Product processing system

Abstract

To provide a product processing system which enables improvement of accessibility to devices when conveyors lie near front surfaces of the devices.SOLUTION: A packaging system S includes: a first transport conveyor 10; and an upstream side packaging device 1A and a downstream side packaging device 1B which are provided arranged parallel to each other along a transport direction D1. A second conveyor 12 and a fourth conveyor 16 of conveyors of the first transport conveyor 10 are configured to rotate around a rotary shaft 12c and a rotary shaft 16c respectively. Rotation of the second conveyor 12 and the fourth conveyor 16 form first passages W1 which allow a worker to pass in a direction which crosses the transport direction D1.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a merchandise processing system. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a packaging device that carries weighed products in on a conveyor, raises the products in an internal elevator, pushes the products up against a film stretched above the elevator, and folds the protruding end of the film into the bottom of the product to complete the packaging. The device described in Patent Document 1 includes a stretch film packaging machine, a weighing label printer, an infeed conveyor, and a display and operation unit consisting of a keyboard and touch panel. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 9-183420 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the above-described device, an operator may replace film and labels, etc., in each of the stretch film wrapping machine and the weighing label printer. The operator may also operate a display / operation unit. In this type of device, products are typically loaded into the device from the front side. Therefore, when products are automatically loaded into the device using a loading conveyor, the loading conveyor is typically connected to the front side of the device. However, depending on the factory layout, the loading conveyor may be arranged parallel to the device, and when the product reaches the front side of the device, the transport direction of the product may be changed, for example, to a perpendicular direction to load the product into the device. In such cases, when an operator attempts to access the device from the front side, the loading conveyor lying next to the front side of the device may get in the way.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a product handling system that can improve accessibility to the device when the conveyor lies in front of the device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] (1) A product processing system according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a first conveying section for conveying products, at least two product processing devices arranged in parallel along the conveying direction of the first conveying section and performing predetermined processing on the products, and at least two supply sections provided in each of the product processing devices and supplying the products conveyed by the first conveying section to each of the product processing devices, wherein the first conveying section has a plurality of first conveyors connected in the conveying direction, and at least one of the first conveyors is configured to be rotatable around a rotation axis extending in a direction intersecting the conveying direction, and the rotation of the first conveyor forms a first passageway for workers to pass in a direction intersecting the conveying direction.

[0007] According to the product processing system of (1) above, when some work needs to be done on one of the product processing devices, the first conveyor is rotated to form a first access path. This allows a worker on the opposite side of the first conveyor from the product processing device to access the product processing device through the first access path. As a result, the worker can perform the desired work on the equipment or device installed in the product processing device. According to the product processing system of (1), even when the first conveyor is located directly in front of the product processing device, access to the equipment or device requiring some work can be improved. Workability is improved compared to conventional systems.

[0008] (2) The product processing system described in (1) above may further include a second conveying section arranged parallel to the first conveying section, which receives processed products discharged from each of the product processing devices and conveys them downstream. The second conveying section may have multiple second conveyors connected in the conveying direction, at least one of which may be configured to rotate around a pivot axis extending in a direction intersecting the conveying direction, and the rotation of the second conveyor may form a second passageway through which workers can pass in a direction intersecting the conveying direction. In this case, even in a system equipped with a second conveyor, workers can access the product processing devices through the first passageway and the second passageway. This maintains the aforementioned excellent accessibility.

[0009] (3) In the product processing system of (1) or (2) above, the passable area of the first passageway and the passable area of the second passageway may overlap at least partially in the conveying direction. In this case, there is no wasted space in the worker's passageway, and accessibility is further improved. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to improve accessibility to equipment or devices that require some kind of work, resulting in improved workability compared to conventional systems. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a packaging system according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the functional configuration of the control unit and each unit related to the control unit. [Figure 3] 3 is a perspective view showing a part of the upstream supply section and the first conveying section in the packaging system of FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 4] 4 is a perspective view showing the internal configuration of an accessory housing in the packaging system of FIG. [Figure 5] 5 is a perspective view of the first variable attitude conveyor in FIG. 1 as viewed obliquely from below. [Figure 6]6 is a perspective view showing a state in which the left and right conveyors of the first attitude adjustable conveyor of FIG. 5 are folded (rotated). [Figure 7] 7 is a perspective view of the second variable attitude conveyor in FIG. 1 as viewed obliquely from below. [Figure 8] 8 is a perspective view showing a state in which the second variable attitude conveyor of FIG. 7 is being rotated. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a state in which the first and second paths are formed by the rotation of the first and second variable attitude conveyors. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] A packaging system (product processing system) S according to one embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the description of the drawings, identical elements are given the same reference numerals, and duplicated explanations will be omitted. In the following description, the terms "upper" and "lower" correspond to the vertical direction as shown in FIG. 1, and the terms "upstream" and "downstream" refer to the upstream and downstream sides in the conveying direction D1 of the product P1. In addition, the upstream side of the conveying direction D1 in FIGS. 1 and 2 may be referred to as the left side, and the downstream side of the conveying direction D1 may be referred to as the right side.

[0013] First, the basic configuration of a packaging system S according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 3. A product (or item) P1 to be weighed and packaged in the packaging system S consists of, for example, a tray and food or the like placed or contained on the tray. The packaging system S is a device that weighs the product P1, packages the product P1, issues a printed label on which information about the product P1 is printed, and affixes the issued printed label to the top surface of the packaged product P1.

[0014] The packaging system S comprises a first transport conveyor (first transport section) 10, an upstream packaging device (product processing device) 1A and a downstream packaging device (product processing device) 1B arranged in one direction, a second transport conveyor (second transport section) 20, an infeed section 30, and a system controller (control section) 6A.

[0015] The first transport conveyor 10 sequentially transports (supplies) multiple products P1 in the above-mentioned one direction (hereinafter also referred to as the transport direction D1). The first transport conveyor 10 has a first conveyor 11, to which the products P1 are supplied, a second conveyor 12, a third conveyor 13, a fourth conveyor 16, a fifth conveyor 17, and a sixth conveyor 18. The first conveyor 11, the second conveyor 12, the third conveyor 13, the fourth conveyor 16, the fifth conveyor 17, and the sixth conveyor 18 are arranged in this order from upstream to downstream, and each has a well-known configuration as a belt conveyor. The transport surfaces of these conveyors are arranged on the same plane. Note that the number of conveyors constituting the first transport conveyor 10 is not limited to the above.

[0016] The upstream packaging device 1A and the downstream packaging device 1B are weighing, packaging, and pricing devices having, for example, substantially the same functions. Therefore, in the following explanation, the configuration of one of the packaging devices (for example, the upstream packaging device 1A) will be explained as a representative, and explanations of the configurations that overlap between both packaging devices may be omitted.

[0017] An upstream packaging device 1A and a downstream packaging device 1B (hereinafter also referred to as packaging devices 1A, 1B) are arranged side by side along the one direction (conveying direction D1). Each packaging device 1A, 1B includes a weighing unit 2, a packaging unit 3, a printing unit (label issuing unit) 4, an application unit (label application unit) 5, and a device controller 6. Each packaging device 1A, 1B is a weighing, packaging, and pricing device that performs weighing, packaging, and pricing processes (weighing, packaging, and pricing processes: predetermined processes) on products P1. The upstream packaging device 1A and the downstream packaging device 1B have, for example, the same processing capacity per unit time as weighing, packaging, and pricing devices.

[0018] The upstream packaging device 1A includes a main housing 41A and an upstream-side accessory housing 42A that houses the upper film roll 91 and other components. The downstream packaging device 1B includes a main housing 41B and a downstream-side accessory housing 42B that also houses the film roll 9B. Each packaging device 1A, 1B has an accessory housing 42A, 42B that houses the upper film roll 91, the lower film roll 92, and the switching and transferring device 93 (see FIG. 4 ) and is arranged outside the adjacent main housing 41A, 41B. More specifically, the upstream-side accessory housing 42A is arranged on the left side of the upstream main housing 41A, and the downstream-side accessory housing 42B is arranged on the left side of the downstream main housing 41B. Note that the mechanisms of each packaging device 1A, 1B have the same function and configuration, and therefore, in this specification, the modifiers "upstream" and "downstream" may be omitted for the "packaging device," "main housing," "accessory housing," and the "pusher" described below.

[0019] In each packaging device 1A, 1B, the weighing unit 2, packaging unit 3, and device controller 6 are mainly located inside the main housing 41A, 41B, while the printing unit 4 of the label printer and the label application unit 5 consisting of a label application machine are located above the packaging unit 3. Each packaging device 1A, 1B has a supply opening 43 at the front center of the main housing 41A, 41B for carrying products P1 into the device, and a discharge opening 44 at the top center of the front of the main housing 41A, 41B for discharging processed products P2 that have been packaged and labeled. In each packaging device 1A, 1B, the height of the supply opening 43 is approximately equal to the height of the conveying surface of the first transport conveyor 10, for example.

[0020] The weighing unit 2 is provided in the center of the front of the main housings 41A, 41B (at the supply port 43). The weighing unit 2 has a weighing platform (not shown) that weighs the mass of the product P1 when loaded by a load sensor such as a load cell, and a weighing conveyor 2a (see FIG. 3) that transports the product P1 placed on the weighing platform to the packaging unit 3. When the product P1 is placed on the weighing platform, the mass of the product P1 is measured by the load sensor, and when the measured value stabilizes, the weighing conveyor 2a is driven to transport the product P1 to the packaging unit 3. The transport direction of the product P1 by the weighing conveyor 2a is the same as the supply direction D2 by the upstream pusher (supply unit) 30A and downstream pusher (supply unit) 30B described below, which is, for example, the front-to-back direction in the figure.

[0021] The packaging unit 3 has a lift mechanism that lifts the product P1 received from the weighing unit 2 to the packaging position, a film roll support mechanism that supports the upper film roll 91 and lower film roll 92, etc. (see Figure 4), a film delivery mechanism that delivers the stretch film pulled out from the upper film roll 91 and lower film roll 92 to the packaging position, a folding mechanism that folds the stretch film lifted together with the product P1 by the lift mechanism onto the bottom side of the product P1 at the packaging position, and a sealing mechanism that heat-seals the overlapping portion of the folded film (all not shown).

[0022] The packaging section 3 of each packaging device 1A, 1B includes an upper film roll 91, a lower film roll 92, and a switching and transferring device 93 that selects one of the upper and lower film rolls and transfers it to the film feed mechanism, all of which are housed in accessory housings 42A, 42B. The upper film roll 91, the lower film roll 92, and the switching and transferring device 93 have their respective axes aligned along the supply direction D2. In the upstream packaging device 1A and the downstream packaging device 1B, the film is unwound from the upper film roll 91 and the lower film roll 92 in the conveying direction D1 (i.e., to the right).

[0023] The printing unit 4 issues a printed label by printing product information about the product P1 and store information about the store (for example, the store name and the price for that store) on a label fed from a label roll. The printing unit 4 issues a printed label based on the information about the product P1 displayed on the operation display units 7A and 7B. The label may be a liner-attached label, or a linerless label that is not affixed to a liner.

[0024] The application unit 5 receives the label issued by the printing unit 4 and applies it to the top surface of the packaged product P1. To this end, the application unit 5 has an application head that receives the printed label at a label issuing port and transports it above the packaged product P1 to apply the label. The processed product P2 to which the label has been applied by the printing unit 4 and application unit 5 is discharged from the discharge port 44 onto the second transport conveyor 20 by a push-out mechanism (not shown).

[0025] The device controller 6 is configured as a computer, and controls various operations in each of the packaging devices 1A, 1B by reading and executing stored programs. This computer is configured, for example, with a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and a RAM (Random Access Memory). The device controller 6 also controls various operations in the packaging system S. The control of the packaging system S by the device controller 6 will be described in detail later.

[0026] For example, operation display units 7A, 7B are attached to the right side of each main housing 41A, 41B. Each operation display unit 7A, 7B is configured as a touch panel on which various information necessary for operation can be set, such as the product call number, the operating speed of each packaging device 1A, 1B, the conveying speed of the first transport conveyor 10 (the amount processed per unit time), the packaging size of the product P1, etc. Each operation display unit 7A, 7B may also have physical buttons or the like for operation.

[0027] Each operation display unit 7A, 7B basically operates the corresponding packaging device 1A, 1B individually, but they are capable of wired or wireless communication, and from one of the operation display units 7A, 7B of the packaging devices 1A, 1B, it is possible to specify both packaging devices 1A, 1B, set their operating conditions, and start their operation simultaneously. In addition, various information set on the operation display unit 7A or operation display unit 7B is transmitted to the device controller 6 of the specified packaging device 1A, 1B.

[0028] Each packaging device 1A, 1B configured as described above lifts up products P1 supplied in the supply direction D2 to wrap them in film, and then sends the processed products P2 wrapped in film in the opposite direction (i.e., forward) D3 to the supply direction D2, where they are delivered to the second transport conveyor 20. In each packaging device 1A, 1B, the weighing unit 2 sequentially weighs multiple products P1, and the weighed products P1 are packaged and labeled in a predetermined cycle by the packaging unit 3, printing unit 4, and labeling unit 5. Therefore, in each packaging device 1A, 1B, the processing cycle from when one product P1 is supplied to the supply opening 43 to when the processed product P2 emerges from the discharge opening 44 is substantially the same.

[0029] The second transfer conveyor 20 receives the multiple processed products P2 discharged from each of the packaging devices 1A, 1B and transports them sequentially downstream. The second transfer conveyor 20 transports the processed products P2, for example, in the same (parallel) transport direction D1 as the first transfer conveyor 10. In other words, the second transfer conveyor 20 is arranged parallel to the first transfer conveyor 10. The second transfer conveyor 20 has a first conveyor 21 arranged in front of the upstream packaging device 1A, an intermediate conveyor 22 and a bridge conveyor 25 arranged downstream (to the right) of the first conveyor 21, a second conveyor 23 arranged in front of the downstream packaging device 1B, and a discharge conveyor 26 arranged downstream (to the right) of the first conveyor 21. The first conveyor 21, intermediate conveyor 22, transfer conveyor 25, second conveyor 23, and discharge conveyor 26 are arranged in this order from upstream to downstream (arranged in series), and each has a known configuration as a belt conveyor, thereby sequentially conveying multiple processed products P2 in the conveying direction D1. The conveying surfaces of these multiple conveyors are maintained on the same plane.

[0030] In each of the packaging devices 1A, 1B, the height of the discharge outlet 44 is, for example, approximately equal to the height of the conveying surface of the second transfer conveyor 20. The conveying surface of the second transfer conveyor 20 is higher than the conveying surface of the first transfer conveyor 10. Furthermore, the second transfer conveyor 20 is disposed at a different position from the first transfer conveyor 10 in a plan view. In other words, the second transfer conveyor 20 is disposed at a different level from the first transfer conveyor 10. More specifically, the second transfer conveyor 20 is parallel to the first transfer conveyor 10 in a plan view, and is disposed between the packaging device 1A, 1B and the first transfer conveyor 10 in the front-to-rear direction.

[0031] The feeding section 30 is provided in each packaging device 1A, 1B and feeds the products P1 conveyed by the first transfer conveyor 10 into each packaging device 1A, 1B. The feeding section 30 includes an upstream pusher 30A that feeds the products P1 conveyed by the first transfer conveyor 10 in the supply direction D2 (see FIG. 3) to supply them to the upstream packaging device 1A, and a downstream pusher 30B that feeds the products P1 conveyed by the first transfer conveyor 10 in the supply direction D2 to supply them to the downstream packaging device 1B. The upstream pusher 30A and the downstream pusher 30B are each covered by a cover C that can be opened and closed by an operator.

[0032] The upstream pusher 30A and the downstream pusher 30B (hereinafter also referred to as pushers 30A and 30B) are provided at the same height above the conveying surface of the first transfer conveyor 10. The pushers 30A and 30B are provided at a position higher than the conveying surface of the first transfer conveyor 10 and lower than the conveying surface of the second transfer conveyor 20. The direction in which the pushers 30A and 30B send out the products P1, i.e., the supply direction D2, is, for example, horizontal and perpendicular to the conveying direction D1.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 3 , the pusher 30A includes a base 31 fixed to the first transfer conveyor 10 or the main housing 41A, a guide 32 provided on the base 31 and extending in the front-rear direction, and a slide 33 movable in the front-rear direction along the guide 32 by a front-rear drive unit 36 including a motor or the like. The pusher 30A also includes an arm 34 fixed to the slide 33 and extending horizontally downstream (to the right), and an L-shaped pusher plate 38 provided at the tip of the arm 34 and movable in the up-down direction by an elevation drive unit 37 including a motor or the like. The pusher 30A is configured to be movable on two axes by the front-rear drive unit 36 and the elevation drive unit 37. The pusher plate 38 includes a first plate-shaped portion 38a extending in the left-right direction and a second plate-shaped portion 38b extending in the front-rear direction. The pusher plate 38 contacts the product P1 on the first conveyor 10 and pushes (pushes) the product P1 backward in the supply direction D2. The pusher plate 38 moves backward while lowered to its lowest position, transfers the product P1 onto the weighing conveyor 2a, and then rises to its highest position where it does not interfere with the product P1. The pusher plate 38 then moves forward while maintaining the level of the highest position, and then descends to its lowest position to wait for the next supply operation. In this way, the pusher plate 38 of the pusher 30A moves while tracing a rectangular trajectory in a vertical plane along the supply direction D2. The position of the pusher plate 38 relative to the lifting drive unit 37 in the left-right direction (conveying direction D1) can be adjusted by a position adjustment member 35 integrated with the first plate-shaped portion 38a. The position of the pusher plate 38 relative to the lifting drive unit 37 is adjusted appropriately depending on the size and shape of the product P1 and is fixed (positioned) at a predetermined position. The power supply unit 39 is connected to the slide unit 33 and supplies power to the lift drive unit 37 while following the movement of the slide unit 33 .

[0034] The downstream pusher 30B has, for example, the same configuration as the upstream pusher 30A.

[0035] The system controller 6A controls the two pushers 30A and 30B to supply each product P1 to one of the two packaging devices 1A and 1B. The system controller 6A is configured, for example, by a computer including a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc. The system controller 6A has an information acquisition unit 6B, a conveyor control unit 6C, and a pusher control unit 6D. The information acquisition unit 6B can detect the operating status (e.g., whether the packaging device 1A and 1B are operating or stopped) of each packaging device 1A and 1B. The conveyor control unit 6C controls the conveying speed of the first conveyor 10 based on the operating speed (throughput per unit time) set via the operation display units 7A and 7B. When either one of the packaging devices 1A and 1B is capable of packaging, the pusher control unit 6D drives the pusher 30A or 30B corresponding to the packaging device 1A or 1B that is capable of packaging. For example, if packaging device 1A is unable to package due to a stoppage or the like, but packaging device 1B is able to package, even if a sensor (not shown) detects the arrival of product P1, pusher 30A is not driven, allowing product P1 to pass, and the downstream pusher 30B is driven. In this way, the system controller 6A controls pushers 30A and 30B according to the operating status of packaging devices 1A and 1B. In this case, a higher priority may be set for one of packaging devices 1A or 1B, so that even if both packaging devices 1A and 1B are able to package, product P1 is preferentially supplied to the packaging device 1A or 1B with the higher priority.

[0036] As described above, in the packaging system S having two packaging devices 1A, 1B arranged adjacent to each other along the conveying direction D1 of the first conveyor 10, the products P1 conveyed by the first conveyor 10 are individually supplied to each packaging device 1A, 1B by the control of the pushers 30A, 30B. As a result, even if the first conveyor 10 conveys twice the amount of products P1 that can be processed by a single packaging device, the conveyed products P1 can be distributed and packaged by at least two packaging devices 1A, 1B. Therefore, there is no need to separate the weighing conveyor and labeler (applier) from the packaging device to increase the operating speed of the packaging device alone. Instead, the processing volume per line can be increased simply by arranging the packaging devices 1A, 1B as multi-function machines side by side along the first conveyor 10 (one line).

[0037] 1, the upstream packaging device 1A, auxiliary housing 42A, and operation display unit 7A have the same configuration as the downstream packaging device 1B, auxiliary housing 42B, and operation display unit 7B, but are separated from each other in the left-right direction (transport direction D1). In front of these devices and housings lies the second transport conveyor 20, and further in front of that lies the first transport conveyor 10.

[0038] In the second transfer conveyor 20, the above-mentioned multiple conveyors, i.e., the first conveyor 21, the intermediate conveyor 22, the bridge conveyor 25, the second conveyor 23, and the discharge conveyor 26, are connected in the conveying direction D1. These multiple conveyors correspond to the "second conveyor" described in the claims. The bridge conveyor 25 has a predetermined length and lies between the upstream packaging device 1A and the downstream packaging device 1B. In the first transfer conveyor 10, the first conveyor 11, the second conveyor 12, the third conveyor 13, the fourth conveyor 16, the fifth conveyor 17, and the sixth conveyor 18 are connected in the conveying direction D1. These multiple conveyors correspond to the "first conveyor" described in the claims. The second conveyor 12 lies in front of the auxiliary housing 42A, and the fourth conveyor 16 lies in front of the operation display unit 7A and the auxiliary housing 42B.

[0039] In the packaging system S, workers need to access the auxiliary housing 42A, the operation display unit 7A, the auxiliary housing 42B, etc. to replace films, replace labels, or perform operations and checks (hereinafter referred to as maintenance work). If multiple conveyors of the first transfer conveyor 10 and multiple conveyors of the second transfer conveyor 20 are lying down at that time, this will hinder the maintenance work.

[0040] 4, for example, as one element of the maintenance work, the accessory housing 42A has a housing main body 46 that houses upper and lower film rolls 91, 92 and a switching and delivery device 93 for the pulled-out film, and a sliding door 47 that can freely open and close a front opening 46a of the housing main body 46. The sliding door 47 is connected to the upper and lower sides of the housing main body 46 via sliding mechanisms 48 attached to the upper and lower sides, respectively, and is configured to be movable left and right (in the conveying direction D1) by an operator. This makes it possible to replace the upper and lower film rolls 91, 92, and to load the film pulled out from the upper and lower film rolls 91, 92 into the switching and delivery device 93.

[0041] In this embodiment, several mechanisms for improving accessibility are employed. These mechanisms will be described with reference to FIG. 5 and subsequent figures. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a first variable position conveyor 60 provided in the packaging system S, seen from diagonally below. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the first variable position conveyor 60 is incorporated into the first transfer conveyor 10. The first variable position conveyor 60 includes three of the multiple conveyors described above, namely, the second conveyor 12, the third conveyor 13, and the fourth conveyor 16. The first variable position conveyor 60 includes a base 61 placed on the floor surface to support the conveyors, a cylinder device 62 provided between the base 61 and the second conveyor 12, and a cylinder device 64 provided between the base 61 and the fourth conveyor 16.

[0042] A support plate 63 is provided at the center of the lower part of the base 61. An upper end 62a of the cylinder device 62 is rotatably connected to a rotation shaft (or horizontal shaft) 12a on the bottom side of the second conveyor 12, and a lower end 62b is rotatably connected to the support plate 63. An upper end 64a of the cylinder device 64 is rotatably connected to a rotation shaft (or horizontal shaft) 16a on the bottom side of the fourth conveyor 16, and a lower end 64b is rotatably connected to the support plate 63. When these rotate, the rotation axes all extend horizontally and in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction D1. In other words, these rotation axes are parallel to the supply direction D2.

[0043] In the first variable posture conveyor 60, a rod portion including an upper end 62a rotatably attached to a rotating shaft 12a at the bottom of the second conveyor 12 (see FIG. 5) extends and retracts with a cylinder body 62f, thereby rotating the second conveyor 12 around the rotating shaft 12c, thereby switching between the state shown in FIG. 5 and the state shown in FIG. 6. Similarly, a rod portion including an upper end 64a rotatably attached to a rotating shaft 16a at the bottom of the fourth conveyor 16 extends and retracts with a cylinder body 64f, thereby switching between the state shown in FIG. 5 and the state shown in FIG. 6. These cylinder devices 62, 64 can be extended and retracted by operating a switch (not shown). The fully extended state shown in FIG. 5 and the fully retracted state shown in FIG. 6 can be fixed by air pressure. The rotating shaft 12c of the second conveyor 12 and the rotating shaft 16c of the fourth conveyor 16 are shared with roller shafts around which the belts of the second conveyor 12 and the fourth conveyor 16 are wound. In the state in which the second conveyor 12 and the fourth conveyor 16 shown in FIG. 6 are folded, a space is formed on both the left and right sides of the first variable posture conveyor 60 to allow workers to pass through.

[0044] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the second variable position conveyor 70 provided in the packaging system S, seen from diagonally below. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 7, the second variable position conveyor 70 is incorporated into the second transport conveyor 20. The second variable position conveyor 70 includes one of the multiple second conveyors described above, namely, the transfer conveyor 25. The length of the transfer conveyor 25 in the transfer direction D1 is the longest among the multiple second conveyors. The second variable position conveyor 70 includes a base 71 placed on the floor, a platform 73 extending vertically and supporting the transfer conveyor 25 and the like in cooperation with the base 71, and a damper device 75 provided between the platform 73 and the transfer conveyor 25. A motor box 76 for driving the conveyor 25 is fixed to the underside of the transfer conveyor 25 , and a belt portion 77 is stretched between the motor box 76 and the rotation shaft 25 b of the transfer conveyor 25 .

[0045] The tip end 75a of the damper device 75 is rotatably connected to the side plate 25f of the transfer conveyor 25, and the base end 75b is rotatably connected to the upper end 73a of the base 73. Both of these rotation axes extend horizontally and perpendicular to the conveying direction D1. In other words, these rotation axes are parallel to the supply direction D2.

[0046] In the second variable posture conveyor 70, as shown in FIG. 8, when the hook 78 is tilted in the direction of the arrow, the lock is released and the transfer conveyor 25 rotates clockwise around the rotation axis 25c. At this time, the damper device 75 is activated to prevent the transfer conveyor 25 from rotating suddenly. Furthermore, when the left end of the jumped-up transfer conveyor 25 is pushed down, the hook 78 is activated to hold the transfer conveyor 25 in a horizontal position, and the magnet 79 attached to the left side of the upper end of the base part 73 comes into close contact with the bottom plate 79a of the transfer conveyor 25, functioning as a safety device in case the hook 78 is accidentally released. In this way, the transfer conveyor 25 (at least one conveyor), which is the second conveyor of the second transfer conveyor 20, is configured to be rotatable around the rotation axis 25c extending in a direction intersecting the conveying direction D1. The base portion 73 is formed with a notch 73e for receiving the motor box 76 when the transfer conveyor 25 is rotated approximately 90 degrees. When the transfer conveyor 25 is rotated approximately 90 degrees, a space large enough for workers to pass through is formed on the right side of the second variable posture conveyor 70.

[0047] According to the packaging system S, when some work needs to be done on the upstream packaging device 1A or the downstream packaging device 1B, the second conveyor 12 or the fourth conveyor 16 is rotated to form a first passage W1 (see FIG. 9 ). This allows a worker on the opposite side of the second conveyor 12 or the fourth conveyor 16 from the upstream packaging device 1A or the downstream packaging device 1B to access the upstream packaging device 1A or the downstream packaging device 1B, other housings, operation display units, etc., through the first passage W1. As a result, the worker can perform the desired work on the equipment or devices provided in the upstream packaging device 1A or the downstream packaging device 1B. According to the packaging system S, even when multiple first conveyors are located in front of the product processing device, access to the equipment or devices requiring some work can be improved. Compared to conventional systems, this system provides improved workability.

[0048] Furthermore, even in a system in which multiple second conveyors of the second transfer conveyor 20 are provided, an operator can access the upstream packaging device 1A or the downstream packaging device 1B through the first passage W1 and the second passage W2 (see FIG. 9). Therefore, the above-mentioned good accessibility is maintained.

[0049] Furthermore, the passable area of the first passage W1 and the passable area of the second passage W2 at least partially overlap in the conveying direction D1 (i.e., when viewed from the front), which eliminates wasted space in the worker's passage route and further improves accessibility.

[0050] Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. For example, the first transport conveyor 10 may have only one rotatable conveyor (first conveyor). The direction of the rotation axis of the rotatable first conveyor or second conveyor may be angled with respect to the conveying direction D1. Any configuration that allows workers to cross and enables access to the installation areas of the upstream packaging device 1A and the downstream packaging device 1B may be adopted. The passable area of the first passage W1 and the passable area of the second passage W2 do not have to overlap in a front view.

[0051] In the packaging system S of the above embodiment, an example was given in which two pushers 30A, 30B and two packaging devices 1A, 1B are arranged, but three or more pushers and three or more packaging devices may be provided.

[0052] In the packaging system S of the above embodiment, an example was given in which a weighing, packaging, and pricing device was used as the product processing device, but a product processing device having at least one of the functions of weighing, packaging, and pricing may also be used. In other words, the content of the product processing can be changed as appropriate. [Explanation of symbols]

[0053] 1A...upstream packaging device (product processing device), 1B...downstream packaging device (product processing device), 2...weighing section, 6...device controller, 10...first transport conveyor (first transport section), 20...second transport conveyor (second transport section), 30A...upstream pusher (supply section), 30B...downstream pusher (supply section), 12...second conveyor, 12c...rotating shaft, 16...fourth conveyor, 16c...rotating shaft, 60...first variable position conveyor, 70...second variable position conveyor, W1...first passage, W2...second passage, S...packaging system (product processing system).

Claims

1. a first conveying unit that conveys the product; at least two product processing devices arranged side by side along the conveying direction of the first conveying section and performing a predetermined process on the products; at least two supply units provided in each of the product processing devices, each supplying the products conveyed by the first conveying unit to each of the product processing devices; the first transport section has a plurality of first conveyors connected in the transport direction, A product processing system in which at least one of the first conveyors is configured to be rotatable around a rotation axis extending in a direction intersecting the conveying direction, and the rotation of the first conveyor forms a first passageway for workers to pass through in a direction intersecting the conveying direction.

2. a second conveying section disposed parallel to the first conveying section, for receiving the processed products discharged from each of the product processing devices and conveying them downstream; the second transport unit has a plurality of second conveyors connected in the transport direction, The product processing system described in claim 1, wherein at least one of the second conveyors is configured to be rotatable around a rotation axis extending in a direction intersecting the conveying direction, and the rotation of the second conveyor forms a second passageway for workers to pass through in a direction intersecting the conveying direction.

3. The product processing system according to claim 2 , wherein a passable area of the first passageway and a passable area of the second passageway at least partially overlap in the conveying direction.

Images