Cup-shaped compact supply device and cup-shaped compact supply method

Abstract

To provide a cup-shaped compact supply device capable of easily taking out a plurality of laminated cup-shaped compacts piece by piece.SOLUTION: A cup-shaped compact supply device includes: a stocker for stocking a plurality of laminated cup-shaped compacts; a take-out opening part provided at the stocker in such a manner that the bottom surface of the cup-shaped compact stocked in the stocker can be seen; an adsorption part for adsorbing the bottom surface of the cup-shaped compact seen from the take-out opening part; a rotation part for rotating the adsorption part about an axis crossing the bottom surface of the cup-shaped compact after the adsorption part adsorbs the bottom surface; and a movement part for moving the adsorption part to the bottom surface of the cup-shaped compact when adsorbing the bottom surface, and for moving the adsorption part so as to move the cup-shaped compact taken out of the stocker after the rotation part rotates the adsorption part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a cup-shaped molded body supply device and a cup-shaped molded body supply method for supplying a cup-shaped molded body for sorting side dishes and the like in a lunch box container.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a film cup (cup-shaped molded body) for sorting side dishes and the like in a lunch box container is formed by stacking a plurality of film sheets between sheets of paper. In a lunch box manufacturing factory, a worker separates and takes out one film cup at a time from a large number of stacked film cups, fills the taken-out film cup with food ingredients, and places the film cup filled with food ingredients at a predetermined position in the lunch box container.

[0003] Patent Document 1 describes a suction device for aligning thin paper cups in which a suction head having a shape similar to the shape inside the thin paper cup is placed in the uppermost thin paper cup of a cup assembly in which a large number of thin paper cups are stacked, and the side portion of the thin paper cup is suctioned by the suction head through a suction path communicating with an annular suction groove provided around the side surface of the suction head to take out one thin paper cup.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, the film cup is formed such that the side surface of the film cup has a corrugated shape with a plurality of film sheets laminated. Therefore, since the outer edges of the film sheets stick to each other and the side surfaces of the film cups overlap with a corrugated shape, it was not easy for the operator to peel off and take out the film cups one by one with one hand.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a cup-shaped molded body supply device and a cup-shaped molded body supply method capable of easily taking out a plurality of laminated cup-shaped molded bodies one by one.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] The cup-shaped molded body supply device of the present invention is a cup-shaped molded body supply device for supplying a cup-shaped molded body, and includes a stocker for stocking a plurality of the laminated cup-shaped molded bodies, and an extraction opening provided in the stocker so that the bottom surface of the cup-shaped molded body stocked in the stocker can be seen, a suction part for sucking the bottom surface of the cup-shaped molded body visible from the extraction opening, a rotation part for rotating the suction part about an axis in a direction intersecting the bottom surface of the cup-shaped molded body after the suction part sucks the bottom surface of the cup-shaped molded body, and a moving part for moving the suction part to move the cup-shaped molded body taken out from the stocker after the rotation part rotates the suction part, when the suction part sucks the bottom surface of the cup-shaped molded body, moving the suction part to the bottom surface of the cup-shaped molded body.

[0008] Further, the cup-shaped molded body supply device of the present invention is characterized in that the extraction opening is arranged at the bottom of the stocker, and further includes a fall prevention part for preventing the cup-shaped molded bodies stocked in the stocker from falling from the stocker.

[0009] Further, the cup-shaped molded body supply device of the present invention is characterized by further comprising a slope for sliding the cup-shaped molded body taken out from the stocker and having the adsorption released by the adsorption portion to a cup delivery portion for delivering the cup-shaped molded body taken out from the stocker.

[0010] Further, the cup-shaped molded body supply device of the present invention is characterized by further comprising a blowing portion for blowing compressed gas onto the outer surface of the cup-shaped molded body toward a cup delivery portion for delivering the cup-shaped molded body taken out from the stocker.

[0011] Further, the cup-shaped molded body supply device of the present invention is characterized by further comprising a separator discharge portion for blowing compressed gas onto the outer surface of the separator sandwiched between the plurality of stacked cup-shaped molded bodies toward the outside of the cup delivery portion for delivering the cup-shaped molded body taken out from the stocker.

[0012] Further, the cup-shaped molded body supply device of the present invention is characterized by further comprising a detection portion for detecting that the cup-shaped molded body is adsorbed to the adsorption portion.

[0013] Further, when the moving portion of the cup-shaped molded body supply device of the present invention transitions from a state where the detection portion detects the adsorption of the cup-shaped molded body to a state where the detection portion does not detect the adsorption of the cup-shaped molded body, the adsorption portion moves in order for the adsorption portion to adsorb the next cup-shaped molded body.

[0014] Further, the cup-shaped molded body of the present invention is a resin cup, an aluminum cup, a paper cup, a cup formed of resin and aluminum, a cup formed of resin and paper, or a cup formed of aluminum and paper.

[0015] The cup-shaped molded body supply method of the present invention is a cup-shaped molded body supply method for supplying a cup-shaped molded body, including a step of moving a suction portion that suctions the bottom surface of the cup-shaped molded body to the bottom surface of the cup-shaped molded body visible from a take-out opening provided in a stocker that stocks a plurality of laminated cup-shaped molded bodies, a step of suctioning the bottom surface of the cup-shaped molded body by the suction portion, a step of rotating the suction portion about an axis in a direction intersecting the bottom surface of the cup-shaped molded body after suctioning the bottom surface of the cup-shaped molded body by the suction portion, and a step of moving the suction portion to move the cup-shaped molded body taken out from the stocker after rotating the suction portion.

[0016] Further, the cup-shaped molded body supply method of the present invention further includes a step of sliding the cup-shaped molded body taken out from the stocker and having the suction by the suction portion released to a cup delivery portion that delivers the cup-shaped molded body taken out from the stocker, using a slope.

[0017] Further, the cup-shaped molded body supply method of the present invention further includes a step of blowing compressed gas onto the outer surface of the cup-shaped molded body toward a cup delivery portion that delivers the cup-shaped molded body taken out from the stocker.

[0018] Further, the cup-shaped molded body supply method of the present invention further includes a step of blowing compressed gas onto the outer surface of the separator paper sandwiched between the plurality of laminated cup-shaped molded bodies toward the outside of a cup delivery portion that delivers the cup-shaped molded body taken out from the stocker.

[0019] Further, the cup-shaped molded body supply method of the present invention further includes a step of detecting that the cup-shaped molded body is suctioned by the suction portion.

[0020] Further, the method for supplying a cup-shaped molded body according to the present invention further includes a step of moving the suction part to suck the next cup-shaped molded body when transitioning from a state where the suction of the cup-shaped molded body is detected to a state where the suction of the cup-shaped molded body is not detected.

[0021] Further, the method for supplying a cup-shaped molded body according to the present invention is characterized in that the cup-shaped molded body is a resin cup, an aluminum cup, a paper cup, a cup formed of resin and aluminum, a cup formed of resin and paper, or a cup formed of aluminum and paper.

Advantages of the Invention

[0022] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a cup-shaped molded body supply device and a cup-shaped molded body supply method capable of easily taking out a plurality of stacked cup-shaped molded bodies one by one.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0023]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

Figure 14

Figure 15

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0024] Hereinafter, a film cup supply device according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. The film cup supply device according to this embodiment is a device for supplying a film cup as a cup-shaped molded body for sorting side dishes or the like in a bento container, for example. FIGS. 1 and 2 are diagrams showing the configuration of the film cup supply device according to this embodiment. In the following description, an XYZ orthogonal coordinate system shown in FIG. 1 is set, and the positional relationship and the like of each member will be described while referring to this orthogonal coordinate system. The X-axis is in the horizontal direction and is the direction in which compressed gas is blown from the spraying unit 14, the Y-axis is in the horizontal direction and is the direction in which compressed gas is blown from the paper separation discharge unit 22, and the Z-axis is set in the vertical direction.

[0025] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the film cup supply device 2 includes a stocker 6, a suction unit 8, a drive unit 10, a slope 12, a spraying unit 14, a paper separation discharge unit 22, and a cup delivery unit 24. The stocker 6 has a cylindrical shape and stocks a plurality of film cups 4 stacked in the Z direction and the paper 20 sandwiched between the stacked plurality of film cups 4 with the outer bottom surfaces of the film cups 4 and the paper 20 facing the -Z direction. In FIGS. 1, 2, 6-8, 10, and 11, for convenience of explanation, the stocker 6 is illustrated in a state where the inside of the stocker 6 can be visually recognized.

[0026] The film cup 4 is an inverted frustum-shaped cup formed by integrally molding a plurality of (10 in this embodiment) film sheets sandwiched between the bonding papers 20 with their side surfaces having a corrugated shape. Note that the bottom surface of the film cup may be other than circular, that is, polygonal or elliptical. Also, in this embodiment, the film cup 4, which is a thin and plastic resin cup made of resin, will be described as an example, but a resin cup other than the film cup 4 may also be used. Examples of the material of the resin cup include PET, PP (OPP), PBT, PE, or PS, etc., and a resin cup obtained by laminating these (such as OPP + PET, etc.) may also be used. Further, an aluminum cup made of aluminum, a paper cup made of paper, or a cup formed of silicon paper may also be used. Also, a cup formed of resin and aluminum, a cup formed of resin and paper, or a cup formed of aluminum and paper (for example, those laminated or those with one coated with the other) may also be used. Furthermore, a hard cup such as a paper cup or a resin cup, or a hard divided cup may also be used.

[0027] The stocker 6 includes a take-out opening 6a provided so that the bottom surface (outer bottom surface) of the film cup 4 stocked in the stocker 6 can be seen. The take-out opening 6a is disposed at the bottom (-Z direction side) of the stocker 6, and the film cups 4 stocked in the stocker 6 are taken out one by one from the take-out opening 6a. Also, the stocker 6 includes a fall prevention part 6b that protrudes horizontally inward of the stocker 6 from the bottom side part of the stocker 6. The fall prevention part 6b prevents the film cups 4 stocked in the stocker 6 from falling vertically downward (-Z direction) from the stocker 6.

[0028] The suction part 8 is arranged below (-Z direction side) the stocker 6. A suction source (not shown) is connected to the suction part 8. The suction part 8 sucks the outer bottom surface of the film cup 4 visible from the take-out opening 6a, that is, the film cup 4 located on the most -Z direction side, by the suction action of the suction source. Also, the suction part 8 is configured to be movable in the ±Z direction by the vertical movement mechanism 10a (see FIG. 3) of the drive part 10 and rotatable about the Z-axis direction by the rotation mechanism 10b (see FIG. 3) of the drive part 10. After the suction part 8 moves in the +Z direction and sucks the outer bottom surface of the film cup 4 visible from the take-out opening 6a, it rotates to separate the film cup 4 located on the most -Z direction side from the film cups 4 stacked in the stocker 6.

[0029] The slope 12 has an inclined surface that proceeds in the -X direction and descends in the -Z direction from below (-Z direction side) the stocker 6 to the cup delivery part 24, and slides the film cup 4 taken out from the stocker 6 and released from the suction by the suction part 8 to deliver it to the cup delivery part 24. An opening 12a is provided on the slope 12 for the suction part 8 to pass through when moving in the ±Z direction. The size of the opening 12a is larger than the size of the suction surface of the suction part 8 and smaller than the size of the bottom surface of the film cup 4. Therefore, when the suction part 8 moves in the -Z direction from above the slope 12 and passes through the opening 12a, the film cup 4 is placed on the slope 12.

[0030] The blowing part 14 is constituted by an injection mechanism that blows compressed gas against the outer surface of the film cup 4 toward the cup delivery part 24. The injection mechanism injects the compressed gas supplied from an air nozzle (not shown) in the -X direction and blows it against the outer surface on the +X direction side of the film cup 4 that has reached the slope 12. The blowing part 14 assists the film cup 4 to slide smoothly on the slope 12 by blowing compressed gas against the outer surface of the film cup 4.

[0031] The combined paper discharge unit 22 is constituted by an injection mechanism that blows compressed gas against the outer surface of the combined paper 20 sandwiched between a plurality of laminated film cups 4 toward the outside of the cup delivery unit 24. The injection mechanism injects the compressed gas supplied from an air nozzle (not shown) in the -Y direction and blows it against the outer surface on the +Y direction side of the combined paper 20 that has reached the slope 12. By blowing the compressed gas against the outer surface of the combined paper 20, the combined paper discharge unit 22 discharges the combined paper 20 outside the slope 12 so that the combined paper 20 does not slide on the slope 12. Note that the direction in which the compressed gas is blown is not limited to the -Y direction, and any direction may be used as long as the combined paper 20 does not slide on the slope 12 and does not reach the cup delivery unit 24. In FIGS. 1 and 6 - 8, the illustration of the combined paper discharge unit 22 is omitted. The cup delivery unit 24 delivers the film cup 4 taken out from the stocker 6 via the slope 12. In FIGS. 2, 10, and 11, the illustration of the cup delivery unit 24 is omitted.

[0032] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the system configuration of the film cup supply device 2 according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, the film cup supply device 2 includes a control unit 18 that comprehensively controls each part of the film cup supply device 2. The adsorption unit 8, the drive unit 10, the spraying unit 14, the combined paper discharge unit 22, and the detection unit 16 are connected to the control unit 18.

[0033] The drive unit 10 includes a vertical movement mechanism 10a that moves the suction unit 8 in the ±Z direction, and a rotation mechanism 10b that rotates the suction unit 8 about the Z-axis direction (the direction intersecting the bottom surface (XY plane) of the film cup 4) passing through the center of the suction unit 8. When the suction unit 8 sucks the outer bottom surface of the film cup 4, the vertical movement mechanism 10a moves the suction unit 8 upward from below the slope 12 to the outer bottom surface of the film cup 4 located above the slope 12 through the opening 12a of the slope 12 in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 18. Further, after the suction unit 8 sucks the outer bottom surface of the film cup 4, the rotation mechanism 10b rotates the suction unit 8 in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 18. Furthermore, after the rotation mechanism 10b rotates the suction unit 8, the vertical movement mechanism 10a moves the suction unit 8 downward from above the slope 12 in order to move the film cup 4 taken out from the stocker 6 in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 18. After the film cup 4 is placed on the slope 12, the suction unit 8 is further moved downward through the opening 12a of the slope 12 to below the slope 12.

[0034] The detection unit 16 is, for example, a known proximity sensor, and detects that the film cup 4 and the sheet 20 adsorbed by the suction unit 8 and taken out from the stocker 6 are adsorbed to the suction unit 8 by detecting the film cup 4 and the sheet 20. The detection unit 16 is not limited to a proximity sensor, and may be other means capable of detecting that the film cup 4 is adsorbed to the suction unit 8, for example, a pressure gauge that measures the suction force by the suction unit 8 or a camera that determines the presence or absence of the film cup 4 by photographing above the suction unit 8.

[0035] Next, with reference to the drawings, a film cup supply method for supplying the film cup 4 using the film cup supply device 2 according to this embodiment will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the process executed by the control unit 18 to supply the film cups 4 one by one from the stocker 6 to the cup delivery unit 24.

[0036] First, the control unit 18 obtains a detection result from a detection mechanism (not shown) for detecting whether the film cup 4 or the sheet combination 20 is located at the lowermost layer (the most -Z direction side) of the stocker 6 (step S9). Then, the control unit 18 determines whether the film cup 4 or the sheet combination 20 is located at the lowermost layer (the most -Z direction side) of the stocker 6 based on the detection result obtained in step S9 (step S10).

[0037] When the control unit 18 determines that the film cup 4 rather than the sheet combination 20 is located at the lowermost layer of the stocker 6 (step S10, Yes), it starts the process of taking out the film cup 4 from the stocker 6 (step S11). On the other hand, when the control unit 18 determines that the sheet combination 20 rather than the film cup 4 is located at the lowermost layer of the stocker 6 (step S10, No), it starts the process of taking out the sheet combination 20 from the stocker 6 (step S14).

[0038] FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the process in step S11 by the control unit 18, that is, the process of taking out the film cup 4 from the stocker 6.

[0039] The control unit 18 moves the suction part 8 upward to the outer bottom surface of the film cup 4 visible from the take - out opening 6a provided in the stocker 6 (step S20). FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the state where the suction part 8 is moved upward. The control unit 18 drives the vertical movement mechanism 10a of the drive unit 10 to pass the suction part 8 located below (-Z direction) the slope 12 through the opening 12a of the slope 12, and as shown in FIG. 6, raises the suction pad of the suction part 8 to a position where it contacts the outer bottom surface of the lowermost film cup 4.

[0040] Next, the control unit 18 causes the suction unit 8 to suck the outer bottom surface of the lowermost film cup 4 (step S21). Specifically, the control unit 18 instructs the suction unit 8 to start suction by the suction source of the suction unit 8, and the outer bottom surface of the lowermost film cup 4 is sucked by the suction action of the suction source of the suction unit 8. Then, after the control unit 18 sucks the outer bottom surface of the film cup 4 by the suction unit 8 in step S21, the control unit 18 rotates the suction unit 8 about the Z-axis passing through the center of the outer bottom surface of the film cup 4 (step S22). Specifically, the control unit 18 drives the rotation mechanism 10b of the drive unit 10 to rotate the suction unit 8 that sucks the outer bottom surface of the lowermost film cup 4 in order to peel the lowermost film cup 4, whose outer edges are stuck together and whose side surfaces overlap in a wavy shape, from the other film cups 4. When the suction unit 8 rotates, the lowermost film cup 4 sucked by the suction unit 8 also rotates, and the lowermost film cup 4 is peeled from the other film cups 4.

[0041] Next, after the control unit 18 rotates the suction unit 8 in step S22, the control unit 18 moves the suction unit 8 downward in order to move the lowermost film cup 4 peeled from the other film cups 4 and taken out from the stocker 6 downward (step S23). FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a state in which the suction unit 8 is moved downward. The control unit 18 starts to lower the suction unit 8 located above the slope 12 (+Z direction) by driving the vertical movement mechanism 10a of the drive unit 10. Further, after the control unit 18 starts to lower the suction unit 8, the control unit 18 determines whether or not the film cup 4 is sucked by the suction unit 8 (step S24). That is, when the control unit 18 acquires a detection signal indicating that the detection unit 16 detects the film cup 4 sucked by the suction unit 8 and taken out from the stocker 6, the control unit 18 determines that the film cup 4 is sucked by the suction unit 8 (step S24, Yes), and when no detection signal is transmitted from the detection unit 16, the control unit 18 determines that the film cup 4 is not sucked by the suction unit 8 (step S24, No).

[0042] The control unit 18 determines that the film cup 4 is adsorbed by the adsorption unit 8 (step S24, Yes). After the adsorption unit 8 descends to the opening 12a of the slope 12 or its vicinity, the control unit 18 instructs the adsorption unit 8 to release the suction by the suction source of the adsorption unit 8, and releases the adsorption of the outer bottom surface of the film cup 4 by the adsorption unit 8 (step S25). Then, the control unit 18 blows compressed gas onto the outer surface of the film cup 4 as shown in FIG. 7 simultaneously with or after the process of step S25 (step S26). Specifically, the control unit 18 instructs the blowing unit 14 to start injecting compressed gas by the injection mechanism of the blowing unit 14, and blows compressed gas onto the outer surface of the film cup 4 in the +X direction toward the cup delivery unit 24 by the injection mechanism so that the film cup 4 smoothly slides on the slope 12 and is smoothly delivered to the cup delivery unit 24. Then, the control unit 18 uses the slope 12 to slide the film cup 4 to the cup delivery unit 24, and slides the film cup 4 that has been taken out from the stocker 6 and whose adsorption by the adsorption unit 8 has been released. The film cup 4 whose adsorption by the adsorption unit 8 has been released is pushed in the -X direction by being blown with compressed gas, and slides down the slope 12 as shown in FIG. 8. Also, the control unit 18 passes the adsorption unit 8 through the opening 12a of the slope 12 and descends the adsorption unit 8 below the slope 12 as shown in FIG. 8.

[0043] On the other hand, when the control unit 18 determines that the film cup 4 is not adsorbed by the adsorption unit 8 (step S24, No), and determines that the film cup 4 is not stocked in the stocker 6, the control unit 18 stops the process of supplying the film cup 4. After that, when continuing the supply of the film cup 4, the stocker 6 is replenished with the film cup 4.

[0044] FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining the process in step S14 by the control unit 18, that is, the process of taking out the sheet paper 20 from the stocker 6. Note that the processes in steps S30 to S35 are the same as the processes for the film cup 4 in steps S20 to S25 shown in FIG. 5 when the processes for the sheet paper 20 are substituted, so the description is omitted.

[0045] After or simultaneously with the process of step S35, as shown in FIG. 10, the control unit 18 blows compressed gas onto the outer surface of the combined paper 20 (step S36). Specifically, the control unit 18 instructs the ejection mechanism of the combined paper discharge unit 22 to start ejecting compressed gas, and in order to prevent the combined paper 20 from sliding on the slope 12 and being delivered to the cup delivery unit 24, the ejection mechanism blows compressed gas onto the outer surface of the combined paper 20 in the +Y direction outside the cup delivery unit 24. The combined paper 20 whose adsorption by the adsorption unit 8 has been released is pushed in the -Y direction by the blown compressed gas and is discharged from the slope 12 to the outside of the slope 12, as shown in FIG. 11.

[0046] After executing the film cup taking-out process shown in step S11 of FIG. 4 or the combined paper discharge process shown in step S14 of FIG. 4, the control unit 18 returns to the process of step S9 of FIG. 4 and repeats the processes shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4.

[0047] According to the film cup supply device and the film cup supply method according to this embodiment, a plurality of stacked film cups 4 can be easily taken out one by one. In particular, since the rotation mechanism 10b is provided, the film cup 4 adsorbed by the adsorption unit 8 can be surely peeled off from other film cups 4, and the film cup 4 adsorbed by the adsorption unit 8 can be surely taken out. Further, since the spraying unit 14 is provided, the film cup 4 can be smoothly slid and surely delivered to the cup delivery unit 24. Further, since the combined paper discharge unit 22 is provided, the combined paper 20 sandwiched between the film cups 4 can be surely discharged outside the cup delivery unit 24 without being delivered to the cup delivery unit 24.

[0048] Instead of the film cup supply device 2 according to this embodiment, for example, the film cup supply device 30 shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 or the film cup supply device 40 shown in FIGS. 14 and 15 may be used. Note that the broken line portion in FIG. 14 shows the shape of the portions of the film cup 4 and the adsorption unit 8 that are not visible.

[0049] The film cup supply device 30 includes a stocker 32 instead of the stocker 6, drive units 34 and 36 instead of the drive unit 10, and a slope 38 instead of the slope 12. The stocker 32 has a bottomed cylindrical shape and is provided with a take-out opening 32a at the upper part, and stocks the film cups 4 and the backing sheets 20 with their outer bottom surfaces facing the +Z direction. In FIGS. 12 and 13, for the sake of convenience of explanation, the stocker 32 is illustrated in a state where the inside of the stocker 32 can be visually recognized. The drive unit 34 has a vertical movement mechanism and a rotation mechanism (not shown). The vertical movement mechanism lowers the suction unit 8 when sucking the film cups 4 and the backing sheets 20 by the suction unit 8, and raises the suction unit 8 when taking out the film cups 4 and the backing sheets 20 adsorbed by the suction unit 8 from the stocker 32. The drive unit 36 has a rotation mechanism (not shown), and as shown in FIG. 13, the rotation mechanism rotates the suction unit 8 about the Y-axis direction passing through the center of the drive unit 36, and places the film cup 4 adsorbed by the suction unit 8 on the slope 38. The film cup 4 slides on the slope 38 and is delivered to the cup delivery unit 24.

[0050] The film cup supply device 40 includes a stocker 6 similar to the film cup supply device 2, but the stocker 6 stocks the film cups 4 and the backing sheets 20 with their inner bottom surfaces facing the -Z direction. In FIGS. 14 and 15, for the sake of convenience of explanation, the stocker 6 is illustrated in a state where the inside of the stocker 6 can be visually recognized. Further, the film cup supply device 40 includes a drive unit 42, and the drive unit 42 has a rotation mechanism (not shown). As shown in FIG. 15, the rotation mechanism rotates the suction unit 8 about the Y-axis direction passing through the center of the drive unit 42, and places the film cup 4 adsorbed by the suction unit 8 on the slope 38. The film cup 4 slides on the slope 38 and is delivered to the cup delivery unit 24.

[0051] Incidentally, the detection mechanism according to the above-described embodiment is, for example, a reflection type sensor or a transmission type sensor. The control unit 18 determines whether the film cup 4 or the backing sheet 20 is located in the lowermost layer of the stocker 6 based on the difference between the reflectance or transmittance of the film cup 4 and the reflectance or transmittance of the backing sheet 20. Further, the detection mechanism may be, for example, a camera (monochrome or color). The control unit 18 determines whether the film cup 4 or the backing sheet 20 is located in the lowermost layer of the stocker 6 based on the difference between the brightness (or hue, saturation, and brightness) of the film cup 4 and the brightness (or hue, saturation, and brightness) of the backing sheet 20. Further, the detection mechanism may be, for example, a pressure sensor. In this case, the control unit 18 executes the processes of steps S9 and S10 shown in FIG. 4 after the suction unit 8 sucks the film cup 4 or the backing sheet 20 in the lowermost layer of the stocker 6, that is, after step S21 (step S31 shown in FIG. 9) shown in FIG. 5 or together with the process of step S24 (step S34 shown in FIG. 9) shown in FIG. 5. The control unit 18 acquires the detection result of the suction pressure of the suction 8 from the pressure sensor, and determines whether the film cup 4 or the backing sheet 20 is located in the lowermost layer of the stocker 6 based on the difference between the suction pressure of the film cup 4 and the suction pressure of the backing sheet 20.

[0052] Also, in the above-described embodiment, the suction of the film cup 4 adsorbed by the suction unit 8 is released on the slope 20, and the film cup 4 is delivered to the cup delivery unit 24 by sliding on the slope 20. However, instead of the slope 20, the worker may receive the film cup 4 adsorbed by the suction unit 8 and taken out from the stocker 6 and deliver it to the cup delivery unit 24. In this case, when the detection unit 16 transitions from the state of detecting the suction of the film cup 4 to the state of not detecting the suction of the film cup 4, the control unit 18 drives the drive unit 10 to start the vertical movement etc. of the suction unit 8 in order for the suction unit 8 to suck the next film cup 4.

[0053] Incidentally, as the suction source according to the above-described embodiment, a vacuum pump or an ejector can be used.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0054] 2, 30, 40... film cup supply device, 4... film cup, 6, 32... stocker, 6a, 32a... extraction opening, 6b... fall prevention part, 8... suction part, 10, 34, 36... drive part, 12, 38... slope, 12a... opening, 14... spraying part, 16... detection part, 18... control part, 20... paper combining part, 22... paper combining discharge part, 24... cup delivery part.

Claims

1. A cup-shaped molded body supply device for supplying cup-shaped molded bodies, a stocker for stocking a plurality of stacked cup-shaped molded bodies, a take-out opening provided in the stocker so that the bottom surface of the cup-shaped molded body stocked in the stocker can be seen, a suction part for sucking the bottom surface of the cup-shaped molded body visible from the take-out opening, a rotating part for rotating the suction part about an axis in a direction intersecting the bottom surface of the cup-shaped molded body after the suction part sucks the bottom surface of the cup-shaped molded body, a moving part for moving the suction part to move the cup-shaped molded body taken out from the stocker after the suction part moves to the bottom surface of the cup-shaped molded body when the suction part sucks the bottom surface of the cup-shaped molded body and the rotating part rotates the suction part, A cup-shaped molded body supply device comprising:

2. The take-out opening is arranged at the bottom of the stocker, The cup-shaped molded body supply device according to claim 1, further comprising a fall prevention part for preventing the cup-shaped molded body stocked in the stocker from falling from the stocker.

3. The cup-shaped molded body supply device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a slope for sliding the cup-shaped molded body taken out from the stocker and released from suction by the suction part to a cup delivery part for delivering the cup-shaped molded body taken out from the stocker.

4. The cup-shaped molded body supply device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a blowing part for blowing compressed gas against the outer surface of the cup-shaped molded body toward a cup delivery part for delivering the cup-shaped molded body taken out from the stocker.

5. The cup-shaped molded body supply device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a separator discharge unit that blows compressed gas onto the outer surface of the separator sandwiched between the plurality of stacked cup-shaped molded bodies, toward the cup transfer unit that transfers the cup-shaped molded body taken out from the stocker.

6. The cup-shaped molded body supply device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a detection unit that detects that the cup-shaped molded body is adsorbed to the adsorption unit.

7. The cup-shaped molded body supply device according to claim 6, wherein when the moving unit transitions from a state where the detection unit detects adsorption of the cup-shaped molded body to a state where the detection unit does not detect adsorption of the cup-shaped molded body, the adsorption unit moves the adsorption unit to adsorb the next cup-shaped molded body.

8. The cup-shaped molded body according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the cup-shaped molded body is a resin cup, an aluminum cup, a paper cup, a cup formed of resin and aluminum, a cup formed of resin and paper, or a cup formed of aluminum and paper.

9. A cup-shaped molded body supply method for supplying a cup-shaped molded body, comprising: moving an adsorption unit that adsorbs the bottom surface of the cup-shaped molded body to the bottom surface of the cup-shaped molded body visible from the take-out opening provided in a stocker that stocks a plurality of stacked cup-shaped molded bodies; adsorbing the bottom surface of the cup-shaped molded body by the adsorption unit; after adsorbing the bottom surface of the cup-shaped molded body by the adsorption unit, rotating the adsorption unit about an axis in a direction intersecting the bottom surface of the cup-shaped molded body; after rotating the adsorption unit, moving the adsorption unit to move the cup-shaped molded body taken out from the stocker; A cup-shaped molded body supply method including the above steps.

10. The method for supplying a cup-shaped molded body according to claim 9, further comprising a step of sliding the cup-shaped molded body removed from the stocker and having the adsorption released by the adsorption unit to a cup delivery unit that delivers the cup-shaped molded body removed from the stocker using a slope.

11. The method for supplying a cup-shaped molded body according to claim 9 or 10, further comprising a step of blowing compressed gas onto the outer surface of the cup-shaped molded body toward a cup delivery unit that delivers the cup-shaped molded body removed from the stocker.

12. The method for supplying a cup-shaped molded body according to claim 9 or 10, further comprising a step of blowing compressed gas onto the outer surface of the interleaving paper sandwiched between the plurality of stacked cup-shaped molded bodies toward the outside of a cup delivery unit that delivers the cup-shaped molded body removed from the stocker.

13. The method for supplying a cup-shaped molded body according to claim 9 or 10, further comprising a step of detecting that the cup-shaped molded body is adsorbed by the adsorption unit.

14. The method for supplying a cup-shaped molded body according to claim 13, further comprising a step of moving the adsorption unit for the adsorption unit to adsorb the next cup-shaped molded body when transitioning from a state of detecting the adsorption of the cup-shaped molded body to a state of not detecting the adsorption of the cup-shaped molded body.

15. The cup-shaped molded body in the method for supplying a cup-shaped molded body according to claim 9 or 10 is a resin cup, an aluminum cup, a paper cup, a cup formed of resin and aluminum, a cup formed of resin and paper, or a cup formed of aluminum and paper.

Images