Article handling equipment

Abstract

To enable plurality of articles in a stacked state to be stored in a container.SOLUTION: An article processing device 10 comprises: a first conveyance conveyor 12 for conveying a noodle mass N; a reversing box 16 arranged downstream thereof; an article supply device 14 for supplying the noodle mass N to the reversing box 16; and a container supply device 18 for covering a container C onto the noodle mass N provided on the reversing box 16, from above. The reversing box 16 is rotated with the noodle mass N being covered with the container C, so that the noodle mass N is received in the container C, and the container C is delivered to a second conveyance conveyor 20 arranged downstream. The reversing box 16 comprises: a recess 16R capable of storing the noodle mass N; a placement plate 16P for placing the noodle mass N provided inside the recess 16R; and a linear motion mechanism 16L for advancing / retracting the placement plate 16P to / from an opening of the recess 16R. The linear motion mechanism 16L stacks a plurality of pieces of the noodle mass N onto the recess 16R by positioning the placement plate 16P inside the recess 16R at each of a plurality of locations.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an article processing apparatus that stores articles in containers and transfers them. [Background technology]

[0002] In a conventional cup noodle production line, a material processing device is known that transfers a noodle block from a transport conveyor onto a rotatable table, places a container over the noodle block on the table, and inverts the container together with the table to place the noodle block inside the container, and then passes the container with the noodle block inside to the downstream transport conveyor (see Patent Document 1). The top and bottom surfaces of the table are provided with recesses for positioning the noodle block, and the noodle block has its rear edge pushed by a pusher that reciprocates horizontally, transferring it from the transport conveyor onto the table. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-73300 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] On the other hand, there is also demand for products that contain multiple noodle blocks, but the configuration of Patent Document 1 cannot meet this demand.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an article processing apparatus that stores a plurality of articles in a container in a stacked manner. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The first invention of the present invention provides an article processing apparatus comprising a first conveying means for conveying articles, a rotating body arranged downstream of a conveying path of the first conveying means for receiving articles, an article supplying means for supplying articles to the rotating body, a container supplying means for covering articles on the rotating body with a container from above, and a rotating means for rotating the rotating body, and the article processing apparatus accommodates the articles in the container by rotating the rotating body with the container covered on the article on the rotating body, and delivers the container to a second conveying means downstream, the rotating body comprising a recess capable of accommodating the articles, a loading plate provided in the recess on which the articles are to be placed, and a moving means for moving the loading plate toward and away from an opening of the recess, the moving means being adapted to position the loading plate at a plurality of positions within the recess so as to stack a plurality of articles in the recess, Goods When the supply means supplies the stacked articles to the rotating body, the loading plate on which the articles are placed is lowered to position the upper surfaces of the articles slightly lower than the opening of the recess, and the stacked articles are dropped into a shallow depression formed by the recess and the upper surfaces of the articles to position them.

[0007] The second invention of the present invention is an item processing apparatus according to the first invention, which comprises a detection means for detecting whether an item is missing from the conveying path of the first conveying means, and an item supply / discharge means for supplying / discharging an item to / from the conveying path downstream of the detection position by the detection means, and is characterized in that the item supply / discharge means supplies an item to / from the conveying path when the detection means detects a missing item. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an article processing apparatus that stores a plurality of articles in a container in a stacked manner. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a side view showing a configuration of an article processing device of a cup noodle production line according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2]5A to 5C are cross-sectional views of the inversion box showing in time series how noodle blocks are stacked using the recesses of the inversion box. [Diagram 3] 5A to 5C are side views showing in time sequence the operation of sequentially transferring noodle blocks on the first transport conveyor to a reversing box using the pusher moving device and the guide moving device. [Figure 4] 5A to 5C are side views showing in time sequence the operation of sequentially transferring noodle blocks on the first transport conveyor to a reversing box using the pusher moving device and the guide moving device. [Diagram 5] 5A to 5C are side views showing in time sequence the operation of sequentially transferring noodle blocks on the first transport conveyor to a reversing box using the pusher moving device and the guide moving device. [Figure 6] 11 is a plan view showing the configuration and operation of a container holding mechanism provided on the inversion box. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a side view showing the structure of the first transport conveyor. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is a partial plan view showing the structure of a first transport conveyor. [Figure 9] FIG. 4 is a side view of the first transport conveyor showing in time sequence the operation of retracting the noodle block from the transport path. [Figure 10] FIG. 4 is a side view of the first transport conveyor showing in time sequence the operation of returning the retreated noodle block to the transport path. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a side view showing the configuration of an article processing device used in a cup noodle production line according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0011] In the article processing device 10 of the cup noodle production line of this embodiment, articles such as noodle blocks N are supplied in multiple rows by a first transport conveyor (first transport means) 12. Downstream of the first transport conveyor 12, an inversion box (rotating body) 16 that can be rotated around a rotation axis 16A by a rotation mechanism (rotation means) 16M (see FIG. 6 ) is disposed, and the noodle blocks N are delivered from the first transport conveyor 12 by an article supply device (article supply means) 14 via a crossing plate 15.

[0012] Multiple (for example, two) noodle blocks N are delivered to the inversion box 16 in one operation and are stacked in the inversion box 16 as described below. The stacked noodle blocks N are covered with containers C from above by a container supplying device (container supplying means) 18. The inversion box 16 is inverted (rotated 180°) with the stacked noodle blocks N covered with the containers C. This positions the containers C upright, and the noodle blocks N are contained in the containers C in a stacked state. The containers C are then delivered to a second transport conveyor (second transport means) 20 by a container delivery device 19. Note that downstream of the second transport conveyor 20, other fillings such as cup noodle ingredients and powdered soup are further added to the containers C.

[0013] Endless chains 12C are arranged on both sides of the first transport conveyor 12, and engagement bars 12B are stretched between the endless chains 12C at a specified interval. Between the upper spans of both endless chains 12C, multiple fixed slide bars 12S are arranged horizontally along the endless chains 12C at a position slightly lower than the upper spans. That is, the rear edge of the noodle block N placed on the fixed slide bar 12S is pushed by the engagement bar 12B, which moves intermittently, and slides on the fixed slide bar 12S, and is transported downstream.

[0014] Across the bridge plate 15 is disposed adjacent to and at the same height as the downstream end of the fixed slide bar 12S. Further ahead of the bridge plate 15, the upper surface of an inversion box 16 is disposed adjacent and at approximately the same height, and the noodle block N that reaches the vicinity of the downstream end of the first transport conveyor 12 is transferred by the article supply device 14 onto the inversion box 16 via the bridge plate 15.

[0015] The article supply device 14 comprises a pusher moving device 22 that is arranged above and on the downstream side of the first transport conveyor 12, and a guide moving device 24 that is arranged above and downstream of the reversing box 16. The pusher moving device 22 comprises a plurality of pushers 22P that move faster than the endless chain 12C and engage with the rear edge of each row of noodle blocks N on the fixed slide bar 12S, pushing the noodle blocks N towards the reversing box 16. On the other hand, the guide moving device 24 comprises a plurality of guides 24G that engage with the leading edge of the noodle blocks N to decelerate the noodle blocks N in each row.

[0016] The pusher moving device 22 includes a nut 22N that screws into a ball screw 22B that is rotated by a servo motor 22M, and a rotary actuator 22R that is attached to the nut 22N. The pusher 22P has its base end attached to the rotary actuator 22R and is capable of moving back and forth in the conveying direction of the noodle block N by rotation of the servo motor 22M, and its tip facing the downstream side can swing up and down by rotation of the rotary actuator 22R.

[0017] Meanwhile, the guide movement device 24 includes a nut 24N that screws into a ball screw 24B that is rotated by a servo motor 24M, and a rotary actuator 24R that is attached to the nut 24N. The base end of the guide 24G is attached to the rotary actuator 24R so that it can move back and forth in the conveying direction of the noodle block N by the rotation of the servo motor 24M, and its tip facing the upstream side can swing up and down by the rotation of the rotary actuator 24R.

[0018] The reversing box 16 is rotatable about a rotation axis 16A, and in this embodiment, it is rotated in increments of 180°. On two opposing sides of the reversing box 16, recesses 16R for stacking the multiple noodle blocks N supplied from the first transport conveyor 12 are provided in a number corresponding to the transport row of the noodle blocks N.

[0019] A container supplying device 18 is disposed above the reversing box 16. The container supplying device 18 is equipped with a magazine 18C that holds containers C that are stacked upright, and a supplying arm 18A that uses a suction cup at the tip of the arm to suck and hold the bottom of the container C held in the magazine 18C, and then inverts the held container C by rotating a rotating shaft (not shown), and places it over the noodle block N placed in the reversing box 16.

[0020] A container delivery device 19 is disposed below the first transport conveyor 12 and the reversing box 16, and a second transport conveyor 20 is disposed below that. The container delivery device 19 is a device for delivering containers C that are held in the reversing box 16 and contain multiple noodle blocks N to a retainer 20R provided on the second transport conveyor 20, and includes an opening / closing arm 19A that grips each container C.

[0021] The opening / closing arm 19A can be raised and lowered by an arm lifting mechanism 19E, and grips and lowers each of the containers C held in the reversing box 16, inserting them into multiple rows of holes provided in a retainer 20R of the second transport conveyor 20. A container lowering mechanism 20E is provided at a receiving position of the second transport conveyor 20 for the containers C. The container lowering mechanism 20E is positioned so as to support the bottom surfaces of the containers C inserted into each hole of the retainer 20R. The containers C have, for example, a truncated cone shape, and the inner diameter of the hole in the retainer 20R is slightly smaller than the maximum outer diameter of the containers C. When the container C is lowered by the container lowering mechanism 20E, the side surface of the container C fits into the hole in the retainer 20R. The containers C that cover the noodle blocks N on the reversing box 16 are held on the reversing box 16 by a container holding mechanism 26, which will be described later, even when the reversing box 16 is inverted.

[0022] Next, the stacking process operation of multiple noodle blocks N on the reversing box 16 will be described with reference to Figures 2 to 5. For convenience, only the upper recess 16R is shown in Figures 3 to 5, and the lower recess 16R is omitted.

[0023] Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of reversing box 16 showing in time series how two noodle blocks N1, N2 are stacked using the recessed portion 16R of reversing box 16. Meanwhile, Figs. 3 to 5 are side views showing in time series the operation of sequentially transferring noodle blocks N1, N2 on first transport conveyor 12 to reversing box 16 using the pusher moving device 22 and guide moving device 24 of article supply device 14.

[0024] The reversing box 16 has a horizontally elongated rectangular parallelepiped shape with a width corresponding to the number of rows of noodle blocks N transported on the first transport conveyor 12, and a rotation shaft 16A is provided at its centre along the longitudinal axis. Recesses 16R are provided along the longitudinal direction on two opposing sides of the reversing box 16, corresponding to each row of noodle blocks N. In this embodiment, the recesses 16R have a cylindrical shape with a circular bottom.

[0025] In the reversing box 16 of this embodiment, the noodle blocks N (N1, N2) are stacked in two layers, so the depth of the recess 16R is set to be slightly deeper than the thickness of the noodle block N. A disk-shaped mounting plate 16P is disposed within each recess 16R, and moves up and down within the recess 16R by a linear motion mechanism (moving means) 16L, such as an air cylinder, built into the reversing box 16. The linear motion mechanism 16L enables the mounting plate 16P to move forward and backward between a position adjacent to the bottom surface of the recess 16R shown in FIG. 2(b) to a position slightly higher than the opening of the recess 16R shown in FIG. 2(c), and the mounting plate 16P can be stopped at a number of heights, as will be described later. For example, the mounting plate 16P may be provided with a rectangular depression on its surface and a circular depression on its surface, and these may be detached and replaced depending on the shape of the noodle block N.

[0026] As shown in Figures 3(a) and (b), the first stage noodle block N1 is first transferred from the first transport conveyor 12 to the reversing box 16. Figure 3(a) shows the state in which pusher 22P, whose tip has been lowered by rotary actuator 22R, is moved toward the reversing box 16 by ball screw mechanisms 22B, 22N, and the first stage noodle block N1 has been pushed out onto the crossing plate 15 by pusher 22P. At this time, the tip of guide 24G has also been lowered by rotary actuator 24R, and the tip of guide 24G moves toward the reversing box 16 while abutting against the front edge of noodle block N1 by ball screw mechanisms 24B, 24N. In other words, the noodle block N1 is moved over the crossing plate 15 toward the reversing box 16 while being sandwiched between the front and back of pusher 22P and guide 24G.

[0027] In this state, one surface of the reversing box 16 on which the recess 16R is formed faces upward. As shown in Fig. 2(a), the mounting plate 16P of the upward-facing recess 16R is positioned by the linear motion mechanism 16L at a position slightly lower than the opening of the recess 16R. In other words, the noodle block N1 moved onto the reversing box 16 by the pusher 22P and guide 24G is positioned by being dropped into the shallow depression formed by the recess 16R and the mounting plate 16P (Figs. 2(a) and 3(b)).

[0028] When the movement of the first-tier noodle block N1 into the recessed portion 16R is completed, the tips of pusher 22P and guide 24G are moved slightly away from the noodle block N by ball screw mechanisms 22B, 22N, 24B, 24N, and are slightly lifted by rotary actuators 22R, 24R so as not to interfere with the noodle block N1 on the reversing box 16 or the noodle block N2 on the first transport conveyor 12, and are moved toward the first transport conveyor 12. In other words, pusher 22P and guide 24G move toward the first transport conveyor 12 side in order to sandwich the second-tier noodle block N2 between pusher 22P and guide 24G and move it from the first transport conveyor 12 to above the reversing box 16 via the crossing plate 15. Figure 4(a) shows the state when the movement of pusher 22P and guide 24G has been completed and the second-tier noodle block N2 is sandwiched between the tips of pusher 22P and guide 24G. During this time, the linear motion mechanism 16L lowers the loading plate 16P to near the bottom surface of the recess 16R, so that the top surface of the first tier of noodle blocks N1 is positioned slightly lower than the opening of the recess 16R, as shown in Figure 4(a).

[0029] Similar to the first tier of noodle blocks N1, the second tier of noodle blocks N2 is moved onto the reversing box 16 by pusher 22P and guide 24G and positioned by dropping into the shallow depression formed by the recess 16R and the upper surface of the first tier of noodle blocks N1, and noodle blocks N1, N2 are stacked in recess 16R (Figures 2(b), 4(b)).

[0030] When the stacking of noodle blocks N1, N2 has been completed, the tips of pusher 22P and guide 24G are lifted and slightly separated from noodle block N2, and they are each moved to a standby position away from the reversing box 16, as shown in Figure 5(a). That is, pusher 22P is moved upstream in the direction of travel of noodle block N, and guide 24G is moved downstream. At this time, the suction cups of supply arm 18A of container supplying device 18 adsorb the bottom surface of container C held in magazine 18C, and container C is inverted to cover the noodle blocks N1, N2 stacked in the reversing box 16.

[0031] Then, as shown in Figure 5(b), supply arm 18A of container supply device 18 covers container C with noodle blocks N1, N2 stacked in recess 16R of reversing box 16, and when the suction cups of supply arm 18A release the container C from its suction, the container C on top of reversing box 16 is held in reversing box 16 by container holding mechanism 26, which will be described later. At this time, as shown in Figures 2(c) and 5(b), loading plate 16P is raised by linear motion mechanism 16L to a position slightly higher than the opening of recess 16R, and the stacked noodle blocks N1, N2 are placed into container C.

[0032] After this, the reversing box 16 is rotated 180° around the rotation axis 16A and placed upright, and the stacked noodle blocks N1, N2 fall into the container C. In parallel with this, the pusher 22P and guide 24G begin the operation of transferring the next, first tier of noodle block N1 from the first transport conveyor 12 to the reversing box 16. That is, the next noodle blocks N1, N2 are positioned on the top surface of the inverted reversing box 16, and are stacked in a similar process in the upwardly opening recess 16R. The mounting plate 16P is maintained in a position slightly higher than the opening until the reversing box 16 is inverted again, and once inverted, it returns to the state shown in Figure 2(a).

[0033] 6 is a plan view showing the configuration and operation of container holding mechanisms 26 provided on reversal box 16. Note that container holding mechanisms 26 are provided on each surface of reversal box 16 on which recesses 16R are provided, and in this embodiment, are provided on two opposing surfaces.

[0034] The container holding mechanism 26 is equipped with support arms 26A that are pivotally supported on pivot shafts 26P, for example, on the top and bottom surfaces of the inversion box 16. The number of support arms 26A provided is the number of rows of noodle blocks N + 1. The support arms 26A are arranged so that two adjacent support arms 26A sandwich a container C placed on the inversion box 16. Each support arm 26A is freely rotatable about the pivot shaft 26P, and except for the support arms 26A at both ends of the inversion box 16, one end of the support arm 26A is configured to engage with the container C on the right side, and the other end is configured to engage with the container C on the left side.

[0035] At both ends of each support arm 26A, an arc-shaped arc portion 26C is provided on the side opposite to each other to engage with the periphery of the covered container C. As a result, when the support arm 26A is rotated around the pivot shaft 26P, the arc portions 26C at both ends are engaged with the two containers C placed on the left and right of each support arm 26A. An outer peripheral edge portion CE that protrudes slightly outward is formed on the periphery of the upper end opening of the container C, and when the support arm 26A is engaged with the container C, the side surfaces of each container C adjacent to the outer peripheral edge portion CE are gripped from both sides by the arc portions 26C of the support arms 26A on both sides, and the container C is fixed on the inversion box 16. That is, the support arm 26A can be switched between an engagement state in which the arc portions 26C are engaged with the container C and held on the inversion box 16 as shown in FIG. 6(a) and a release state in which the arc portions 26C are separated from the container C as shown in FIG. 6(b).

[0036] The drive mechanism of the support arm 26A is disposed inside the inversion box 16, below the upper and lower surfaces of the inversion box 16, as shown by the dashed lines in Figures 6(a) and (b). One end of a lever 28A rotatable about the pivot shaft 26P is attached to each of the pivot shafts 26P, and the support arm 26A rotates integrally with the lever 28A about the pivot shaft 26P. The other end of the lever 28A is pivotally supported by a link bar 28B extending in the longitudinal direction of the inversion box 16 (the direction of the rotation shaft 16A).

[0037] One end of the link bar 28B is supported by one arm of an operating lever 28L that rotates around a pivot shaft 28P, and a spring 28S is attached to the tip of the arm as a biasing member. A roller 28R that can engage with a pusher means 30 is provided on the tip of the arm on the opposite side of the pivot shaft 28P in the operating lever 28L.

[0038] 6, the spring 28S biases the operating lever 28L clockwise, and when the tip block of the pusher means 30 is retracted, i.e., when the tip block of the pusher means 30 and the roller 28R are separated, the biasing force of the spring 28S rotates the operating lever 28L clockwise, and the link bar 28B is moved to the right side of the figure. This causes each support arm 26A to rotate clockwise, and the arcuate portions 26C at both ends of all support arms 26A except for the support arms 26A at both ends on the reversing box 16 are pressed against the side surfaces of the left and right containers C, resulting in an engaged state (FIG. 6(a)).

[0039] On the other hand, when the tip block of the pusher means 30 is pushed out, the roller 28R is pushed to the right by the pusher means 30, and the operating lever 28L is rotated counterclockwise against the biasing force of the spring 28S. This causes the link bar 28B to move to the left in the drawing, and each support arm 26A is rotated counterclockwise, causing the arcuate portions 26C of the support arms 26A to separate from the left and right side surfaces, resulting in a release state (FIG. 6(b)) in which the container C is opened.

[0040] The container C held on the underside of the reversing box 16 by the container holding mechanism 26 is then gripped by the opening / closing arm 19A of the container transfer device 19 (see FIG. 1), and the container C held by the support arm 26A of the container holding mechanism 26 is released. That is, the container C containing the noodle blocks N1, N2 is transferred from the reversing box 16 to the container transfer device 19. The opening / closing arm 19A is lowered by the arm lifting mechanism 19E, and the container C is inserted into each hole of the retainer 20R of the second transport conveyor 20, which is at the container receiving position. When the bottom surface of the descending container C rests on the pedestal of the container lowering mechanism 20E, the opening / closing arm 19A is opened, and the container C is transferred onto the container lowering mechanism 20E.

[0041] The container lowering mechanism 20E, which receives the container C, lowers its base and fits the container C into the hole of the retainer 20R of the second transport conveyor 20. During this time, the second transport conveyor 20 is stopped, and when the container C has been placed into the retainer 20R, the second transport conveyor 20 is driven and the next empty retainer 20R is moved to the container receiving position, where the next container C is delivered.

[0042] Next, the structure of the first transfer conveyor 12 of this embodiment and the noodle block transporting operation on the first transfer conveyor 12 will be described with reference to Figs.

[0043] Fig. 7 is a side view showing the structure of the first transport conveyor 12. Fig. 8 is a partial plan view showing the structure of the first transport conveyor 12. As shown in Figs. 7 and 8, the first transport conveyor 12 is equipped with endless chains 12C on both sides along the transport path, and engagement bars 12B are hung on the endless chains 12C at predetermined intervals perpendicular to the transport direction.

[0044] Slightly below the endless chains 12C on both sides running above, fixed slide bars 12S extending in the conveying direction are arranged at specified intervals in the width direction of the conveyor to form a conveying path. Each noodle block N is placed on the multiple fixed slide bars 12S and is intermittently conveyed on the fixed slide bars 12S by being pushed from the rear by engagement bars 12B which run together with the endless chains 12C. The fixed slide bars 12S are divided into two, an upstream side and a downstream side, with a distance wider than the outer dimension of the noodle block N, and in section A where no fixed slide bars 12S are provided, lifting slide bars (article supply / discharge means) 34 are arranged in correspondence with each of the fixed slide bars 12S.

[0045] The lifting slide bar 34 can be raised and lowered by a lifting device (article supply / discharge means) 36 that uses an air cylinder or the like. As shown in FIG. 7, in the raised position, the lifting slide bar 34 is disposed at the same height as the fixed slide bar 12S, and is disposed in a line with the front and rear fixed slide bars 12S as shown in FIG. 8(a). That is, the noodle block N transported from the fixed slide bar 12S upstream of section A is transported on the lifting slide bar 34 in the raised position, and is transported to the fixed slide bar 12S downstream of section A (see FIG. 9(a)). On the other hand, in the lowered position, the lifting slide bar 34 is lowered to a height at which the noodle block N on the lifting slide bar 34 is retracted to a position lower than the transport surface of the first transport conveyor 12 (see FIG. 9(b)). Note that in this embodiment, each row of noodle blocks N is supported by three slide bars 12S, 34, and FIG. 8 shows only one row of slide bars 12S, 34 (three each).

[0046] At the downstream ends of the fixed slide bars 12S upstream of section A, movable slide bars 38 are arranged in parallel to sandwich the fixed slide bars 12S. The movable slide bars 38 are arranged at the same height as the fixed slide bars 12S, and are movable back and forth in the conveying direction by a linear motion device 40 such as an air cylinder arranged below the conveying surface.

[0047] The movable slide bar 38 is configured integrally with each transport row of noodle blocks N. For example, in the example of FIG. 8 where one transport row is configured by three fixed slide bars 12S, four movable slide bars 38 arranged so as to sandwich the three fixed slide bars 12S alternately are held integrally by support members 38A and can be operated independently for each transport row by a linear motion device 40. In the normal state where the lift-up slide bar 34 is in the raised position, the movable slide bar 38 is positioned in a standby position upstream of section A ( FIG. 8( a )). On the other hand, when the lift-up slide bar 34 is moved to the lowered position and one noodle block N is withdrawn, the movable slide bar 38 is pushed out into section A by the linear motion device 40 and spans between the upstream fixed slide bar 12S and the downstream fixed slide bar 12S, enabling the transport of the noodle block N ( FIG. 8( b )).

[0048] Furthermore, a camera (detection means) 42 is disposed above the upstream fixed slide bar 12S, for example, for each transport row. In this embodiment, it is determined from the images captured by the camera 42 whether any noodle blocks N have fallen out of each row. In this embodiment, the lifting and lowering slide bar 34 and movable slide bar 38 are driven based on the results of this determination, and a noodle block waiting process, which will be described below, is performed.

[0049] Next, the noodle block waiting process in this embodiment will be described with reference to the side views of Figures 9 and 10. Note that Figure 9 shows a time series of the operation for retracting the noodle block from the conveying path, and Figure 10 shows a time series of the operation for returning the retracted noodle block to the conveying path.

[0050] Noodle blocks N are continuously supplied to each row from the upstream noodle block supplying device on the first transport conveyor 12 in sequence, but there may be cases where noodle blocks N are missing. In this embodiment, a predetermined number of noodle blocks N, for example two noodle blocks N, are stacked and stored in a container C, so if a noodle block is missing, the noodle blocks N in that group cannot be stacked properly. In this embodiment, when a missing noodle block is detected by camera 42, the noodle blocks N in that group are retracted downward by the lifting slider bar 34, and a container C is not supplied from the container supplying device 18 to that group. The next time a missing noodle block N is detected in that row, the retracted noodle block N is supplied to that position to make up for the missing noodle block. An example will be described below where noodle blocks N1 and N2 are stacked in two layers.

[0051] When stacking in two tiers, noodle blocks N1 in the first tier and noodle blocks N2 in the second tier are transported alternately on first transport conveyor 12. In Figure 9(a), the first and second tier noodle blocks N1, N2 are transported alternately on fixed slide bar 12S downstream of section A, with the first tier noodle block N1 on top of lift-up slide bar 34 in section A, and the second tier noodle block N2 that should have been transported by engagement bar 12B one tier upstream is missing. Furthermore, the missing state of the second tier noodle block N2 is detected by camera 42, which is located above fixed slide bar 12S upstream of section A, above the position where engagement bar 12B one tier upstream of section A stops.

[0052] If it is determined that the noodle block N2 in the second row of the same pair is missing, the lifting device 36 lowers the lifting slide bar 34, and the noodle block N1 on the lifting slide bar 34 is retracted to a position below the fixed slide bar 12S, as shown in FIG. 9(b). Furthermore, the movable slide bar 38, which was in the retracted position at this time, is moved to section A by the linear motion device 40. This state is maintained until the next time a missing noodle block N is detected in this row, and the noodle blocks N1 and N2 transported thereafter are transported over the movable slide bar 38 in section A. As described above, when the noodle block N of the pair of the retracted noodle block N1 is stacked in the reversing box 16, the container supplying device 18 skips the container C corresponding to that row without adsorbing or supplying it.

[0053] If the missing noodle block is a noodle block N1 in the first tier, then at the time that the upstream noodle block N2 in the second tier, which is paired with noodle block N1, moves onto lift-up slide bar 34, lifting device 36 lowers lift-up slide bar 34 to retract noodle block N2 downward, and moves movable slide bar 38 to section A using linear motion device 40.

[0054] FIG 10(a) shows a state in which, when noodle block N (N1 or N2) is in the retracted position due to the lifting slide bar 34 and the movable slide bar 38 is in section A, the camera 42 detects that a missing noodle block N2 being transported by engagement bar 12B one section upstream of section A has been detected. In the illustrated example, the first tier of noodle block N1 is on the movable slide bar 38 in section A. When the camera 42 detects that the first tier of noodle block N1, which was on the movable slide bar 38, has transferred to the fixed slide bar 12S on the downstream side, the linear motion device 40 moves the movable slide bar 38 from section A to the retracted position on the upstream side (the downstream end of the fixed slide bar 12S) as shown in FIG 10(b). Then, before the engagement bar 12B corresponding to the dropped noodle block reaches section A, the lifting slide bar 34 is raised by the lifting device 36 to the same height as the fixed slide bar 12S, and the noodle block N that was held on the lifting slide bar 34 is returned to the row as the second-tier noodle block N2, and is then transported downstream by the engagement bar 12B which reaches section A.

[0055] As described above, according to this embodiment, multiple noodle blocks (articles) can be accurately stacked and contained in a container. Furthermore, even if there is a shortage in the supply of noodle blocks, this embodiment can prevent the production of products that are not properly stacked, without the need for manual labor.

[0056] Note that, although the present embodiment has been described using an example in which a noodle block is placed in a container, the items that are placed in a stacked state in the container are not limited to noodle blocks. Also, although the present embodiment has been described using an example in which two layers are stacked, the items may also be stacked in three or more layers, and furthermore, the container processing device of this embodiment can also be used in cases in which the items are not stacked by fixing the position of the loading plate when loading the noodle block to a position slightly lower than the opening.

[0057] In addition, when the number of stacked items is three or more, a stop position of the loading plate is added by the linear motion mechanism. The loading plate is stopped at a height suitable for the items transferred from the first transport conveyor to be positioned and stacked on the reversing box. For example, when the first item is transferred, the loading plate is positioned slightly lower than the opening of the recess, forming a slight recess on the top surface of the reversing box. As a result, the first item being moved is dropped into this recess and positioned. Next, when the second item is transferred, the loading plate is lowered into the recess, and the top surface of the first item is positioned slightly lower than the opening of the recess, forming a slight recess on the top surface of the reversing box. As a result, the second item is dropped into this recess and positioned, and stacked on top of the first item. Similarly, when stacking a third tier of articles, the loading plate is lowered further into the recess so that the top surfaces of the second tier of articles are positioned slightly lower than the opening of the recess, forming a slight depression in the upper surface of the inversion box, into which the third tier of articles is dropped. Also, the stopping position of the loading plate when the inversion box is rotated to accommodate the stacked articles in the container, i.e., the amount of protrusion from the opening of the recess, may be made variable depending on the number of tiers stacked.

[0058] Furthermore, when stacking in N tiers of 3 or more tiers, a section where no fixed slide bar is provided is set so that N-1 sets of lifting slide bars and movable slide bars are provided consecutively along the conveying path, and a camera is provided as detection means above the stop position of the engagement bar on the upstream side of the section at the most upstream position. By configuring the article supply / discharge means in this manner, when a missing article is detected by the camera, up to N-1 articles can be supplied to or discharged from the conveying path according to the number of missing articles for the N tiers of 3 or more tiers.

[0059] In this embodiment, an example has been described in which a linear motion device using an air cylinder is used for multi-stage positioning of the loading plate, but a configuration using a servo motor, an electric actuator, or a cam mechanism linked to a rotational motion may also be used. In addition, the cross-sectional shape of the stacked articles or containers is not limited to a circle, but may be a rectangle or other shape. Furthermore, the shape of the recess of the reversal box is not limited to a cylindrical shape.

[0060] In this embodiment, only the top and bottom surfaces of the reversing box are used as placement areas for the noodle block (article), but only one surface or three or more surfaces can also be used as a placement area. The operations of the first transport conveyor, article supply device, reversing box, container supply device, container holding mechanism, container transfer device, and second transport conveyor are synchronized by a control unit (not shown). [Explanation of symbols]

[0061] 10. Item handling equipment 12 First conveyor (first conveying means) 14 Goods supply device (goods supply means) 16 Inverted Box (rotating body) 16A Rotating shaft 16L Linear motion mechanism (means of movement) 16M Rotation mechanism (rotation means) 16P Mounting plate 16R recess 18 Container supply device (container supply means) 20 Second conveyor (second conveying means) 22 Pusher moving device (goods supply means) 24 Guide moving device (article supply means) 34 Lifting slide bar (item supply / discharge means) 36 Lifting device (item supply / discharge means) 42 Camera (detection means) C container N Noodle block (item)

Claims

1. A first conveying means for conveying an article; A rotating body disposed downstream of the conveying path of the first conveying means and receiving an article; An article supplying means for supplying an article to the rotating body; a container supplying means for covering the articles on the rotating body with a container from above; A rotating means for rotating the rotating body, In an article processing apparatus, a container is placed over an article on the rotating body, the rotating body is rotated to accommodate the article in the container, and the container is then transferred to a downstream second conveying means, The rotating body is A recess capable of accommodating the item; and a mounting plate provided in the recess on which the item is mounted; a moving means for moving the mounting plate toward and away from the opening of the recess, the moving means positions the loading plate at a plurality of positions within the recess so as to stack a plurality of articles in the recess, When the article supplying means supplies the articles to be stacked to the rotating body, the loading plate on which the articles are placed is lowered so that the upper surfaces of the articles are positioned slightly lower than the opening of the recess, and the articles are dropped into the shallow depression formed by the recess and the upper surfaces of the articles to be stacked and positioned.

23. An article processing apparatus comprising:

2. A detection means for detecting whether or not an article is missing on a conveying path of the first conveying means; an article supply / discharge means for supplying / discharging an article to / from the conveying path downstream of a detection position by the detection means, 2. The article processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the article supply / discharge means supplies an article to the transport path or discharges an article from the transport path when the detection means detects a missing article.

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