Absorber feeder

Abstract

To provide an absorber feeder contributing to improvement of work efficiency.SOLUTION: According to an absorber feeder of the present invention, the absorber feeder for feeding an absorber to a tray comprises an absorber rack for storing the sheet-like absorber, a take-out unit for taking out the absorber inside the absorber rack one by one, and a takeover-feeding unit for feeding a takeover absorber to the tray by taking over the absorber taken out by the take-out unit. As the take-out unit, usable is a unit comprising: for example, a take-out machine for taking out the absorber inside the absorber rack one by one; and a take-out machine conveying body for moving the take-out machine in which the absorber is held, to a take-over position of taking over the absorber to the takeover-feeding unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an absorbent body supplying device that supplies an absorbent body such as a drip sheet to a tray. [Background technology]

[0002] In retail stores such as supermarkets, fresh fish, meat, sashimi, etc. (hereinafter referred to as "fresh foods" in this application) are sold in trays.

[0003] A drip sheet (absorbent) is placed under the fresh food in the tray to absorb liquids such as drips that come from the fresh food.

[0004] Conventionally, a device has been proposed for automatically placing absorbent material into a tray, in which a rolled sheet material (absorbent material) is cut to a predetermined length, and the cut sheet material is transported by a sheet transport section and placed into a container body (tray) (Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-171813 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The device has a drawback in that it requires a time-consuming process to insert the sheet material into the container body because the device includes a process of cutting the sheet material, and there is room for improvement in this respect.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an absorbent body supplying device that contributes to improving work efficiency. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The absorbent body supplying device of the present invention is an absorbent body supplying device that supplies absorbent bodies to a tray, and includes an absorbent body rack that stores sheet-like absorbent bodies, a take-out unit that takes out the absorbent bodies one by one from the absorbent body rack, and a take-over supplying unit that takes over the absorbent bodies taken out by the take-out unit and supplies the taken-over absorbent bodies to a tray. In this application, sheet-like means that the absorbent bodies are in a flat, unrolled shape.

[0009] The removal unit can be equipped with a removal machine that removes absorbents one by one from the absorbent rack, and a removal machine transport body that moves the removal machine holding the absorbents to a transfer position where the absorbents are transferred to the transfer supply unit.

[0010] The extractor may include a first clamping tool and a second clamping tool that cooperate to clamp the absorbent body, and an actuator that moves the first clamping tool and the second clamping tool toward and away from each other.

[0011] A push-up tool for pushing up the absorbent body held by the first and second clamping tools can be connected to the first and second clamping tools.

[0012] The absorbent supply device of the present invention is equipped with a detection sensor that detects that part of the absorbent is hanging outside the absorbent rack, and an air sprayer that sprays air onto the absorbent hanging outside the absorbent rack, and when the detection sensor detects that part of the absorbent is hanging outside the absorbent rack, air is sprayed onto the absorbent from the air sprayer.

[0013] The takeover supply unit may also be equipped with a takeover machine that takes over the absorbent body from the take-out machine of the take-out unit, and a take-over machine transport body that moves the take-over machine to a supply position where the taken-over absorbent body is supplied to a tray.

[0014] The transfer machine may be equipped with a transfer mechanism and a push-down mechanism. In this case, the transfer mechanism may be equipped with a receiving arm that transfers the absorber from the take-out machine, and the push-down mechanism may be equipped with a push-down body that opens and closes the receiving arm.

[0015] The press-down mechanism may be equipped with a press-down body base, in which case the press-down body base may be provided with a drop guide for guiding the absorber into the tray. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] In the present invention, a sheet-like absorbent material is used that does not require cutting, and there is no need to cut the absorbent material in the process of supplying the absorbent material to the tray, which can improve work efficiency accordingly. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of an absorbent body supplying device. [Figure 2] FIG. 1A is a perspective view showing an example of a take-out unit, and FIG. 1B is a front view of FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of a take-out device of the take-out unit. [Figure 4] 10(a) and 10(b) are explanatory diagrams of the operation of the removal clamping device. [Figure 5] 10(a) and 10(b) are explanatory diagrams illustrating the operation of the lifting bar of the removal clamping device. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an example of an extractor conveyor. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an example of a takeover supply unit. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an example of a takeover device of a takeover supply unit. [Figure 9] (a) is a front view showing an example of a handover machine, and (b) is a plan view of (a). [Figure 10] (a)(b) is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the receiving arm of the transfer machine. [Figure 11](a) is an explanatory diagram of the state in which the absorbent body is sagging, and (b) is an explanatory diagram of the state in which air is sprayed onto the sagging absorbent body. [Figure 12] 10(a) to 10(c) are explanatory diagrams of the operation when removing an absorbent from an absorbent rack. [Figure 13] 10(a) to 10(c) are explanatory diagrams of the operation of the take-out unit. [Figure 14] 10(a) to 10(c) are explanatory diagrams of the operation of the take-out unit. [Figure 15] 10(a) and 10(b) are explanatory diagrams of the operation of the takeover supply unit. [Figure 16] 10(a) and 10(b) are explanatory diagrams of the operation of the takeover supply unit. [Figure 17] 10(a) and 10(b) are explanatory diagrams of the operation of the takeover supply unit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] (Embodiment) An example of an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Here, a case where a sheet-shaped drip sheet (absorbent) S that does not need to be cut is supplied to a thin plate-shaped tray T for holding fresh food will be described as an example. In the following description, the terms front, back, left, right, and top and bottom are based on the conveyance direction of the tray T.

[0019] <Overall structure> As an example, the absorbent supply device shown in Figure 1 includes an absorbent rack 10 that stores stacked sheet-shaped absorbents S, a take-out unit 20 that takes out the absorbents S in the absorbent rack 10 one by one, and a take-over supply unit 30 that takes over the absorbents taken out by the take-out unit 20 and supplies them to a tray T.

[0020] The absorber rack 10 is provided at the upper front side of the housing H arranged side by side with the tray transport body C, the take-out unit 20 is provided inside the housing H, and the handover supply unit 30 is provided at a position straddling the upper rear side of the housing H and the tray transport body C.

[0021] An opening is provided on the top surface of the housing H, and a take-out unit 20 provided in the housing H can take out the absorbent S at the bottom of the absorbent rack 10 and transfer the taken-out absorbent S to a take-over supply unit 30.

[0022] In this embodiment, the trays T are transported in three rows arranged side by side, but the number of trays T arranged side by side may be more or less than three.

[0023] <1. Absorbent rack> First, we will explain the absorber rack 10. In this embodiment, the absorber rack 10 has a space 12 for storing absorbers S (hereinafter referred to as "storage space") formed by a plurality of vertically elongated standing members 11, such as T-shaped or L-shaped ones.

[0024] In this embodiment, an example is given in which six storage spaces 12 for storing absorbents S are formed, but the number of storage spaces 12 can be determined depending on the number of lines of the tray conveyor C, the number of absorbents S to be supplied at one time, etc., and may be more or less than six.

[0025] Each storage space 12 is open at the top and bottom, so that the absorbent body S can be added through the upper opening and removed from the lower opening. A support piece 13 (see Figures 12(a) to (c)) that supports the absorbent body S in the storage space 12 protrudes from the periphery of the lower opening.

[0026] Although not shown in the figures, the absorber rack 10 is provided with an absorber remaining amount detection sensor that detects the remaining amount of absorber S in the storage space 12, and an alarm sounds when this absorber remaining amount detection sensor stops responding. An existing photoelectric sensor or the like can be used as the absorber remaining amount detection sensor.

[0027] <2. Removal unit> Next, we will explain the take-out unit 20. As shown in Figures 2(a) and (b), the take-out unit 20 of this embodiment includes a take-out machine 21 that takes out absorbents S one by one from the absorbent rack 10, and a take-out machine transport body 24 that moves the take-out machine 21 holding the absorbent S within a predetermined range.

[0028] 2-1.Removal machine The take-out machine 21 is a mechanism that takes out the absorbers S one by one from the lower opening in the absorber rack 10. As shown in Figures 3 and 4(a) and (b), the take-out machine 21 of this embodiment includes a base part 210, a take-out clamping tool 220, a first front-rear cylinder 230, and a second front-rear cylinder 231.

[0029] The base portion 210 is a member on which the components constituting the extractor 21, such as the extraction clamp 220, the first front-rear cylinder 230, and the second front-rear cylinder 231, are mounted. The base portion 210 of this embodiment includes a flat base bottom plate 210a, a base front plate 210b erected in front of the base bottom plate 210a, and a base back plate 210c erected on the rear side of the base bottom plate 210a.

[0030] Between and parallel to the base front plate 210b and the base back plate 210c are provided four frames 211. For ease of explanation, the four frames 211 may be referred to below as a first front frame 211a, a first rear frame 211b, a second front frame 211c, and a second rear frame 211d.

[0031] A first front-rear cylinder 230 is provided on the outer surface of the base front plate 210b. The first front-rear cylinder 230 passes through the base front plate 210b and is fixed to the first front frame 211a.

[0032] Two first connecting rods 232 are connected to the first front frame 211a, spaced apart in the width direction of the first front frame 211a. Both first connecting rods 232 pass through the first rear frame 211b, and their tips are connected to the second front frame 211c.

[0033] Similarly, a second front-rear cylinder 231 is provided on the outer surface of the base back plate 210c. The second front-rear cylinder 231 passes through the base back plate 210c and is fixed to the second rear frame 211d.

[0034] Two second connecting rods 233 are connected to the second rear frame 211d at a distance in the width direction of the second rear frame 211d. Both second connecting rods 233 pass through the second front frame 211c, and their tips are connected to the first rear frame 211b.

[0035] Therefore, as shown in Figures 4(a) and (b), when the first front-rear cylinder 230 extends (becomes longer), the first front-side frame 211a and the second front-side frame 211c move in the extension direction of the first front-rear cylinder 230, and when the first front-rear cylinder 230 contracts (shortens), the first front-side frame 211a and the second front-side frame 211c move in the contraction direction of the first front-rear cylinder 230.

[0036] Similarly, when the second front-rear cylinder 231 extends, the second rear frame 211d and the first rear frame 211b move in the extension direction of the second front-rear cylinder 231, and when the second front-rear cylinder 231 contracts, the second rear frame 211d and the first rear frame 211b move in the contraction direction of the second front-rear cylinder 231.

[0037] Two guide bars 234 are installed between the front base plate 210b and the back base plate 210c at a distance in the longitudinal direction of the front base plate 210b and the back base plate 210c. Each guide bar 234 passes through the front base plate 210b, the back base plate 210c, and the four frames 211 and is fixed to both the front base plate 210b and the back base plate 210c. The number of guide bars 234 may be more or less than two.

[0038] The removal clamping tool 220 is a member that clamps and removes the absorbents S one by one from the absorbent rack 10. The removal clamping tool 220 of this embodiment includes a front clamping tool 221 and a rear clamping tool 222 (FIGS. 4(a) and (b)) that cooperate to clamp the absorbent S.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 3, the front clamping tool 221 includes a pair of end members (hereinafter referred to as "front end members") 221a arranged opposite each other with a gap between them, and a connecting shaft (hereinafter referred to as "front connecting shaft") 221b installed between the two front end members 221a.

[0040] Each front end member 221a includes a fixed member (hereinafter referred to as "front fixed member") 221c and a rotating member (hereinafter referred to as "front rotating member") 221d rotatably connected to the front fixed member 221c.

[0041] The two front end members 221a are connected by a front connecting shaft 221b. Specifically, the overlapping portion of the front fixed member 221c and the front rotating member 221d that constitute the left front end member 221a and the overlapping portion of the front fixed member 221c and the front rotating member 221d that constitute the right front end member 221a are connected by the long rod-shaped front connecting shaft 221b.

[0042] The front connecting shaft 221b is provided with a gripping tool (hereinafter referred to as "front gripping tool") 221e that comes into contact with the absorbent body S and removes the absorbent body S. The front gripping tool 221e can be made of a material with high gripping strength, such as a rubber roller or a resin roller, or a roller with protrusions on its surface.

[0043] In this application, "grip" means to catch an object, and "gripping the absorbent body S" means to catch (grab) the absorbent body S by utilizing the frictional force acting between the absorbent body S and the object.

[0044] In this embodiment, three front gripping devices 221e are provided so that three absorbents S can be taken out at a time with one removal clamping device 220. The number and installation locations of the front gripping devices 221e can be determined in consideration of the number and arrangement of the absorbent racks 10 and can be set accordingly.

[0045] Like the front clamping tool 221, the rear clamping tool 222 also has a pair of end members (hereinafter referred to as "rear end members") 222a arranged opposite each other, and a connecting shaft (hereinafter referred to as "rear connecting shaft") 222b installed between the two rear end members 222a.

[0046] Each rear end member 222a includes a fixed member (hereinafter referred to as a "rear fixed member") 222c and a rotating member (hereinafter referred to as a "rear rotating member") 222d rotatably connected to the rear fixed member 222c.

[0047] The front rotating member 221d and the rear rotating member 222d are rotatably connected by a fastener. A thin rod-shaped push-up tool (hereinafter referred to as a "push-up bar") 223 is installed between the opposing front rotating members 221d.

[0048] The push-up bar 223 is a member that, when the absorbent body S is released from clamping by the front clamping device 221 and the rear clamping device 222 and handed over to the handover machine 31, pushes up the center of the absorbent body S, as shown in Figures 5(a) and (b), and hands over the absorbent body S to the handover machine 31 in an unbent, spread-out state.

[0049] The two rear end members 222a are connected by a rear connecting shaft 222b. Specifically, the overlapping portion of the rear fixed member 222c and the rear rotating member 222d constituting the left rear end member 222a and the overlapping portion of the rear fixed member 222c and the rear rotating member 222d constituting the right rear end member 222a are connected by the long rod-shaped rear connecting shaft 222b.

[0050] The rear connecting shaft 222b is provided with a gripping tool (hereinafter referred to as the "rear gripping tool") 222e that comes into contact with the absorbent body S and removes the absorbent body S. The rear gripping tool 222e may be made of a material with high gripping strength, such as a rubber roller or a resin roller, or may be a roller with protrusions on its surface.

[0051] In this embodiment, three rear gripping devices 222e are provided so that absorbers S can be removed from each absorber rack 10. The number and installation locations of the rear gripping devices 222e may be determined in consideration of the number and arrangement of the absorber racks 10 and provided accordingly.

[0052] In this embodiment, two sets of removal clamps 220 are provided, each including a front clamp 221 and a rear clamp 222. One removal clamp (hereinafter referred to as the "first removal clamp") 220A removes absorbents S from the three absorbent racks 10 in the front row, and the other removal clamp (hereinafter referred to as the "second removal clamp") 220B removes absorbents S from the three absorbent racks 10 in the rear row.

[0053] The front clamp 221 of the first removal clamp 220A is fixed to the first front frame 211a, the front clamp 221 of the second removal clamp 220B is fixed to the second front frame 211c, the rear clamp 222 of the first removal clamp 220A is fixed to the first rear frame 211b, and the rear clamp 222 of the second removal clamp 220B is fixed to the second rear frame 211d.

[0054] As described above, the first front-rear cylinder 230 is connected to the first front side frame 211a, and the first front side frame 211a is connected to the second front side frame 211c. Therefore, as the first front-rear cylinder 230 extends and retracts, the front side clamping device 221 connected to the first front side frame 211a and the front side clamping device 221 connected to the second front side frame 211c move in the extension and retraction direction of the first front-rear cylinder 230 (Figures 4(a)(b)).

[0055] Conversely, the second front-rear cylinder 231 is connected to the second rear frame 211d, and the second rear frame 211d is connected to the first rear frame 211b. Therefore, as the second front-rear cylinder 231 extends and retracts, the rear clamping device 222 connected to the second rear frame 211d and the rear clamping device 222 connected to the first rear frame 211b move in the extension and retraction direction of the second front-rear cylinder 231 (Figures 4(a)(b)).

[0056] In this way, the first front-rear cylinder 230 and the second front-rear cylinder 231 function as actuators for moving the front clamping tool 221 (first clamping tool) and the rear clamping tool 222 (second clamping tool) toward and away from each other.

[0057] As in this embodiment, by operating the same mechanism simultaneously, i.e., by operating the two front clamping tools 221 simultaneously with the first front-rear cylinder 230 and the two rear clamping tools 222 simultaneously with the second front-rear cylinder 231, the cycle time can be shortened.

[0058] 2-2.Removal machine carrier The take-out machine conveying body 24 is a mechanism that moves the take-out machine 21 holding (clamping) the absorbent body S horizontally and vertically between a take-out position below the absorbent body rack 10 and a handover position where the absorbent body S is handed over to the handover machine 31.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 6, the extractor conveyor 24 of this embodiment includes a base pedestal 240, a linear actuator 241, and a vertically movable cylinder 242.

[0060] The base pedestal 240 is a member on which a linear actuator 241 is mounted. In this embodiment, the base pedestal 240 has a horizontally rectangular shape in a plan view, and has a first support wall 240a standing on one end in the longitudinal direction and a second support wall 240b standing on the other end.

[0061] A linear actuator 241 is provided between the first support wall 240a and the second support wall 240b. The linear actuator 241 includes a guide portion 241a and a slider 241b.

[0062] Linear guides 243 are provided between the first support wall 240a and the second support wall 240b and on both outer sides of the linear actuator 241. Each linear guide 243 includes a guide rail 243a and a bearing block 243b.

[0063] The ejector 21 is fixed to the upper surface side of the slider 241b and both bearing blocks 243b, and is adapted to move in the same direction as the slider 241b and both bearing blocks 243b move.

[0064] A vertically movable cylinder 242 is fixed to the rear side of the base pedestal 240, and the take-out machine 21 can be moved up and down by the operation of the vertically movable cylinder 242. A vertical guide 244 is provided on the side of the vertically movable cylinder 242 to prevent lateral shaking or tilting during lifting and lowering.

[0065] <3. Transfer supply unit> Next, we will explain the takeover supply unit 30. As shown in Fig. 7, the takeover supply unit 30 of this embodiment includes a takeover machine 31 that takes over the absorbent body S from the take-out machine 21 of the take-out unit 20, and a take-over machine transport body 35 that moves the take-over machine 31 within a predetermined range.

[0066] 3-1.Transfer machine The transfer machine 31 is a mechanism that transfers the absorbent body S removed by the take-out machine 21 of the take-out unit 20 from the take-out machine 21. As shown in FIG. 8, the transfer machine 31 of this embodiment includes a transfer machine base 310, a transfer mechanism 320, and a push-down mechanism 330.

[0067] The takeover machine base 310 is a member on which a takeover mechanism 320 is mounted. The takeover machine base 310 in this embodiment is flat, and has an upright bracket 311 on the upper surface thereof for mounting the takeover mechanism 320.

[0068] In this embodiment, the upright brackets 311 include a first outer bracket 311a and a second outer bracket 311b provided on both widthwise outer sides of the transfer machine base 310, and three middle brackets (a first middle bracket 311c, a second middle bracket 311d, and a third middle bracket 311e) provided between the first outer bracket 311a and the second outer bracket 311b (Figure 9(b)).

[0069] The takeover mechanism 320 is a mechanism that takes over the absorbent body S from the take-out machine 21 and supplies it to the tray T. As shown in Figures 10(a) and 10(b), the takeover mechanism 320 of this embodiment includes a receiving arm 322 that is rotatably supported on the upright bracket 311 by a support shaft member 321, a block 323 attached to the receiving arm 322, a roller 324 provided on the upper part of the block 323, and a tension spring (elastic body) 325 that urges the receiving arm 322 in the retracting direction.

[0070] The receiving arm 322 is an L-shaped member in a side view, having a vertical surface 322a and a horizontal surface 322b. The lower end side of the vertical surface 322a and the horizontal surface 322b of the receiving arm 322 protrude from a notch 310a (FIG. 8) provided in the transfer machine base 310 to the rear side of the transfer machine base 310, so that the absorber S can be held on the rear side.

[0071] In this embodiment, four takeover mechanisms 320 are attached to the first outer bracket 311a, four to the second outer bracket 311b, one to the first middle bracket 311c, two to the second middle bracket 311d, and one to the third middle bracket 311e.

[0072] A pair of transfer mechanisms 320 are arranged to receive one absorbent body S. The two transfer mechanisms 320 that make up a pair are arranged such that the tip ends of the lateral surfaces 322b of the receiving arms 322 thereof face each other.

[0073] The tension spring 325 is a coil spring, and one end is attached to a spring support 312 protruding from the upright bracket 311, and the other end is attached to a block 323. The tension spring 325 is biased in the contraction direction, so when the roller 324 is pressed down, the tension spring 325 extends and the receiving arm 322 enters an open state, and when the roller 324 is released from being pressed down, the tension spring 325 contracts and the receiving arm 322 enters a closed state.

[0074] The push-down mechanism 330 is a mechanism that pushes down the roller 324 of the handover mechanism 320 and rotates the receiving arm 322. As shown in Figures 8 and 9(a) and (b), the push-down mechanism 330 of this embodiment includes a lifting cylinder 331, a push-down body base 332, a push-down body 333, and a drop guide 334.

[0075] The lifting cylinder 331 moves the press-down body base 332 up and down. The lifting cylinder 331 is installed on the upper surface of the transfer machine base 310. A lifting guide 341 is provided on the side of the lifting cylinder 331 to prevent lateral shaking or tilting during lifting.

[0076] The presser body base 332 is a member for attaching the presser body 333. The presser body base 332 is connected to the lifting cylinder 331. In this embodiment, the presser body base 332 has six arm-like parts protruding in the front-rear direction from a vertically long core part, and the presser body 333 is provided on the back side of each arm-like part.

[0077] The presser 333 is an arm opening / closing mechanism that opens and closes the receiving arm 322 by pressing down and releasing the roller 324 of the handover mechanism 320. The presser 333 in this embodiment includes a shaft 333a attached to the presser base 332 and a contact member 333b provided at the lower end of the shaft 333a.

[0078] A drop guide 334 is provided near the pusher 333 of the pusher base 332 to prevent the absorbent S from shifting sideways when the absorbent S is supplied to the tray T (to guide the absorbent S into the tray T).

[0079] In this embodiment, the drop guide 334 is an elongated round bar, and is long enough so that its lower end projects downward from the side surface of the receiving arm 322 in the closed state. The drop guide 334 may be a square bar or other bar-like shape, or may be a plate-like member or other shape other than a bar.

[0080] In this embodiment, when the lifting cylinder 331 contracts, the presser base 332 descends, and the roller 324 is pressed down by the presser 333 provided on the presser base 332, causing the receiving arm 322 to rotate in the opening direction.

[0081] On the other hand, when the lifting cylinder 331 is extended while the receiving arm 322 is rotated in the opening direction, the push-down body base 332 rises, and the push-down body 333 releases the pressure on the roller 324, causing both receiving arms 322 to rotate in the closing direction under the action of the tension spring 325.

[0082] In this embodiment, two push-down mechanisms 330 are provided above the transfer machine base 310. One push-down mechanism 330 operates the six transfer mechanisms 320 installed on the front side of the transfer machine base 310, and the other push-down mechanism 330 operates the six transfer mechanisms 320 installed on the rear side of the transfer machine base 310.

[0083] 3-2. Transfer machine carrier The transfer machine transport body 35 is a mechanism for moving the transfer machine 31 in the horizontal and vertical directions between a transfer position where the transfer machine 31 takes over the absorbent body S and a supply position where the transfer machine 31 supplies the absorbent body S.

[0084] As shown in Figure 7, the transfer machine conveyor 35 of this embodiment includes a motor 350, a drive pulley 351 connected to the motor 350, a driven pulley 352 that cooperates with the drive pulley 351 to transmit power, a transmission belt 353 that is wound around the outer periphery of the drive pulley 351 and the driven pulley 352, and a conveying guide 354.

[0085] In this embodiment, timing pulleys are used as the driving pulley 351 and the driven pulley 352, and a timing belt is used as the transmission belt 353, but the driving pulley 351, the driven pulley 352, and the transmission belt 353 may be other types of pulleys.

[0086] A connecting plate 355 is attached to the transmission belt 353 and is used for connecting with the handover machine 31. The connecting plate 355 in this embodiment is a plate material that is rectangular in plan view, and a handover machine cylinder 356 that raises and lowers the handover machine 31 is provided at a position near the tip on the back side (FIG. 9(b)).

[0087] The handover machine cylinder 356 is provided between the handover machine base 310 and the connecting plate 355, and the handover machine 31 is raised and lowered by the operation of the handover machine cylinder 356. On both sides of the handover machine cylinder 356, cylindrical guides 357 are provided to prevent the handover machine 31 from shaking sideways or tilting when raised and lowered (FIG. 9(b)).

[0088] The configuration of the absorbent body supplying device of this embodiment is one example, and the configuration of the absorbent body supplying device of the present invention is not limited to the configuration of this embodiment. The absorbent body supplying device of the present invention can be modified, such as by appropriately replacing, omitting, or adding components, as long as the intended purpose can be achieved. The present invention includes, for example, the following modified examples.

[0089] -Variations- Although not mentioned in the above embodiment, as shown in Figures 11(a) and (b), the take-out machine 21 can also be provided with a detection sensor 224 that detects sagging of the absorbent body S and an air sprayer 225 that returns the sagging absorbent body S to a state where it can be taken out.

[0090] As shown in Figure 11(a), when removing absorbents S, a portion of the second absorbent S from the bottom may come off the support piece 13 of the absorbent rack 10 and hang down. In this case, the hanging portion of the absorbent S may get caught between the front gripping device 221e and the rear gripping device 222e, making it impossible to remove the absorbent S.

[0091] In such a case, as shown in Fig. 11(b), air is sprayed from the air sprayer 225 toward the hanging portion of the absorbent S, so that the absorbent S can be removed and operation of the device can be continued. The spraying of air can be performed in response to a detection signal sent from the detection sensor 224.

[0092] Next, the operation of the absorbent supply device of the embodiment will be described. For ease of explanation, the operation will be divided into the operation from removing the absorbent S from the absorbent rack 10 to handing it over to the handover machine 31, and the operation from handing over the absorbent S to supplying it to the tray T.

[0093] -The process from removing the absorbent material to transferring it to the transfer machine- (1) As shown in Figure 12(a), the front gripping device 221e and the rear gripping device 222e are brought into contact with the lowest absorbent S in the absorbent rack 10, and the front gripping device 221e and the rear gripping device 222e are each moved in the direction of the arrow in the same figure. (2) When the front gripping device 221e and the rear gripping device 222e are moved toward each other, the center of the absorbent body S is bent downward and sandwiched between the front gripping device 221e and the rear gripping device 222e. At this time, both ends of the absorbent body S come off the support pieces 13 (FIG. 12(b)). (3) In the state (2) above, when the front gripping device 221e and the rear gripping device 222e are lowered by the vertically moving cylinder 242, removal of the absorbent bodies S is completed (FIG. 12(c)). In this embodiment, removal of the absorbent bodies S is performed simultaneously for the absorbent bodies S stored in the six storage spaces 12, and six absorbent bodies S are removed at one time. (4) When the removal of the absorbent body S is completed, the vertically movable cylinder 242 lowers the remover conveyor 24 to a predetermined height (FIGS. 13(a) and 13(b)). (5) When the unloader conveyor 24 descends to a predetermined height, the linear actuator 241 of the unloader conveyor 24 moves the unloader 21 below the handover position (FIGS. 13(b) and 13(c)). (6) When the unloader 21 reaches below the handover position, the up-and-down cylinder 242 raises the unloader transport body 24 to the handover position at a predetermined height, and the absorbent material S is applied to the back surface of the handover machine base 310 (FIGS. 13(c) and 14(a)). The absorbent material S applied to the back surface of the handover machine base 310 is taken over by the handover machine 31. The operation at the time of handover will be described later. (7) When the transfer of the absorbent body S is completed, the vertically moving cylinder 242 lowers the unloader conveyor 24 to a predetermined height (FIGS. 14(a) and 14(b)). (8) When the unloader conveyor 24 descends to a predetermined height, the linear actuator 241 of the unloader conveyor 24 moves the unloader 21 below the unloading position (FIGS. 14(b) and 14(c)). (9) When the take-out machine 21 moves below the take-out position, the up-and-down cylinder 242 raises the take-out machine conveyor 24 to the take-out position, and the front gripping device 221e and the rear gripping device 222e come into contact with the absorbent S at the bottom of the absorbent rack 10 (Figures 14(c) and 13(a)).

[0094] -Operation from taking over absorbent material to supplying it to the tray- (1) When the take-out machine 21 that has taken out the absorbent body S is moved to the handover position by the take-out machine transport body 24, the handover machine 31 is moved to the handover position above the take-out machine 21 by the handover machine transport body 35 (FIG. 15(a)). Note that the handover machine 31 may arrive at the handover position before the take-out machine 21 and wait for the take-out machine 21 to arrive at the handover position. (2) When the transfer machine 31 moves to the transfer position, the take-out machine 21 rises, and the clamping of the absorbent body S by the front clamping device 221 and the rear clamping device 222 is released, and the absorbent body S, which has been pushed and spread by the push-up bar 223, is allocated between the receiving arms 322, which have been opened by the push-down body 333 (Figures 14(a) and 15(b)). (3) When the absorbent body S is allocated between the receiving arms 322, the presser 333 releases the rollers 324 from being pressed down, the receiving arms 322 rotate in the closing direction, and the absorbent body S is held by the receiving arms 322 (FIG. 16(a)). This completes the transfer of the absorbent body S. (4) When the transfer of the absorber S is completed, the transfer machine 31 is raised to a predetermined height by the lifting cylinder 331 (FIG. 16(b)). (5) After the takeover machine 31 has risen to a predetermined height, it is moved to a position above the supply position by the takeover machine carrier 35 (FIG. 17(a)). (6) When the transfer device 31 moves above the supply position, the transfer device 31 descends to the supply position, and the receiving arm 322 rotates in the opening direction by the push-down body 333, and the absorbent material S is supplied into the tray T (Figure 17(b)).

[0095] The operation described here is an example, and the timing and order of the operations of the units constituting the absorbent body supplying device of the above embodiment can be changed as appropriate. [Industrial Applicability]

[0096] The absorbent supply device of the present invention can be used for various purposes, and is particularly suitable for supplying drip sheets (absorbents) S to trays T to be placed under fresh foods such as meat and fish, and side dishes such as fried foods. [Explanation of symbols]

[0097] 10 Absorbent rack 11 Standing members 12 Containment Space 13 Support piece 20 Extraction unit 21 Extractor 24 Extractor conveyor 30 Takeover Supply Unit 31 Transfer machine 35 Transfer machine carrier 210 Base 210a Base bottom plate 210b Base front panel 210c base backboard 211 frames 211a First front frame 211b First rear frame 211c Second front frame 211d Second rear frame 220 Removal clamp 220A First Removal Clamp 220B Second extraction gripping tool 221 Front side clamp 221a Front side end member 221b Front connection shaft 221c Front fixing member 221d Front rotating member 221e Front grip 222 Rear side clamping tool 222a Rear side end member 222b Rear side connection shaft 222c Rear fixing member 222d Rear side rotating member 222e Rear grip 223 Push-up bar 224 Detection Sensor 225 Air Injector 230 First front and rear cylinder 231 Second front and rear cylinder 232 First connecting rod 233 Second connecting rod 234 Guide Bar 240 base pedestal 240a First support wall 240b Second support wall 241 Linear Actuator 241a Guide part 241b slider 242 Up and down cylinder 243 Linear Guide 243a Guide rail 243b Bearing Block 244 Vertical guide 310 Transfer Machine Base 310a Notch 311 Standing Bracket 311a First outer bracket 311b Second outer bracket 311c First center bracket 311d Second middle bracket 311e Third center bracket 312 Spring support 320 Takeover Mechanism 321 Support shaft member 322 Receiving Arm 322a vertical plane 322b Side view Block 323 324 Roller 325 Tension spring (elastic body) 330 Push-down mechanism 331 Lifting cylinder 332 Push-down body base 333 Push-down body 333a Shaft 333b Abutting tool 334 Fall Guide 341 Lifting guide 350 motor 351 Drive pulley 352 driven pulley 353 Transmission Belt 354 Transport Guide 355 connecting plate 356 Transfer machine cylinder 357 Guide C Tray transport body H-frame S Drip Sheet (Absorbent) T-Tray

Claims

1. An absorbent body supplying device that supplies an absorbent body to a tray, an absorbent rack for storing sheet-shaped absorbents; a take-out unit that takes out absorbers one by one from the absorber rack; A take-over supply unit is provided which takes over the absorbent body taken out by the take-out unit and supplies the taken-over absorbent body to a tray. An absorbent body supplying device characterized by:

2. The absorbent body supplying device according to claim 1, The extraction unit is a take-out machine that takes out absorbents one by one from the absorbent rack; The take-out device transporter moves the take-out device holding the absorbent body to a transfer position where the absorbent body is transferred to the transfer supply unit. An absorbent body supplying device characterized by:

3. The absorbent body supplying device according to claim 2, The extraction machine is a first clamping tool and a second clamping tool that cooperate to clamp the absorbent body; an actuator for moving the first clamping tool and the second clamping tool in a direction toward and away from each other; An absorbent body supplying device characterized by:

4. The absorbent body supplying device according to claim 3, a push-up tool that pushes up the absorbent body clamped by the first clamping tool and the second clamping tool is connected to the first clamping tool and the second clamping tool; An absorbent body supplying device characterized by:

5. The absorbent body supplying device according to claim 1, a detection sensor that detects that a part of the absorber is hanging down outside the absorber rack; an air injector for injecting air onto the absorbent hanging down outside the absorbent rack; When the detection sensor detects that a part of the absorber is hanging down outside the absorber rack, air is sprayed onto the absorber from the air sprayer. An absorbent body supplying device characterized by:

6. The absorbent body supplying device according to claim 1, The takeover supply unit is a take-over machine that takes over the absorbent body from the take-out machine of the take-out unit; A transfer machine conveyor is provided to move the transfer machine to a supply position where the transferred absorbent body is supplied to a tray. An absorbent body supplying device characterized by:

7. The absorbent body supplying device according to claim 6, The transfer machine includes a transfer mechanism and a push-down mechanism, The take-over mechanism includes a receiving arm that takes over the absorbent body from the take-out machine, The push-down mechanism includes a push-down body that opens and closes the receiving arm. An absorbent body supplying device characterized by:

8. The absorbent body supplying device according to claim 7, The hold-down mechanism includes a hold-down body base; The push-down body base is provided with a drop guide that guides the absorber into the tray. An absorbent body supplying device characterized by:

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