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 distribution device 3 which lifts up a case 10 storing articles and distributes the case 10; and a print part 4 which is provided in a movable range of the case 10 moved by the distribution device 3 and makes prints on the case 10. The distribution device 3 moves the lifted case 10 to the print part 4 and distributes the case 10 to one of two or more carry-out parts 7 or two or more storage parts 6 after prints are made on the case 10 by the print part 4.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

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 onto a storage unit such as a pallet by a transfer device such as a robot (palletizing).

[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. Specifically, when the egg case is, for example, cardboard, it is often printed on the narrow side (i.e., the side surface) with a small area. And when this egg case is conveyed by a conveyor, it is conveyed so that the narrow side is on the front side or the rear side in the traveling direction. If printing is to be performed on the narrow side of the egg case on the conveyor, a complicated mechanism is required. Note that this problem is not limited to egg cases, and the same problem also occurs in cases containing other multiple 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, prints on the case by the printing unit, and then transfers the case.

[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 the case. 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 with the case lifted by the transfer device. As a result, it is not necessary to track the printed case, and misselection due to disruption of the tracking can be prevented.

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

[0011] Further, the case processing device according to the present invention includes a distribution device that lifts and distributes a case containing a plurality of articles, and a printing unit provided within a movable range of the case by the distribution device for printing on the case. The distribution device moves the lifted case to the printing unit, causes the printing unit to print on the case, and then distributes the case to two or more unloading units or two or more storage units. With this case processing device, the distribution device can position the case in various postures with respect to the printing unit, and printing can be performed 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. Furthermore, printing can be performed while the egg case is being lifted and distributed, and printing and distribution can be continuously performed, improving the processing efficiency of the case.

[0012] Furthermore, the case processing device of the present invention further includes an inspection unit for inspecting the printing on the case by the printing unit. The distribution device moves the case printed by the printing unit to the inspection unit, causes the inspection unit to inspect the printing on the case, and then distributes the case to the two or more unloading units or the two or more storage units based on the inspection result of the inspection unit. With this configuration, printing, inspection, and distribution can be continuously performed while the distribution device holds the case lifted. As a result, it is not necessary to track the printed case, and misselection due to disrupted tracking can be prevented. Also, space can be saved compared to the case where mechanisms for printing, inspecting, and sorting the case are provided respectively. Further, since it is not necessary to stop the device when a defective (NG) case is detected, the operating rate can be improved.

Advantages of the Invention

[0013] According to the present invention configured as described above, printing can be performed on a desired surface of the case without using a complicated mechanism.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0014]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0015] 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. The same reference numerals are given to the same components, and the description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

[0016] <Configuration of Case Processing Apparatus 100> The case processing apparatus 100 of the present embodiment processes a case 10 that houses a plurality of articles. The case processing apparatus 100 shown below processes a case 10 that houses a plurality of egg containers that contain eggs as a plurality of articles. Here, the egg container may be made of resin such as plastic or paper. Further, the case 10 may be made of, for example, cardboard or resin such as plastic.

[0017] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, the case processing apparatus 100 includes a dispensing device (transfer device) 3 that lifts and distributes (transfers) the cases 10 supplied by the case supply unit 2, a printing unit 4 that prints on the cases 10, an inspection unit 5 that inspects the printing of the cases 10 by the printing unit 4, a storage unit 6 that stores the inspected cases 10, and a carry-out unit 7 that carries out the inspected cases 10.

[0018] The case supply unit 2 is constituted by, for example, a conveyor and is configured to be able to dispense the cases 10 one by one. Specifically, the case supply unit 2 has a positioning mechanism (not shown) that dispenses and positions the case 10 at a predetermined holding position held by the dispensing device 3. This positioning mechanism includes, for example, a guide rail provided on the transport conveyor to move the case 10 to one side of the transport conveyor, and a stopper unit provided at the downstream end of the transport conveyor to stop the case 10.

[0019] The dispensing device 3 lifts and distributes (transfers) the case 10 by gripping or adsorbing and holding the case 10. Specifically, the dispensing device 3 includes a holding unit 31 that holds the case 10 and a mechanism unit 32 such as an articulated robot or a two-axis or three-axis orthogonal robot that moves the holding unit 31. The holding unit 31 is provided with a chuck mechanism for gripping the case 10 or an adsorption mechanism for adsorbing the case 10.

[0020] Then, this dispensing device 3 moves the held and lifted case 10 to the printing unit 4. Further, the dispensing device 3 moves the case 10 printed by the printing unit 4 to the inspection unit 5. Furthermore, the dispensing device 3 moves and distributes the case 10 inspected by the inspection unit 5 to the storage unit 6 or the carry-out unit 7. Here, the dispensing 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. Other details of the operation of the dispensing device 3 will be described later.

[0021] 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 dispensing 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 dispensing device 3. Here, the printing unit 4 may print within the frame printed on the case 10, on the seal pasted on the case 10, or directly on the case without a printed frame. The printing unit 4 of the present 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 dispensing device 3 constant. Thereby, the printing quality by the printing unit 4 can be stabilized. Furthermore, the information printed by the printing unit 4 is, for example, the product name (such as "〇〇 eggs") of the egg container (eggs) stored in the case 10, the size (S, MS, M, etc.), the characters of "expiration date", the date (numbers) of the expiration date, or an identifier such as a barcode or QR code.

[0022] 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 dispensing device 3. The inspection unit 5 of the present embodiment includes an imaging camera 51 that images the side surface of the case 10, and an image processing unit 52 that processes 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 (dispensing operation) to the storage unit 6 and the carry-out unit 7 by the dispensing device 3.

[0023] The storage unit 6 is for storing the inspected cases 10 and has one or more pallets, racks, etc. Note that the storage unit 6 is provided within the movable range of the case 10 lifted by the distribution device 3. Here, the storage unit 6 stores any of the cases 10 determined as non-defective products, defective products, or sorted products as a result of the inspection by the inspection unit 5. The storage unit 6 of the present embodiment stores the cases 10 determined as non-defective 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.

[0024] 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 distribution device 3. Here, the unloading unit 7 unloads any of the cases 10 determined as non-defective 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 as defective products or sorted 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 unloading units 7 are provided according to the type of the case 10, and the cases 10 corresponding to the respective unloading units 7 are unloaded.

[0025] <Operation of the case processing device 100> Next, the operation of the case processing device 100 will be described.

[0026] Here, the operation of the case processing device 100 is controlled by the control device CTL. This control device CTL is composed of 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. Then, based on the program stored in the memory, the control device CTL controls each part of the case processing device 100 by the cooperation of the CPU and peripheral devices, and causes the case processing device 100 to perform operations such as sorting the cases 10. Note that instead of the control device CTL controlling the entire case processing device 100, control units corresponding to each part of the case processing device 100 may be provided to control each part.

[0027] The distribution device 3 holds and lifts the case 10 conveyed to a predetermined holding position of the case supply unit 2. Then, the distribution device 3 moves the held and lifted case 10 to the printing unit 4.

[0028] Here, the distribution device 3 moves the printing target surface or printing target area of the case 10 to the printing unit 4. Then, the distribution device 3 operates in cooperation with the printing operation of the printing unit 4 while holding the case 10 lifted.

[0029] Specifically, when the printing unit 4 does not have a moving mechanism for printing, the distribution device 3 relatively moves the held and lifted case 10 with respect to the printing unit 4, and causes the printing unit 4 to print on the case 10. Also, when the printing unit 4 has a moving mechanism for printing, the distribution device 3 fixes the held and lifted case 10 at a predetermined printable position with respect to the printing unit 4, and causes the printing unit 4 to print on the case 10. Here, the information to be printed by the printing unit 4 is registered in advance in the control device CTL or the printing unit 4. Specifically, a set of information to be printed is registered in association with a number (for example, a lot, etc.), and by the user selecting the number, the information to be printed is set.

[0030] After this printing, the dispensing device 3 moves the held and lifted case 10 to the inspection unit 5. Then, with the case 10 held and lifted, the dispensing device 3 operates in cooperation with the inspection operation of the inspection unit 5.

[0031] Specifically, when the inspection unit 5 inspects the stopped case 10, the dispensing device 3 fixes the held and lifted case 10 at a predetermined inspectable position with respect to the inspection unit 5, and the inspection unit 5 inspects the case 10. Also, when the inspection unit 5 inspects the moving case 10, the dispensing device 3 relatively moves the held and lifted case 10 with respect to the inspection unit 5, and the inspection unit 5 inspects the case 10.

[0032] Next, the dispensing device 3 sorts and distributes the cases 10 based on the inspection results by the inspection unit 5. The dispensing device 3 transfers and stores the cases 10 determined to be non-defective as a result of the inspection by the inspection unit 5 to the storage unit 6. Here, the stacking of the cases 10 in the storage unit 6 by the dispensing device 3 is performed, for example, so that the printing on the cases 10 is visible after stacking, i.e., facing outward. On the other hand, the dispensing device 3 distributes and carries out the cases 10 determined to be defective or sorted items as a result of the inspection by the inspection unit 5 to the carry-out unit 7.

[0033] <Effects of the present embodiment> According to the case processing device 100 of the present embodiment, the dispensing device 3 can place the case 10 in various postures with respect to the printing unit 4, and can print on the 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.

[0034] Also, by moving the case 10 lifted by the dispensing device 3 to the printing unit 4 and then directly to the inspection unit 5, the dispensing device 3 can continuously perform printing and inspection with the case 10 held and lifted. As a result, it is not necessary to track the printed cases 10, and misselection due to disrupted tracking can be prevented.

[0035] Furthermore, printing, inspection, and dispensing can be continuously performed while the dispensing device 3 holds the case 10 lifted. As a result, space can be saved compared to the case where mechanisms for printing, inspecting, and dispensing onto the case 10 are provided respectively. Furthermore, since it is not necessary to stop the device when a defect (NG) in the case 10 is detected, the operation rate can be improved.

[0036] <Modification Embodiment of the Present Invention> Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment.

[0037] 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 dispensing 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.

[0038] Also, as the storage unit 6 in the above-described embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, a configuration may be adopted that includes 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, the dispensing device 3 distributes and stores the case 10 in each of the storage units 6a and 6b based on the result of the inspection by the inspection unit 5.

[0039] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the configuration includes the storage unit 6. However, as shown in FIG. 4, the storage unit 6 may be used as the carry-out unit 7. In this case, the case processing apparatus 100 can be configured to have two or more carry-out units 7. For example, it can be configured to have a non-defective product carry-out unit 7a that carries out the case 10 determined to be a non-defective product, a defective product carry-out unit 7b that carries out the case 10 determined to be a defective product, and a sorted determination product carry-out unit 7c that carries out the case 10 determined to be a sorted determination product. Note that the defective product carry-out unit 7b and the sorted determination product carry-out unit 7c may be used in common as a shared carry-out unit.

[0040] In addition, as shown in FIG. 5, a case packer 8 may be provided upstream of the case supply unit 2. This case packer 8 is a device that houses egg containers in an egg case 10 such as cardboard, and may be provided for each egg size (for example, for S size, MS size, or M size, etc.).

[0041] This case packer 8 is controlled by the second control device 9, and information on the egg containers (eggs) stored in the egg case 10, timing information when the egg case 10 exits the case packer 8, etc. are transmitted from the second control device 9 to the control device CTL.

[0042] Based on the timing information transmitted from the second control device 9, the control device CTL tracks the egg case 10 that has exited the case packer 8. Then, when the tracked egg case 10 is lifted by the distribution device 3 and moved to the printing unit 4, based on the information on the egg containers (eggs) of the tracked egg case 10, the control device CTL controls the printing unit 4 to print the product name (such as "〇〇 eggs"), size (S, MS, M, etc.), the characters "expiration date", and the expiration date (numbers) on the egg case 10.

[0043] The control device CTL controls the distribution device 3 based on the information of the egg container (eggs) of the chased egg case 10 and distributes it to any one of two or more carry-out units 7. The two or more carry-out units 7 may be provided for each size (S, MS, M, etc.), or may be provided for each result of the inspection by the inspection unit 5 as shown in FIG. 4. In addition, one or more storage units 6 may be provided in place of or in addition to the carry-out unit 7 in FIG. 5.

[0044] The case processing device of the above embodiment has a configuration with an inspection unit, but may also have a configuration without an inspection unit. In this case, the distribution device 3 may be configured to transfer the case 10 printed by the printing unit 4 to two or more storage units 6 or two or more carry-out units 7.

[0045] The case processing device of the above embodiment processes the case 10 that stores a plurality of egg containers as a plurality of articles, but may also process a case that stores other articles.

[0046] 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

[0047] 100 ··· Case processing device 10 ··· Case 3 ··· Distribution device 4 ··· Printing unit 5 ··· Inspection unit 7 ··· Carry-out unit

Claims

1. A dispensing device that lifts and distributes a case containing a plurality of items; a printing unit that is provided within a movable range of the case by the dispensing device and prints on the case; The distribution device moves the lifted case to the printing unit, has the case printed by the printing unit, and then distributes the case to two or more discharge units or two or more storage units.

2. An inspection unit that inspects the printing on the case by the printing unit, 2. The case processing device of claim 1, wherein the distribution device moves the cases printed by the printing unit to the inspection unit, has the inspection unit inspect the printing on the cases, and then distributes the cases to the two or more output units or the two or more storage units based on the inspection results of the inspection unit.

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