Apparatus for manufacturing glass plate packaging and method for manufacturing glass plate packaging

Abstract

In the process of manufacturing a glass plate package by placing protective sheets between multiple glass plates, wrinkles in the protective sheets are smoothed out to ensure the glass plates are stably stacked on the pallet. [Solution] The manufacturing apparatus for glass plate packaging comprises a glass plate loading device 2 for loading multiple glass plates G on a pallet 5 in an inclined position, and a protective sheet loading device 4 for loading protective sheets S on top of the glass plates G. The protective sheet loading device 4 comprises gripping parts 12 and 13 for gripping the four corners of the protective sheet S1 while it is being loaded, and a pressing part 18 that presses the loaded protective sheet S2 toward the leaning support part 5a of the pallet 5 between the upper gripping part 12 and the lower gripping part 13.

Description

Technical Field

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[0001] The present invention relates to a manufacturing technique for a glass sheet package in which glass sheets and protective sheets are alternately arranged and stacked on a pallet.

Background Art

[0002] When manufacturing a glass sheet package, for example, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, a glass sheet loading device for loading glass sheets on a pallet and a protective sheet loading device for loading protective sheets on a pallet may be used.

[0003] The glass sheet loading device disclosed in the publication includes a plurality of gripping parts that can move three-dimensionally by a robot arm or the like. After the plurality of gripping parts grip the glass sheet and move it to the pallet, the glass sheet is loaded on the pallet in an inclined posture (vertical posture).

[0004] In addition, the protective sheet loading device disclosed in the publication includes four gripping parts that can move in the front-rear direction along a guide member (movable by the operation of a drive mechanism such as a belt transmission mechanism). After the four gripping parts grip the four corners of the protective sheet and move it to the pallet, the protective sheet is overlaid on the glass sheet and loaded on the pallet.

[0005] The operation of loading the glass sheet on the pallet and the operation of loading the protective sheet on the pallet are alternately repeated. Therefore, on the pallet, a protective sheet is disposed between a plurality of glass sheets.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0006]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0007] In the manufacturing process of glass plate packaging as disclosed in Patent Document 1, the following problems arise, particularly due to the configuration of the protective sheet loading device.

[0008] When the gripping parts of the protective sheet loading device grip the protective sheet, the protective sheet is prone to developing wavy wrinkles due to its flexibility. In particular, when the four gripping parts grip the four corners of the protective sheet and load it onto a pallet, tension is less likely to act on the center of the protective sheet, which can lead to larger wrinkles.

[0009] When protective sheets like these are placed between multiple glass plates, it becomes difficult to stably stack the glass plates on a pallet. In particular, if large wrinkles occur in the center of the protective sheet in the vertical direction, the bottom of the glass plate will become upright. As a result, the load on the lower edge of the glass plate increases, and there is a risk of the glass plate breaking. It can also cause the glass plate to fall over and lead to the collapse of the load. Furthermore, if large wrinkles occur in the protective sheet, the distance between multiple glass plates increases, reducing the efficiency of stacking the glass plates on the pallet.

[0010] From the above perspective, the object of the present invention is to enable proper packaging work while stably stacking glass plates on a pallet by smoothing out wrinkles in the protective sheet during the process of manufacturing a glass plate package by placing a protective sheet between multiple glass plates, and to improve the efficiency of stacking glass plates on a pallet. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] (1) The first aspect of the present invention, which was devised to solve the above problems, is a manufacturing apparatus for glass plate packaging comprising: a glass plate loading device for loading a plurality of glass plates on a pallet in an inclined position; and a protective sheet loading device for loading protective sheets on top of the glass plates, wherein the protective sheets include loaded protective sheets that have already been loaded on the pallet and loading protective sheets that are being loaded by the protective sheet loading device, and the protective sheet loading device is characterized by comprising: an upper end gripping portion for gripping the upper ends at both widthwise ends of the loading protective sheet; a lower end gripping portion for gripping the lower ends at both widthwise ends of the loading protective sheet; and a pressing portion between the upper end gripping portion and the lower end gripping portion for pressing the loaded protective sheet toward the leaning support portion of the pallet.

[0012] With this configuration, the pressing part presses the loaded protective sheet toward the leaning support part of the pallet, smoothing out any wrinkles in the sheet. As a result, the lower part of the glass sheet does not become upright, and the entire glass sheet is maintained in an inclined position. Consequently, damage to the glass sheet due to increased load on the lower end of the glass sheet, and cargo collapse due to the glass sheet tipping over are less likely to occur. Therefore, it becomes possible to stably load the glass sheets onto the pallet while performing proper packaging work. Moreover, since the wrinkles in the loaded protective sheet are smoothed out, the distance between multiple glass sheets is shortened, improving the efficiency of loading the glass sheets onto the pallet.

[0013] (2) In the configuration of (1) above, the pressing portion may be an elongated member attached to the upper end gripping portion and the lower end gripping portion.

[0014] In this way, the pressing action of the pressing part can be performed in conjunction with the movement of the upper end gripping part and the lower end gripping part, eliminating the need to provide a separate mechanism for the pressing part to perform the pressing action, thus simplifying the configuration and control of the device.

[0015] (3) In the configuration of (2) above, the long member may be a strip-shaped member.

[0016] This design allows for a lighter device because the pressing portion is a strip-shaped member. Furthermore, since the protective sheet can be pressed across the entire width of the strip-shaped member, it can be pressed reliably without damaging the protective sheet.

[0017] (4) In any of the configurations (1) to (3) above, the pressing portion may extend along the entire length between the upper gripping portion and the lower gripping portion.

[0018] In this way, wrinkles in the loaded protective sheet can be smoothed out along the entire vertical length between the upper and lower gripping portions, thus significantly enhancing the effects described above that can be obtained by smoothing out wrinkles.

[0019] (5) In any of the configurations described in (1) to (4) above, the pressing portion may be an elastic member.

[0020] In this way, the elasticity of the pressing part allows the loaded protective sheet to be pressed down properly. Moreover, the elasticity of the pressing part eliminates the need to replace the pressing part when it is necessary to change the distance between the upper and lower gripping parts (for example, when changing the size of the protective sheet in conjunction with a change in the size of the glass plate), thus eliminating the troublesome and complicated replacement work.

[0021] (6) In any of the configurations (1) to (5) above, with the side of the protective sheet during loading facing the pallet's leaning support portion being the back surface and the opposite side of the back surface being the front surface, the upper end gripping portion comprises an upper end back contact portion that contacts the back surface of the protective sheet during loading, an upper end front contact portion that contacts the front surface of the protective sheet during loading, and an upper end contact portion holding portion to which the upper end back contact portion and the upper end front contact portion are attached, the lower end gripping portion comprises a lower end back contact portion that contacts the back surface of the protective sheet during loading, a lower end front contact portion that contacts the front surface of the protective sheet during loading, and a lower end contact portion holding portion to which the lower end back contact portion and the lower end front contact portion are attached, and the pressing portion may be attached to the upper end back contact portion and the lower end back contact portion.

[0022] By doing so, since the pressing part is attached to the upper end surface contact part and the lower end surface contact part, the pressing operation of the pressing part against the loaded protective sheet can be properly performed.

[0023] (7) In any of the configurations of (1) to (6) above, the upper end surface contact part is fixed to the upper end contact part holding part, the lower end surface contact part is fixed to the lower end contact part holding part, the upper end surface contact part is attached to the upper end contact part holding part so as to be capable of opening and closing with respect to the upper end surface contact part, and the lower end surface contact part may be attached to the lower end contact part holding part so as to be capable of opening and closing with respect to the lower end surface contact part.

[0024] By doing so, the upper end surface contact part and the lower end surface contact part located on the side of the pallet leaning support part are fixed, and the upper end surface contact part and the lower end surface contact part located on the side opposite to the side of the pallet leaning support part open and close, so that the operation for releasing the gripping of the protective sheet during loading (the operation of the contact part opening) can be smoothly performed without being caught by the loaded protective sheet.

[0025] (8) In any of the configurations of (1) to (7) above, the loaded protective sheet protrudes from both end portions in the width direction of the glass plate loaded on the pallet, and the pressing part may press the loaded protective sheet at a position where it does not overlap with the glass plate when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the main surface of the glass plate.

[0026] By doing so, even if foreign matter adheres to the pressing part, transfer of the foreign matter to the glass plate can be prevented.

[0027] (9) A second aspect of the present invention devised to solve the above problems is a manufacturing apparatus for a glass sheet package body, comprising a glass sheet loading device for loading a plurality of glass sheets on a pallet in an inclined posture, and a protective sheet loading device for loading a protective sheet on top of the glass sheet. The protective sheet includes a loaded protective sheet already loaded on the pallet and a loading protective sheet being loaded by the protective sheet loading device. The protective sheet loading device is characterized by comprising an upper end portion gripping portion for gripping the upper end portions at both ends in the width direction of the loading protective sheet, a lower end portion gripping portion for gripping the lower end portions at both ends in the width direction of the loading protective sheet, and a pressing portion for pressing the loading protective sheet toward the leaning support portion side of the pallet between the upper end portion gripping portion and the lower end portion gripping portion.

[0028] According to such a configuration, by the pressing portion pressing the loading protective sheet toward the leaning support portion side of the pallet, wrinkles of the loading protective sheet and thus the loaded protective sheet are stretched. Therefore, in this case as well, the same operational effects as those in the case of the configuration of (1) above can be obtained.

[0029] (10) In the configuration of (9) above, of both surfaces of the loading protective sheet, the surface on the leaning support portion side of the pallet is defined as the back surface, and the surface opposite to the back surface is defined as the front surface. The upper end portion gripping portion includes an upper end portion back surface contact portion that contacts the back surface of the loading protective sheet, an upper end portion front surface contact portion that contacts the front surface of the loading protective sheet, and an upper end portion contact portion holding portion to which the upper end portion back surface contact portion and the upper end portion front surface contact portion are attached. The lower end portion gripping portion includes a lower end portion back surface contact portion that contacts the back surface of the loading protective sheet, a lower end portion front surface contact portion that contacts the front surface of the loading protective sheet, and a lower end portion contact portion holding portion to which the lower end portion back surface contact portion and the lower end portion front surface contact portion are attached. The pressing portion may be attached to the upper end portion front surface contact portion and the lower end portion front surface contact portion.

[0030] If it is configured in this way, by the pressing portion being attached to the upper end portion front surface contact portion and the lower end portion front surface contact portion, the pressing operation of the pressing portion on the loading protective sheet can be properly performed.

[0031] (11) A third aspect of the present invention, devised to solve the above problems, is a method for manufacturing a glass plate package, comprising a glass plate loading step of loading glass plates onto a pallet in an inclined position using a glass plate loading device, and a protective sheet loading step of loading protective sheets on top of the glass plates using a protective sheet loading device, wherein the glass plate loading step and the protective sheet loading step are repeatedly performed alternately, the protective sheet includes a loaded protective sheet that has already been loaded onto a pallet and a loading protective sheet that is being loaded by a protective sheet loading device, the protective sheet loading device comprises an upper end gripping portion that grips the upper ends at both ends in the width direction of the loading protective sheet, and a lower end gripping portion that grips the lower ends at both ends in the width direction of the loading protective sheet, and further comprising a pressing step of pressing the loaded protective sheet toward the leaning support portion of the pallet by a pressing portion between the upper end gripping portion and the lower end gripping portion, at least during the execution of the protective sheet loading step.

[0032] This method yields substantially the same effects as the configuration described in (1) above.

[0033] (12) A fourth aspect of the present invention, devised to solve the above problems, is a method for manufacturing a glass plate package, comprising a glass plate loading step of loading glass plates onto a pallet in an inclined position using a glass plate loading device, and a protective sheet loading step of loading protective sheets on top of the glass plates using a protective sheet loading device, wherein the glass plate loading step and the protective sheet loading step are repeatedly performed alternately, the protective sheet includes a loaded protective sheet that has already been loaded onto a pallet and a loading protective sheet that is being loaded by a protective sheet loading device, the protective sheet loading device comprises an upper end gripping portion that grips the upper ends at both ends in the width direction of the loading protective sheet, and a lower end gripping portion that grips the lower ends at both ends in the width direction of the loading protective sheet, and further comprising a pressing step of pressing the loading protective sheet toward the leaning support portion of the pallet by a pressing portion between the upper end gripping portion and the lower end gripping portion, at least during the execution of the protective sheet loading step.

[0034] This method yields substantially the same effects as the configuration described in (9) above.

[0035] (13) A fifth aspect of the present invention, which was devised to solve the above problems, is a manufacturing apparatus for glass plate packaging comprising a glass plate stacking device for stacking a plurality of glass plates on a pallet in an inclined position, and a protective sheet stacking device for stacking protective sheets on top of the glass plates, wherein the protective sheet stacking device comprises an upper end gripping portion for gripping the upper ends at both ends in the width direction of the protective sheet, a lower end gripping portion for gripping the lower ends at both ends in the width direction of the protective sheet, and a long member attached between the upper end gripping portion and the lower end gripping portion.

[0036] With this configuration, when the protective sheet loading device loads protective sheets, the long member can press the protective sheets already loaded on the pallet (i.e., loaded protective sheets) and / or the protective sheets being loaded by the protective sheet loading device (i.e., protective sheets being loaded) toward the leaning support portion of the pallet. This provides substantially the same effects as in the configurations of (1) and / or (9) above.

[0037] (14) A sixth aspect of the present invention, devised to solve the above problems, is a method for manufacturing a glass plate package, comprising a glass plate loading step of loading glass plates onto a pallet in an inclined position using a glass plate loading device, and a protective sheet loading step of loading protective sheets on top of the glass plates using a protective sheet loading device, wherein the glass plate loading step and the protective sheet loading step are repeatedly performed alternately, the protective sheet loading device is characterized by comprising an upper end gripping part that grips the upper ends at both ends in the width direction of the protective sheet, a lower end gripping part that grips the lower ends at both ends in the width direction of the protective sheet, and a long member attached between the upper end gripping part and the lower end gripping part.

[0038] This method yields substantially the same effects as the configuration described in (13) above. [Effects of the Invention]

[0039] According to the present invention, in the process of manufacturing a glass plate package by placing protective sheets between multiple glass plates, wrinkles in the protective sheets are smoothed out, which allows for stable stacking of the glass plates on a pallet and proper packaging work, as well as improving the efficiency of stacking the glass plates on the pallet. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0040] [Figure 1] This is a schematic side view showing the overall configuration of a manufacturing apparatus for glass plate packaging according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view showing the main parts of a protective sheet cutting device and a protective sheet stacking device, which are components of a glass plate packaging manufacturing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] A perspective view showing the main part of a protective sheet loading device, which is a component of a glass plate packaging manufacturing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] A perspective view showing the main part of a protective sheet loading device, which is a component of a glass plate packaging manufacturing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] This is a view from above in the inclined direction of the main part of a protective sheet loading device, which is a component of a glass plate packaging manufacturing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] A perspective view showing the main part of a protective sheet loading device, which is a component of a glass plate packaging manufacturing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] This is a side view showing the main parts of a glass plate loading device and a protective sheet loading device, which are components of a glass plate packaging manufacturing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] This is a longitudinal cross-sectional side view showing the main part of a laminate obtained using a glass plate stacking device and a protective sheet stacking device, which are components of a glass plate packaging manufacturing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] A perspective view showing the main part of a protective sheet loading device, which is a component of a glass plate packaging manufacturing apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] A perspective view showing the main part of a protective sheet loading device, which is a component of a glass plate packaging manufacturing apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] This is a view from above in the inclined direction of the main part of a protective sheet loading device, which is a component of a glass plate packaging manufacturing apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] This is a side view showing the main part of a protective sheet loading device, which is a component of a glass plate packaging manufacturing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view illustrating the problems of the conventional approach. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0041] Hereinafter, a manufacturing apparatus for glass plate packaging and a method for manufacturing glass plate packaging according to embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings.

[0042] [First Embodiment] Figure 1 is a schematic side view showing the overall configuration of a glass plate packaging manufacturing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the manufacturing apparatus 1 comprises a glass plate stacking device 2, a protective sheet cutting device 3, and a protective sheet stacking device 4. Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the protective sheet cutting device 3 and the protective sheet stacking device 4. In the following description, the direction of arrow A in Figures 1 and 2 is considered the front, and the direction of arrow B is considered the rear (the same applies to other figures). Also, the direction of arrow CC in Figure 2 (the direction perpendicular to the plane of the paper in Figure 1) is considered the width direction (the same applies to other figures).

[0043] The glass plate loading device 2 is a device for loading glass plates G onto pallets 5. The protective sheet cutting device 3 is a device for cutting protective sheets S. The protective sheet loading device 4 is a device for loading protective sheets S onto pallets 5.

[0044] First, the general configuration of the pallet 5 will be described. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, a leaning support portion 5a is provided on the rear side of the pallet 5, and the leaning support surface 5aa of the leaning support portion 5a is inclined so that it is located towards the rear as it moves from the bottom to the top. The leaning support surface 5aa supports the surface of the glass plate G and the surface of the protective sheet S. In addition, a base portion 5b is provided on the lower side of the pallet 5, and a mounting surface 5ba is formed on the upper part of the base portion 5b. The mounting surface 5ba is inclined so that it moves downward as it moves from the front to the rear. The mounting surface 5ba supports the lower end of the glass plate G (which may include the lower end of the protective sheet S).

[0045] The glass plate loading device 2 shown in Figure 1 includes a glass holding section 6 for moving glass plates G toward a pallet 5 and loading them onto the pallet 5. The glass holding section 6 has a clamping mechanism 6a capable of gripping the glass plates G. The glass holding sections 6 are arranged at multiple locations in the width direction. Each glass holding section 6 is capable of moving three-dimensionally by a robot arm or other various drive mechanisms. The clamping mechanism 6a of each holding section 6 grips only the upper end of the glass plate G.

[0046] The glass plate G has an effective region in the central area that becomes the product, and an ineffective region on the outer periphery of the effective region. The glass plate G has a width dimension of 1500 mm to 4000 mm, and a dimension perpendicular to the width dimension of 1500 mm to 4000 mm. The thickness of the glass plate G is 50 μm to 1000 μm, preferably 50 μm to 700 μm, and more preferably 50 μm to 500 μm. Such a glass plate G is used, for example, as a glass substrate or cover glass in liquid crystal displays and organic EL displays. In this embodiment, the glass plate G is flexible. Therefore, the glass plate G can bend into a curved shape.

[0047] The protective sheet cutting device 3 shown in Figure 2 is a device that cuts protective sheets S by cutting strip-shaped protective sheets SR pulled out from the original sheet roll (not shown) into predetermined lengths. The protective sheet cutting device 3 includes a direction changing roller 7 that changes the direction of pulling out the strip-shaped protective sheet SR from the horizontal direction to the vertical direction, a pair of clamping rollers 8 that grip the strip-shaped protective sheet SR after it has passed through the direction changing roller 7 and feed it downward, and a cutting section 9 that cuts the strip-shaped protective sheet SR after it has passed through the pair of clamping rollers 8. The cutting section 9 has a support member 9a and a cutting blade 9b.

[0048] Furthermore, the protective sheet cutting device 3 includes an upper holding part 10 that holds the relatively upper portions of both ends of the strip-shaped protective sheet SR in the width direction when it is in a vertical position, and a lower holding part 11 that holds the relatively lower portions of both ends of the strip-shaped protective sheet SR in the width direction. These holding parts 10 and 11 have clamping mechanisms 10a and 11a that hold both ends of the strip-shaped protective sheet SR in the width direction.

[0049] The protective sheet cutting device 3 cuts the protective sheet S as follows. First, the lower holding part 11, which was waiting near the cutting section 9, grips both ends of the strip-shaped protective sheet SR in the width direction. In this state, the lower holding part 11 moves downward as shown by the dashed line in the figure, and stops after moving a predetermined distance. After this, the upper holding part 10 grips both ends of the strip-shaped protective sheet SR in the width direction. As a result, the strip-shaped protective sheet SR is held by both holding parts 10 and 11 in a state where it has been pulled out downward by a predetermined length from the cutting section 9.

[0050] Next, the cutting blade 9b of the cutting section 9 is pressed against the support member 9a via the protective sheet SR, cutting the strip-shaped protective sheet SR along its entire width at a position above the upper holding section 10. This cuts out the protective sheet S from the strip-shaped protective sheet SR. At this point, the upper and lower ends of both ends of the protective sheet S in the width direction are held by both holding sections 10 and 11. After this, both holding sections 10 and 11 move downward to reach the handover position for the protective sheet S. The protective sheet S that has reached the handover position is received by the protective sheet loading device 4.

[0051] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the protective sheet loading device 4 comprises two upper sheet holding parts 12 positioned above the front of the pallet 5, and two lower sheet holding parts 13 positioned below the front of the pallet 5. Each of the two upper sheet holding parts 12 is held so as to be movable in the front-rear direction by an upper guide member 14, and each of the two lower sheet holding parts 13 is held so as to be movable in the front-rear direction by a lower guide member 15.

[0052] The upper guide member 14 and the lower guide member 15 are both inclined so as they move downwards from the front to the rear. These guide members 14 and 15 extend in the front-rear direction parallel to the mounting surface 5ba of the pallet 5. In addition, the two upper sheet holding parts 12 are each held so as to be movable in the width direction by a guide member (not shown) located above them, and the two lower sheet holding parts 13 are each held so as to be movable in the width direction by a guide member (not shown) located below them.

[0053] Figure 3 is a perspective view from the front of the protective sheet S and its gripping state received by the protective sheet loading device 4, Figure 4 is a perspective view from the rear of the protective sheet S and its gripping state, and Figure 5 is a view from above in the inclined direction along the leaning support surface 5aa of the protective sheet S and its gripping state. As shown in these figures, the two upper sheet holding parts 12 are upper end gripping parts (hereinafter referred to as upper gripping parts 12) that grip the upper ends at both ends in the width direction of the protective sheet S. The two lower sheet holding parts 13 are lower end gripping parts (hereinafter referred to as lower gripping parts 13) that grip the lower ends at both ends in the width direction of the protective sheet S.

[0054] Various materials such as foamed resin sheets, non-foamed resin sheets, pulp paper, and others can be used as the protective sheet S, but in this embodiment, a foamed resin sheet such as a highly foamed polyethylene sheet is used. The dimensions of the protective sheet S in the width direction and in the direction perpendicular to the width direction are longer than the previously described dimensions of the glass plate G. The thickness of the protective sheet S is 30 μm to 500 μm, preferably 100 μm to 300 μm. Furthermore, wrinkles are present throughout the entire protective sheet S (the same applies to the strip-shaped protective sheet SR).

[0055] In the following explanation, of the two sides Sa and Sb of the protective sheet S, the rear side Sa (the side Sa on the leaning support part 5a of the pallet 5) is referred to as the back surface, and the front side Sb, which is the opposite side of this back surface Sa, is referred to as the front surface.

[0056] As shown in Figures 3 to 5, the upper gripping portion 12 includes an upper end back surface contact portion 12a (hereinafter referred to as the upper back surface contact portion 12a) that contacts the back surface Sa of the protective sheet S, and an upper end surface contact portion 12b (hereinafter referred to as the upper surface contact portion 12b) that contacts the front surface Sb of the protective sheet S. Furthermore, the upper gripping portion 12 includes an upper end contact portion holding portion 12c (hereinafter referred to as the upper contact portion holding portion 12c) to which the upper back surface contact portion 12a and the upper surface contact portion 12b are attached.

[0057] The lower gripping portion 13 includes a lower end back surface contact portion 13a (hereinafter referred to as the lower back surface contact portion 13a) that contacts the back surface Sa of the protective sheet S, and a lower end front surface contact portion 13b (hereinafter referred to as the lower front surface contact portion 13b) that contacts the front surface Sb of the protective sheet S. Furthermore, the lower gripping portion 13 includes a lower end contact portion holding portion 13c (hereinafter referred to as the lower contact portion holding portion 13c) to which the lower back surface contact portion 13a and the lower front surface contact portion 13b are attached.

[0058] As shown in Figure 5, the upper back contact portion 12a is fixed to the upper contact holding portion 12c, and the upper surface contact portion 12b is rotatably attached to the upper contact holding portion 12c via the shaft portion 16. Therefore, the upper surface contact portion 12b can be opened and closed relative to the upper back contact portion 12a in the state shown by the solid line and the state shown by the dashed line in the figure. Similarly, the lower back contact portion 13a is fixed to the lower contact holding portion 13c, and the lower surface contact portion 13b is rotatably attached to the lower contact holding portion 13c via the shaft portion 16. Therefore, the lower surface contact portion 13b can be opened and closed relative to the lower back contact portion 13a in the state shown by the solid line and the state shown by the dashed line in the figure (see Figure 2 for the open state). The upper back contact portion 12a may be integrated with the upper contact holding portion 12c, and the lower back contact portion 13a may be integrated with the lower contact holding portion 13c.

[0059] A characteristic feature of the protective sheet loading device 4 according to this embodiment is that, as shown in Figures 2 to 5, a long member 18 is attached as a pressing part between the upper gripping part 12 and the lower gripping part 13. The length of the long member 18 from the upper gripping part 12 to the lower gripping part 13 is longer than its length in the width direction and its length in the front-rear direction. In this embodiment, the long member 18 is a strip-shaped member. More specifically, the strip-shaped member 18 is attached across the upper back contact part 12a and the lower back contact part 13a. Therefore, the strip-shaped member 18 extends over the entire length from the upper back contact part 12a to the lower back contact part 13a. In this case, the upper end of the strip-shaped member 18 is fixed to the rear surface of the upper back contact part 12a, and the lower end of the strip-shaped member 18 is fixed to the rear surface of the lower back contact part 13a. These fasteners are preferably secured using double-sided tape with adhesive or tack layers formed on both sides, but may also be secured using adhesive alone, or by using pins, rivets, screws, etc.

[0060] The strip-shaped member 18 is formed of, for example, rubber. Examples of rubber materials used include natural rubber, urethane rubber, butadiene rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber, neoprene rubber, and nitrile rubber. In this case, tension is applied to the strip-shaped member 18 in the longitudinal direction. The strip-shaped member 18 may also be made of an elastic material other than rubber (for example, a resin material) or a metal material.

[0061] Figure 6 is a perspective view showing the protective sheets S stacked on the pallet 5, and Figure 7 is a side view showing the same state with the protective sheets S stacked on the pallet 5. Figure 5 also shows the same state with the protective sheets S stacked on the pallet 5. In this case, the operation of stacking the protective sheets S on the pallet 5 and the operation of stacking the glass plates G on the pallet 5 are performed alternately and repeatedly. Therefore, multiple inclined glass plates G and protective sheets S are arranged alternately on the pallet 5.

[0062] Figures 5 and 6 illustrate a protective sheet S being loaded (hereinafter referred to as "protective sheet S1 being loaded") with its four corners gripped by the upper gripping portion 12 and the lower gripping portion 13, and multiple loaded protective sheets S (hereinafter referred to as "loaded protective sheets S2") already stacked on the pallet 5. Figure 6 also shows the glass plate G loaded at the very front of the multiple glass plates G with a dotted line. The states shown in these figures represent the state when the upper gripping portion 12 and the lower gripping portion 13 have moved to the rear along the upper guide member 14 and the lower guide member 15, respectively, and have reached the predetermined loading position.

[0063] When the upper gripping portion 12 and the lower gripping portion 13 reach the predetermined loading position, as shown in Figures 5 to 7, the strip-shaped member 18 presses the loaded protective sheets S2 toward the rear (preferably toward the rear in the direction perpendicular to the leaning support surface 5aa). In this case, if the number of loaded protective sheets S2 is small (for example, a dozen to a twenty), the strip-shaped member 18 presses all of the loaded protective sheets S2, but if the number of loaded protective sheets S2 is large (for example, more than a dozen to a twenty), it presses only a portion of the loaded protective sheets S2 on the front side (for example, a dozen to a twenty).

[0064] Here, as shown in Figure 6, the loaded protective sheet S2 protrudes from both ends Ga in the width direction of the glass plate G loaded on the pallet 5, and in this embodiment, it also protrudes from the upper end Gb of the glass plate G. Under these circumstances, the strip-shaped member 18 presses the protruding portions Sw (see Figure 2) on both sides in the width direction of the loaded protective sheet S2 toward the rear. In other words, the strip-shaped member 18 presses the protruding portions Sw of the loaded protective sheet S2 at a position that does not overlap with the glass plate G when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the main surface Gy (see Figure 2) of the glass plate G. As a result, wrinkles in the protruding portions Sw are smoothed out, and consequently, wrinkles on the width direction center side of the loaded protective sheet S2 are also smoothed out.

[0065] Next, the glass holding section 6 of the glass plate loading device 2 shown in Figure 7 moves the glass plate G to the rear and, when it reaches the predetermined loading position, opens the clamp mechanism 6a of the glass holding section 6. As a result, the glass plate G is placed on top of the protective sheet S1 being loaded. Immediately afterward, the upper surface contact portion 12b of the upper gripping section 12 and the lower surface contact portion 13b of the lower gripping section 13, which are gripping the protective sheet S1 being loaded, open up, and the grip on the protective sheet S1 being loaded is released. When the grip is released, as shown by the dashed line in Figure 5, the upper surface contact portion 12b and the lower surface contact portion 13b move forward from the loaded protective sheet S2, so these contact portions 12b and 13b do not get caught on the loaded protective sheet S2. Therefore, a smooth release operation is performed.

[0066] After the grip is released, the upper gripping portion 12 and the lower gripping portion 13 move outward in the width direction along the guide members (not shown). As a result, the upper gripping portion 12 and the lower gripping portion 13 move outward in the width direction from both ends of the protective sheet S in the width direction. At this time, the upper surface contact portion 12b and the lower surface contact portion 13b, which are in the open position, are not in contact with the loaded protective sheet S2, so a smooth separation operation is performed. After this, the upper gripping portion 12 and the lower gripping portion 13 move forward along the upper guide member 14 and the lower guide member 15, respectively, and then move inward in the width direction along the guide members (not shown), returning to the handover position.

[0067] Figure 8 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a key part of a laminate 20, in which glass plates G and loaded protective sheets S2 are alternately stacked on a pallet 5 as described above, cut in the center in the width direction. As shown in the figure, because the wrinkles in the loaded protective sheets S2 are sufficiently smoothed out, the lower part Gx of the glass plates G does not become upright, and the entire glass plate G is maintained in an inclined position. As a result, the load on the lower end Gx1 of the glass plate G does not become large, making it less likely for the glass plate G to break. In addition, it is less likely for the load to collapse due to the glass plate G tipping over. Therefore, it is possible to perform proper packaging work while stably stacking the glass plates G on the pallet 5. Moreover, since the distance between multiple glass plates G is shortened, the stacking efficiency of the glass plates G on the pallet 5 is increased. Note that in the example shown, there is a small gap between the lower end Sx1 of the loaded protective sheet S2 and the mounting surface 5ba.

[0068] In contrast, if the strip-shaped member 18 acting as a pressing part is not provided, as shown in Figure 13, the wrinkles in the loaded protective sheet S2 are not sufficiently smoothed out, causing the lower part Gx of the glass plate G to become upright. As a result, the load on the lower end Gx1 of the glass plate G increases, making the glass plate G more susceptible to breakage. In addition, the collapse of the load due to the glass plate G tipping over also becomes more likely. Consequently, it becomes difficult to stably load the glass plates G onto the pallet 5. Moreover, the distance between multiple glass plates G increases, reducing the efficiency of loading the glass plates G onto the pallet 5.

[0069] Furthermore, if another gripping part is provided between the upper gripping part 12 and the lower gripping part 13 instead of the strip-shaped member 18 as the pressing part, the loaded protective sheet S2 can be pressed toward the leaning support part 5a side (rear side) of the pallet 5 at the points gripped by the other gripping part. However, the other gripping part can only press a very small portion of the loaded protective sheet S2 between the upper end and the lower end Sx1, and the wrinkles in the loaded protective sheet S2 cannot be sufficiently smoothed out. By pressing the loaded protective sheet S2 with the strip-shaped member 18 as the pressing part, in other words, with a long pressing part along the inclination direction of the glass plate G, the wrinkles in the loaded protective sheet S2 can be sufficiently smoothed out.

[0070] Next, a method for manufacturing a glass plate packaging body according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described. This manufacturing method according to the first embodiment comprises a glass plate stacking step, a protective sheet stacking step, and a pressing step.

[0071] The glass plate loading process involves loading the glass plates G onto the pallet 5 in an inclined position using the glass plate loading device 2.

[0072] The protective sheet loading process involves loading protective sheets S onto the glass plates G using a protective sheet loading device 4. The glass plate loading process and the protective sheet loading process are performed alternately and repeatedly.

[0073] The pressing process is a process in which, during the execution of the protective sheet loading process, the loaded protective sheet S2 is pressed toward the leaning support portion 5a side (rear side) of the pallet 5 by a strip-shaped member 18 which is a long pressing portion along the inclination direction of the glass plate G.

[0074] [Second Embodiment] The glass plate packaging manufacturing apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention differs from the apparatus according to the first embodiment described above in the configuration of the protective sheet loading device 4. Figure 9 is a perspective view from the front of the protective sheet loading device 4 according to the second embodiment, showing it gripping the protective sheet S. Figure 10 is a perspective view from the rear of the protective sheet loading device 4 according to the second embodiment, showing it gripping the protective sheet S. Figure 11 is a view from above, in the inclined direction along the leaning support surface 5aa, showing the protective sheet loading device 4 according to the second embodiment, gripping the protective sheet S. Note that Figure 11 shows the state when the upper gripping part 12 and the lower gripping part 13 according to the second embodiment have reached a predetermined loading position.

[0075] As shown in these figures, the protective sheet loading device 4 according to the second embodiment differs from the protective sheet loading device 4 according to the first embodiment described above in that the strip-shaped member 18, which serves as the pressing part, is attached across the upper surface contact portion 12b of the upper gripping portion 12 and the lower surface contact portion 13b of the lower gripping portion 13. More specifically, the upper end of the strip-shaped member 18 is fixed to the front surface of the upper surface contact portion 12b, and the lower end of the strip-shaped member 18 is fixed to the front surface of the lower surface contact portion 13b. Since the other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment described above, the same reference numerals are used in the figures above for components common to both embodiments, and their descriptions are omitted.

[0076] Figure 12, like Figure 11, shows the state when the upper gripping portion 12 and lower gripping portion 13 of the second embodiment have reached a predetermined loading position. As shown in these figures, the strip-shaped member 18, acting as a pressing portion, presses the protective sheet S1 during loading to the rear. Consequently, the strip-shaped member 18 also presses the loaded protective sheet S2 toward the rear. In this case, although not shown, the strip-shaped member 18 presses against the protruding portions of the protective sheet S1 during loading that extend from the glass plate G on both sides in the width direction, and the protruding portions of the loaded protective sheet S2 that extend from the glass plate G on both sides in the width direction. Therefore, in this second embodiment, wrinkles in the protective sheet S1 during loading are smoothed out, and at the same time, wrinkles in the loaded protective sheet S2 are also smoothed out. As shown in Figure 11, the rear surfaces of the upper back contact portion 12a and the lower back contact portion 13a are in contact with the loaded protective sheet S2, which is located at the very front.

[0077] Aside from this, the same effects and advantages as those of the first embodiment described above can be obtained in this second embodiment as well.

[0078] Next, a method for manufacturing a glass plate packaging body according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. This manufacturing method according to the second embodiment comprises a glass plate stacking step, a protective sheet stacking step, and a pressing step, similar to the manufacturing method according to the first embodiment described above. The difference between this manufacturing method according to the second embodiment and the manufacturing method according to the first embodiment described above is that in the pressing step, the strip-shaped member 18 presses against the protective sheet S1 while it is being stacked.

[0079] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the embodiments of the present invention are not limited thereto, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0080] For example, in the first and second embodiments described above, the pressing portion is a strip-shaped member 18, but it may be a member of other shapes such as a rectangular prism-shaped member or a round bar-shaped member. Also, the pressing portion 18 may be a rod-shaped member or plate-shaped member made of metal or resin, or a string-shaped member made of rubber. Furthermore, the pressing portion 18 does not have to be a long member. Specifically, the length of the pressing portion 18 from the upper gripping portion 12 to the lower gripping portion 13 may be shorter than its length in the width direction or its length in the front-to-back direction.

[0081] In the first and second embodiments described above, the pressing portion (strip-shaped member 18) extends along the entire length from the upper gripping portion 12 to the lower gripping portion 13. However, the pressing portion 18 may be positioned at an intermediate position between the upper gripping portion 12 and the lower gripping portion 13, and this pressing portion 18 may be attached to the upper gripping portion 12 and the lower gripping portion 13 using a member that does not function as a pressing portion. Furthermore, the pressing portion 18 may be made movable independently of the upper gripping portion 12 and the lower gripping portion 13. In this case, a separate drive mechanism for moving only the pressing portion 18 is required. In addition, in this case, the pressing process may be performed after the protective sheet loading process. Note that even in the case described here, the pressing portion 18 does not have to be a long member.

[0082] In the first embodiment described above, the pressing portion (strip-shaped member 18) is designed to press only the protruding portions Sw of the loaded protective sheet S2 from the glass plate G on both sides in the width direction. However, it is also possible to press the protruding portions and the non-effective areas of the glass plate G simultaneously.

[0083] In the second embodiment described above, the pressing portion (strip-shaped member 18) is designed to press only the protruding portions of the protective sheet S1 during loading that extend from the glass plate G on both sides in the width direction. However, it is also possible to press the protruding portions and the non-effective areas of the glass plate G simultaneously.

[0084] In the first embodiment described above, the pressing portion 18 is fixed to the rear surface of the upper back contact portion 12a and the rear surface of the lower back contact portion 13a. However, the pressing portion 18 may also be fixed to the front surface of the upper back contact portion 12a and the front surface of the lower back contact portion 13a.

[0085] In the second embodiment described above, the pressing portion 18 is fixed to the front surface of the upper surface contact portion 12b and the front surface of the lower surface contact portion 13b. However, the pressing portion 18 may also be fixed to the rear surface of the upper surface contact portion 12b and the rear surface of the lower surface contact portion 13b. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0086] 1. Manufacturing apparatus for glass plate packaging. 2. Glass plate loading device 4. Protective sheet loading device 5 Palettes 5a Support section for leaning the pallet against the wall 12 Upper end grip part (upper grip part) 12a Upper end back contact part (upper back contact part) 12b Upper end surface contact part (upper surface contact part) 12c Upper end contact holding part (upper contact holding part) 13 Lower end grip part (lower grip part) 13a Lower end back contact part (lower back contact part) 13b Lower end surface contact part (lower surface contact part) 13c Lower end contact holding part (lower contact holding part) 18. Strip-shaped member (pressing part, long member) G Glass plate Ga glass plate, both ends in the width direction S Protective Sheet S1 Protective sheet during loading S2 Loaded protective sheet

Claims

1. A manufacturing apparatus for glass plate packaging comprising a glass plate stacking device for stacking multiple glass plates on a pallet in an inclined position, and a protective sheet stacking device for stacking protective sheets on top of the glass plates, The protective sheet includes a loaded protective sheet that has already been stacked on the pallet and a protective sheet that is being loaded by the protective sheet stacking device. The protective sheet loading device is characterized by comprising: an upper end gripping portion for gripping the upper ends at both ends in the width direction of the protective sheet being loaded; a lower end gripping portion for gripping the lower ends at both ends in the width direction of the protective sheet being loaded; and a pressing portion between the upper end gripping portion and the lower end gripping portion for pressing the loaded protective sheet toward the leaning support portion of the pallet.

2. The apparatus for manufacturing a glass plate packaging body according to claim 1, wherein the pressing portion is a long member attached to the upper end gripping portion and the lower end gripping portion.

3. The apparatus for manufacturing a glass plate packaging body according to claim 2, wherein the long member is a strip-shaped member.

4. The manufacturing apparatus for glass plate packaging according to claim 2, wherein the pressing portion extends along the entire length from the upper gripping portion to the lower gripping portion.

5. The manufacturing apparatus for glass plate packaging according to claim 4, wherein the pressing portion is an elastic member.

6. Of the two sides of the protective sheet used during loading, the side facing the pallet's leaning support portion is designated as the back surface, and the side opposite to the back surface is designated as the front surface. The upper end gripping portion comprises an upper end back contact portion that contacts the back surface of the protective sheet during loading, an upper end front contact portion that contacts the front surface of the protective sheet during loading, and an upper end contact portion holding portion to which the upper end back contact portion and the upper end front contact portion are attached. The lower end gripping portion comprises a lower end back surface contact portion that contacts the back surface of the protective sheet during loading, a lower end front surface contact portion that contacts the front surface of the protective sheet during loading, and a lower end contact portion holding portion to which the lower end back surface contact portion and the lower end front surface contact portion are attached. The manufacturing apparatus for glass plate packaging according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the pressing portion is attached to the upper end back surface contact portion and the lower end back surface contact portion.

7. The upper end back surface contact portion is fixed to the upper end contact portion holding portion. The lower end back surface contact portion is fixed to the lower end contact portion holding portion. The upper end surface contact portion is attached to the upper end contact portion holding portion so as to be able to open and close relative to the upper end back surface contact portion. The manufacturing apparatus for glass plate packaging according to claim 6, wherein the lower end surface contact portion is attached to the lower end contact portion holding portion so as to be able to open and close relative to the lower end back surface contact portion.

8. The aforementioned loaded protective sheet protrudes from both ends in the width direction of the glass plate loaded on the pallet. The manufacturing apparatus for glass plate packaging according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the pressing portion presses the stacked protective sheet against the glass plate at a position that does not overlap with the glass plate when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the main surface of the glass plate.

9. A manufacturing apparatus for glass plate packaging comprising a glass plate stacking device for stacking multiple glass plates on a pallet in an inclined position, and a protective sheet stacking device for stacking protective sheets on top of the glass plates, The protective sheet includes a loaded protective sheet that has already been stacked on the pallet and a protective sheet that is being loaded by the protective sheet stacking device. The protective sheet loading device is characterized by comprising: an upper end gripping portion for gripping the upper ends at both ends in the width direction of the protective sheet while it is being loaded; a lower end gripping portion for gripping the lower ends at both ends in the width direction of the protective sheet while it is being loaded; and a pressing portion between the upper end gripping portion and the lower end gripping portion for pressing the protective sheet while it is being loaded toward the leaning support portion of the pallet.

10. Of the two sides of the protective sheet used during loading, the side facing the pallet's leaning support portion is designated as the back surface, and the side opposite to the back surface is designated as the front surface. The upper end gripping portion comprises an upper end back contact portion that contacts the back surface of the protective sheet during loading, an upper end front contact portion that contacts the front surface of the protective sheet during loading, and an upper end contact portion holding portion to which the upper end back contact portion and the upper end front contact portion are attached. The lower end gripping portion comprises a lower end back surface contact portion that contacts the back surface of the protective sheet during loading, a lower end front surface contact portion that contacts the front surface of the protective sheet during loading, and a lower end contact portion holding portion to which the lower end back surface contact portion and the lower end front surface contact portion are attached. The manufacturing apparatus for glass plate packaging according to claim 9, wherein the pressing portion is attached to the upper end surface contact portion and the lower end surface contact portion.

11. A method for manufacturing a glass plate package comprising a glass plate stacking step of stacking glass plates on a pallet in an inclined position using a glass plate stacking device, and a protective sheet stacking step of stacking protective sheets on top of the glass plates using a protective sheet stacking device, wherein the glass plate stacking step and the protective sheet stacking step are repeatedly and alternately performed, The protective sheet includes a loaded protective sheet that has already been stacked on the pallet and a protective sheet that is being loaded by the protective sheet stacking device. The protective sheet loading device comprises an upper end gripping portion for gripping the upper ends of both ends in the width direction of the protective sheet while it is being loaded, and a lower end gripping portion for gripping the lower ends of both ends in the width direction of the protective sheet while it is being loaded. A method for manufacturing a glass plate packaging body, further comprising a pressing step in which, at least during the execution of the protective sheet loading step, the loaded protective sheet is pressed by a pressing portion between the upper end gripping portion and the lower end gripping portion toward the leaning support portion of the pallet.

12. A method for manufacturing a glass plate package comprising a glass plate stacking step of stacking glass plates on a pallet in an inclined position using a glass plate stacking device, and a protective sheet stacking step of stacking protective sheets on top of the glass plates using a protective sheet stacking device, wherein the glass plate stacking step and the protective sheet stacking step are repeatedly and alternately performed, The protective sheet includes a loaded protective sheet that has already been stacked on the pallet and a protective sheet that is being loaded by the protective sheet stacking device. The protective sheet loading device comprises an upper end gripping portion for gripping the upper ends of both ends in the width direction of the protective sheet while it is being loaded, and a lower end gripping portion for gripping the lower ends of both ends in the width direction of the protective sheet while it is being loaded. A method for manufacturing a glass plate packaging body, further comprising a pressing step in which, at least during the execution of the protective sheet loading step, the pressing portion presses the loaded protective sheet toward the leaning support portion of the pallet between the upper end gripping portion and the lower end gripping portion.

13. A manufacturing apparatus for glass plate packaging comprising a glass plate stacking device for stacking multiple glass plates on a pallet in an inclined position, and a protective sheet stacking device for stacking protective sheets on top of the glass plates, The protective sheet loading device is characterized by comprising: an upper end gripping portion for gripping the upper ends of the protective sheet at both ends in the width direction; a lower end gripping portion for gripping the lower ends of the protective sheet at both ends in the width direction; and a long member attached between the upper end gripping portion and the lower end gripping portion, and is a manufacturing device for glass plate packaging.

14. A method for manufacturing a glass plate package comprising a glass plate stacking step of stacking glass plates on a pallet in an inclined position using a glass plate stacking device, and a protective sheet stacking step of stacking protective sheets on top of the glass plates using a protective sheet stacking device, wherein the glass plate stacking step and the protective sheet stacking step are repeatedly and alternately performed, A method for manufacturing a glass plate packaging body, characterized in that the protective sheet loading device comprises an upper end gripping portion for gripping the upper ends at both ends in the width direction of the protective sheet, a lower end gripping portion for gripping the lower ends at both ends in the width direction of the protective sheet, and a long member attached between the upper end gripping portion and the lower end gripping portion.

Images