Egg carton conveying device

Abstract

To provide an egg carton conveying device that reduces the workload of workers and improves the productivity of egg products. [Solution] The egg carton conveying device comprises a first conveyor that conveys egg cartons packaged by a sorting and packaging device, a drive unit that changes the height of the downstream end of the first conveyor, and a control unit that controls the drive unit to switch the connection destination of the downstream end of the first conveyor based on an operation signal input from an external source. The connection destination is a plurality of second conveyors on which equipment for producing egg products is lined up, and the control unit controls the drive unit so that the downstream end of the first conveyor is selectively connected to one of the plurality of second conveyors.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an egg pack conveying device.

Background Art

[0002] As a conventional egg pack conveying device, for example, as shown in Patent Document 1, there is a case where a transfer device for transferring an egg pack from a first conveyor to a second conveyor arranged substantially perpendicular to the first conveyor is used. A plurality of first conveyors are connected to each of the plurality of second conveyors in this transfer device.

[0003] A sorting and packaging device is connected to the upstream side of the plurality of first conveyors, and the egg packs packaged by the sorting and packaging device are transferred from the plurality of first conveyors to the plurality of second conveyors. Then, the egg packs are processed by a processing device such as an inspection device provided downstream of the plurality of second conveyors or them.

[0004] For example, as shown in FIG. 2 of Patent Document 1, there is also a conceivable configuration in which a plurality of second conveyors are arranged three-dimensionally and the destination from each conveying line to the terminal line can be changed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] In order to switch the first conveyor of Patent Document 1, an operator is required, and the management of the switching timing and the management of which second conveyor to connect to for switching are complicated.

[0007] The present invention provides an egg pack conveying device that reduces the labor of workers and improves the productivity of egg products. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The egg carton conveying device of the present invention comprises a first conveyor for conveying egg cartons packaged by a sorting and packaging device, a drive unit for changing the height of the downstream end of the first conveyor, and a control unit for controlling the drive unit to switch the connection destination of the downstream end of the first conveyor based on an operation signal input from an external source. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an egg carton conveying device that reduces the workload of workers and improves the productivity of egg products.

[0010] The above and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following detailed description relating to this invention, which will be understood in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] This is a schematic plan view showing the configuration of an egg carton conveying device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a schematic perspective view showing the configuration of the first and second conveyors in the same embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a schematic side view showing the configuration of the first and second conveyors in the same embodiment. [Figure 4] A flowchart illustrating an example of operation in the same embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] An embodiment of the egg carton conveying device according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that, for the sake of clarity, all the following figures are schematic representations, with some details omitted or exaggerated as appropriate. The same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions are omitted as appropriate.

[0013] <Configuration of the egg carton conveying device 100> As shown in Figure 1, the egg carton conveying device 100 of this embodiment is connected to a sorting and packaging device 5 that sorts chicken eggs and packages them into packaging containers (cartons), and conveys the egg cartons P packaged by the sorting and packaging device 5 to equipment 6 such as an inspection device.

[0014] In this process, the sorting and packaging device 5 washes, dries, and weighs the eggs while they are being transported, and then sorts them according to their weight category based on the weighing results before filling them into designated packaging containers (packs).

[0015] Specifically, as shown in Figures 1 to 3, the egg carton conveying device 100 includes a plurality of first conveyors 1 that convey egg cartons P packaged by the sorting and packaging device 5, and a plurality of second conveyors 2 that convey the egg cartons P conveyed by the plurality of first conveyors 1.

[0016] The second conveyor belt 2 is lined with equipment 6 for producing egg products. The equipment 6 is used in production and includes, for example, an egg carton P inspection device, a label input device, a label application device, a label inspection device, a sealing device, a product transfer device, and related equipment. Labeling devices include those that dispense labels into the main body of the pack, and those that dispense labels into the lid of the pack. Labeling devices include those that attach labels to the lid of the pack, and those that attach labels to the top of the eggs. Sealing devices include those that seal egg cartons P with tape after the lid is closed, and those that seal egg cartons P with heat sealing after the lid is closed. Product transfer devices include those that transfer egg products into cardboard boxes, those that transfer egg products into plastic containers, those that transfer egg products into racks, and those that transfer cardboard boxes or containers containing egg products onto pallets or the like.

[0017] The egg pack conveying device 100 of the present embodiment is particularly such that the first conveyor 1 can automatically change the connection destination. That is, this egg pack conveying device 100 includes the first conveyor 1, a drive unit 7 that changes the height of the downstream end 11 of the first conveyor 1, and a control unit 8 that controls the drive unit 7 to switch the connection destination of the downstream end 11 of the first conveyor 1 based on an operation signal input from the outside.

[0018] Each of the plurality of first conveyors 1 is provided along a predetermined direction (here, the X direction) in a plan view. Also, the plurality of first conveyors 1 are provided so as to be parallel to each other in a plan view. Each first conveyor 1 is connected to each egg pack outlet 51 (for example, an outlet conveyor) of the sorting and packaging device 5. Note that the first conveyor 1 may constitute each egg pack outlet 51 of the sorting and packaging device 5.

[0019] The drive unit 7 changes the height of the downstream end 11 of the first conveyor 1. In the present embodiment, the drive unit 7 changes the inclination angle of the first conveyor 1. The drive unit 7 is an actuator that moves the downstream end 11 of the first conveyor 1 up and down with the upstream end 12 of the first conveyor 1 as a fulcrum. The actuator is, for example, an air cylinder. The drive unit 7 is controlled by the control unit 8 and moves the downstream end 11 of the first conveyor 1 up and down to match the height position of the second conveyor 2.

[0020] The control unit 8 controls the drive unit 7 so that the downstream end 11 of the first conveyor 1 is selectively connected to one of the plurality of second conveyors 2. The control unit 8 is composed of a dedicated or general-purpose computer such as a CPU, an internal memory, an input / output interface, and an AD conversion unit. Then, according to the program stored in the internal memory, the functions of the control unit 8 are exerted by the cooperation of the CPU and other peripheral devices. Also, the control unit 8 may be composed of a physically integrated computer or may be composed of physically separate computers.

[0021] In this embodiment, a worker terminal 3 is provided. The worker terminal 3 has an input unit 31, a display unit 32, and a communication unit 33. The input unit 31 allows the user to input information such as the production plan, the product name of the egg product, or instructions to the drive unit 7 based on the production plan or product name, either by key input or by scanner input. The display unit 32 displays the production plan, egg product information, the status of the first conveyor 1, the status of the second conveyor 2, and so on. The communication unit 33 communicates with the control unit 8.

[0022] The settings entered on the worker terminal 3 are received by the control unit 8 via the communication unit 33. The drive unit 7, controlled by the control unit 8, raises or lowers the first conveyor 1, for example, from a state where it is connected to the second conveyor 2 of the second layer from the bottom, as shown by the solid line in Figure 3, to a state where it is connected to the second conveyor 2 of another layer, as shown by the dashed line in Figure 3.

[0023] In this embodiment, the settings of the equipment 6 on the second conveyor 2 are also changed based on the settings entered in the worker terminal 3. For example, when switching egg product items, the settings of the equipment 6 required for processing are automatically switched based on the product name of the egg product entered in the worker terminal 3, and the connection destination of the downstream end 11 of the first conveyor 1 is automatically switched.

[0024] Each of the multiple second conveyors 2 to which the first conveyor 1 is connected is positioned perpendicular to the first conveyor 1 in a plan view. Furthermore, the multiple second conveyors 2 are spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction (see Figures 2 and 3). Each second conveyor 2 in this embodiment has an upstream conveyor 21 to which multiple first conveyors 1 can be connected, and a downstream conveyor 22 connected to the upstream conveyor 21, on which equipment such as inspection devices (omitted in Figures 2 and 3) is installed. While the upstream conveyor 21 and downstream conveyor 22 are shown perpendicular to each other, they are not limited to this configuration.

[0025] Here, the processing performed on the downstream conveyor 22 can be different in each of the multiple second conveyors 2. In other words, different pieces of equipment 6 may be provided in each of the multiple second conveyors 2. Also, in any one of the multiple second conveyors 2, processing may be performed by a person in addition to processing by equipment 6.

[0026] Each second conveyor 2 in this embodiment may be connected to two or more first conveyors 1, or to only one first conveyor 1, as long as it is capable of connecting to multiple first conveyors 1. Also, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, each second conveyor 2 has a four-layer structure with the first, second, third, and fourth layers from the bottom. The second conveyor 2 may also be a free conveyor without a drive source.

[0027] Next, an example of the operation of the egg carton conveying device 100 will be explained with reference to Figure 4.

[0028] First, when switching egg product items, the worker terminal 3 searches for connection information to the first conveyor 1 using the name of the next product to be produced as the key (step S1). Information about the second conveyor 2 linked to the product name is stored in the master, and in step S1, the master is searched. The master stores information about the equipment installed on the second conveyor 2, information about products that can be produced on the second conveyor 2, etc. In step S1, the product name is used as the key to search for which (which layer) of the second conveyor 2 to connect to.

[0029] Next, based on the search results in step S1, a confirmation screen of the connection destination information is displayed on the display unit 32 (step S2). Once the displayed information is confirmed and the OK button or the like is pressed, the connection destination information is sent to the first conveyor 1 side (step S3).

[0030] On the first conveyor 1 side, when the control unit 8 receives connection destination information from the worker terminal 3 side in step S3 (step S4), it changes the connection destination of the first conveyor 1 (step S5). Specifically, it controls the drive unit 8 to drive the actuator so that the downstream end 11 of the first conveyor 1 is connected to a predetermined second conveyor 2, thereby moving the first conveyor 1.

[0031] After production begins (step S6), the position of the first conveyor 1 remains fixed until it is time to switch to the next production item. When production is switched (step S7), the flow from step S1 is restarted on the worker terminal 3. Note that since the first conveyor 1 only needs to be connected to the second conveyor 2 which corresponds to egg products, even if the item changes, the destination of the second conveyor 2 may not change from the destination of the previous item as a result of steps S1 to S3.

[0032] As described above, the egg carton conveying device 100 of this embodiment comprises a first conveyor 1, a drive unit 7, and a control unit 8. The first conveyor 1 conveys egg cartons P packaged by the sorting and packaging device 5. The drive unit 7 changes the height of the downstream end 11 of the first conveyor 1. The control unit 8 controls the drive unit 7 to switch the connection destination of the downstream end 11 of the first conveyor 1 based on an operation signal input from an external source. With such a device, the workload of the operator can be reduced and the productivity of egg products can be improved.

[0033] The connection destinations are multiple second conveyors 2 on which egg product production equipment 6 is lined up, and the control unit 8 controls the drive unit 7 so that the downstream end 11 of the first conveyor 1 is selectively connected to one of the multiple second conveyors 2. As a result, the combination of the transport gate of the sorting and packaging device 5 and the product terminal line on which the equipment 6 is lined up can be freely arranged, and the combination can be changed automatically. This eliminates the hassle of setting the height of the first conveyor 1 as in the past, and also eliminates the hassle of managing the timing of product changeovers. In this way, production flexibility is increased and the productivity of egg products can be improved.

[0034] However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above.

[0035] The worker terminal 3 may be a switch or touch panel located near the first conveyor 1 or the second conveyor 2, or it may be operated remotely from a location away from the sorting and packaging device 5. Furthermore, as in the embodiment described above, the worker terminal 3 may be operated by inputting the product name, or by inputting a number or the like to identify which second conveyor 2 it is.

[0036] Not only during product type changes, but also, for example, in the event of a problem on a specific second conveyor 2 side (product terminal line), the connection destination of the first conveyor 1 may be automatically changed to a retraction conveyor or the like. In this way, the operation of the sorting and packaging device 5 can be kept to a minimum.

[0037] The embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative and not limiting. The present invention is defined by the claims, not the scope described above, and all modifications in the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims are intended. [Industrial applicability]

[0038] This invention can be used in egg carton conveying devices. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0039] 100... Egg carton conveying device 1…Conveyor belt No. 1 11...Downstream end 12...Upstream end 2…Second conveyor 21…Upstream conveyor 22… Downstream conveyor 3…Worker terminal 31...Input section 32…Display section 33... Communications Department 5…Sorting and packaging device 51...Egg carton outlet 6…Equipment 7…Drive unit 8... Control Unit P... Egg carton

Claims

1. A first conveyor that transports egg cartons packaged by a sorting and packaging device, A drive unit for changing the height of the downstream end of the first conveyor, An egg carton conveying device comprising: a control unit that controls the drive unit to switch the connection destination of the downstream end of the first conveyor based on an operation signal input from an external source; and an egg carton conveying device.

2. The aforementioned connection destinations are multiple second conveyors on which machines for producing egg products are lined up. The egg carton conveying device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the drive unit so that the downstream end of the first conveyor is selectively connected to one of the plurality of second conveyors.

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