predetermined time has elapsed after the contact unit has finished moving.

5. The box packing device according to claim 1, wherein: The transfer unit moves the article group laterally in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction while maintaining the article group in an aligned state.

6. The box packing device according to claim 1, wherein: The arranging unit and the conveying unit are respectively arranged in plural units.

7. The box packing device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein: The transfer unit includes a gathering unit that gathers a plurality of the article groups in parallel on a conveying path for boxing. The gathering portion has: bottom; as well as Two inclined surfaces are erected from the bottom portion while being inclined on both sides of the bottom portion so as to be separated from each other in a direction away from the bottom portion when viewed from the front.

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