Container refilling device

Abstract

To reduce labor and a burden required for replenishing work of a container without enlarging a machine. To provide a container replenishing device which can be used for a bundle of packs conveyed in a line.SOLUTION: A pair of opening / closing flaps 53 movable between a closed position for holding a lower surface of a bundle of packs conveyed in a plurality of rows and an open position for releasing the holding and dropping the bundle of packs, and a partition plate 57 detachably provided between the rows of packs are provided. With such a container replenishing device, it is possible to reduce the time and labor required for the container replenishing operation without increasing the size of the machine.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a container refilling device that automatically supplies containers for storing eggs. [Background technology]

[0002] At the GP center, eggs are sorted based on weight and the like and then placed in containers (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In this patent document, multiple types of containers can be transported on one container transport line.

[0003] Specifically, 10-packs, each containing 10 eggs, and 6-packs, each containing 6 eggs, are transported. On one container conveying line, the 10-packs are transported in a single line, and the 6-packs are transported in two lines. On the upstream side of the container conveying line, multiple types of container supply units are provided, and a container supply unit for 10 packs and a container supply unit for 6 packs are lined up along the conveying direction of the container conveying line.

[0004] A stack of stacked packs is placed in each container supply section, and by driving a suction section that sucks the bottom of the packs, the packs are supplied one by one onto the container conveying line. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-114217 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The 10-pack container supply unit and the 6-pack container supply unit automatically supply packs one by one onto the container conveying line from a stack of packs placed on them. This eliminates the labor and burden of workers who supply containers one by one onto the container conveying line. However, workers must manually replenish packs onto the container supply unit. Therefore, to reduce the labor and burden of this work, a device that automates the replenishment of stacks of packs onto the container supply unit has been considered.

[0007] However, if an attempt is made to provide a device that automatically replenishes bundles of packs to each of multiple container supply units as disclosed in Patent Document 1, the device will become larger. In particular, a problem arises in that a device that replenishes bundles of packs to a container supply unit that stores packs that are transported in multiple rows, such as six-packs, cannot be used as is for a container supply unit that transports packs in a single row, such as ten-packs.

[0008] The present invention provides a container replenishing device that drops a stack of packs transported in multiple rows to replenish the packs in a container supply section, and that can also be used for a stack of packs transported in a single row. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The container refilling device of the present invention comprises a pair of openable / closable flaps that can move between a closed position that holds the underside of a stack of packs transported in multiple rows and an open position that releases the hold and allows the stack of packs to fall, and a partition plate that can be removably installed between the rows of packs. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, a container replenishing device can be provided that drops a stack of packs transported in multiple rows to replenish the container supply section, and can also be used for a stack of packs transported in a single row.

[0011] The above and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a plan view showing a schematic diagram of an egg packing system according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view schematically showing the container refilling device of the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a side view of the container refilling device according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] 4 is a side view of the container refilling device with the refilling means moved from FIG. 3. FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a view showing a partition plate of the same embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 2. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The egg packing system 10 of this embodiment comprises a storage means 1, a container supply section 2, a conveying section 31 for packs (corresponding to the "container conveying section" of the present invention), and a conveying section 4 for trays.

[0014] The pack P (corresponding to the "egg container" of the present invention) is capable of containing multiple eggs E. In this embodiment, the egg container is a plastic pack P. The pack P is formed integrally with a main body P1 that contains eggs E and a lid P2 via a hinge P3.

[0015] In this embodiment, multiple types of containers are transported to one pack transport unit 31. One type is a so-called 10-pack that can accommodate 10 eggs E, and the other type is a so-called 6-pack that can accommodate 6 eggs E.

[0016] The storage means 1 stores eggs E in packs P. In this embodiment, the storage means 1 is a device called a repacker, which holds eggs E on trays T2 carried by the tray conveying section 4, moves them onto packs P carried by the pack conveying section 31, and releases the eggs E from their holding state.

[0017] The container supply unit 2 supplies the stacked empty packs P (hereinafter referred to as "a stack of packs P0") onto the pack conveying unit 31. Upon receiving a command from a control device (not shown), the container supply unit 2 activates a pack support (not shown) and drops only one of the lowest packs P onto the pack conveying unit 31.

[0018] Pack conveying section 31 conveys packs P to storage means 1. Pack conveying section 31 conveys empty packs P one by one from container supplying section 2 to storage means 1, receives eggs E transferred in storage means 1 in packs P, and conveys packs P containing eggs E downstream from storage means 1. A plurality of container supplying sections 2 are lined up on one pack conveying section 31. Specifically, a container supplying section 2 for 10-piece packs and a container supplying section 2 for 6-piece packs are installed side by side.

[0019] Egg packing system 10 of the present embodiment further includes container refilling device 5. Container refilling device 5 includes refill container conveying means 51, refilling means 52, detection unit 55, control unit 56, movement means 54, and removable partition plate 57.

[0020] The replenishment container transport means 51 is a conveyor that transports a pack bundle P0. Specifically, the replenishment container transport means 51 transports a pack bundle P0 of multiple packs. Specifically, in the case of first packs P (e.g., packs of 10 eggs) before eggs E are contained therein, the packs are transported in a single line. In the case of second packs P (e.g., packs of 6 eggs) containing a different number of eggs E than the 10 packs P, the packs are transported in multiple lines (two lines in this embodiment).

[0021] The replenishing means 52 replenishes a stack P0 of packs toward the top of one of the container supply units 2. The replenishing means 52 drops the stack P0 of packs at the end of the replenishing container conveying means 51. The replenishing means 52 has a pair of openable flaps 53 provided at the opening. The flaps 53 are rotatable between a closed position (shown by a solid line in FIG. 6) in which they hold the bottom surfaces of the packs P, and an open position (shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 6) in which they drop the packs P.

[0022] The detection unit 55 detects the amount of packs P stored in each container supply unit 2. The detection unit 55 may use a photoelectric sensor or may use an image or the like. The detection unit 55 is provided in the container replenishing device 5, for example.

[0023] The control unit 56 controls the refill container transport means 51 and the refill means 52 based on the detection result of the detection unit 55. The control unit 56 is a microcomputer system having a processor, a memory, an input interface, an output interface, and the like.

[0024] The moving means 54 is capable of moving the replenishing means 52 along the conveying section 31 for packs. Specifically, the moving means 54 causes the replenishing means 52 to slide relative to the conveying section 31 for packs. The moving means 54 includes frames 541 and 542, a pin 543, and an elongated hole 544. The frames 541 and 542 are provided on the conveying section 31 side for packs and the replenishing means 52 side, respectively. The pin 543 is provided on one of the frames (frame 541 in this embodiment). The elongated hole 544 is provided on the other frame (frame 542 in this embodiment). The moving means 54 in this embodiment is manual, and is equipped with a handle 545.

[0025] The partition plate 57 is provided between the rows of packs P. In this embodiment, when replenishing 10-packs, the partition plate 57 is removed, and when replenishing 6-packs, the partition plate 57 is attached. The partition plate 57 is attached along the conveying direction of the replenishing container conveying means 51 and is provided between two rows of 6-packs P. The partition plate 57 has a drop guide portion 571 at its tip. The drop guide portion 571 is provided in the center of the opening, between the second row of packs P. The lower end of the drop guide portion 571 extends to the same position as the tip of the flap 53 in the open position. The drop guide portion 571 cooperates with the flap 53 to adjust the drop of the packs P.

[0026] Reference numeral 58 denotes guides provided on both sides of the replenishing means 52 and the replenishing container conveying means 51. The guides 58 are adjustable in the width direction in accordance with the size of the packs P.

[0027] Next, the operation of the container refilling device 5 will be described. First, a stack of packs P0 is placed upstream of the replenishing means 52 and the replenishing container conveying means 51 (step S1). In step S1, the packs may be automatically taken out from a rack (not shown) or the like and supplied to the replenishing container conveying means 51, or may be supplied manually by an operator. A stack of multiple packs P0 is accumulated on the conveying path of the replenishing container conveying means 51, which acts as a buffer.

[0028] When the detection unit 55 determines whether the amount of packs P is below a predetermined value (step S2), the control unit 56 controls the replenishing means 52 to change the position of the flap 53 from the closed position to the open position (step S3). This causes the stack of packs P0 held in the replenishing means 52 to drop and replenish onto the container supply unit 2. When the container supply unit 2 receives another predetermined signal, it drops and supplies the packs P in the container supply unit 2 one by one to the pack conveying unit 31.

[0029] After step S3, when the control unit 56 receives a predetermined signal, the control unit 56 controls the replenishing means 52 to change the position of the flap 53 from the open position to the closed position (step S4). After step S4, the control unit 56 controls the replenishing container conveying means 51 to move the pack stack P0 on the replenishing container conveying means 51 toward the replenishing means 52 (step S5). Note that the packs P conveyed to the replenishing means 52 in step S5 are subjected to operations identical to or similar to the above-mentioned steps.

[0030] Next, a case where a different container supply unit 2 is to be replenished will be described. In this case, the replenishing means 52 is moved using the moving means 54. In this embodiment, the operator grips the handle 545 and slides the entire container replenishing device 5. This positions the replenishing means 52 above the container supply unit 2 to which the bundle of packs P0 is to be replenished.

[0031] Before or after this movement operation, the previously used bundle of packs P0 is removed from the container replenishing device 5. This removal may be performed automatically or manually by an operator.

[0032] Next, the differences between refilling a 10-piece pack P and refilling a 6-piece pack P will be described. First, when replenishing 10-packs P, a bundle P0 of 10 packs is lined up in a row on the replenishing container conveying means 51. In the replenishing means 52, a pair of flaps 53 holds the underside of the packs P on both the left and right sides. When the flaps 53 begin to move from the closed position to the open position, the left and right flaps 53 cooperate to prevent the packs P from falling.

[0033] On the other hand, when replenishing six-packs P, a bundle P0 of six packs is arranged in two rows on the replenishing container conveying means 51 using the partition plate 57. In the replenishing means 52, the right flap 53 holds the underside of the packs P for the packs P in the right row, and the left flap 53 holds the underside of the packs P for the packs P in the left row. When the flap 53 begins to move from the closed position to the open position, the right flap 53 and the drop guide portion 571 of the partition plate 57 cooperate to adjust the drop of the packs P for the right row, and the left flap 53 and the drop guide portion 571 of the partition plate 57 cooperate to adjust the drop of the packs P for the left row.

[0034] As described above, the container refilling device 5 of this embodiment is equipped with a pair of openable flaps 53 that are movable between a closed position that holds the underside of a stack of packs P0 transported in multiple rows and an open position that releases the hold and allows the stack of packs P0 to fall, and a partition plate 57 that is detachably provided between the rows of packs P. This configuration reduces the effort and burden involved in refilling containers without increasing the size of the machine. In addition, the partition plate 57 can be removed and the device can also be used for stacks of packs P0 transported in a single row.

[0035] In particular, if too many packs P are stored in the stack P0 of packs on the container supply unit 2, the weight of the packs P from above will exert pressure, making it difficult to separate just one pack P from the pack support at the bottom. For this reason, it is not possible to store more than a certain number of packs P on the container supply unit 2. However, if a container replenishing device 5 such as that of this embodiment is provided, the stack P0 of packs can be stocked and the packs P can be automatically supplied to the container supply unit 2. In particular, since multiple stacks P0 of packs can be stocked, the supply of packs P can be continued without affecting the downstream transport side. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the packs P are dropped while the flap 53 is open, which reduces the impact of the falling stack P0 of packs and prevents unnecessary pressure from being applied to the container supply unit 2.

[0036] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment.

[0037] The replenishing means 52 is not limited to a type that moves together with the entire container replenishing device 5 and the replenishing container transport means 51. It is sufficient that at least the replenishing means 52 moves.

[0038] The movement method of the moving means 54 is not limited to sliding movement. Even in the case of sliding movement, the configuration of each part is not limited to that described above.

[0039] The egg container may be a molded pack. The egg container may be of any size and may be a pack capable of holding 4, 8, or 12 eggs E. In the case of a so-called 4-egg pack, two dividers 57 may be arranged side by side and eggs may be replenished from replenishment means 52. In the case of an 8-egg pack or a 12-egg pack supplied in a single row, the positions of guides 58 on both sides may be changed.

[0040] The storage means 1 is not limited to a repacker, but may be a distribution device after weight sorting.

[0041] Three or more container supply units 2 may be arranged on one container conveying unit.

[0042] The embodiments disclosed herein are examples and are not intended to be limiting. The present invention is defined not by the scope of the above description but by the scope of the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the scope of the claims. [Industrial Applicability]

[0043] The present invention can be used in a container refilling device that can replenish containers to a plurality of container supply units. [Explanation of symbols]

[0044] 10...Egg packing system 1. Storage means 2...Container supply section 31...Pack conveying section (container conveying section) 4...Transport section for trays 5…Container replenishment device 51...Refill container transport means 52…Replenishment means 53...Flap 54...Transportation 541,542…frames 543...pin 544…Long hole 545...Handle 55...Detection unit 56...Control unit 57...Partition board 58... Guide 571...Fall guide part P...Pack (egg container) P0...a bunch of packs P1: Main body P2…Lid part P3: Hinge part E…Egg

Claims

1. a pair of openable / closable flaps that are movable between a closed position that holds the underside of the stack of packs being transported in multiple rows and an open position that releases the holding and allows the stack of packs to fall; and a partition plate detachably provided between the rows of packs.

2. The container refilling device according to claim 1 , further comprising a drop guide portion that cooperates with the flap to adjust the drop of the packs.

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