Egg carton conveying device

Abstract

This prevents excessive load during transport, suppresses egg carton clogging, and ensures the reliable processing of egg cartons. [Solution] The egg carton transport device 100 has a plurality of first conveyors 1 for transporting egg cartons P packaged by a sorting and packaging device 5, and a plurality of second conveyors 1 for transporting the egg cartons P transported by the plurality of first conveyors 1, and the second conveyors 2 to which each of the plurality of first conveyors 1 is connected are changeable, and the plurality of first conveyors 1 are connected to at least one second conveyor 2, and the device comprises a calculation unit 31 that calculates the transport load corresponding to the egg cartons P being transported for each of the plurality of second conveyors 2, and a processing unit 32 that performs a predetermined notification process when the transport load of any of the plurality of second conveyors 2 exceeds a predetermined value.

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, a transfer device that transfers an egg pack from a first conveyor to a second conveyor disposed substantially perpendicular to the first conveyor may be used. In this transfer device, a plurality of first conveyors are connected to each of the plurality of second conveyors.

[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 those second conveyors.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] By the way, in the conventional egg pack conveying device, the plurality of first conveyors connected to each of the second conveyors are fixed. Except for abnormal situations, the second conveyors are designed so as not to be full, and it can be predicted in advance that the second conveyors will not be full.

[0006] However, in recent years, the output patterns of sorting and packaging equipment can be changed, making it difficult to predict in advance whether the second conveyor will be full or whether the processing capacity of the second conveyor or the processing equipment located downstream of it will be exceeded, thus making pre-design difficult. Furthermore, some users may change the connection destination of the first conveyor depending on the output pattern combination of the sorting and packaging equipment, which also makes it impossible to predict whether the second conveyor will be full or whether the processing capacity of the second conveyor or the processing equipment located downstream of it will be exceeded.

[0007] Therefore, the present invention was made to solve the above problems, and aims to prevent excessive load on the conveying load, suppress blockages of egg cartons, and ensure the reliable processing of egg cartons. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In other words, the egg carton conveying device according to the present invention comprises a plurality of first conveyors for conveying egg cartons packaged by a sorting and packaging device, and a plurality of second conveyors for conveying the egg cartons conveyed by the plurality of first conveyors, wherein the second conveyors to which each of the plurality of first conveyors is connected are changeable, and the plurality of first conveyors are connected to at least one of the second conveyors, and is characterized in that each of the plurality of second conveyors comprises a calculation unit for calculating a conveying load corresponding to the egg cartons being conveyed, and a processing unit for performing a predetermined notification process when the conveying load of any of the plurality of second conveyors exceeds a predetermined value.

[0009] With this egg carton conveying system, even if the first conveyor is connected to the second conveyor in various patterns, the system calculates the conveying load for each of the multiple second conveyors according to the egg cartons being conveyed, and if these conveying loads exceed predetermined values, it performs a predetermined notification process, thereby preventing excessive conveying load. In addition, it can suppress jamming of egg cartons on the second conveyor or downstream thereof, ensuring reliable processing of egg cartons.

[0010] The egg carton conveying device of the present invention preferably further comprises a control unit that controls the processing speed of the sorting and packaging device and / or the conveying speed of at least one of the plurality of first conveyors based on the conveying load. With this configuration, the conveying load corresponding to the egg cartons can be reduced on the upstream side of the second conveyor. In particular, reducing the processing speed of the sorting and packaging device upstream of the egg carton conveying device makes it easier to reduce clogging of egg cartons in the egg carton conveying device.

[0011] As a specific embodiment for calculating the transport load, it is desirable that the egg carton transport device of the present invention further comprises a plurality of egg carton sensors provided on each of the plurality of second conveyors for detecting the egg cartons being transported, and that the calculation unit calculates the transport load based on the detection results of the plurality of egg carton sensors. With this configuration, the load on the second conveyor can be detected in real time by detecting the egg cartons actually being transported on the second conveyor. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the present invention configured in this way, it is possible to prevent excessive load on the conveying load, suppress clogging of egg cartons, and ensure that egg cartons are processed reliably. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0013] [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. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0014] 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.

[0015] <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 a processing device 6 such as an inspection device.

[0016] Here, the sorting and packaging device 5 washes, dries, and weighs the eggs while they are being transported, and sorts them according to their weight category based on the weighing results, before filling them into predetermined packaging containers (packs).

[0017] Specifically, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, 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.

[0018] Each of the multiple first conveyors 1 is provided along a predetermined direction (in this case, the X direction) in a plan view. Furthermore, the multiple 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 carton outlet 51 (e.g., an outlet conveyor) of the sorting and packaging device 5. Note that the first conveyors 1 may also constitute each egg carton outlet 51 of the sorting and packaging device 5.

[0019] Each of the plurality of second conveyors 2 is provided so as to be orthogonal to the first conveyor 1 in a plan view. Further, the plurality of second conveyors 2 are arranged at intervals in the vertical direction (see FIG. 2). Each second conveyor 2 of the present embodiment has an upstream conveyor 21 to which the plurality of first conveyors 1 can be connected, and a downstream conveyor 22 that is connected to the upstream conveyor 21 and to which a processing device 6 such as an inspection device (omitted in FIG. 2) is provided. Although the upstream conveyor 21 and the downstream conveyor 22 are shown in a configuration orthogonal to each other, they are not limited to the orthogonal configuration.

[0020] Here, in each of the plurality of second conveyors 2, the processes performed on the downstream conveyor 22 can be made different from each other. That is, different processing devices 6 may be provided in each of the plurality of second conveyors 2. Further, in any one of the plurality of second conveyors 2, in addition to the processing by the processing device 6, a process performed by a person may be used.

[0021] And in the egg pack conveying device 100 of the present embodiment, the second conveyor 2 to which each of the plurality of first conveyors 1 is connected can be changed, and a plurality of first conveyors 1 are connected to at least one second conveyor 2. FIG. 2 shows a state in which two first conveyors 1 are connected to each of the four second conveyors 2. For example, any one of the two first conveyors 1 connected to the second conveyor 2 in the uppermost stage (first stage) can be connected to another second conveyor 2. The connection pattern of the plurality of first conveyors 1 can be determined according to the production amount of various egg packs P produced by the sorting and packaging device 5. Further, the switching of the connection of the first conveyor 1 can be performed manually by a person.

[0022] Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the control device 3 that controls the egg pack conveying device 100 includes a calculation unit 31 that calculates a conveying load corresponding to the conveyed egg pack P for each of the plurality of second conveyors 2, and a processing unit 32 that performs a predetermined notification process when the conveying load of any one of the plurality of second conveyors 2 exceeds a predetermined value.

[0023] In addition, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a plurality of egg pack sensors 4 for detecting the conveyed egg packs P are provided on each of the plurality of second conveyors 2. This egg pack sensor 4 can use, for example, a photoelectric sensor having a light emitting part and a light receiving part. Also, the egg pack sensor 4 is provided on each second conveyor 2 on the downstream side of the region where the plurality of first conveyors 1 are connected. With this configuration, no matter how the first conveyor 1 is connected to the second conveyor 2, the total number of egg packs P conveyed by the second conveyor 2 can be detected.

[0024] The calculation unit 31 calculates the conveyance load based on the detection results of the plurality of egg pack sensors 4. This conveyance load is, for example, the conveyance amount per unit time (unit conveyance amount). Specifically, the calculation unit 31 receives the detection results (pack detection signals) from each egg pack sensor 4 and calculates the conveyance amount per unit time (unit conveyance amount) of each of the plurality of second conveyors 2.

[0025] When the conveyance load of any one of the plurality of second conveyors 2 exceeds a predetermined value, the processing unit 32 performs a predetermined notification process.

[0026] Here, the predetermined value can be set based on the processing capacity (processing amount per unit time) of the second conveyor 2 or the processing device 6 provided downstream thereof, or, when a person is working, based on the processing capacity (processing amount per unit time) of that person. Specifically, the predetermined value can be set to 95% of the processing capacity (processing amount per unit time) of the processing device 6, or 95% of the processing capacity (processing amount per unit time) of a person, etc.

[0027] In addition, the predetermined notification process can include the following (a) to (c). The processing unit 32 may perform any one of the following (a) to (c), or may perform a combination of two or more.

[0028] (a) An error signal is transmitted to the display or alarm lamp of the control device 3, etc., and the error is displayed on the display or alarm lamp. When displaying on the display, it is conceivable to identify and display the second conveyor 2 whose transport load exceeds a predetermined value. When displaying the error using an alarm lamp, it is conceivable to provide an alarm lamp for each of the second conveyors 2, and to display the error on the alarm lamp of the second conveyor 2 whose transport load exceeds a predetermined value.

[0029] (b) An error signal is sent to the display of the control device 3 or a mobile terminal, etc., to request the user to change the master settings (settings of the sorting and packaging device 5) or switch the first conveyor 1. In this case, in addition to simply requesting a change in the master settings or switching the first conveyor 1, specific suggestions for changing the master settings or specific suggestions for switching the first conveyor 1 may be provided as examples.

[0030] (c) Sending an error signal to the control unit (not shown) of the sorting and packaging device 5 or the control unit (not shown) that controls the first conveyor 1 to notify them. In this case, when the control unit of the sorting and packaging device 5 receives the error signal, it can change the control mode of the sorting and packaging device 5, such as slowing down the processing speed of the sorting and packaging device 5. Also, when the control unit that controls the first conveyor 1 receives the error signal, it can change the control mode of the first conveyor 1, such as slowing down the transport speed of the first conveyor 1.

[0031] Furthermore, the control device 3 may further include a speed control unit 33 that controls the processing speed of the sorting and packaging device 5 and / or the conveying speed of at least one of the multiple first conveyors 1 based on the conveying load calculated by the calculation unit 31. This speed control unit 33 can control the processing speed of the sorting and packaging device 5 and / or the conveying speed of at least one of the multiple first conveyors 1 in cooperation with or independently of the control unit of the sorting and packaging device 5 and / or the control unit of the first conveyor 1. As a specific example of controlling the conveying speed, for example, it is conceivable to control the conveying speed so that the conveying load of each of the multiple second conveyors 2 is less than a predetermined value.

[0032] If the transport load of any of the second conveyors 2 exceeds a predetermined value, the following problems will occur.

[0033] Upstream of the multiple first conveyors 1 (multiple egg carton outlets 51), one single-row conveying unit 52 of the sorting and packaging device 5 is connected. If the conveying load of any of the multiple second conveyors 2 exceeds a predetermined value, the conventional sorting and packaging device 5 will either stop operating or carry over the eggs (without distributing them to any of the egg carton outlets 51). These actions are determined by the settings of the sorting and packaging device 5.

[0034] Here, if the sorting and packaging device 5 stops operating, the overall operating rate will decrease, and if there are many eggs left over, the yield of egg packs P will be poor, resulting in a problem where the desired yield cannot be achieved.

[0035] In this embodiment, the egg carton conveying device 100 solves the above problem by ensuring that the conveying load of each of the multiple second conveyors 2 does not exceed a predetermined value. This prevents a decrease in the operating rate of the entire system, including the sorting and packaging device 5, and also prevents eggs from being carried over, thereby improving the production yield of egg cartons P.

[0036] <Effects of this embodiment> According to the egg carton conveying device 100 of this embodiment, even if the first conveyor 1 is connected to the second conveyor 2 in various connection patterns, the conveying load corresponding to the egg cartons P being conveyed is calculated for each of the multiple second conveyors 2, and a predetermined notification process is performed when these conveying loads exceed a predetermined value, thereby preventing excessive conveying load. Furthermore, clogging of egg cartons P on or downstream of the second conveyor 2 can be suppressed, ensuring reliable processing of egg cartons P.

[0037] Furthermore, since the speed control unit 33 controls the processing speed of the sorting and packaging device 5 and / or the conveying speed of at least one of the multiple first conveyors 1 based on the conveying load, the conveying load corresponding to the egg cartons P can be reduced on the upstream side of the second conveyor 2. In particular, reducing the processing speed of the sorting and packaging device 5 located upstream of the egg carton conveying device 100 makes it easier to reduce clogging of egg cartons P in the egg carton conveying device 100.

[0038] Furthermore, in this embodiment, each of the multiple second conveyors 2 is provided with an egg carton sensor 4, and the calculation unit 31 calculates the transport load based on the detection results of the multiple egg carton sensors 4. Therefore, by detecting the egg cartons P actually being transported on the second conveyor 2, the transport load of the second conveyor 2 can be detected in real time.

[0039] <Modified Embodiment of the Invention> However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above.

[0040] For example, the processing unit 32 may be configured to output a stop command to the sorting and packaging device 5 and stop the sorting and packaging device 5 when the transport load of any of the multiple second conveyors 2 exceeds a predetermined value.

[0041] Furthermore, the speed control unit 33 may be configured to control the transport speed of the second conveyor 2 in addition to the processing speed of the sorting and packaging device 5 and / or the transport speed of the first conveyor 1, based on the transport load. Specifically, if the processing speed of the sorting and packaging device 5 and / or the transport speed of the first conveyor 1 are slowed down, the speed control unit 33 may adjust the transport speed of the second conveyor 2 accordingly.

[0042] Furthermore, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible without departing from its spirit. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0043] 100... Egg carton conveying device P ···Egg carton 1 ···First Conveyor 2 ···Second conveyor 3. Control device 31 ···Calculation Section 32 ··· Processing Unit 33...Speed ​​Control Unit 4 ···Egg carton sensor 5. Sorting and packaging equipment

Claims

1. Multiple first conveyors transport egg cartons packaged by a sorting and packaging device, The system includes a plurality of second conveyors that transport the egg cartons transported by the plurality of first conveyors, An egg carton conveying device in which each of the plurality of first conveyors is connected to a changeable second conveyor, and a plurality of first conveyors are connected to at least one of the second conveyors, Each of the aforementioned plurality of second conveyors is provided with a calculation unit that calculates the conveying load corresponding to the egg carton being conveyed, An egg carton conveying device comprising a processing unit that performs a predetermined notification process when the conveying load of any of the plurality of second conveyors exceeds a predetermined value.

2. The egg carton conveying device according to claim 1, further comprising a control unit that controls the processing speed of the sorting and packaging device and / or the conveying speed of at least one of the plurality of first conveyors based on the conveying load.

3. Each of the aforementioned plurality of second conveyors is further provided with a plurality of egg carton sensors for detecting the egg cartons being transported, The egg carton conveying device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the calculation unit calculates the conveying load based on the detection results of the plurality of egg carton sensors.

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