Hopper device

Abstract

To provide a hopper device capable of preventing clogging of an article near an article take-out port and reliably supplying the article downstream.SOLUTION: A hopper device includes: an inclination bottom surface 11 that inclines from upstream to downstream; an article storage part 10 that is configured by a side surface surrounding the inclination bottom surface; an article holding part 20 that is provided on a part of the inclination bottom surface and is capable of holding a part of an article XA1 including a cylindrical or columnar portion to be stored; a guide 30 that is provided above the inclination bottom surface so as to face the article holding part; and driving means 40 that relatively reciprocates the guide and the article holding part in a direction parallel to the inclination bottom surface, wherein the article holding part has a step surface 21 including a first surface 21D and a second surface 21E on which the article moves, the guide and the article holding part restrict or permit the movement of the article on the first surface, and restrict or permit the movement of the article on the second surface.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a hopper device that temporarily stores a large amount of articles and discharges them downstream in small quantities. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a hopper device that temporarily stores a large amount of shaft or bar-shaped articles, cuts them out one by one, and supplies them downstream (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). Some hopper devices have measures to prevent clogging (bridging) of articles in the hopper, and for example, the hopper device described in Patent Document 2 agitates the articles with a rotating cam above the guide to prevent clogging (bridging) of the article outlet. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 58-184426 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 49-10266 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, for example, in the case of the device described in Patent Document 2, there is a risk that the supply of items (equipment) to the guide may not be performed smoothly. Specifically, in the device described in Patent Document 2, the items sent to the guide from the inclined bottom surface are not directly controlled (operated) by the outside, but are sent to the guide by rolling on the inclined bottom surface as the shape of the inclined bottom surface (while being subjected to the weight load of the items stacked above). Although the items stored above the guide entrance are stirred by the cam, the items that come into contact with the inclined bottom surface are not directly stirred, and are subjected to the weight load of the items stored above. In such a configuration, if the alignment of the items becomes disturbed for some reason near the inclined bottom surface, there is a possibility that the items may not be able to return to the aligned state naturally, and as a result, there is a risk that the sending out to the guide may be delayed.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and provides a hopper device that can prevent clogging of articles near the article removal port and ensure the supply of articles downstream. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention relates to a hopper device comprising an item storage section consisting of an inclined bottom surface inclined from upstream to downstream and sides surrounding the inclined bottom surface, an item holding section provided on a portion of the inclined bottom surface and capable of holding a portion of an item including a cylindrical or columnar portion to be stored, a guide provided above the inclined bottom surface so as to face the item holding section, and a driving means for relatively reciprocating the guide and the item holding section in a direction parallel to the inclined bottom surface, wherein the item holding section has a step surface including a first surface along which the item moves and a second surface, and is configured so that the guide and the item holding section restrict or allow movement of the item on the first surface and restrict or allow movement of the item on the second surface. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a hopper device capable of preventing clogging of articles near the article outlet and reliably supplying articles downstream. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing an overall configuration of a hopper device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an internal configuration of a hopper device according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a side view showing an internal configuration of the hopper device according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 1 is a side view showing a main part of a hopper device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] 1 is a side view showing a main part of a hopper device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] 5 is a side view illustrating an operation of the hopper device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 7] 5 is a side view illustrating an operation of the hopper device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 8] 5 is a side view illustrating an operation of the hopper device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 9] 5 is a side view illustrating an operation of the hopper device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In this drawing and the following drawings, some components are omitted as appropriate to simplify the drawings. In this drawing and the following drawings, the size, shape, thickness, etc. of the members are exaggerated as appropriate.

[0010] <Overall composition> Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of the overall configuration of a hopper device 100 according to this embodiment, Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the main internal configuration of the hopper device 100, and Fig. 3 is a side view of Fig. 2. Note that the side surface 12 is omitted in Fig. 3. Fig. 4 is a side view showing the main parts of the hopper device 100.

[0011] 1 to 4, a hopper device 100 includes an article storage section 10, an article holding section 20, a guide 30, a driving means 40, an article discharge section 50, and the like.

[0012] As shown in Figure 1, the item storage section 10 is composed of an inclined bottom surface 11 that slopes from upstream (right in Figure 3) to downstream (left in Figure 3) and sides 12 (12A to 12C) surrounding the inclined bottom surface 11, and temporarily stores multiple items XA1 supplied from an upstream process.

[0013] 2 to 4, the inclined bottom surface 11 is a horizontal plane (a plane consisting of a first horizontal direction H1 and a second horizontal direction H2) perpendicular to the vertical direction V, inclined so that the upstream side is higher and the downstream side is lower. The direction in which the article XA1 moves on the inclined bottom surface 11 is defined as the discharging direction T. The first horizontal direction H1 is a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction V, with one side being the upstream side of the discharging direction T of the article XA1 on the inclined bottom surface 11 and the other side being the downstream side of the discharging direction T of the article XA1, and the second horizontal direction H2 is a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction V and the first horizontal direction H1.

[0014] The article XA1 includes, for example, a cylindrical or columnar part. Specifically, it is a cylindrical case with a cap for storing an injection needle or the like. The article XA1 is stored in the article storage section 10 in a horizontal position so that the axial direction of the cylindrical case extends in the second horizontal direction H2. Hereinafter, the second horizontal direction H2 is referred to as the discharge width direction W.

[0015] The article holding section 20 is a plate-like member that is provided on a portion of the inclined bottom surface 11 of the article storage section 10 and is capable of holding a portion of the stored article XA1. In detail, the article XA1 moving (rolling) from upstream to downstream on the inclined bottom surface 11 of the article storage section 10 rides up the article holding section 20 partway along the inclined bottom surface 11, and moves (rolls) on it to be discharged to the article discharge section 50. The articles XA1 stored in the article storage section 10 may be in an accumulated state, but from the article XA1 in the lower layer onwards, they move (roll) on the inclined bottom surface 11 and the article holding section 20 and are discharged to the article discharge section 50.

[0016] The upper surface side of the article holding portion 20 in the vertical direction V is a stepped surface 21. For example, the article holding portion 20 has approximately the same length in the discharge direction T and the discharge width direction W, and is provided near the downstream of the inclined bottom surface 11 and at a position upstream of the downstream end (placed on the inclined bottom surface 11).

[0017] The article discharge section 50 is composed of a downstream area 11D of the inclined bottom surface 11 and a discharge means 51. The article holding section 20 is provided on the inclined bottom surface 11, and the downstream area 11D of the inclined bottom surface 11 is exposed downstream of the article holding section 20. This downstream area 11D functions as a discharge area for article XA1 discharged from the article holding section 20. The article XA1 moves along the inclined bottom surface 11, climbs onto the article holding section 20, and moves again over the inclined bottom surface 11 (downstream area 11D).

[0018] The articles XA1 are discharged one by one in a sideways manner into the downstream area (discharge area) 11D. An article discharge guide (passage) 51 that moves the articles XA1 from above to below in the vertical direction V is disposed at the downstream end of the downstream area 11D.

[0019] The guide 30 is, for example, a rectangular plate member, and in this embodiment, the guide support part 31 fixes the guide 30 to the downstream side surface 12D in a state inclined with respect to the horizontal plane. In the discharge width direction W, the length of the guide 30 and the length of the article holding part 20 are equal (see FIG. 2). In this example, the guide support part 31 has a rail (not shown) facing the discharge width direction W on its bottom surface, and both sides of the guide 30 in the discharge width direction W are held by this rail, and its tip (the end closer to the article holding part 20) is exposed from the guide support part 31. The guide 30 is fixed to the guide support part 31 by a screw 32 or the like (see FIG. 4). The guide 30 is supported by the guide support part 31 in a state inclined in the opposite direction (so that the upstream side is lower and the downstream side is higher) with respect to the inclined bottom surface 11 so that the direction in which the guide 30 protrudes from the guide support part 31 intersects with the inclined bottom surface 11. The guide support part 31 is fixed to the downstream side surface 12D, for example. The guide 30 is supported by the guide support portion 31 so that the tip portion 30P faces the article holding portion 20 (the step surface 21 thereof) and the inclined bottom surface 11.

[0020] The driving means 40 is, for example, an air cylinder that moves the guide 30 and the article holding part 20 back and forth relative to each other along a direction parallel to the inclined bottom surface 11 (discharge direction T). In this embodiment, as an example, the driving means 40 moves the article holding part 20 back and forth. Specifically, a support shaft 28 is provided on the bottom side of the article holding part 20, and a long hole 11H (see FIG. 4) that is long in the discharge direction T is provided at a predetermined position of the inclined bottom surface 11. The support shaft 28 is inserted into the long hole 11H, and its tip (lower end) is connected to the air cylinder 40. The support shaft 28 moves inside the long hole by driving the air cylinder, and accordingly, the article holding part 20 moves back and forth along the discharge direction T relative to the inclined bottom surface 11 and the guide 30.

[0021] However, this is not limiting, and for example, the article holding portion 20 may be fixed immovably to the inclined bottom surface 11, and the driving means 40 may move the guide 30 back and forth along the discharging direction T relative to the article holding portion 20.

[0022] The article XA1 is supplied from an upstream process to the article storage section 10 and stored therein. Although FIG. 4 shows only a portion of the article XA1, the article XA1 can be stored in an accumulated state in the article storage section 10. The article XA1 can be stored within the height of the side 12A or the side 12C, and can also be stored, for example, on the guide support section 31. The article XA1 can also be stored in an accumulated state above a portion of the article holding section 20. In the article storage section 10, the article XA1 moves (rolls) on the inclined bottom surface 11 from upstream to downstream. Some of the article XA1 rides up on the article holding section 20 near the downstream of the inclined bottom surface 11 and is held therein. In this example, the article holding section 20 moves back and forth on the inclined bottom surface 11 in the discharge direction T at a predetermined timing, and the article XA1 placed on the article holding section 20 moves (rolls) from upstream to downstream in accordance with this reciprocating movement.

[0023] In this embodiment, one article XA1 can be discharged downstream from the inclined surface 21E. The tip 30P of the guide 30 and the inclined surface 21E form an outlet for the article XA1, and the articles XA1 are cut out one by one toward the article discharge section 50.

[0024] Furthermore, when articles XA1 are accumulated in a pile above the article holding section 20, vibration is applied to the multiple layers of accumulated articles XA1 by the reciprocating movement of the article holding section 20. The position of the accumulated articles XA1 changes due to the vibration, thereby preventing clogging (bridging) of the articles XA1 moving toward the article discharge section 50. Furthermore, the articles XA1 are discharged one by one from the downstream end of the article holding section 20 to the article discharge section 50.

[0025] <Item ejection operation> The guide 30 and the article holding section 20 will be described with reference to Fig. 4 to Fig. 6. Fig. 4(A) is a side view corresponding to Fig. 3 for explaining the configuration of the guide 30 and the article holding section 20, and is an enlarged view mainly showing the guide 30 and the article holding section 20 at a certain timing. Fig. 4(B) is an enlarged view of the article holding section 20. Figs. 5 and 6 are diagrams for explaining the discharge operation (cut-out discharge operation) of the article XA1 by the guide 30 and the article holding section 20. Fig. 5 is a side view showing the state in which the guide 30 and the article holding section 20 move relative to each other, Fig. 5(A) is the initial state (a state in which the relative movement amount between the two is minimum), Fig. 5(B) is a state in which the relative movement amount between the two is medium, and Fig. 5(B) is a state in which the relative movement amount between the two is maximum. Fig. 6 is a diagram further showing the timing between Fig. 5(B) and Fig. 5(C).

[0026] 4(A) and 4(B), the article holding section 20 has a step surface 21. In this example, the step surface 21 is made up of a plurality of inclined surfaces 21A to 21F constituting three steps. The inclined surfaces 21A to 21F are all surfaces that incline so as to become lower from the upstream to the downstream with respect to a horizontal plane. Specifically, from the upstream side, the inclined surfaces 21A, 21B, 21C, 21D, 21E, and 21F are successive. The inclined surface 21A is a step surface of a staircase, the inclined surface 21B is a riser of a staircase, the inclined surface 21C is a step surface, the inclined surface 21D is a riser, the inclined surface 21E is a step surface, and the inclined surface 21F is a riser. The angles that the inclined surfaces 21B, 21D, and 21F that serve as risers make with the horizontal plane are larger than the angles that the inclined surfaces 21A, 21C, and 21E that serve as treads make with the horizontal plane.

[0027] The discharge operation in this embodiment is a cut-out discharge operation in which one article XA1 is taken out of a plurality of accumulated articles XA1 and discharged downstream.

[0028] That is, the article holding portion 20 includes a first surface (in this example, inclined surface 21D) along which the article XA1 moves, and a second surface (in this example, inclined surface 21E), and is configured so that a guide 30 restricts or allows the movement of the article XA1 on the first surface and restricts or allows the movement of the article XA1 on the second surface.

[0029] 4(B), the first surface (inclined surface 21D) is an inclined surface that, as described above, becomes lower at a first angle (angle α) from upstream to downstream with respect to the horizontal plane as a reference, and article XA1 heading toward article discharge section 50 moves (rolls) on this surface. In other words, the first surface (inclined surface 21D) forms a first path R1 (path from article storage section 10 toward article discharge section 50) for article XA1 (see FIG. 6). The first path R1 will be described later. Hereinafter, inclined surface 21D will be referred to as first path inclined surface 21D.

[0030] The second surface (inclined surface 21E) is an inclined surface that becomes lower at a second angle (angle β) from upstream to downstream with respect to the horizontal plane, and article XA1 heading toward article discharge section 50 moves (rolls) on this surface. In other words, the second surface (inclined surface 21E) forms a second path R2 (path from article storage section 10 toward article discharge section 50) for article XA1 (see FIG. 6). The second path R2 will be described later. Hereinafter, inclined surface 21E will be referred to as second path inclined surface 21E.

[0031] The second angle (angle β) is smaller than the first angle (angle α). The length of the second path inclined surface 21E is, for example, about 3 to 4 times the diameter of the article XA1 (for example, a cylindrical case portion), and the length of the first path inclined surface 21D is, for example, equal to the diameter of the article XA1.

[0032] In this example, a curved surface 21X is provided between the inclined surface 21D and the inclined surface 21E. The curvature of the curved surface 21X is roughly close to the curvature of the article XA1, and the curved surface 21X has a shape that easily fits the outer periphery of the article XA1, but the curved surface 21X does not have to be provided.

[0033] 4(A), the guide 30 is inclined in the opposite direction (so that the upstream side is lower and the downstream side is higher) with respect to the inclined bottom surface 11 and is supported by the guide support part 31. As a result, the tip part 30P of the guide 30 (the point on the curved surface closest to the article holding part 20) faces at least the first path inclined surface 21D and the second path inclined surface 21E with a certain clearance secured.

[0034] 5, in this embodiment, the article holding part 20 and the guide 30 are configured to be relatively movable at least between the first path inclined surface 21D and the second path inclined surface 21E. In this example, the article holding part 20 slides (reciprocates) on the inclined bottom surface 11, and the guide 30 is fixedly disposed at a predetermined position and at a predetermined inclination angle by the guide support part 31. In other words, the first path inclined surface 21D and the second path inclined surface 21E reciprocate relative to the guide 30 in a direction parallel to the discharge direction T.

[0035] 5(A) shows the initial state of movement of the article holder 20, in which the amount of relative movement between the article holder 20 and the guide 30 is minimal (zero). In this state, the article holder 20 is located on the most upstream side. Also, the tip 30P of the guide 30 is located, for example, above the vicinity of the downstream end of the second path inclined surface 21E.

[0036] 5(B) shows a state in which the article holding part 20 has moved, for example, from the initial state by about half the total movement amount (a state in which the relative movement amount between the guide 30 and the article holding part 20 is medium). In this case, the article holding part 20 has moved downstream from the initial state, and as a result, the tip part 30P of the guide 30 is located, for example, above the vicinity of the upstream end part of the second path inclined surface 21E.

[0037] 5(C) shows a state in which the article holding part 20 has moved the maximum from, for example, the initial state (a state in which the amount of relative movement between the guide 30 and the article holding part 20 is maximum (hereinafter referred to as the "maximum relative movement state"). In this case, the article holding part 20 is located on the most downstream side, so that the tip part 30P of the guide 30 is located above the downstream end of the inclined surface C, for example, beyond the upstream end of the first path inclined surface 21D.

[0038] The guide 30 is fixed at a predetermined position and at a predetermined inclination angle by the guide support portion 31. That is, as shown in FIG. 5, the first path inclined surface 21D and the second path inclined surface 21E reciprocate relative to the guide 30 in a direction parallel to the discharge direction T, so that the value of the clearance between the tip 30P of the guide 30 and the first path inclined surface 21D and the value of the clearance between the tip 30P and the second path inclined surface 21E vary depending on the position of the article holding portion 20. Here, the clearance in this embodiment refers to the vertical distance from the first path inclined surface 21D to the tip 30P, or the vertical distance from the second path inclined surface 21E to the tip 30P. In this example, the tip 30P is the point on the curved surface at the tip of the guide 30 that is closest to the article holding portion 20 in the vertical direction V.

[0039] In this embodiment, by varying the clearance between the tip 30P of the guide 30 and the first path inclined surface 21D, and the clearance between the tip 30P and the second path inclined surface 21E, it is possible to control the movement of the article XA1 toward the article discharge section 50, and to cut out the article XA1 one by one toward the article discharge section 50. The article XA1 is discharged from the downstream end of the second path inclined surface 21E.

[0040] Further explanation will be given with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a side view corresponding to Fig. 5 which explains the movement path of the article XA1. In this embodiment, the article holder 20 and the guide 30 move relative to each other, so for convenience in Fig. 6, the description will be given assuming that the guide 30 moves relative to the article holder 20 which is fixedly disposed.

[0041] In the configuration of this embodiment, when the article holding portion 20 is fixedly disposed on the inclined bottom surface 11, the guide 30 (tip portion 30P) can be considered to move back and forth in a direction parallel to the inclined bottom surface 11 (discharging direction T). In this case, the movement trajectory M (shown by a chain line) of the tip portion 30P is a direction parallel to the inclined bottom surface 11 (discharging direction T) as shown in FIG. 6(A).

[0042] As is clear from the movement trajectory M, the value of the clearance between the tip end 30P of the guide 30 and the first path inclined surface 21D and the second path inclined surface 21E varies with timing (elapsed time).

[0043] Then, on the first path inclined surface 21D, when the clearance between the first path inclined surface 21D and the tip end 30P of the guide 30 exceeds the diameter of the article XA1, the movement of the article XA1 is permitted. On the other hand, when the clearance between the first path inclined surface 21D and the tip end 30P of the guide 30 becomes equal to or smaller than the diameter of the article XA1, the movement of the article XA1 on the first path inclined surface 21D is restricted.

[0044] Similarly, on the second path inclined surface 21E, when the clearance between the second path inclined surface 21E and the tip 30P of the guide 30 exceeds the diameter of the article XA1, movement of the article XA1 is permitted on the second path inclined surface 21E, and when the clearance between the second path inclined surface 21E and the tip 30P becomes equal to or less than the diameter of the article XA1, movement of the article XA1 is restricted on the second path inclined surface 21E.

[0045] 6(B) is a diagram showing the movement path of the article XA1 on the article holding section 20 (first path inclined surface 21D, second path inclined surface 21E). If there is a space of the diameter of the article XA1, the article XA1 can move (roll) on the first path inclined surface 21D and the second path inclined surface 21E and be discharged to the article discharge section 50. Therefore, in the following description, the area from the surface of the first path inclined surface 21D to a height of the diameter of the article XA1 is referred to as the first path (upstream path) R1 of the article XA1, and the area from the second path inclined surface 21E to a height of the diameter of the article XA1 is referred to as the second path (downstream path) R2 of the article XA1.

[0046] FIG. 6C is a diagram showing the relationship between the guide 30 and the upstream path R1 and downstream path R2 of the article XA1.

[0047] In this embodiment, the relative movement between the article holder 20 and the guide 30 causes the guide 30 to move along a movement trajectory M, which partially intersects with the upstream path R1 and the downstream path R2. When the movement trajectory M of the guide 30 enters the inside of the first path R1 and the second path R2, it can be said that the movement of the article XA1 is restricted.

[0048] In detail, the tip 30P of the guide 30 moves along a trajectory (movement trajectory M) that includes a downstream regulating position P1 where it enters the downstream path R2, a downstream open position P2 where it does not enter the downstream path R2 (where it exits from the downstream path R2), an upstream open position P3 where it does not enter the upstream path R1, and an upstream regulating position P4 where it enters the upstream path R1 (in reality, the item holding portion 20 moves so that the fixed tip 30P moves along the movement trajectory M).

[0049] When the tip 30P is at the downstream restriction position P1, the article XA1 on the downstream side of the guide 30 on the second path inclined surface 21E (downstream path R2) is not restricted in any way and moves (rolls) along the second path inclined surface 21E to reach the article discharge section 50. On the other hand, the article XA1 on the upstream side of the guide 30 is restricted from moving downstream of the guide 30. In the initial state shown in Fig. 5(A), the tip 30P of the guide 30 is at the downstream restriction position P1.

[0050] When the tip end 30P is in the downstream open position P2, the article XA1 is permitted to move downstream on the second path inclined surface 21E (downstream path R2), and moves (rolls) toward the article discharge section 50.

[0051] When the tip 30P is in the upstream open position P3, the article XA1 is permitted to move downstream on the first path inclined surface 21D (upstream path R1). The article XA1 is also permitted to move downstream on the second path inclined surface 21E (downstream path R2), and moves (rolls) toward the article discharge section 50.

[0052] When the tip 30P is at the upstream restriction position P4, the article XA1 on the downstream side of the guide 30 on the first path inclined surface 21D (upstream path R1) is not restricted in any way and moves (rolls) along the first path inclined surface 21D to reach the second path inclined surface 21E. On the other hand, the article XA1 on the upstream side of the guide 30 is restricted from moving downstream of the guide 30. In the maximum relative movement state shown in Fig. 5(C), the tip 30P of the guide 30 is at the upstream restriction position P4.

[0053] The guide 30 and the item holding section 20 move continuously relative to each other without stopping from the initial state shown in Figure 5 (A) to the maximum relative movement state shown in Figure 5 (C), and also move continuously relative to each other without stopping from the maximum relative movement state to return to the initial state.

[0054] That is, switching from the downstream restriction position P1 to the downstream opening position P2, from the downstream opening position P2 to the upstream opening position P3, and from the upstream opening position P3 to the upstream restriction position P4 (and vice versa) is performed continuously and smoothly. In particular, in the case of the present embodiment shown in Fig. 6, the downstream opening position P2 and the upstream opening position P3 are set to (almost) the same position, and switching from the downstream opening position P2 to the upstream opening position P3 (and vice versa) is performed instantaneously.

[0055] An example of the movement and ejection of the article XA1 will be described in chronological order with reference to Figures 7 to 9. Figures 7 to 9 are side views corresponding to Figure 6. In this embodiment, even if multiple articles XA1 are present on the second path inclined surface 21E, only one article XA1 can be ejected from the article removal opening (the lower end of the second path inclined surface 21E). This will be described below.

[0056] When article XA1 stored in article storage section 10 reaches inclined bottom surface 11, it moves (rolls) downstream and reaches article holding section 20. All step surfaces 21 of article holding section 20 are inclined surfaces that slope downward toward the downstream, and article XA1 also moves downstream on article holding section 20. Article holding section 20 moves back and forth continuously at a certain speed in a direction parallel to inclined bottom surface 11, for example, and in Figures 7 to 9, the guide 30 will be described as moving back and forth continuously at a certain speed in a direction parallel to inclined bottom surface 11 relative to fixedly disposed article holding section 20.

[0057] 7(A) shows the initial positional relationship between the guide 30 and the article holding unit 20. In this case, the guide 30 is at the most downstream position of the article holding unit 20, and the maximum number of articles XA1 that can be placed (here, three) are present on the second path inclined surface 21E (downstream path R2) upstream of the guide 30. In the initial state, the guide 30 (tip 30P) is at the downstream restriction position P1, and discharge of articles XA1 from the downstream end of the second path inclined surface 21E (downstream path R2) is restricted.

[0058] As shown in Fig. 7(B), when the article holder 20 starts to move from the initial state, the tip 30P of the guide 30 moves upstream along the movement trajectory M. The most downstream article XA1_a comes into contact with the guide 30, and the article XA1 upstream of this article, including this article, is pushed up upstream. As shown in Fig. 7(C), while the tip 30P of the guide 30 is in the downstream restriction position P1, all of the article XA1 upstream of the guide 30 is pushed up upstream, and the article XA1 that was once on the second path inclined surface 21E is returned to the first path inclined surface 21D or the inclined surface 21C.

[0059] FIG. 8(A) shows the timing when the tip 30P of the guide 30 reaches the downstream opening position P2. When the tip 30P reaches the downstream opening position P2, the downstream path R2 is opened, and the most downstream article XA1 (article XA1_a) that has been in contact with the tip 30P can pass through the downstream path R2. Meanwhile, in this example, the tip 30P reaches the upstream opening position P3 at the same time (or immediately thereafter) as the tip 30P reaches the downstream opening position P2, but immediately (instantly) moves to the upstream restriction position P4 as shown in FIG. 8(B). In other words, the article XA1_b immediately upstream of the most downstream article XA1_a tries to pass through the upstream path R1, but the guide 30 has moved upstream, and entry of the article XA1_b into the upstream path R1 is restricted.

[0060] Thus, in this embodiment, the angle of inclination α of the first path inclined surface 21D and the speed of relative movement between the guide 30 and the item holding portion 20 are set so that when the tip portion 30P reaches the upstream opening position P3, the item XA1_b immediately upstream of the most downstream item XA1_a does not pass through the upstream path R1 (so that the guide 30 reaches the upstream restricting position P4 before passing through).

[0061] As a result, the most downstream item XA1_a is discharged to the item discharge section 50 without any restriction, and thereafter, item XA1_b becomes the most downstream item.

[0062] 8C shows the timing when the guide 30 and the article holder 20 are in the maximum relative movement state. Even in the maximum relative movement state, the guide 30 is in the upstream restriction position P4. The guide 30 restricts the entry of the most downstream article XA1_b into the upstream path R1.

[0063] 9(A) shows the timing when the guide 30 and the article holding unit 20 start to return to their initial states after reaching the maximum relative movement amount state, but the guide 30 is at the upstream restriction position P4. The guide 30 moves in a direction (downstream) away from the article holding unit 20, and the most downstream article XA1_b (including other article XA1) also moves downstream, but while the guide 30 is at the upstream restriction position P4, the most downstream article XA1_b is restricted from passing through the upstream path R1.

[0064] 9B shows a state in the middle of returning to the initial state, at the timing when the guide 30 has passed the upstream opening position P3 and the downstream opening position P2 and is at the downstream restricting position P1. At the timing when the guide 30 has reached the upstream opening position P3 and the downstream opening position P2, the most downstream article XA1_b has passed the upstream path R1 and entered the downstream path R2. The most downstream article XA1_b moves along the downstream path R2, but prior to this movement, the guide 30 has moved downstream towards the initial state, and the tip 30P is at the downstream restricting position P1. Although the most downstream article XA1_b is now able to enter the downstream path R2, its movement further downstream is restricted by the guide 30 which is at the downstream restricting position P1.

[0065] In this manner, in this embodiment, the angle β of inclination of the second path inclined surface 21E and the speed of relative movement between the guide 30 and the article holder 20 are set so that when returning to the initial state, the most downstream article XA1_b does not pass through the downstream path R2 and is discharged (so that the guide 30 reaches the downstream restriction position P1 before being discharged). Thereafter, the system returns to the initial state shown in Fig. 7(A) and the above operations are repeated in sequence.

[0066] 8(A) and 8(B), in this embodiment, the most downstream article XA1 (XA1_a) is discharged downstream when the guide 30 reaches the downstream open position P2 while the guide 30 and the article holder 20 are moving toward the maximum relative movement state. At this time, the immediately upstream article XA1 (XA1_b) of the most downstream article is restricted from passing through the upstream path R1 by the guide 30, so that only the most downstream article XA1 (XA1_a) can be reliably discharged.

[0067] In this manner, in this embodiment, the movement of the most downstream article XA1 to be discharged and the article XA1 upstream of it is controlled, specifically, the opening and restriction of the downstream path R2 and the upstream path R1 of the article XA1 are controlled by the guide 30 and the article holding unit 20. This ensures that the single most downstream article XA1 can be removed and discharged.

[0068] Here, the article holding section 20 has an inclined surface C, an inclined surface B, and an inclined surface A upstream of the first path inclined surface 21D. The step formed by the first path inclined surface 21D and the second path inclined surface 21E functions as a means (movement control means) for controlling the movement of the article XA1 together with the guide 30 as described above. The steps above these (steps formed by the inclined surfaces C, B, and A) do not function as a movement control means for the article XA1, but the article holding section 20 moves back and forth along the inclined bottom surface 11, so that the article XA1 accumulated in the article storage section 10 can be vibrated from near the bottom of the article. This allows the accumulation state of the article XA1 to be continuously changed, so that clogging (bridging) of the article XA1 can be prevented. Note that the first path inclined surface 21D and the second path inclined surface 21E also have the function of vibrating the article XA1 by the movement of the article holding section 20 when the article XA1 is accumulated above them.

[0069] Furthermore, the article holding section 20 of this embodiment has an inclined surface 21F at its downstream-most end. Since the second path inclined surface 21E and the inclined bottom surface 11 have different inclination angles (the angle of the inclined bottom surface 11 is larger than the angle β of the second path inclined surface 21E), this inclined surface 21F absorbs this difference in inclination angle, making it possible to support article XA1 discharged from the second path inclined surface 21E and send it to the article discharge section 50.

[0070] The position of the guide 30 (the amount of protrusion from the guide support portion 31) is adjustable. Specifically, in the above example, the guide support portion 31 is provided with a support shaft 33 (see FIG. 4) on its bottom side, and a long hole (not shown) that is long in the inclination direction of the guide 30 is provided at a predetermined position of the guide 30. The support shaft 33 is inserted into the long hole, and the tip (lower end) is fixed by fastening with a screw 32 or the like so that the guide 30 cannot move relative to the guide support portion 31.

[0071] In this embodiment, the clearance between the tip 30P of the guide 30 and the first path inclined surface 21D and the second path inclined surface 21E is important. When the diameter of the article XA1 changes, the protrusion amount of the guide 30 and the movable amount of the article holding unit 20 are adjusted, and the clearance and the movement trajectory M of the guide 30 are appropriately adjusted so that they change to satisfy the relationship shown in Fig. 6(C). In addition, the speed of the relative movement between the guide 30 and the article moving unit 20, the movement trajectory M of the guide 30, and the clearance are appropriately set so that only the most downstream article XA1 is discharged on the way to the maximum relative movement amount state, and further so that multiple articles XA1 are not discharged on the way back to the initial state.

[0072] Furthermore, the hopper device 100 of this embodiment has a tilting means 200 for tilting the inclined bottom surface 11 so that one side in the discharge width direction W is lower than the other side.

[0073] 1, the article storage section 10 is configured so that at least one side 12 (side 12C on one side in the discharge width direction W) can be opened. Opening the side 12C facilitates maintenance of the device, such as adjusting the positions of the guide 30 and the article holding section 20, and clearing any blockages that may occur due to clogging of the article XA1.

[0074] The length of the inclined bottom surface 11 in the discharge width direction W is longer than the length (total length) of the article XA1 in the longitudinal direction. In this embodiment, the article XA1 is a cylindrical case with a cap. For example, if the diameter of the cap is larger than the diameter of the cylindrical case, the length of the article holding section 20 and the guide 30 in the discharge width direction W can be made shorter than the total length of the cylindrical case with a cap, and both can be arranged close to the side surface 12A, and a gap can be provided between the side surface 12C and the article holding section 20. The gap is set to a width (length in the conveying width direction W) that allows the cap protruding from the cylindrical case to pass through, and the article XA1 is stored in the article storage section 10 with the cap side facing the side surface 12C. In this case, the "diameter of the article XA1" in the above description is the diameter of the cylindrical case. In other words, the article holding section 20 and the guide 30 are configured to hold and guide the cylindrical or columnar part of the article XA1.

[0075] Furthermore, article XA1 may be configured to include a cylindrical or columnar portion, and for example, the shape of the cap (planar shape as viewed from the axial direction of the cylindrical case) is not limited to a circle, but may be an ellipse or a polygon. In this case, too, the length of article holding part 20 and guide 30 in the discharge width direction W should be shorter than the overall length of the cylindrical case with cap, and a gap should be provided between side surface 12C and article holding part 20 to allow the cap to pass through, as described above. In other words, in this case too, article holding part 20 and guide 30 are configured to hold and guide the cylindrical or columnar portion of article XA1.

[0076] 2 and 3, the hopper device 100 has an article storage section 10 (inclined bottom surface 11 and article holding section 20) and guide 30 provided on a table 101. The table 101 is movable relative to a base 102 of the hopper device 100 by tilting means 200. The tilting means 200 has, for example, a screw jack 201, a guide member 202 having a long hole 202A, a lifting shaft 203, and a swinging shaft 204.

[0077] More specifically, the base 102 has two frames 104 extending in the first horizontal direction H1 and arranged opposite to each other in the discharge width direction W. One of the frames 104 is arranged below the openable side surface 12C. A lifting shaft 203 protruding in the longitudinal direction is provided at both longitudinal ends of one of the frames 104 (see FIG. 3). The lifting shaft 203 is inserted into a long hole 202A of a guide member 202 arranged at both longitudinal ends of one of the frames 104. A swing shaft 204 is inserted into the other frame 104. The screw jack 201 moves the inclined bottom surface 11 on the side surface 12C side up and down. The tilting means 200 is capable of tilting (swinging) the table 101 (inclined bottom surface 11) around the swing shaft 204 by vertical movement of the screw jack 201 so that one side (side surface 12C side) in the discharge width direction W is higher than the other side (side surface 12A side). As a result, for example, when the side surface 12C is opened while the article XA1 is stored, the tilting means 200 tilts the inclined bottom surface 11 so that one side (side surface 12C side) in the discharge width direction W is higher than the other side (side surface 12A side), thereby preventing the article XA1 from falling from the open portion.

[0078] The angles of the inclined surfaces 21A-21E of the article holding portion 20 are arbitrary as long as the angles of the inclined surfaces 21A, 21C, 21E of the tread surface are smaller than the angles of the inclined surfaces 21B, 21D, 21E of the risers. The angles of the inclined surfaces 21A-21E may be the same value or different values. The angles of the inclined surfaces 21B, 21D, 21E may be the same value or different values.

[0079] In the article holding portion 20, the inclined surfaces 21A and 21B may be omitted, and the number of steps may be two, or three or more.

[0080] In the above embodiment, the guide 30 is fixed and the article holding unit 20 is moved back and forth by the driving means 40, but the article holding unit 20 may be fixed and may have a driving means for moving the guide 30 back and forth in a direction parallel to the discharge direction T. In that case, it is preferable to provide a means for vibrating the article XA1 stored in the article storage unit 10 or a means for agitating the article XA1.

[0081] Additionally, both the guide 30 and the article holder 20 may be movable.

[0082] As described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit and technical concept of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0083] 10. Item Storage Section 12 Side 12, 12A~12D side 20 Article holding part 21 Step surface 21A~21F Slope 21D First route slope 21E Second route slope 30 Guide 30P tip 31 Guide support part 40 Driving means 50 Goods discharge section 100 Hopper device P1 Downstream restriction position P2 Downstream open position P3 Upstream open position P4 Upstream restriction position R1 Upstream route R2 downstream route XA1 Goods

Claims

1. An article storage section including an inclined bottom surface that slopes from the upstream side toward the downstream side and a side surface that surrounds the inclined bottom surface; An article holding portion provided on a portion of the inclined bottom surface and capable of holding a portion of an article including a cylindrical or columnar portion to be stored; A guide provided above the inclined bottom surface so as to face the article holding portion; a driving means for relatively reciprocating the guide and the article holding portion in a direction parallel to the inclined bottom surface; Equipped with The article holding portion has a step surface including a first surface along which the article moves and a second surface, The guide and the article holding portion are configured to restrict or allow movement of the article on the first surface and restrict or allow movement of the article on the second surface. A hopper device characterized by:

2. The tip of the guide and the second surface form an outlet for the article.

2. The hopper apparatus according to claim 1.

3. the first surface defines an upstream path for the article; the second surface defines a downstream path for the article; the tip portion moves along a trajectory including an upstream regulating position where it enters the upstream path, an upstream open position where it does not enter the upstream path, a downstream open position where it does not enter the downstream path, and a downstream regulating position where it enters the downstream path.

3. The hopper apparatus according to claim 2.

4. When the guide is in the downstream open position, one of the articles on the second surface can be discharged downstream.

4. The hopper apparatus according to claim 3.

5. When the guide is in the upstream regulating position, the article on the first surface is regulated from moving toward the second surface.

4. The hopper apparatus according to claim 3.

6. the first surface is an inclined surface that becomes lower at a first angle from the upstream to the downstream with respect to a horizontal plane; the second surface is an inclined surface that becomes lower at a second angle from the upstream to the downstream with respect to the horizontal plane.

2. The hopper apparatus according to claim 1.

7. the second angle is less than the first angle; 7. The hopper apparatus according to claim 6.

8. The article holding portion has a third surface upstream of the first surface.

2. The hopper apparatus according to claim 1.

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