Case processing device

Abstract

To make prints on a desired surface of a case without using a complicated mechanism.SOLUTION: A case processing device includes: a transfer device 3 which lifts up a case 10 storing articles to transfer the case 10; and a print part 4 which makes prints on the case 10. The print part 4 is fixed to a predetermined position. The transfer device 3 moves the lifted case 10 to the print part 4 and transfers the case 10 after prints are made on the case 10 by the print part 4.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a case processing apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in a packed egg production system as shown in Patent Document 1, the produced packed eggs are stored in an egg case such as cardboard, and in order to temporarily store the egg case, it is loaded (palletizing) onto a storage unit such as a pallet by a transfer device such as a robot.

[0003] And in the conventional packed egg production system, while the egg case is being conveyed by a conveyor, information such as the information of the packed eggs is printed on the egg case on the conveyor by a printing device.

[0004] However, since printing is performed on the egg case being conveyed on the conveyor, a complicated mechanism is required depending on which surface of the egg case is printed. Note that this problem occurs not only in egg cases but also in cases storing a plurality of other articles.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object thereof is to print on a desired surface of a case without using a complicated mechanism.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] That is, the case processing apparatus according to the present invention includes a transfer device that lifts and transfers a case containing a plurality of articles, and a printing unit that prints on the case. The printing unit is fixed at a predetermined position, and the transfer device moves the held case to the printing unit, and after printing the case by the printing unit, transfers it.

[0008] With this case processing apparatus, the transfer device can place the case in various postures with respect to the printing unit, and can print on a desired surface of the case without using a complicated mechanism. Further, since the printing unit can be fixed, printing defects are less likely to occur even when using liquid ink.

[0009] The case processing apparatus of the present invention further includes an inspection unit that inspects the printing of the case by the printing unit. It is desirable that the transfer device moves the case printed by the printing unit to the inspection unit and then transfers it. With this configuration, the case lifted by the transfer device is moved to the printing unit, and then directly moved to the inspection unit, so that printing and inspection can be continuously performed while the transfer device holds the case. As a result, it is not necessary to track the printed case, and misselection due to disrupted tracking can be prevented.

[0010] It is desirable that the transfer device sorts and transfers the case based on the inspection result of the inspection unit. With this configuration, printing, inspection, and sorting can be continuously performed while the transfer device holds the case. As a result, space can be saved compared to the case where mechanisms for printing, inspecting, and sorting the case are provided separately. Further, since it is not necessary to stop the apparatus when a defective (NG) case is detected, the operating rate can be improved.

Effect of the Invention

[0011] According to the present invention configured as described above, it is possible to print on a desired surface of the case without using a complicated mechanism.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0012]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0013] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a case processing apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that, for the sake of clarity, all the figures shown below are schematically drawn with appropriate omissions or exaggerations. For the same components, the same reference numerals are given and the description is omitted as appropriate.

[0014] <Configuration of Case Processing Apparatus 100> The case processing apparatus 100 of the present embodiment processes a case 10 containing a plurality of articles. The case processing apparatus 100 shown below processes a case 10 containing a plurality of egg containers that accommodate eggs as a plurality of articles. Here, the egg container may be made of resin such as plastic or may be made of paper. Further, the case 10 may be made of, for example, cardboard or may be made of resin such as plastic.

[0015] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, the case processing apparatus 100 includes a transfer device 3 that lifts and transfers the case 10 supplied by the case supply unit 2, a printing unit 4 that prints on the case 10, an inspection unit 5 that inspects the printing of the case 10 by the printing unit 4, a storage unit 6 that stores the inspected case 10, and a carry-out unit 7 that carries out the inspected case 10.

[0016] The case supply unit 2 is constituted by, for example, a conveyor and is configured to be able to supply the cases 10 one by one in small quantities. Specifically, the case supply unit 2 has a positioning mechanism (not shown) that supplies and positions the case 10 at a predetermined holding position held by the transfer device 3. This positioning mechanism has, for example, a guide rail provided on the transport conveyor to move the case 10 closer to one side of the transport conveyor, and a stopper portion provided at the downstream end of the transport conveyor to stop the case 10.

[0017] The transfer device 3 lifts and transfers the case 10 by gripping or adsorbing and holding the case 10. Specifically, the transfer device 3 has a holding portion 31 that holds the case 10 and a mechanism portion 32 such as an articulated robot or a 2-axis or 3-axis orthogonal robot that moves the holding portion 31. The holding portion 31 is provided with a chuck mechanism for gripping the case 10 or an adsorption mechanism for adsorbing the case 10.

[0018] Then, this transfer device 3 moves the held and lifted case 10 to the printing unit 4. Further, the transfer device 3 moves the case 10 printed by the printing unit 4 to the inspection unit 5. Furthermore, the transfer device 3 moves the case 10 inspected by the inspection unit 5 to the storage unit 6 or the carry-out unit 7. Here, the transfer device 3 continuously moves the case 10 to the printing unit 4, the inspection unit 5, and the storage unit 6 (or the carry-out unit 7) while holding and lifting the case 10. The detailed operations of the transfer device 3 will be described later.

[0019] The printing unit 4 is fixedly provided at a predetermined position. Specifically, the printing unit 4 is fixedly provided within the movable range of the case 10 lifted by the transfer device 3. This printing unit 4 prints on the printing target surface or printing target area of the case 10 held and lifted by the transfer device 3. The printing unit 4 of this embodiment can be configured using, for example, an inkjet printer. Further, the printing unit 4 is provided with a mechanism such as a spacer for keeping the distance from the printing target surface of the case 10 held and lifted by the transfer device 3 constant. Thereby, the printing quality by the printing unit 4 can be stabilized.

[0020] The inspection unit 5 inspects the printing on the case 10 printed by the printing unit 4. Note that the inspection unit 5 is provided within the movable range of the case 10 lifted by the transfer device 3. The inspection unit 5 of this embodiment includes an imaging camera 51 that images the side surface of the case 10, and an image processing unit 52 that performs image processing on the captured image obtained by the imaging camera 51 to inspect the state or content of the printing. In addition, the inspection unit 5 can also inspect the overall state of the case 10. For example, the inspection unit 5 can also inspect the type, distortion, damage, packaging state, or seal state of the case 10. The inspection result by this inspection unit 5 is used for the sorting operation to the storage unit 6 and the unloading unit 7 by the transfer device 3.

[0021] The storage unit 6 stores the inspected cases 10 and has one or more pallets or racks, etc. Note that the storage unit 6 is provided within the movable range of the case 10 lifted by the transfer device 3. Here, the storage unit 6 stores any of the cases 10 determined to be good products, defective products, or sorted products as a result of the inspection by the inspection unit 5. The storage unit 6 of this embodiment stores the cases 10 determined to be good products as a result of the inspection by the inspection unit 5. Further, when the type of the case 10 is inspected by the inspection unit 5, a plurality of storage units 6 are provided according to the type of the case 10, and the cases 10 corresponding to the respective storage units 6 are stored.

[0022] The unloading unit 7 unloads the inspected cases 10 and has one or more rows of conveyors. Note that a part of the unloading unit 7 is provided within the movable range of the case 10 lifted by the transfer device 3. Here, the unloading unit 7 unloads any of the cases 10 determined to be good products, defective products, or sorted products as a result of the inspection by the inspection unit 5. The unloading unit 7 of the present embodiment unloads the cases 10 determined to be defective products or sorted products as a result of the inspection by the inspection unit 5.

[0023] <Operation of the case processing device 100> Next, the operation of the case processing device 100 will be described.

[0024] Here, the operation of the case processing device 100 is controlled by the control device CTL. This control device CTL is constituted by a computer having a CPU, a memory, an input / output interface, an AD converter, a display device such as a display, an input device, a communication device, etc. And the control device CTL controls each part of the case processing device 100 based on the program stored in the memory, and causes the CPU and peripheral devices to cooperate to perform the sorting operation of the case 10 in the case processing device 100. Note that the control device CTL may not be configured to control the entire case processing device 100, but a control unit may be provided corresponding to each part of the case processing device 100 to control each part.

[0025] The transfer device 3 holds and lifts the case 10 conveyed to a predetermined holding position of the case supply unit 2. Then, the transfer device 3 moves the held and lifted case 10 to the printing unit 4.

[0026] Here, the transfer device 3 moves the printing target surface or printing target area of the case 10 to the printing unit 4. And the transfer device 3 operates in cooperation with the printing operation of the printing unit 4 while holding the case 10 lifted.

[0027] Specifically, when the printing unit 4 does not have a moving mechanism for printing, the transfer device 3 moves the held and lifted case 10 relative to the printing unit 4, and causes the printing unit 4 to print on the case 10. Further, when the printing unit 4 has a moving mechanism for printing, the transfer device 3 fixes the held and lifted case 10 at a predetermined printable position relative to the printing unit 4, and causes the printing unit 4 to print on the case 10.

[0028] After this printing, the transfer device 3 moves the held and lifted case 10 to the inspection unit 5. Then, the transfer device 3 operates in cooperation with the inspection operation of the inspection unit 5 while holding the case 10 lifted.

[0029] Specifically, when the inspection unit 5 inspects the stopped case 10, the transfer device 3 fixes the held and lifted case 10 at a predetermined inspectable position relative to the inspection unit 5, and causes the inspection unit 5 to inspect the case 10. Further, when the inspection unit 5 inspects the moving case 10, the transfer device 3 moves the held and lifted case 10 relative to the inspection unit 5, and causes the inspection unit 5 to inspect the case 10.

[0030] Next, the transfer device 3 sorts the cases 10 based on the inspection results by the inspection unit 5. The transfer device 3 transfers and stores the cases 10 determined to be non-defective as a result of the inspection by the inspection unit 5 in the storage unit 6. Here, the stacking of the cases 10 in the storage unit 6 by the transfer device 3 is performed, for example, so that the printing on the cases 10 is visible after stacking, that is, facing outward. On the other hand, the transfer device 3 transfers and carries out the cases 10 determined to be defective or sorted products as a result of the inspection by the inspection unit 5 to the carry-out unit 7.

[0031] <Effect of this Embodiment> According to the case processing device 100 of this embodiment, the transfer device 3 can place the case 10 in various postures relative to the printing unit 4, and can print on a desired surface of the case 10 without using a complicated mechanism. Further, since the printing unit 4 can be fixed, printing defects are less likely to occur even when using liquid ink.

[0032] Further, the case 10 lifted by the transfer device 3 is moved to the printing unit 4, and then directly moved to the inspection unit 5, so that printing and inspection can be continuously performed with the transfer device 3 lifting the case 10. As a result, it is not necessary to chase the printed case 10, and misselection due to disrupted chasing can be prevented.

[0033] Furthermore, printing, inspection, and sorting can be continuously performed with the transfer device 3 lifting the case 10. As a result, space can be saved compared to the case where mechanisms for printing, inspecting, and sorting the case 10 are provided separately. Further, since it is not necessary to stop the device when a defect (NG) of the case 10 is detected, the operating rate can be improved.

[0034] <Modification Embodiment of the Present Invention> Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment.

[0035] For example, in the above-described embodiment, the case supply unit 2 and the carry-out unit 7 are provided separately, but as shown in FIG. 2, the case supply unit 2 and the carry-out unit 7 may be configured by a continuous conveyance unit 20. In this case, the transfer device 3 is provided in the middle of the conveyance unit 20, holds the case 10 conveyed by the conveyance unit 20, and moves it to the printing unit 4 and the inspection unit 5 to perform printing and inspection. Then, as a result of the inspection, for example, the case 10 determined to be a defective product can be returned to the conveyance unit 20 again and carried out. In this case, it is conceivable to provide a movable stopper 20a for stopping the case 10 at a predetermined holding position in the conveyance unit 20.

[0036] Also, as the storage unit 6 in the above-described embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, it may have a configuration including a storage unit 6a for storing the case 10 determined to be a non-defective product and a storage unit 6b for storing the case 10 determined to be a defective product or a sorted product. In this case, the carry-out unit 7 in the above-described embodiment can be omitted. Then, based on the result of the inspection by the inspection unit 5, the transfer device 3 transfers and stores the case 10 in the respective storage units 6a and 6b.

[0037] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the configuration includes the storage unit 6. However, as shown in FIG. 4, the storage unit 6 may be used as the unloading unit 7. In this case, the unloading unit 7 may be configured to include a non-defective product unloading unit 7a for unloading the case 10 determined to be a non-defective product, a defective product unloading unit 7b for unloading the case 10 determined to be a defective product, and a sorted determination product unloading unit 7c for unloading the case 10 determined to be a sorted determination product. Note that the defective product unloading unit 7b and the sorted determination product unloading unit 7c may be used in common as a shared unloading unit.

[0038] The case processing apparatus of the above embodiment is configured to include an inspection unit, but may also be configured without an inspection unit. In this case, the transfer device 3 may be configured to transfer the case 10 printed by the printing unit 4 to the storage unit 6 or the unloading unit 7.

[0039] The case processing apparatus of the above embodiment is configured to process the case 10 that stores a plurality of egg containers as a plurality of articles, but may also be configured to process a case that stores other articles.

[0040] Needless to say, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit thereof.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0041] 100 ··· Case processing apparatus 10 ··· Case 3 ··· Transfer device 4 ··· Printing unit 5 ··· Inspection unit

Claims

1. A transfer device that lifts and transfers a case containing a plurality of items; A printing unit that prints on the case, The printing unit is fixed at a predetermined position, The transfer device moves the lifted case to the printing unit, and the printing unit prints on the case before transferring the case.

2. An inspection unit that inspects the printing on the case by the printing unit, The case processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the transfer device moves the case on which the printing unit has printed to the inspection unit and then transfers the case.

3. The case processing apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the transfer device sorts and transfers the cases based on the inspection results of the inspection section.

Images