Stacking device

Abstract

Provided is a stacking device capable of stacking trays without stopping a production line such as a tray carrying-in unit even when an abnormality in the trays is detected, the stacking device being provided with: a tray carrying-in unit (2) for carrying in a tray (T) in which a plurality of eggs (E) are housed; a stacking unit (3) for stacking a predetermined number of trays (T) carried in by the tray carrying-in unit (2); a tray carrying-out unit (4) that carries out a predetermined number of trays (T) stacked by the stacking unit (3); and an abnormality detection unit (5) that detects an abnormality in the tray (T) loaded into the stacking unit (3), and when the abnormality detection unit (5) detects an abnormality in the tray (T), the tray (T) in which the abnormality has been detected is disposed in the uppermost layer by the stacking unit (3) and is loaded out by the tray loading unit (4), regardless of whether or not a predetermined number of trays (T) have been stacked.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to a stacking device that stacks trays in which a plurality of eggs are stored. BACKGROUND

[0002] As such a stacking device, as shown in Patent Literature 1, there is a stacking device that is provided with a carrying-in conveyor that carries in a tray, a stacking conveyor mechanism that stacks the tray, and a carrying-out conveyor that carries out the stacked tray. Also, the stacking conveyor mechanism places the tray located at a receiving position of the carrying-in conveyor directly stacked at a stacking position of the carrying-out conveyor, or stacked on other trays placed at the position. Thereafter, the carrying-out conveyor carries out the tray stacked with a prescribed number of trays.

[0003] However, if a tray in which an egg is missing (contents are missing) or the like abnormality exists, an undesirable situation occurs in a subsequent process. Therefore, an abnormality detection section that detects an abnormality of the tray is provided in the carrying-in conveyor, and if an abnormality is detected by the abnormality detection section, the carrying-in conveyor is stopped, and a work of removing the tray in which the abnormality exists is performed.

[0004] However, every time an abnormality is detected, the worker needs to move to the carrying-in conveyor, and in addition, the conveyor needs to be restarted after the tray in which the abnormality exists is removed, which increases the labor and time of the worker. Furthermore, every time an abnormality is detected, the stopping and restarting of the carrying-in conveyor are performed, and thus the operation rate of the stacking device decreases. PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS TECHNICAL LITERATURE

[0005] Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-284349 SUMMARY PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0006] Therefore, the present application is completed in order to solve the above-described problems, and the object thereof is to enable stacking of a tray without stopping a production line such as a tray carrying-in section even in a case where an abnormality of the tray is detected. MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEMS

[0007] That is, the stacking device of the present application is characterized by including: a tray carrying-in section that carries in a tray in which a plurality of eggs are stored; a stacking section that stacks a prescribed number of the trays carried in by the tray carrying-in section; a tray carrying-out section that carries out the trays stacked with a prescribed number of trays by the stacking section; and an abnormality detection section that detects an abnormality of the trays carried in to the stacking section, and in a case where an abnormality of the tray is detected by the abnormality detection section, the tray in which the abnormality is detected is disposed by the stacking section at the uppermost layer regardless of whether or not a prescribed number of the trays are stacked, and is carried out by the tray carrying-out section.

[0008] If it is such a stacking device, since the tray in which an abnormality is detected is disposed on the uppermost layer and carried out, the stacking of the trays can be continued without stopping the production line such as the tray carrying-in section and the tray carrying-out section. Further, since the production line such as the tray carrying-in section and the tray carrying-out section is not stopped at the time of abnormality detection, the operation rate can be improved. Furthermore, the worker does not need to move to the tray carrying-in section and remove the tray in which an abnormality exists from the tray carrying-in section, and the labor and time can be saved. Also, since the tray in which an abnormality is detected is disposed on the uppermost layer, the processing of the tray in which an abnormality is detected can be performed in the stacked state, and the workability can be improved.

[0009] Preferably, the stacking section stacks the trays by disposing the tray carried in by the tray carrying-in section on the tray carried in immediately before. If it is this structure, since the stacking section is configured to stack the carried-in trays on the tray carried in immediately before, even the tray in which an abnormality is detected does not need to change the stacking action. Further, if it is this structure, the control content of the existing stacking device can be changed. Effects of Invention

[0010] According to the present application thus configured, even in the case where an abnormality of the tray is detected, the stacking of the trays can be performed without stopping the production line such as the tray carrying-in section. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0011] Figure 1 is a front view schematically showing the structure of a stacking device of one embodiment of the present application. Figure 2 is a schematic view showing a forced discharge action in the case where an abnormality exists in the 1st layer in the same embodiment. Figure 3 is a schematic view showing a forced discharge action in the case where an abnormality exists in the 2nd layer or later in the same embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0012] Hereinafter, one embodiment of a stacking device of the present application will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, with respect to any of the drawings shown below, for the convenience of understanding, appropriate omissions or exaggerations are schematically depicted. The same reference numerals are attached to the same constituent elements and appropriate omissions of the description are made.

[0013] <Structure of Stacking Device 100> The stacking device 100 of the present embodiment is a stacking device that stacks trays T in which a plurality of eggs E are housed in a prescribed number (for example, six).

[0014] Here, tray T is, for example, an American-style tray made of synthetic resin with 5 rows and 6 columns of egg seats, but in addition, various other trays such as pulp molded trays can also be used.

[0015] Specifically, such as Figure 1 As shown, the stacking device includes a pallet loading section 2, a stacking section 3, a pallet unloading section 4, an anomaly detection section 5, and a control section 6.

[0016] The pallet loading section 2 moves a pallet T containing multiple eggs E into the stacking section 3. Specifically, the pallet loading section 2 is a belt conveyor for transporting the pallet T.

[0017] A conveyor (not shown) from the previous process is connected to the upstream end of the pallet loading section 2, and a pallet T containing eggs E is supplied thereon. Alternatively, the operator can also supply a pallet T containing eggs E to the upstream end of the pallet loading section 2.

[0018] The stacking section 3 stacks a predetermined number (e.g., six) of the pallets T that are brought in by the pallet loading section 2. In this embodiment, the stacking section 3 arranges the pallets T brought in by the pallet loading section 2 on the pallets T that were brought in immediately before, thereby performing stacking.

[0019] Specifically, the stacking section 3 includes: a stacking worktable 31 for placing and stacking pallets T; a pallet moving section 32 for moving pallets T from the pallet inlet section 2 to the stacking worktable 31 to stack pallets T; and a stacking pallet moving section 33 for moving a predetermined number of pallets T stacked on the stacking worktable 31 to the pallet outlet section 4.

[0020] The pallet moving part 32 lifts the pallet T by supporting the periphery of the pallet T, causing the pallet T to move toward the upper surface of the stacking table 31 or the top layer of the pallet T placed on the stacking table 31.

[0021] The stacking pallet moving part 33 has a push-out member (not shown) that pushes the stacked pallets T toward the pallet removal part 4. The moving mechanism of the push-out member of the stacking pallet moving part 33 can also be constructed using the moving mechanism of the pallet moving part 32. Alternatively, the stacking pallet moving part 33 can also be configured to lift the stacked pallets T and move them from the stacking worktable 31 toward the pallet removal part 4.

[0022] Here, the stacking table 31 can also be configured to lower by one pallet at a time as one pallet T is stacked one by one by the pallet moving part 32. In this case, the stacking table 31 lowers until a predetermined number of pallets T are stacked, and then rises to the initial position after the predetermined number of pallets T have been stacked. In this state, the stacking pallet moving part 33 pushes the stacked pallets T toward the pallet removal part 4. Furthermore, the initial position is approximately the same height as the belt conveyor of the pallet removal part 4.

[0023] Furthermore, in the case where pallets T are stacked by changing the orientation of one pallet T in the horizontal direction by, for example, 90 degrees, when stacking pallets T to each other, the stacking section 3 has the function of rotating the pallet T in the horizontal direction. Additionally, the pallet loading section 2 may also have the function of rotating the pallet T in the horizontal direction.

[0024] The pallet removal unit 4 removes a predetermined number of pallets T that have been stacked by the stacking unit 3 from the stacking unit 3. Specifically, the pallet removal unit 4 is a belt conveyor for transporting the stacked pallets T.

[0025] A conveyor (not shown) for the next process is connected to the downstream end of the pallet handling section 4, and the stacked pallets T are supplied to the next process. In addition, the operator can also remove the stacked pallets T from the downstream end of the pallet handling section 4.

[0026] Anomaly detection unit 5 detects anomalies in the tray T brought in by tray loading unit 2. In this embodiment, the anomaly detection unit 5 is located above the tray loading unit 2 and detects missing eggs in the loaded tray T. Anomaly signals detected by the anomaly detection unit 5 are sent to the control unit 6.

[0027] The control unit 6 controls the pallet loading unit 2, the stacking unit 3, and the pallet unloading unit 4, performing normal stacking operations and forced discharge operations. Furthermore, the control unit 6 is composed of a computer having a CPU, memory, input / output interfaces, and an AD converter, etc. Alternatively, the control unit 6 can be a physically integrated computer or composed of separately physically separate computers.

[0028] <Normal stacking action> The normal stacking operation is performed when the abnormality detection unit 5 does not detect any abnormality in the pallet T. It involves stacking a predetermined number of pallets T that have been transported in sequence and then removing them.

[0029] Specifically, it refers to the following actions. The pallet moving unit 32 places the pallet T, which has been moved to a designated receiving position by the pallet loading unit 2, onto the upper surface of the stacking table 31 or onto the top layer of the pallets T placed on the stacking table 31. If this action is repeated a predetermined number of times (e.g., six times), a predetermined number (e.g., six) of pallets T are stacked on the stacking table 31. Then, the stacking pallet moving unit 33 moves the stacked pallets T toward the pallet unloading unit 4, for example, by pushing them. The pallet unloading unit 4 then removes the stacked pallets T.

[0030] <Forced expulsion action> The forced discharge action is performed when the abnormality detection unit 5 detects an abnormality in the tray T. It is an action that involves placing the abnormal tray T on the top layer and removing it, regardless of whether a specified number of trays T are stacked.

[0031] Specifically, it refers to the following actions. If the anomaly detection unit 5 detects an anomaly in the tray T, the tray moving unit 32 places the tray T with the anomaly on the upper surface of the stacking table 31 or on the top layer of the trays T placed on the stacking table 31. After this action, the stacking tray moving unit 33 moves the tray T located on the stacking table 31 toward the tray removal unit 4, for example, by pushing it. Then, the tray removal unit 4 removes the tray T with the anomaly or the top-layered stacked tray T with the anomaly.

[0032] The following is a specific example of a forced discharge action. (1) The situation where the tray T of the first layer has an anomaly (refer to) Figure 2 ) During the process of moving the pallet T from the pallet loading section 2, an anomaly is detected by the anomaly detection section 5 (see reference). Figure 2 (a) Therefore, the control unit 6 receives its abnormal signal. The control unit 6 controls the tray moving unit 32 of the stacking unit 3 to move the abnormal tray T towards the upper surface of the stacking table 31 (see reference). Figure 2 (b)). Then, the control unit 6 controls the stacking pallet moving unit 33 of the stacking unit 3, causing the pallet T with the abnormality to move from the stacking worktable 31 to the pallet removal unit 4 (see reference). Figure 2 (c) Thus, only the abnormal pallet T is removed by the pallet removal unit 4. Furthermore, during this forced discharge operation, the pallet loading unit 2 and the pallet removal unit 4 operate in the same manner as normal stacking operations. Afterwards, normal stacking operations are performed until an abnormality is detected in the loaded pallet T.

[0033] (2) The trays T on layers 2 to 6 are abnormal (refer to) Figure 3 (This is the 5th floor) During the process of moving the pallet T from the pallet loading section 2, an anomaly is detected by the anomaly detection section 5 (see reference). Figure 3 (a) Therefore, the control unit 6 receives its abnormality signal. The control unit 6 controls the tray moving unit 32 of the stacking unit 3 to move the abnormal tray T towards the stacking table 31. Then, the tray moving unit 32 stacks the abnormal tray T on top of the trays T already stacked on the stacking table 31 (see reference). Figure 3 (b)). Then, the control unit 6 controls the stacking pallet moving unit 33 of the stacking unit 3, causing the pallet T with the abnormality, the topmost stacking pallet T, to move from the stacking worktable 31 to the pallet removal unit 4 (see reference). Figure 3 (c) Therefore, the pallet T with the abnormality is the topmost stacked pallet T, which is removed by the pallet removal unit 4. Furthermore, during this forced removal operation, the pallet loading unit 2 and the pallet removal unit 4 operate in the same manner as normal stacking operations. Afterwards, normal stacking operations are performed until an abnormality is detected in the loaded pallet T.

[0034] <Effects of this implementation method> According to the stacking apparatus 100 of this embodiment, pallets T with detected abnormalities are placed on the top layer and removed, thus enabling the stacking of pallets T to continue without stopping the production lines such as the pallet loading section 2 and the pallet unloading section 4. Furthermore, since the production lines such as the pallet loading section 2 and the pallet unloading section 4 are not stopped during abnormality detection, the operating rate can be improved. Moreover, the operator does not need to move to the pallet loading section 2, saving labor and time. In addition, since pallets T with detected abnormalities are placed on the top layer, processing of pallets T with detected abnormalities can be performed in the stacked state, improving workability.

[0035] <Modified embodiments of the present invention> Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above.

[0036] For example, the stacking method of the stacking section can be any method other than the above-described embodiment, in which the pallet T that has been detected as abnormal is placed on the top layer. That is, in a normal stacking operation, the pallet T is stacked below the pallet T that was brought in earlier, and if an abnormality is detected in the pallet T, the pallet T that has been detected as abnormal is placed on the top layer of the already stacked pallets T.

[0037] In addition, the abnormality detection unit 5 of the above embodiment can detect missing eggs on the tray T, but it can also detect abnormalities (e.g., cracked eggs, broken eggs, dirty eggs, etc.) of the eggs E stored in the tray T.

[0038] Furthermore, the anomaly detection unit 5 can be an anomaly detection unit that detects anomalies of the pallet T during transport in the pallet loading unit 2, or an anomaly detection unit that detects anomalies of the pallet T that has stopped, for example, at a predetermined receiving position in the pallet loading unit 2. Additionally, the anomaly detection unit 5 can also be an anomaly detection unit that detects anomalies of the pallet T that is moved by the pallet moving unit 32 of the stacking unit 3.

[0039] Furthermore, the structure may also include a notification unit that notifies the operator when the anomaly detection unit 5 detects an anomaly in the tray T, or when a forced removal action is performed on the tray T containing the anomaly. As the notification unit, structures that emit sound, emit light, or display information on a screen are considered.

[0040] In addition, the pallet unloading unit 4 may also have a distribution unit, which distributes the pallets T stacked in the normal stacking action and the pallets T with abnormality or the pallets T with abnormality as the top layer stacked in the forced discharge action to different paths.

[0041] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from its spirit. Industrial applicability

[0042] According to the present invention, even if an abnormality of the pallet is detected, pallet stacking can be performed without stopping the production line such as the pallet handling unit. Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0043] 100: Stacking device; E: Egg; T: Pallet; 2: Pallet loading section; 3: Stacking section; 4: Pallet unloading section; 5: Anomaly detection section; 6: Control section.

Claims

1. A stacking device, wherein, have: The tray loading section is used to load trays containing multiple eggs. A stacking section for stacking a predetermined number of pallets brought in by the pallet handling section; The pallet handling section removes a predetermined number of pallets that have been stacked by the stacking section. as well as The anomaly detection unit detects anomalies in the trays being moved into the stacking section. When the anomaly detection unit detects an anomaly in the pallet, regardless of whether a predetermined number of pallets are stacked, the pallet with the detected anomaly is placed on the top layer by the stacking unit and removed by the pallet removal unit.

2. The stacking device according to claim 1, wherein, The stacking section arranges the pallets brought in by the pallet loading section on the pallets that were loaded in before, thereby stacking them.

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