Conveying device and conveying method

Abstract

The present invention provides a conveying device and conveying method that can convey objects in an appropriate orientation. [Solution] The conveying device EA comprises a posture correction means 10 for forcing the posture of an object to be conveyed WK having a plurality of convex portions WK1, and a conveying means 20 for conveying the object to be conveyed WK. The posture correction means 10 comprises a tensioning means 11 for pulling the convex portions WK1 at both ends in the intersecting direction that intersects the conveying direction of the object to be conveyed WK, thereby forcing the posture of the object to be conveyed WK by pulling the convex portions WK1 in the intersecting direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a conveying device and a conveying method.

Background Art

[0002] There is known a conveyance object having a plurality of convex portions (for example, see Patent Document 1). Further, there is known a conveyance device for conveying a conveyance object.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The plastic ampule block (conveyance object) having a plurality of main body portions 2 (convex portions) described in Patent Document 1 may bend at the thin portion 13 for subdivision during conveyance, and the convex portions may be in a posture where they approach each other. Therefore, there is a disadvantage that the conveyance device cannot convey the conveyance object in an appropriate posture.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a conveying device and a conveying method capable of conveying a conveyance object in an appropriate posture.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The present invention employs the configuration described in the claims.

Effects of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, since the convex portions at both ends in the crossing direction intersecting the conveying direction of the conveyance object are pulled in the crossing direction to force the posture of the conveyance object, the conveyance object can be conveyed in an appropriate posture.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008] [Figure 1] (A) is an explanatory diagram of a conveying device and a sheet application device according to an embodiment of the present invention. (B) to (D) are explanatory diagrams of the operation of the conveying device and the sheet application device. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, the X, Y, and Z axes are orthogonal to each other. The X and Y axes are axes within a predetermined plane, and the Z axis is an axis perpendicular to the predetermined plane. Furthermore, in this embodiment, when directions are indicated based on a view from the front direction in Figure 1(A) parallel to the Y axis, "up" is the direction of the Z-axis arrow and "down" is the opposite direction, "left" is the direction of the X-axis arrow and "right" is the opposite direction, "front" is the front direction in Figure 1(A) parallel to the Y axis and "back" is the opposite direction.

[0010] The conveying device EA comprises a posture correction means 10 that performs a posture correction process to force the posture of an object to be conveyed WK having a plurality of convex portions WK1, and a conveying means 20 that performs a conveying process to convey the object to be conveyed WK, and is positioned near a sheet application device EA1 which is a processing device that applies a sheet application process as a predetermined process to the object to be conveyed WK. The sheet application device EA1 includes an application means 30 that performs an application process of applying an adhesive sheet AS to the top portion WK2 (see Figure 1(C)) of the convex portion WK1 of the object to be conveyed WK, and a pressing roller 40 that acts as a pressing member that performs a pressing process of pressing the adhesive sheet AS applied to the top portion WK2 by the application means 30 onto the application area WK3 (see Figure 1(D)) including the top portion WK2. Furthermore, as shown in the diagram labeled AA in Figure 1(A), the object to be transported WK is constructed by integrating multiple individual pieces CP connected by a connecting portion CP1, and each piece CP is provided with a convex portion WK1.

[0011] The posture correction means 10 includes a tensioning means 11 that pulls the convex portions WK1 at both ends in the front-rear direction, which is a crossing direction intersecting the transport direction of the transported object WK, in the front-rear direction, thereby forcing the posture of the transported object WK by pulling the convex portions WK1 in the front-rear direction. The tensioning means 11 includes an engaging roller 11A as an engaging member having an engaging portion 11B that engages with the convex portion WK1, and is configured to pull the convex portion WK1 in the front-rear direction by engaging the engaging portion 11B with the convex portion WK1. In this embodiment, two engaging rollers 11A are arranged side by side in the front-rear direction so as to correspond to the convex portions WK1 at both ends in the conveying direction. The engaging portion 11B is formed in a concave shape and is formed to wrap around the outer circumferential surface of the engaging roller 11A once in the circumferential direction.

[0012] The conveying means 20 is equipped with a conveyor 21 such as a belt conveyor or a roller conveyor, and is configured to convey an object WK in which multiple piece-shaped bodies CP are arranged in the front-to-back direction.

[0013] The adhesive means 30 includes a support roller 31 that supports a roll RS on which a plurality of adhesive sheets AS are temporarily attached to one side of a release sheet RL at predetermined intervals in the left-right and front-back directions; a guide roller 32 that guides the roll RS; a release plate 33 that acts as a release member to fold the release sheet RL at the release edge 33A and peel the adhesive sheets AS from the release sheet RL; a drive roller 34 that is supported on the output shaft (not shown) of a rotary motor 34A that acts as a drive device and sandwiches the release sheet RL between the pinch roller 34B; and a drive device (not shown). The device includes a recovery roller 35 supported on the output shaft of the pinch roller 34B, which constantly applies a predetermined tension to the release sheet RL that is between it and the pinch roller 34B while the sheet application device EA1 is in automatic operation, and which recovers the release sheet RL; a linear motor 37 as a drive device supported on the slider 36A of a linear motor 36 as a drive device; and a holding member 38 supported on the output shaft 37A of the linear motor 37, which has a holding surface 38A that can be held by suction by a depressurizing means (holding means) not shown, such as a depressurizing pump or a vacuum ejector.

[0014] The pressing roller 40 is equipped with a plurality of pressing surfaces 41 capable of receiving the adhesive area WK3 of the convex portion WK1. The pressing surface portion 41 is formed in a concave shape corresponding to the shape of the adhesive area WK3 of the convex portion WK1 in cross-sectional view, and is also formed to wrap around the outer circumferential surface of the pressing roller 40 once.

[0015] The operation of the sheet application device EA1 described above will now be explained. First, the user of the sheet application device EA1 (hereinafter simply referred to as "user") sets the raw material RS as shown in Figure 1(A) with the components positioned in the initial positions shown in Figure 1(A), and then inputs a signal to start automatic operation via an operating means such as an operation panel or personal computer (not shown). The application means 30 then drives the rotary motor 34A to feed out the raw material RS, and when the leading end of the adhesive sheet AS reaches a predetermined position near the release edge 33A of the release plate 33, the driving of the rotary motor 34A is stopped.

[0016] Next, the transport means 20 drives the conveyor 21 and transports the object to be transported WK to the left. As the object to be transported WK passes below the engagement roller 11A, as shown by the dashed line in Figure 1(A), the convex portion WK1 engages with the engagement portion 11B of the engagement roller 11A, as shown in Figure 1(B). As a result, even if the object to be transported WK is bent around the connecting portion CP1 and the convex portions WK1 are close to each other, as shown by the dashed line in Figure 1(B), the convex portions WK1 are pulled in the front-rear direction and corrected to the proper position, as shown by the solid line in the same figure. After that, when the object to be transported WK reaches a predetermined position below the peeling plate 33, the transport means 20 stops driving the conveyor 21. Next, the adhesive means 30 drives the linear motor 37 to lower the holding member 38 and bring it into contact with the adhesive sheet AS. Then, it drives a depressurization means (not shown) to start the suction holding of the adhesive sheet AS on the holding surface 38A. The adhesive means 30 then drives the rotary motor 34A and the linear motor 36 to move the holding member 38, which is holding the adhesive sheet AS on the holding surface 38A, to the left while feeding out the raw material RS. As a result, the leading adhesive sheet AS is peeled off from the release sheet RL at the release edge 33A of the release plate 33 and fed out above the object to be conveyed WK. When the leading edge in the feeding direction of the next adhesive sheet AS following the leading adhesive sheet AS reaches a predetermined position near the release edge 33A of the release plate 33, the adhesive means 30 stops driving the rotary motor 34A.

[0017] Next, the adhesive means 30 drives the linear motor 37 to lower the holding member 38, as shown by the dashed line in Figure 1(A), and as shown in Figure 1(C), the holding member 38 adheres the adhesive sheet AS to the top WK2 of the convex portion WK1. After that, the adhesive means 30 stops driving the depressurization means (not shown), releases the suction holding of the adhesive sheet AS on the holding surface 38A, and then drives the linear motor 36 and the linear motor 37 to return the holding member 38 to its initial position. Next, the transport means 20 drives the conveyor 21 and transports the object to be transported WK to the right. As the object to be transported WK passes below the pressing roller 40, as shown by the dashed line in Figure 1(A), the pressing roller 40 presses the adhesive sheet AS onto the adhesion area WK3 of the convex portion WK1 with its pressing surface 41, as shown in Figure 1(D). Then, once the entire leading adhesive sheet AS is attached to the object WK to be transported, the object WK is transported to the next process by the conveyor 21, and the same operation as described above is repeated thereafter.

[0018] According to the above embodiment, the convex portions WK1 at both ends in the front-rear direction intersecting the transport direction of the transported object WK are pulled in the front-rear direction to force the posture of the transported object WK, thereby enabling the transported object WK to be transported in an appropriate posture. Furthermore, since the convex portion WK1 is positioned by the engaging portion 11B of the engaging roller 11A, the adhesive sheet AS can be attached to the correct position of the convex portion WK1.

[0019] As described above, the best configurations, methods, etc., for carrying out the present invention are disclosed in the above description, but the present invention is not limited thereto. That is, although the present invention is mainly illustrated and described in relation to specific embodiments, those skilled in the art can make various modifications to the embodiments described above in terms of shape, material, quantity, and other detailed configurations without departing from the scope of the technical idea and objectives of the present invention. Furthermore, the descriptions of shapes, materials, etc. disclosed above are illustrative to facilitate understanding of the present invention and do not limit the present invention, so descriptions of components with some or all of those limitations removed are included in the present invention. In addition, the means and steps in the present invention are not limited in any way as long as they can perform the operations, functions, or steps described for those means and steps. Moreover, they are not limited to the components and steps of merely one embodiment shown in the above-described embodiment. For example, any conveyance means may be used as long as it can convey the object to be conveyed, and it is not limited in any way as long as it is within the technical scope in light of the common technical knowledge at the time of filing the application (the same applies to other means and steps).

[0020] The posture correction means 10 may be configured to pull the convex portions WK1 at both ends in the front-rear direction away from each other, or may adopt a pulling means configured to grip and pull the convex portions WK1 with a gripping means such as a mechanical chuck or a chuck cylinder. The engaging roller 11A may be configured as a single roller extending in the front-rear direction and formed to engage only with the convex portions WK1 at both ends in the front-rear direction. Alternatively, an engaging roller having an engaging portion in an elliptical or rhombic shape in cross-section that engages with adjacent convex portions WK1 may be adopted above or below the connecting portion CP1. The pulling means may be configured to pull the convex portions WK1 in the intersecting direction, where the intersecting direction is the direction intersecting the conveyance direction and the front-rear direction of the object to be conveyed WK. The engaging member may not rotate. When the engaging member does not rotate, the engaging portion may be provided only on the lower surface of the engaging member. The center-to-center distance between the two engaging portions 11B may be set to the same distance as the center-to-center distance of the convex portions WK1 at both ends, or the center-to-center distance of the engaging portions 11B may be made longer. When the center-to-center distance of the engaging portions 11B is made longer, the convex portions WK1 at both ends can be pulled more in the front-rear direction compared to when set to the same distance.

[0021] The conveying means 20 may include, for example, a table supported by a slider of a linear motor as a driving device, and convey the object to be conveyed WK placed on the table. When the sticking means 30 presses and sticks the adhesive sheet AS to the object to be conveyed WK, it may not be necessary to stop the driving of the conveyor 21. When the driving of the conveyor 21 is not stopped, the sticking means 30 feeds out the base material RS and adsorbs and holds the adhesive sheet AS on the holding surface 38A before the object to be conveyed WK reaches a predetermined position below the peeling plate 33, and then drives the linear motor 37 in accordance with the timing when the object to be conveyed WK reaches a predetermined position below the peeling plate 33, and may lower the holding member 38.

[0022] The adhesive means 30 may, in order to apply the adhesive sheet, unwind a roll RS in which a closed-loop cut is formed in a strip-shaped adhesive sheet substrate (a strip-shaped substrate sheet and a strip-shaped adhesive layer) temporarily attached to a strip-shaped release sheet RL, and then peel off the adhesive sheet AS before applying it; or to use a strip-shaped adhesive sheet roll in which a strip-shaped adhesive sheet substrate is temporarily attached to a strip-shaped release sheet RL, and while unwinding the roll RS in which a closed-loop cut is formed in the adhesive sheet substrate with a cutting blade as a cutting means, and then peel off the adhesive sheet AS before applying it; or to unwind the roll RS from a roll RS that is, for example, fan-folded, and then peel off the adhesive sheet AS without being wound up. Alternatively, the adhesive sheet AS may be attached by pressing it, or instead of the linear motor 36, the linear motor 37, and the holding member 38, a pressing roller may be used as a pressing means, and the adhesive sheet AS may be fed out in accordance with the relative movement with the object to be conveyed WK, and the adhesive sheet AS may be pressed and attached to the top WK2 of the convex portion WK1 of the object to be conveyed WK with the pressing roller (for example, the configuration exemplified in the embodiment of Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-117834), or a recovery means may be used to recover the release sheet RL without winding it, for example by fan-folding it, shredding it with a shredder, or haphazardly accumulating it, or a recovery means may not be used, or the adhesive sheet AS that is not temporarily attached to the release sheet RL may be fed out and attached, or the sheet attaching device EA1 of the present invention may or may not be provided.

[0023] The processing device can be any device other than the sheet application device EA1, such as a printing device, peeling device, cutting device, painting device, etc., and the predetermined processing applied to the conveyed object WK can also be any processing such as printing, peeling, cutting, painting, etc.

[0024] The material, type, shape, etc., of the adhesive sheet AS and the object to be conveyed WK in the present invention are not particularly limited. For example, the adhesive sheet AS and the object to be conveyed WK may be circular, elliptical, polygonal such as a triangle or square, or other shapes. The adhesive sheet AS may have a pressure-sensitive adhesive or heat-sensitive adhesive form. If a heat-sensitive adhesive sheet AS is used, it may be bonded by an appropriate method, such as providing a suitable heating means such as a suitable coil heater or the heating side of a heat pipe to heat the adhesive sheet AS. Furthermore, such an adhesive sheet AS may be any type, such as a single layer of only an adhesive layer, a two-layer sheet with a substrate and an adhesive layer laminated together, a three-layer or three-or-more-layer sheet with one or more intermediate layers laminated between the substrate and the adhesive layer, a three-layer or three-or-more-layer sheet with one or more cover layers laminated on the upper surface of the substrate, a sheet in which the substrate, intermediate layer, or cover layer is peelably provided, a single-layer double-sided adhesive sheet consisting only of an adhesive layer, or a double-sided adhesive sheet with adhesive layers laminated on both outermost surfaces of one or more intermediate layers. Furthermore, the transported object WK may be a single object such as food, a plastic container, a semiconductor wafer such as a silicon semiconductor wafer or a compound semiconductor wafer, a circuit board, an information recording substrate such as an optical disc, a glass plate, a steel plate, a ceramic, a wooden board, or a resin, or a composite object formed from two or more of these, and any form of component or article can also be included. The adhesive sheet AS may be any sheet, film, tape, etc., such as an information label, decorative label, protective sheet, dicing tape, die attach film, die bonding tape, or recording layer forming resin sheet.

[0025] The drive equipment in the above embodiment may be electric motors such as rotary motors, linear motors, single-axis robots, and so-called articulated robots with two or three or more joints, or actuators such as air cylinders, hydraulic cylinders, rodless cylinders, and rotary cylinders, either individually or in combination directly or indirectly. Furthermore, the drive equipment may be capable of or incapable of torque control or speed control of the output section of the electric motors or actuators.

[0026] In the above embodiment, an object (hereinafter referred to as "object A") and an object moving relative to object A (hereinafter referred to as "object B"), that is, object A and object B moving relative to object A, object B may move relative to object A which does not move, object A may move relative to object B which does not move, or both object A and object B may move, and either object A or object B may move as long as the result achieved by the movement is the same. If a rotating member such as a roller is used, a drive device for rotating the rotating member may be provided. The surface of the rotating member or the rotating member itself may be made of a deformable material such as rubber or resin, or the surface of the rotating member or the rotating member itself may be made of a non-deformable material. Other members such as rotating or non-rotating shafts or blades may be used instead of rollers. If a means or member for pressing an object to be pressed, such as a pressing roller or pressing head, is used, in addition to rollers, round bars, blade materials, brush-like members, a method of blowing gas such as air or gas may be used instead of or in combination with those exemplified above. The material to be peeled may be made of a deformable material such as rubber, resin, or sponge, or it may be made of a non-deformable material such as metal or glass. If a peeling means or peeling member such as a peeling plate or peeling roller is used to peel off the material to be peeled, a plate-shaped member, round bar, roller, etc. may be used instead of or in combination with the examples given above. The material to be peeled may be made of a deformable material such as rubber or resin, or it may be made of a non-deformable material. A support (holding) means or support (holding) member such as a support (holding) member may be used to support (hold) the supported (held) member. If applicable, a configuration may be adopted in which the member to be supported is supported (held) by gripping means such as mechanical chucks or chuck cylinders, Coulomb force, adhesive (adhesive sheets, adhesive tapes), adhesive agents (adhesive sheets, adhesive tapes), magnetic force, Bernoulli adsorption, suction adsorption, drive equipment, etc. If a cutting means or cutting member is used to cut the member to be cut or to form cuts or cutting lines in the member to be cut, a cutting method using a cutter blade, laser cutter, ion beam, thermal power, heat, water pressure, electric heating wire, spraying of gas or liquid, etc. may be used instead of or in combination with the examples given above.It may also be possible to move the object to be cut by combining it with appropriate drive devices. [Explanation of symbols]

[0027] EA... Conveyor system 10…Posture correction means 11...Tensioning means 11A...Engaging roller (engaging member) 11B…Engagement part 20…Conveying means WK...Object to be transported WK1…Convex part

Claims

1. A posture correction means for forcing the posture of a transported object having multiple convex surfaces, The system includes a conveying means for conveying the object to be conveyed, The posture correction means comprises a tensioning means for pulling the convex portions at both ends in the intersecting direction that intersects the transport direction of the object to be transported, and the transport device is characterized in that the posture of the object to be transported is forced by pulling the convex portions in the intersecting direction.

2. The conveying device according to claim 1, wherein the pulling means comprises an engaging member having an engaging portion that engages with the convex portion, and the engaging portion engages with the convex portion to pull the convex portion in the intersecting direction.

3. A posture correction process for forcing the posture of a transported object having multiple convex surfaces, The process involves transporting the aforementioned object to be transported, The conveying method is characterized in that, in the posture correction step, the convex portions at both ends in the intersecting direction that intersects the conveying direction of the conveyed object are pulled in the intersecting direction to force the posture of the conveyed object.

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