Item sorting device

Abstract

To provide an article sorting device capable of improving workability of attaching / detaching work of an inclined chute to / from a body member and ensuring reduction of the sliding-down speed of an object when the inclined chute is attached to the body member.SOLUTION: An article sorting device 3 comprises: a downstream inclined chute 24 that has an outlet 24b for discharging an unknown article 50d from the downstream inclined chute 24 to a body member 21 side; a removal gate 35 that is provided at the outlet 24b to open / close the outlet 24b and through which a capsule 50 sliding-down on the downstream inclined chute 24 is sorted; and projected chutes 36 and 37 that come into contact with the capsule 50 sliding-down on the downstream inclined chute 24 to change a direction of the capsule 50 to a direction different from an inclining direction L of the downstream inclined chute 24. The downstream inclined chute 24 and the projected chutes 36 and 37 are integrally attachable / detachable to / from the body member 21.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an article sorting device. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a sorting chute system is known that includes a chute that guides loads (objects) that have been transported by load transport means and sorted and discharged (see Patent Document 1).

[0003] This chute system is equipped with a chute with multiple transport lanes, and stoppers are provided for each transport lane along the chute to control the movement of the load within the chute. The load being transported along the chute is temporarily stopped by the stoppers to slow it down, thereby preventing the load from falling off the chute. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 5-69936 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the chute equipment described in Patent Document 1, a stopper is provided for each conveying lane of the chute, and when performing maintenance on the chute equipment, the stoppers need to be attached and detached for each lane, which may reduce the ease of maintenance work on the chute equipment.

[0006] In addition, there is a risk that the stoppers will be forgotten to be attached to the chute after maintenance work is completed, which may result in a situation where the load conveying speed (slide speed) cannot be slowed down in some of the conveying lanes during operation.

[0007] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide an item sorting device that can improve the workability of attaching and detaching the inclined chute to the main body member, and can reliably slow down the sliding speed of objects when the inclined chute is attached to the main body member. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The article sorting device of the present invention has a main body member and an inclined chute attached to the main body member and inclined downward, It is pushed out from the inspection area at regular intervals. An article sorting device that sorts objects sliding down the inclined chute, The inclined chute has an inclined surface along which the objects to be sorted that are pushed out from the inspection section slide down, and side plates that protrude upward are provided on both side ends of the inclined surface, Downstream of the inclined chute Department To Opened and pushed out from the inspection section The apparatus comprises a discharge outlet for discharging objects to be sorted from the inclined chute to the main body member side, an opening / closing member provided at the discharge outlet for opening and closing the discharge outlet and for sorting objects sliding down the inclined chute, and a sliding direction changing section located upstream of the opening / closing member and provided integrally with the inclined chute, the sliding direction changing section changing the orientation of the object to a direction different from the inclination direction of the inclined chute by contacting the object sliding down the inclined chute, and the inclined chute and the sliding direction changing section are: Together with the side plate It is constructed as an integral part that can be freely attached to and detached from the main body member.

[0009] With this configuration, the inclined chute and the sliding direction change section can be attached and detached to the main body member as a single unit, thereby improving the workability of attaching and detaching the inclined chute to the main body member, for example, when performing maintenance on the item sorting device or when removing items to be sorted from the main body member.

[0010] In addition, when the inclined chute is attached to the main body member, it is possible to reliably prevent forgetting to attach the sliding direction changing part to the inclined chute, and the sliding speed of the objects to be sorted sliding down the inclined chute can be reliably slowed down.

[0011] Therefore, even if the overall length of the inclined chute is shortened, it is possible to secure a sufficient time until the rejection gate opens with the discharge outlet closed, and the objects to be sorted can be reliably discharged to the discharge outlet. As a result, it is possible to reduce the size of the item sorting device.

[0012] In the article sorting device of the present invention, the sliding direction changing unit is the inclined chute The inclined surface The inclination angle of the sliding surface relative to the horizontal plane is smaller than the inclination angle of the inclined surface of the inclined chute relative to the horizontal plane.

[0013] With this configuration, when the object slides down along the sliding surface of the protruding chute portion, the sliding speed of the object can be reduced compared to when the object slides down an inclined chute.

[0014] In the article sorting device of the present invention, the sliding direction changing unit has a regulating wall that is located on the opening / closing member side with respect to the sliding surface and is capable of contacting the object, and the regulating wall is Attached to the side plate opposite the sliding surface, extending from a position lower than the sliding surface to a position higher than the sliding surface

[0015] With this configuration, the sliding speed of the object can be further reduced by bringing the object that has passed through the sliding surface of the protruding chute section into contact with the regulating wall.

[0016] This allows the speed at which the objects slide down the inclined chute can be further slowed, and even if the overall length of the inclined chute is further shortened, there is a sufficient amount of time until the opening and closing member that closes the discharge outlet is released, so that the objects to be sorted can be reliably discharged to the discharge outlet. As a result, the article sorting device can be made even more compact.

[0017] In the article sorting device of the present invention, the sliding direction changing unit is the inclined chute The inclined surfaceThe inclined chute is configured to include a plurality of guide plates protruding upward from the inclined chute and inclined with respect to the inclination direction of the inclined chute, with some of the guide plates facing each other in the inclination direction of the inclined chute and installed facing opposite directions in the inclination direction of the inclined chute, and with respect to the upstream guide plate, the guide plate located downstream of the upstream guide plate is located on an extension line of the extension direction of the upstream guide plate.

[0018] With this configuration, the guide plates that overlap in part in the inclination direction of the inclined chute are installed facing opposite directions in the inclination direction of the inclined chute, and adjacent guide plates in a direction perpendicular to the inclination direction of the inclined chute are installed facing opposite directions, so that when an object comes into contact with the guide plate located upstream, the orientation of the object can be changed to a direction different from the inclination direction of the inclined chute, and then when the object comes into contact with the guide plate located downstream, the orientation of the object can be changed to a direction different from the inclination direction of the inclined chute.

[0019] Furthermore, when an object comes into contact with the guide plate located downstream of the guide plate located upstream, the orientation of the object can be changed to a direction different from the inclination direction of the inclined chute.

[0020] In this way, by colliding the object with the guide plate and changing the direction of the object to a direction different from the inclination direction of the inclined chute, the speed at which the object slides down can be reduced.

[0021] In the article sorting device of the present invention, the sliding direction changing unit is the inclined chute The inclined surfacethe inclined chute includes a plurality of guide plates protruding upward from the inclined chute and inclined with respect to the inclination direction of the inclined chute, the plurality of guide plates are opposed in part to each other in the inclination direction of the inclined chute and adjacent to each other in a direction perpendicular to the inclination direction of the inclined chute, the plurality of guide plates are arranged such that guide plates which overlap in part in the inclination direction of the inclined chute are installed facing opposite directions in the inclination direction of the inclined chute and adjacent guide plates in the direction perpendicular to the inclination direction of the inclined chute are installed facing opposite directions, and the guide plate located downstream of the guide plate located upstream is located on an extension line of the extension direction of the guide plate located upstream.

[0022] With this configuration, the guide plates that overlap in part in the inclination direction of the inclined chute are installed facing opposite directions in the inclination direction of the inclined chute, and adjacent guide plates in a direction perpendicular to the inclination direction of the inclined chute are installed facing opposite directions, so that when an object comes into contact with the guide plate located upstream in the guide plate on one side perpendicular to the inclination direction of the inclined chute, the orientation of the object can be changed to a direction different from the inclination direction of the inclined chute, and then, when the object comes into contact with the guide plate located downstream, the orientation of the object can be changed to a direction different from the inclination direction of the inclined chute.

[0023] In addition, on the other guide plate perpendicular to the inclination direction of the inclined chute, when the object comes into contact with the guide plate located upstream, the orientation of the object can be changed to a direction different from the inclination direction of the inclined chute, and then when the object comes into contact with the guide plate located downstream, the orientation of the object can be changed to a direction different from the inclination direction of the inclined chute.

[0024] In this way, by colliding the object with the guide plate and changing the direction of the object to a direction different from the inclination direction of the inclined chute, the speed at which the object slides down can be reduced. Effect of the Invention

[0025] The present invention can improve the workability of attaching and detaching the inclined chute to the main body member, and can provide an item sorting device that can reliably slow down the sliding speed of objects when the inclined chute is attached to the main body member. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0026] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an article inspection apparatus equipped with an article sorting device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a state in which the inclined chute is removed from the main body member of the article sorting device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an inclined chute of an article sorting device according to one embodiment of the present invention, viewed obliquely from above and in front. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a side view of a first sorting member of an article sorting device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VV in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the relationship between the size, length, and outer diameter of capsules selected by an article selection device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 7(a) shows a state in which a capsule No. 5 is being transported along the transport path of an item selection device according to one embodiment of the present invention, and (b) shows a state in which a capsule No. 000 is being transported. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a downstream inclined chute of an article sorting device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 shows a state in which a correct-weight article is selected by an article selection device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 shows a state in which light items are sorted by an article sorting device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 shows a state in which an overweight article is sorted by an article sorting device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12]FIG. 12 shows a state in which an unknown item is sorted by an item sorting device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a movement trajectory of a capsule as it slides down the downstream inclined chute of an article sorting device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an article inspection device equipped with an article selection device according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and shows the movement trajectory of a capsule sliding down the downstream inclined chute. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an article inspection device equipped with an article selection device according to a third embodiment of the present invention, and shows the movement trajectory of a capsule sliding down the downstream inclined chute. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0027] (First embodiment) Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, a configuration of an object inspection device equipped with an object selection device according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described based on FIGS. 1 to 13. FIG.

[0028] The article inspection device according to this embodiment will be described as a weight measuring device 1 that inspects, that is, weighs, the weight of an object (article) to be inspected.

[0029] In addition to weight inspection, item inspection devices can also be used as item inspection devices that sort objects based on inspection results, such as appearance inspection devices that inspect the shape and appearance of objects, X-ray inspection devices that irradiate objects with X-rays and inspect the object's mass, defects, and the presence or absence of foreign objects based on the amount of X-rays that penetrate the object, and metal detection devices that detect changes in the magnetic field or residual magnetism in the object to detect metallic foreign objects.

[0030] In this embodiment, the target object is a long cylindrical capsule 50 having both ends formed into a hemispherical shape.

[0031] The capsule 50 may be made of a material such as gelatin or hydroxypropylmethylcellulose.

[0032] In addition, the object to be inspected by the article inspection device may be a stick packet (stick-shaped package) containing tablets, granulated medicine, sugar, etc.

[0033] In Figure 1, a weight measuring device 1 as an item inspection device is composed of a supply section 2 for capsules 50, an item sorting device 3 that sorts the capsules 50 into good items (non-NG items) and defective items (NG items), a weighing section 4 that constitutes the inspection section, a sorting confirmation sensor 5, and a control section (not shown).

[0034] The capsules 50 are transported from the supply section 2 to the article selecting device 3. The article selecting device 3 includes a main body member 21 and an inclined chute 22 attached to the main body member 21.

[0035] The inclined chute 22 is inclined downward from the upstream to the downstream in the sliding direction of the capsule 50, and the capsule 50 slides down the inclined chute 22 by its own weight. For convenience of explanation, in Figures 1 to 5 and 7 to 13, the weight measuring device 1 will be explained with the supply unit 2 side (upstream side) as the rear side, and the inclined chute 22 side (downstream side) with respect to the supply unit 2 as the front side.

[0036] Here, upstream and downstream refer to the upstream and downstream with respect to the sliding direction of the capsule 50. That is, the inclined chute 22 is downstream with respect to the supply unit 2, and the supply unit 2 is upstream with respect to the inclined chute 22.

[0037] The supply unit 2 has a hopper 6, a magazine 7, and a shutter 8, and the hopper 6, the magazine 7, and the shutter 8 are installed above the inclined chute 22.

[0038] A plurality of capsules 50 are put into the hopper 6. The magazine 7 is connected to the bottom of the hopper 6, and the capsules 50 are supplied from the hopper 6 to the magazine 7 by gravity.

[0039] A supply path 7A extending in the vertical direction is formed inside the magazine 7, and the supply paths 7A are formed in the left-right direction of the weight measuring device 1, for example, arranged in ten rows.

[0040] Inside the magazine 7, the capsules 50 are stored in a vertical line along the supply path 7A, and the supply paths 7A adjacent to each other in the left-right direction are divided by a partition (not shown). As a result, the capsules 50 adjacent to each other in the left-right direction do not come into contact with each other and do not interfere with each other.

[0041] The hopper 6 and the magazine 7 periodically move up and down, and the capsules 50 that fall from the hopper 6 under their own weight are guided downward along a supply path 7A of the magazine 7.

[0042] The shutter 8 is provided near the bottom opening 7a of the magazine 7, and moves vertically together with the magazine 7.

[0043] The shutter 8 is movable between a closing position where it closes the bottom opening 7a of the magazine 7 and an opening position where it opens the bottom opening 7a of the magazine 7.

[0044] When the magazine 7 is located at the bottom end position, the shutter 8 is located at the released position, thereby allowing the capsule 50 located at the lowest end of the supply path 7A to fall from the bottom end opening 7a, and when the magazine 7 moves upward from the bottom end position, the shutter 8 closes the bottom end opening 7a to stop the capsule 50 from falling from the bottom end opening 7a.

[0045] That is, when the magazine 7 is located at the bottom end position, the shutter 8 moves to the release position for a time period that allows one capsule 50 to fall through the bottom end opening 7a.

[0046] The supply section 2 has a holding unit 9. The holding unit 9 is provided below the magazine 7 and extends in the left-right direction with a length roughly equal to that of the magazine 7.

[0047] The holding unit 9 is formed with ten rows of curved recesses 9a, which are arranged discontinuously and independently in the left-right direction. The curved recesses 9a are aligned with the ten rows of supply paths 7A in the direction in which the capsules 50 slide down.

[0048] The capsule 50 dropped from the magazine 7 lands in the curved recess 9a and is held in the curved recess 9a in an inclined position with its long axis facing diagonally upward. That is, the bottom surface of the curved recess 9a is formed as an inclined surface that slopes diagonally upward from the rear to the front.

[0049] The supply unit 2 has a pusher 10. The pusher 10 is provided upstream of the holding unit 9 and is movable horizontally. The pusher 10 moves from the rear to the front of the holding unit 9, and pushes the capsule 50 located in the curved recess 9a forward.

[0050] The weighing unit 4 includes a weighing platform 4A, which is provided on the opposite side of the pusher 10 across the holding unit 9 in the front-rear direction. Ten weighing platforms 4A (ten rows) are provided so as to align with the ten rows of curved recesses 9a in the sliding direction of the capsules 50.

[0051] The weighing platform 4A has a pair of left and right side walls 4a (only the left side wall is shown) that sandwich the capsule 50 from the left and right directions, and the capsule 50 pushed forward from the curved recess 9a by the pusher 10 is placed on the weighing platform 4A and sandwiched between the pair of left and right side walls 4a.

[0052] The supply unit 2 has an ejector 11. The ejector 11 is provided on the opposite side of the pusher 10 across the holding unit 9 in the front-rear direction and above the weighing platform 4A.

[0053] There are ten ejectors 11 provided so as to be paired with the weighing tables 4A, and they are movable up and down and forward and backward.

[0054] A push-out part 11a is provided at the rear lower end of the ejector 11. When the capsule 50 placed on the weighing platform 4A is transported to the next process, the ejector 11 moves downward from a state in which the push-out part 11a is located above the capsule 50 and behind the rear end of the capsule 50 (the state in FIG. 1), and moves forward when the push-out part 11a and the rear end of the capsule 50 are at the same height position, and the push-out part 11a pushes the capsule 50 forward from the weighing platform 4A.

[0055] Thereafter, the ejector 11 moves upward so as to move away from the weighing platform 4A, and then moves backward so that the pushing-out part 11a is positioned rearward of the rear end of the capsule 50 (the state shown in FIG. 1). By repeating this operation, the capsule 50 is pushed out from the weighing platform 4A to the next process at regular intervals.

[0056] The timing at which the ejector 11 pushes the capsule 50 forward from the weighing table 4A is synchronized with the timing at which the pusher 10 pushes the capsule 50 from the curved recess 9a onto the weighing table 4A, and the capsules 50 are supplied to the weighing table 4A at a constant cycle.

[0057] The weighing unit 4 is provided in the next process of the supply unit 2, and the capsules 50 sent out from the supply unit 2 at a constant cycle are placed on the weighing unit 4 one by one, and the weight of each capsule 50 is measured.

[0058] The weighing section 4 includes a measuring device 4B that supports a weighing platform 4A. The weighing platform 4A is supported by the measuring device 4B through a Roberval mechanism. The Roberval mechanism has a parallelogram-shaped framework in which each side can move freely.

[0059] A weighing platform 4A is attached to one of the pillars of this framework, and the other pillar is used as a fixed end of a weighing sensor. This allows the capsule 50 to be accurately weighed no matter where it is placed on the weighing platform 4A. The measuring device 4B has, for example, a load cell (not shown) as a weighing sensor.

[0060] The weighing unit 4 measures the weight of the capsule 50 by an electric signal of a load cell to which a load is applied when the capsule 50 is placed on the weighing platform 4A. Note that the weighing sensor is not limited to a load cell, and various other weighing sensors can be used.

[0061] The article selecting device 3 is provided in the next process of the weighing section 4. The inclined chute 22 has an upstream inclined chute 23 and a downstream inclined chute 24.

[0062] As shown in FIG. 2, the upstream inclined chute 23 is provided integrally with the main body member 21, and has an inclined surface 23a that slopes downward from the weighing platform 4A toward the front.

[0063] The downstream-side inclined chute 24 is detachably provided on the main body member 21. The upper part of the main body member 21 is open below the downstream-side inclined chute 24, and as shown in Figure 1, when the downstream-side inclined chute 24 is attached to the main body member 21, the opening of the main body member 21 is closed.

[0064] As shown in FIG. 1, downstream inclined chute 24 is inclined downwardly toward the front from upstream inclined chute 23 and has inclined surface 24a inclined at the same angle as inclined surface 23a of upstream inclined chute 23.

[0065] That is, the upstream inclined chute 23 and the downstream inclined chute 24 have inclined surfaces 23a, 24a that incline downward from the weighing platform 4A toward the front, and the capsule 50 pushed out from the weighing platform 4A slides downward from upstream to downstream along the upstream inclined chute 23 and the downstream inclined chute 24 by its own weight. The inclined surfaces 23a, 24a in this embodiment form the inclined surfaces of the inclined chute.

[0066] The left-right direction of the weight measuring device 1 is a direction perpendicular to the horizontal direction and the inclination direction of the inclined surface 23a of the upstream inclined chute 23 and the inclined surface 24a of the downstream inclined chute 24. The downstream inclined chute 24 in this embodiment constitutes an inclined chute.

[0067] 3, the upstream inclined chute 23 is provided with a plurality of partition walls 23c, which are arranged at regular intervals in the left-right direction. The partition walls 23c protrude upward from the upstream inclined chute 23, and the capsules 50 are partitioned in the left-right direction by the partition walls 23c.

[0068] In other words, the upstream inclined chute 23 is provided with 10 rows of weighing tables 4A and 10 rows of conveying lanes lined up in the direction in which the capsules 50 slide, and the upstream inclined chute 23 has 10 rows of capsules 50 lined up in the left and right direction so that they can slide down.

[0069] In this embodiment, the supply path 7A, curved recess 9a, weighing table 4A and upstream inclined chute 23 of the magazine 7 are aligned in the left-right direction and form 10 rows of conveying lanes aligned in the direction in which the capsules 50 slide, and the capsules 50 sliding down along the supply path 7A, curved recess 9a, weighing table 4A and upstream inclined chute 23 of the magazine 7 do not interfere with each other.

[0070] That is, the weight measuring device 1 of this embodiment allows ten capsules 50 to slide down simultaneously at a constant interval side by side in the supply path 7A of the magazine 7, the curved recess 9a, the weighing platform 4A, and the upstream inclined chute 23, and can simultaneously measure the weight of the ten capsules 50 by the weighing unit 4. As shown in Fig. 3, the downstream inclined chute 24 is not provided with a partition plate.

[0071] 1, the article sorting device 3 has a first sorting member 26, and the first sorting member 26 is provided for each of the 10 rows of conveying lanes of the upstream inclined chute 23. In other words, the first sorting members 26 are provided lined up in 10 rows in the left-right direction of the article sorting device 3.

[0072] The first sorting member 26 extends longer in the up-down direction than it does in the front-rear direction, that is, the up-down direction is the longitudinal direction of the first sorting member 26, and the front-rear direction is the lateral direction.

[0073] A first conveying path 26A is formed inside the first sorting member 26, and the first conveying path 26A has a first inlet 26a that opens on the upstream side, and a first outlet 26b that is located below the first inlet 26a and opens on the downstream side (see Figure 4).

[0074] The first conveying path 26A has a first straight portion 26c that extends linearly in the vertical direction from the first inlet 26a, and a first curved portion 26d that curves in the inclined direction L of the inclined chute 22 from the downstream portion of the first straight portion 26c.

[0075] As shown in FIG. 5, the first conveying path 26A has a horizontal cross section formed in a U-shape, and the opening of the U-shaped cross section is closed by the side wall 21A to form a rectangular closed space for conveying the capsules 50.

[0076] Specifically, the main body member 21 is partitioned in the left-right direction by a plurality of side walls 21A, and the first sorting member 26 and a second sorting member 27, which will be described later, are provided between the side walls 21A.

[0077] As shown in FIG. 1, the upstream inclined chute 23 is formed with an opening 23b through which a first sorting member 26 can be inserted.

[0078] A first air cylinder is attached to the lower part of the first sorting member , and the first sorting member is movable in the vertical direction by the first air cylinder .

[0079] The first air cylinder 28 has a main body portion 28A accommodated in the accommodation portion 21B of the main body member 21, and a rod portion 28B provided so as to be able to freely protrude into and retract from the main body portion 28A.

[0080] A coil spring (not shown) is housed in main body portion 28A, and rod portion 28B is constantly biased upward by the coil spring.

[0081] When air is not supplied to the main body portion 28A, the rod portion 28B is biased upward by the coil spring, and the first sorting member 26 protrudes upward from the inclined surfaces 23a, 24a so that the first inlet 26a is positioned above the inclined surface 23a of the upstream inclined chute 23 and the inclined surface 24a of the downstream inclined chute 24.

[0082] A first inclined surface 26e is formed on the upper surface of the first sorting member 26, and the first inclined surface 26e is formed at the same inclination angle as the inclined surface 23a of the upstream inclined chute 23 and the inclined surface 24a of the downstream inclined chute 24.

[0083] When air is supplied to the main body 28A of the first air cylinder 28, the rod portion 28B moves downward against the biasing force of the coil spring and retracts into the main body 28A. At this time, the first inclined surface 26e of the first sorting member 26 is continuous with the inclined surfaces 23a, 24a so as to form a part of the inclined surface 23a of the upstream inclined chute 23 and the inclined surface 24a of the downstream inclined chute 24.

[0084] In this manner, the first sorting member 26 is provided so as to be freely movable between a first sorting position protruding above the inclined surfaces 23a, 24a and a retracted position continuous with the inclined surfaces 23a, 24a.

[0085] In the item sorting device 3 of this embodiment, when a capsule 50 to be sorted slides down the upstream inclined chute 23, the first sorting member 26 moves to a first sorting position, and guides defective products flowing from upstream through the first inlet 26a to the first conveying path 26A, where they are sorted in a direction different from the inclined chute 22.

[0086] In addition, when a good capsule 50 slides down the upstream inclined chute 23, the first sorting member 26 moves to a retracted position, and the good capsule 50 flowing from upstream flows from the upstream inclined chute 23 through the first inclined surface 26e of the first sorting member 26 to the downstream inclined chute 24.

[0087] A final inclined chute 25 is provided downstream of the downstream-side inclined chute 24 , and the final inclined chute 25 is provided integrally with the main body member 21 .

[0088] The good capsules 50 slide down the final inclined chute 25, and the good capsules 50 sliding down the downstream inclined chute 24 are transported from the downstream inclined chute 24 through the final inclined chute 25 to the next process.

[0089] The article sorting device 3 is equipped with second sorting members 27. The second sorting members 27 are installed downstream of the first sorting members 26 below the downstream inclined chute 24, and are arranged side by side in ten rows in the left-right direction of the article sorting device 3 so as to pair with the first sorting members 26 in the inclination direction L of the downstream inclined chute 24.

[0090] The second sorting member 27 extends longer in the up-down direction than it does in the front-rear direction, that is, the up-down direction is the longitudinal direction of the second sorting member 27, and the front-rear direction is the lateral direction.

[0091] A second conveying path 27A is formed inside the second sorting member 27, and the second conveying path 27A has a second inlet 27a that opens on the upstream side, and a second outlet 27b that is located below the second inlet 27a and opens on the downstream side.

[0092] The second conveying path 27A has a second straight portion 27c extending linearly in the vertical direction from the second inlet 27a, and a second curved portion 27d curved in the inclined direction L of the inclined chute 22 from the downstream portion of the second straight portion 27c.

[0093] The second sorting member 27 of this embodiment is formed in the same shape as the first sorting member 26, and the second sorting member 27 can be used as the first sorting member 26, and the first sorting member 26 can be used as the second sorting member 27. Therefore, the second conveying path 27A also has a U-shaped horizontal cross section like the first conveying path 26A, and forms a square space for conveying the capsules 50.

[0094] An inclined chute 30 is provided below the downstream inclined chute 24, and faces the downstream inclined chute 24 in the vertical direction. The inclined chute 30 has an inclined surface 30a that is inclined at the same angle as the inclination surface 24a of the downstream inclined chute 24, and extends parallel to the downstream inclined chute 24.

[0095] The second sorting member 27 is located upstream of the upstream portion of the inclined chute 30 and is not in contact with the inclined chute 30 in the inclination direction L of the inclined chute 30.

[0096] A second air cylinder 29 is attached to the lower part of the second sorting member 27, and the second sorting member 27 is movable in the vertical direction by the second air cylinder 29.

[0097] The second air cylinder 29 has a main body portion 29A accommodated in the accommodation portion 21B of the main body member 21, and a rod portion 29B provided so as to be able to freely protrude into and retract from the main body portion 29A.

[0098] A coil spring (not shown) is housed in the main body portion 29A, and the rod portion 29B is constantly biased upward by the coil spring.

[0099] When air is not supplied to the main body portion 29A, the rod portion 29B is biased upward by a coil spring, and the second sorting member 27 is positioned at the uppermost position close to the downstream inclined chute 24.

[0100] When the second sorting member 27 is positioned at the uppermost position, the second inlet 27a communicates with the first outlet 26b of the first sorting member 26. The first air cylinder 28 and the second air cylinder 29 of this embodiment constitute a drive unit.

[0101] The second sorting member 27 has an upper surface formed with a second inclined surface 27e, and the second inclined surface 27e is formed with the same inclination angle as the inclined surface 30a of the inclined chute 30.

[0102] When air is supplied to the body 29A of the second air cylinder 29, the rod 29B moves downward against the biasing force of the coil spring and retracts into the body 29A. At this time, the second inclined surface 27e of the second sorting member 27 is continuous with the inclined surface 30a of the inclined chute 30 so as to form a part of the inclined surface 30a (see FIG. 2).

[0103] In this way, the second sorting member 27 is provided to be movable between the second sorting position and the third sorting position that is located below the second sorting position and forms a part of the inclined surface 30a. Note that a hydraulic cylinder or the like may be used as the driving unit instead of the air cylinder.

[0104] Provided below the inclined chute 30 are a light weight product discharge section 32 for discharging light weight products 50b (see FIG. 9) and an overweight product discharge section 33 for discharging overweight products 50c (see FIG. 9). The light weight products 50b contain less content than the normal weight products 50a (see FIG. 9) which contain the proper amount of content, and the overweight products 50c contain more content than the normal weight products 50a which contain the proper amount of content, and both are sorted against the normal weight products 50a.

[0105] Of the capsules 50 selected by the article selection device 3, the correct-weight capsules 50a correspond to non-defective products. The light-weight capsules 50b, the overweight capsules 50c, and an unknown capsule 50d (see FIG. 9) described below correspond to defective products, and the unknown capsule 50d corresponds to the object to be selected.

[0106] In the item sorting device 3 of this embodiment, when the first sorting member 26 is located at the first sorting position and the second sorting member 27 is located at the second sorting position, the first outlet 26b of the first conveying path 26A and the second inlet 27a of the second conveying path 27A are connected.

[0107] When the second sorting member 27 is positioned at the third sorting position, the overweight item 50c transported along the first conveying path 26A of the first sorting member 26 passes through the second inclined surface 27e, is sorted in the first direction, and is discharged to the overweight item discharge section 33.

[0108] On the other hand, when the second sorting member 27 is positioned at the second sorting position, the light goods 50b transported along the first conveying path 26A of the first sorting member 26 are passed through the second conveying path 27A, sorted in the second direction, and discharged to the light goods discharge section 32.

[0109] In this way, when the first sorting member 26 is positioned at the first sorting position, the second sorting member 27 is positioned at the second sorting position and the third sorting position, whereby light weight items 50b and overweight items 50c are sorted from the normal weight items 50a sliding down the upstream inclined chute 23, and are transported in a different direction from the downstream inclined chute 24.

[0110] It should be noted that the capsule 50 slides down along the first conveying path 26A and the second conveying path 27A, and hereinafter the capsule 50 sliding down the first conveying path 26A and the second conveying path 27A will be referred to as being conveyed.

[0111] Here, a groove width W1 (see FIG. 4) of the first conveying path 26A and the second conveying path 27A perpendicular to the forward / backward direction or obliquely upward / downward direction with respect to the sliding direction of the capsule 50 will be described.

[0112] Capsules are classified into a number of sizes as defined by the Japanese Pharmacopoeia (see Figure 6). In Figure 6, the length (mm) is the length in the longitudinal direction (long axis direction) of the capsule, and the outer diameter (mm) is the dimension in the transverse direction (short axis direction) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the capsule. The dimensional tolerance is ±0.76 mm, with max indicating the maximum allowable dimensions of the capsule's length and outer diameter, and min indicating the minimum allowable dimensions of the capsule's length and outer diameter.

[0113] As shown in Figure 6, capsules are classified into sizes from "000" with the largest capacity to "00", "0", "1", "2", "3", "4", and "5" with decreasing capacity, and the length and outer diameter dimensions are specified for each size.

[0114] When handling capsules of different sizes, it is desirable to use sorting members 26, 27 having conveying paths 26A, 27A with a common groove width W1 so that it is not necessary to prepare dedicated sorting members 26, 27 having conveying paths 26A, 27A with different groove widths W1 set according to the capsule size. In other words, it is desirable to be able to smoothly convey capsules of all sizes from "000" to "5" using sorting members 26, 27 having one type of conveying path 26A, 27A.

[0115] Specifically, the groove width W1 of the conveying paths 26A and 27A was assumed to be based on the outer diameter of the capsule so that larger capsules could pass through, and a range of dimensions that did not match the length of each capsule size was considered.

[0116] This is because if the groove width W1 of the conveying paths 26A, 27A were to match the length of the capsules, the capsules would form a bridge inside the conveying paths 26A, 27A, and the following capsules would become clogged there.

[0117] For example, if the largest size is "No. 000," then as shown in FIG. 6, the outer diameter of the capsule is approximately 9.9 mm, and if the dimensional tolerance is 0.76 mm, the groove width cannot be less than 10.7 mm, and if the dimensional tolerance is 0.4 mm, it cannot be less than 10.3 mm.

[0118] Here, since the length range of the "No. 5" capsules and the outer diameter range of the "No. 000" capsules are similar, it was found that if the groove width W1 of the conveying paths 26A, 27A is set to a dimension that slightly exceeds the outer diameter range of the "No. 000", there is a risk that the "No. 5" capsules will become clogged in the conveying paths 26A, 27A.

[0119] Therefore, it was found that if the groove width W1 of the conveying paths 26A, 27A is set in the range of 11.9 to 13.5 mm between the length range of the "No. 5" capsule and the length range of the "No. 4" capsule, the conveying paths 26A, 27A can be used in common for the frequently used "No. 000" to "No. 5" capsules, and the groove width W1 of the conveying paths 26A, 27A can be made the smallest, thereby making the sorting members 26, 27 smaller.

[0120] In other words, if the groove width W1 of the transport paths 26A, 27A is set in the range of 11.9 to 13.5 mm, the capsule 50 of "No. 5" will not be in a bridge state on the transport paths 26A, 27A even if it is transported in a sideways state (see FIG. 7(a)), and capsules 50 of other sizes will not be transported sideways on the transport paths 26A, 27A from the beginning. FIG. 7(b) shows the state in which the capsule 50 of "No. 000" is transported.

[0121] Furthermore, it was found that if a sealing defect occurs during the process of filling capsules with medicine, etc., the length of the capsule may exceed the standard range. Such a sealing defect is likely to occur when the capsule is overfilled with medicine, etc., and care must be taken to prevent clogging and ensure that the capsules are correctly selected.

[0122] For example, the length of a "No. 5" capsule when it is not properly sealed is longer than the standard dimension, being approximately 12.3 to 13.3 mm. Therefore, it was found that by setting the groove width W1 of the conveying paths 26A, 27A in the range of 11.9 mm to 12.2 mm, it is possible to reduce the size of the sorting members 26, 27 without worrying about clogging.

[0123] In short, the groove width W1 of the conveying paths 26A, 27A should be set to a minimum groove width W1 that allows capsules of the maximum size (No. 000) to the minimum size (No. 5) to be conveyed without clogging.

[0124] The groove width of the conveying paths 26A, 27A perpendicular to the left-right direction of the sliding direction of the capsule 50 is set to be slightly larger than the groove width W1 so that the capsule 50 does not tilt in the left-right direction.

[0125] In this way, by setting the groove width W1 of the conveying paths 26A, 27A to the minimum necessary and reducing the size of the sorting members 26, 27, the item sorting device 3 can be reduced in size, and as a result, the weight measuring device 1 can be reduced in size.

[0126] As shown in FIG. 2, a discharge outlet 24b opens at the downstream portion of the downstream inclined chute 24, and an unknown item discharge section 34 for discharging unknown items 50d is provided below the discharge outlet 24b.

[0127] 1 and 2, the main body member 21 is provided with a rejection gate 35, which is movable in the vertical direction. Specifically, the rejection gate 35 is biased upward by a coil spring (not shown), and when driven by an actuator, it moves downward against the biasing force of the coil spring.

[0128] The rejection gate 35 has a vertical plate portion 35A extending in the up-down direction and an inclined plate portion 35B bent from the vertical plate portion 35A toward the first sorting member 26. The inclined plate portion 35B is inclined at the same inclination angle as the inclined surface 24a of the downstream inclined chute 24.

[0129] When the vertical plate portion 35A is positioned at the lowest position, the discharge gate 35 closes the discharge outlet 24b in continuity with the inclined surface 24a so that the inclined plate portion 35B forms part of the inclined surface 24a of the downstream inclined chute 24, and when the vertical plate portion 35A is positioned at the highest position, the inclined plate portion 35B opens the discharge outlet 24b.

[0130] When the vertical plate portion 35A is positioned at the highest position, the vertical plate portion 35A protrudes upward from the downstream inclined chute 24, causing the unknown item 50d sliding down the downstream inclined chute 24 to come into contact with the vertical plate portion 35A, and the unknown item 50d is selected from the downstream inclined chute 24 and discharged to the unknown item discharge section 34.

[0131] The unknown products 50d are objects that cannot be sorted when a power outage occurs, or objects whose shapes differ from those of the correct products 50a due to defective shapes, etc. If the unknown products 50d are mixed with the correct products 50a, a sorting operation into the correct products 50a and the unknown products 50d must be performed in the next process, so the unknown products 50d that slide down the downstream inclined chute 24 are discharged to the unknown product discharge section 34 together with the correct products 50a.

[0132] In other words, when the non-defective products 50d are mixed with the normal-weight products 50a that slide down the downstream inclined chute 24, the normal-weight products 50a are also treated as the non-defective products 50d. The rejection gate 35 of this embodiment constitutes an opening and closing member.

[0133] The sorting confirmation sensor 5 is capable of detecting capsules 50 passing through the upstream part of the upstream inclined chute 23, and detects capsules that slide down the downstream inclined chute 24 at a different time from the correct capsules 50a due to defective shape or the like, and transmits the detection result to the control unit.

[0134] The control unit is composed of a computer unit including a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a hard disk device, and input / output ports, none of which are shown.

[0135] The control unit, for example, compares the capsule weight information stored in the RAM with the weight information of the capsule 50 transmitted from the weighing unit 4, and determines whether the capsule 50 is a correct weight 50a, an overweight 50c, or an underweight 50b, and based on the determination result, drives the first sorting member 26 and the second sorting member 27 using the first air cylinder 28 and the second air cylinder 29 to sort the capsule 50.

[0136] When the control unit determines, based on the information transmitted from the sorting confirmation sensor 5, that an unknown item 50d has slid down the downstream inclined chute 24, it releases the rejection gate 35 and opens the discharge outlet 24b.

[0137] That is, based on the detection information of the sorting confirmation sensor 5, when the sorting confirmation sensor 5 detects a capsule 50 or foreign object sliding down the upstream inclined chute 23 at a timing different from that of the correct quantity product 50a, the control unit releases the exclusion gate 35 and opens the discharge outlet 24b.

[0138] The downstream inclined chute 24 is provided with protruding chute portions 36 and 37, which are located upstream of the discharge port 24b and downstream of the upstream inclined chute 23.

[0139] 2 and 8, the protruding chute portions 36, 37 include upstream protruding chute portions 36A, 37A and downstream protruding chute portions 36B, 37B. The upstream protruding chute portions 36A, 37A and the downstream protruding chute portions 36B, 37B are integrally formed with the downstream inclined chute 24.

[0140] The upstream protruding chute portions 36A, 37A are bent from the downstream inclined chute 24 so as to protrude upward from the downstream inclined chute 24, and have sliding surfaces 36a, 37a on their upper surfaces for sliding the capsules 50 down.

[0141] The downstream protruding chute portions 36B, 37B are bent from the downstream inclined chute 24 so as to protrude upward from the downstream inclined chute 24, and are connected to downstream portions of the upstream protruding chute portions 36A, 37A. The upstream protruding chute portions 36A, 37A constitute the protruding chute portions of this embodiment.

[0142] The protruding chute portions 36, 37 extend from one end (left end) of the downstream inclined chute 24 to the other end (right end), and the ten rows of capsules 50 slide down side by side on the sliding surfaces 36a, 37a.

[0143] As shown in Figure 8, the inclination angle θ1 (symbol omitted on the protruding chute section 36 side) of the sliding surfaces 36a, 37a with respect to the horizontal plane H is formed to be smaller than the inclination angle θ2 (symbol omitted on the protruding chute section 36 side) of the inclination surface 24a of the downstream inclined chute 24 with respect to the horizontal plane H.

[0144] In FIG. 8, the range S1 in which the downstream inclined chute 24 extends and the range S2 in which the protruding chute portions 36 and 37 extend are shown.

[0145] 1 and 3, side plates 38, 39 are provided at both ends (left and right ends) in the width direction of the downstream inclined chute 24, and the side plates 38, 39 protrude upward from the downstream inclined chute 24. Only one of the side plates, 38, is shown in FIG.

[0146] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 8, the left and right ends of restriction walls 40, 41 are attached to the side plates 38, 39, and the restriction walls 40, 41 extend in the width direction of the downstream inclined chute 24.

[0147] The control walls 40, 41 are located on the discharge gate 35 side with respect to the protruding chute portions 36, 37, respectively.

[0148] As shown in FIG. 8, the regulating walls 40, 41 extend from a position lower than the sliding surfaces 36a, 37a to a position higher than the sliding surfaces 36a, 37a, and face the sliding surfaces 36a, 37b in the inclination direction L of the sliding surfaces 36a, 37a.

[0149] The restriction walls 40, 41 have vertical wall portions 40a, 41a extending in the up-down direction and bent portions 40b, 41b. The bent portions 40b, 41b are bent from the lower ends of the vertical wall portions 40a, 41a toward the discharge port 24b along the downstream inclined chute 24.

[0150] The capsule 50 sliding down the downstream inclined chute 24 slides along the sliding surfaces 36a, 37a of the chute sections 36, 37 protruding from the downstream inclined chute 24, and thus slides in a direction different from the inclination direction L of the downstream inclined chute 24. At this time, the sliding speed of the capsule 50 is decelerated compared to the sliding speed when sliding down the downstream inclined chute 24.

[0151] The capsule 50 sliding down along the sliding surfaces 36a, 37a is further decelerated by contacting the vertical wall portions 40a, 41a of the regulating walls 40, 41, and then passes between the vertical wall portions 40a, 41a and the downstream protruding chute portions 36B, 37B, and then slides down between the bending portions 40b, 41b and the downstream inclined chute 24.

[0152] In addition, the gap W2 between the vertical wall portions 40a, 41a and the downstream protruding chute portions 36B, 37B, the gap W3 between the folding portions 40b, 41b and the downstream inclined chute 24, and the groove width W1 of the first conveying path 26A and the second conveying path 27A are of the same dimension.

[0153] This makes it possible to prevent clogging of capsules 50 of all sizes passing between the vertical wall portions 40a, 41a and the downstream protruding chute portions 36B, 37B, and between the folding portions 40b, 41b and the downstream inclined chute 24.

[0154] The inclination angle θ3 of the regulating walls 40, 41 relative to the sliding surfaces 36a, 37a is set to an inclination angle that reduces the impact when the capsule 50, having passed through the sliding surfaces 36a, 37a, collides with the regulating walls 40, 41 and can reliably reduce the sliding speed of the capsule 50.

[0155] The downstream inclined chute 24 in this embodiment is configured by integrally providing the protruding chute portions 36, 37, side plates 38, 39 and restriction walls 40, 41, and the protruding chute portions 36, 37, side plates 38, 39 and restriction walls 40, 41 are integrally attached to and detached from the main body member 21. The protruding chute portions 36, 37 and the restriction walls 40, 41 in this embodiment form the sliding direction changing portion.

[0156] Next, the operation of the article selecting device 3 of this embodiment will be described. The capsules 50 that have been placed on the weighing platform 4A and have their weight measured are pushed out of the weighing platform 4A by the ejector 11 in a state of being lined up in ten rows in the left-right direction.

[0157] The capsule 50 pushed out from the weighing platform 4A slides down along the upstream inclined chute 23 due to its own weight.

[0158] First, the operation of the article sorting device 3 when sorting the correct-weight article 50a will be described with reference to FIG. When the control unit determines that all of the capsules 50 sliding down the conveying lane of the downstream inclined chute 24 are the correct-weight capsules 50 a, air is supplied to the main body 28 A of the first air cylinder 28 .

[0159] In this state, the rod portion 28B moves downward against the force of the coil spring and is inserted into the main body portion 28A, the first sorting member 26 is positioned in a retracted position, and the first inclined surface 26e of the first sorting member 26 is continuous with the inclined surfaces 23a, 24a so as to form part of the inclined surface 23a of the upstream inclined chute 23 and the inclined surface 24a of the downstream inclined chute 24.

[0160] Moreover, since the control unit does not supply air to the main body 29A of the second air cylinder 29, the rod portion 29B is biased by the coil spring and protrudes upward from the main body 29A, so that the second sorting member 27 is located at the second sorting position.

[0161] In addition, when the normal-weight product 50a slides down the downstream inclined chute 24, the rejection gate 35 is driven by the actuator to be at the lowest position. Therefore, the inclined plate portion 35B is continuous with the downstream inclined chute 24 so as to form a part of the inclined surface 24a of the downstream inclined chute 24.

[0162] In this way, the control unit controls the first sorting member 26 and the second sorting member 27, so that the correct-weight product 50a passes from the upstream inclined chute 23 through the first inclined surface 26e of the first sorting member 26 and flows into the downstream inclined chute 24, slides down through the inclined plate portion 35B of the rejection gate 35 to the final inclined chute 25, and is then transported from the final inclined chute 25 to the next process. Figure 9 shows the movement trajectory A of the correct-weight product 50a.

[0163] The operation of the article sorting device 3 when sorting light items 50b will be shown with reference to FIG. When the control unit determines that the capsule 50 sliding down the conveying lane of the downstream inclined chute 24 contains light items 50b, air is discharged from the main body 28A of the first air cylinder 28 of the conveying lane through which the light items 50b are flowing.

[0164] At this time, rod portion 28B is biased by the coil spring to move upward and protrude from main body portion 28A. Therefore, first sorting member 26 is located at the first sorting position, and first inlet 26a of first sorting member 26 is located above inclined surface 23a of upstream inclined chute 23. In addition, the control unit controls second air cylinder 29 to position second sorting member 27 at the second sorting position.

[0165] In this manner, the control unit controls the first sorting member 26 and the second sorting member 27, so that the first outlet 26b of the first sorting member 26 and the second inlet 27a of the second sorting member 27 communicate with each other.

[0166] As a result, light weight items 50b flowing through the conveying lane of the downstream inclined chute 24 are fed into the first conveying path 26A through the first inlet 26a, pass through the second conveying path 27A of the second sorting member 27 from the first conveying path 26A, and are then discharged from the second outlet 27b to the light weight item discharge section 32. In Figure 10, the movement trajectory B of the light weight items 50b is shown.

[0167] Based on FIG. 11, the operation of the article sorting device 3 when sorting an overweight article 50c will be shown. When the control unit determines that the capsule 50 sliding down the conveying lane of the downstream inclined chute 24 contains an overweight item 50c, air is discharged from the main body 28A of the first air cylinder 28 of the conveying lane through which the overweight item 50c is flowing.

[0168] At this time, the rod portion 28B is biased by the coil spring and moves upward to project from the main body portion 28A, so that the first sorting member 26 is located at the first sorting position.

[0169] The control unit also supplies air to the main body 29A of the second air cylinder 29. At this time, the rod portion 29B moves downward against the biasing force of the coil spring and retracts into the main body 29A. As a result, the second sorting member 27 is located at the third retracted position, and the second inclined surface 27e of the second sorting member 27 is continuous with the inclined chute 30 so as to form a part of the inclined chute 30.

[0170] In this manner, by controlling the first sorting member 26 and the second sorting member 27 by the control unit, the first outlet 26b of the first sorting member 26 and the second inlet 27a of the second sorting member 27 are brought into a non-communicating state.

[0171] As a result, the overweight item 50c flowing through the conveying lane is input into the first conveying path 26A through the first inlet 26a, and then the overweight item 50c discharged from the first outlet 26b passes through the second inclined surface 27e of the second sorting member 27, and is then discharged along the inclined chute 30 to the overweight item discharge section 33. In Fig. 11, the movement trajectory C of the overweight item 50c is shown.

[0172] Here, the relationship between the interval at which the capsules 50 are inserted and the time required for sorting the capsules 50 will be described.

[0173] The timing at which the ejector 11 pushes out the capsule 50 from the weighing platform 4A is set to the timing at which the previous capsule 50 passes through the first conveying path 26A and the second conveying path 27A and reaches the light article discharge section 32.

[0174] In other words, the period during which the capsules 50 are sequentially fed from the weighing platform 4A to the item sorting device 3 is set so that it is longer than the time required for the capsules 50 to pass through the first conveying path 26A and the second conveying path 27A to be selected.

[0175] This insertion period is preferably short since it represents the weight measurement capability of the weight measuring device 1, but it is not preferable to set the period shorter than the time required for the capsule 50 to pass through the longest transport path (transport paths 26A, 27A).

[0176] As a result, regardless of the pattern of weight measurement results associated with the capsules 50 sequentially fed from the weighing platform 4A to the item sorting device 3 (sorting of light weight items 50b or sorting of overweight items 50c), the first sorting member 26 and the second sorting member 27 are controlled to form a conveying path in a sorting direction corresponding to the weight measurement results.

[0177] This is the capsule 50 injection cycle in which the interval between the light goods 50b located upstream of the first inlet 26a and the light goods 50b located downstream of the second outlet 27b shown in FIG. 10 is the shortest.

[0178] The operation of the article sorting device 3 when sorting the unknown item 50d will be shown with reference to FIG. When the control unit determines that an unknown item 50d has slid down the downstream inclined chute 24, there is a possibility that the unknown item 50d has been mixed in with the normal items 50a flowing down the downstream inclined chute 24, so the actuator is controlled to move the exclusion gate 35 upward.

[0179] At this time, the inclined plate portion 35B opens the discharge port 24b, so that all capsules 50 flowing through the downstream inclined chute 24 collide with the vertical plate portion 35A and are guided to the discharge port 24b, through which they are discharged to the unknown product discharge portion 34. In FIG. 12, a moving trajectory D of the unknown product 50d is shown.

[0180] In addition, in the event of a power interruption, the ejection gate 35 is urged upward by the coil spring, so that all capsules 50 flowing through the downstream inclined chute 24 are ejected from the ejection port 24b to the unknown item ejection section 34.

[0181] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 13, the capsules 50 flowing in the downstream inclined chute 24 slide down on the sliding surfaces 36a, 37a of the protruding chute portions 36, 37, and thereby slide down in a direction different from the inclination direction L of the downstream inclined chute 24.

[0182] The inclination angle θ1 of the sliding surfaces 36a, 37a relative to the horizontal plane H is formed to be smaller than the inclination angle θ2 of the inclined surface 24a of the downstream inclined chute 24 relative to the horizontal plane H, so that the capsule 50 sliding down the sliding surfaces 36a, 37a of the protruding chute portions 36, 37 slides in a direction closer to the horizontal direction than the downstream inclined chute 24, and the sliding speed of the capsule 50 is slower than the sliding speed of the capsule 50 sliding down the downstream inclined chute 24, and the capsule 50 is decelerated by the sliding surfaces 36a, 37a.

[0183] In addition, since the restricting walls 40, 41 are provided on the downstream side of each of the protruding chute sections 36, 37, the capsule 50 that has passed through the sliding surfaces 36a, 37a of the protruding chute sections 36, 37 is further decelerated by contacting the restricting walls 40, 41. In Fig. 13, the movement trajectory E of the capsule 50 is shown.

[0184] In addition, when the protruding chute portion 36 and the regulating wall 40 are considered as one set, and the protruding chute portion 37 and the regulating wall 41 are considered as one set, two sets of protruding chute portions and regulating walls are provided in this embodiment, but the number of protruding chute portions and regulating walls may be one set or three or more sets.

[0185] In addition, the deceleration time of the capsule 50 may be adjusted by adjusting the inclination angle θ3 of the protruding chute portions 36, 37 depending on the size and viscosity of the capsule 50, etc.

[0186] Although the protruding chute sections 36 and 37 are molded integrally with the downstream inclined chute 24, the protruding chute sections may be formed as separate members integral with the downstream inclined chute 24. In this case, the protruding chute sections may be made of a different material from the downstream inclined chute 24, and the deceleration time of the capsule 50 may be adjusted.

[0187] In this way, the item sorting device 3 of this embodiment can drive the first sorting member 26 and the second sorting member 27 in accordance with the weighing results of the capsules 50, thereby sorting out light weight items 50b and overweight items 50c from the normal weight items 50a sliding down the inclined chute 22, and transport them in a direction different from the inclined chute 22.

[0188] Next, the effects of the article selection device 3 of this embodiment will be described. The item sorting device 3 of this embodiment is provided with a discharge outlet 24b arranged downstream of the downstream inclined chute 24 for discharging unknown items 50d from the downstream inclined chute 24 to the main body member 21 side, a rejection gate 35 arranged at the discharge outlet 24b to open and close the discharge outlet 24b for sorting capsules 50 sliding down the downstream inclined chute 24, and protruding chute portions 36, 37 arranged upstream of the rejection gate 35 and integral with the downstream inclined chute 24.

[0189] The protruding chute portions 36, 37 come into contact with the capsule 50 sliding down the downstream inclined chute 24, thereby changing the orientation of the capsule 50 to a direction different from the inclination direction L of the downstream inclined chute 24, and the downstream inclined chute 24 and the protruding chute portions 36, 37 are integrally configured to be detachable from the main body member 21.

[0190] This allows the downstream inclined chute 24 and the protruding chute portions 36, 37 to be attached and detached as a single unit to the main body member 21, improving the ease of attaching and detaching the downstream inclined chute 24 to and from the main body member 21, for example, during maintenance of the article sorting device 3 or when removing light items 50b, overweight items 50c, and unknown items 50d from the main body member 21.

[0191] In addition, when the downstream side inclined chute 24 is attached to the main body member 21, it is possible to reliably prevent forgetting to attach the protruding chute parts 36, 37 to the downstream side inclined chute 24, and the sliding speed of the capsule 50 sliding down the downstream side inclined chute 24 can be reliably decelerated.

[0192] Therefore, even if the total length of the downstream inclined chute 24 is shortened, the discharge outlet 24b can be opened by the rejection gate 35 before the capsule 50 reaches the discharge outlet 24b. In other words, it is possible to allow a sufficient time until the rejection gate 35, which has closed the discharge outlet 24b, is opened, and the unknown article 50d can be reliably discharged to the discharge outlet 24b. As a result, the article selection device 3 can be made smaller.

[0193] In addition, according to the item sorting device 3 of this embodiment, the protruding chute sections 36, 37 include upstream protruding chute sections 36A, 37A that protrude upward from the downstream inclined chute 24 and have sliding surfaces 36a, 37a for transporting the capsules 50, and the inclination angle θ1 of the sliding surfaces 36a, 37a relative to the horizontal plane H is smaller than the inclination angle θ2 of the inclined surface 24a of the downstream inclined chute 24 relative to the horizontal plane H.

[0194] This allows the capsule 50 to slide down at a slower rate when it is transported along the sliding surfaces 36a, 37a of the upstream protruding chute sections 36A, 37A, compared to when the capsule 50 is transported along the downstream inclined chute 24.

[0195] In addition, according to the item sorting device 3 of this embodiment, the upstream protruding chute sections 36A, 37A have regulating walls 40, 41 located on the exclusion gate 35 side relative to the sliding surfaces 36a, 36b and capable of contacting the capsule 50, and the regulating walls 40, 41 extend from a position lower than the sliding surfaces 36a, 37a to a position higher than the sliding surfaces 36a, 37a.

[0196] This allows the capsule 50 that has passed through the sliding surfaces 36a, 37a to come into contact with the regulating walls 40, 41, thereby further slowing down the sliding speed of the capsule 50.

[0197] Therefore, the speed at which the capsules 50 slide down the downstream inclined chute 24 can be further slowed down, and even if the overall length of the downstream inclined chute 24 is further shortened, the time until the rejection gate 35 with the discharge outlet 24b closed is opened can be secured, and the unknown article 50d can be reliably discharged to the discharge outlet 24b. As a result, the article sorting device 3 can be further miniaturized.

[0198] Second embodiment The configuration of an item sorting device and an item inspection device according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 14. Note that the item sorting device and item inspection device of this embodiment differ from the first embodiment in that the slide direction changing section is configured from a guide plate, and the same components as those of the first embodiment are given the same reference numbers and will not be described.

[0199] 14, the downstream inclined chute 24 is provided with guide plates 42, 43, which are integral with the downstream inclined chute 24. The guide plates 42, 43 form a sliding direction changing portion.

[0200] The guide plates 42 and 43 protrude upward from the downstream inclined chute 24 and are inclined with respect to the inclination direction L of the downstream inclined chute 24.

[0201] The guide plates 42, 43 have downstream portions 42a, 43a facing each other in the inclination direction L of the downstream inclined chute 24, and are installed facing opposite directions in the inclination direction of the downstream inclined chute 24.

[0202] Specifically, the upstream guide plate 42 is inclined forward from one widthwise end (right end) of the downstream inclined chute 24 toward the widthwise center (left-right center) of the downstream inclined chute 24, and the downstream guide plate 43 is inclined forward from the other widthwise end (left end) of the downstream inclined chute 24 toward the widthwise center of the downstream inclined chute 24.

[0203] Guide plate 43 located downstream of guide plate 42 located upstream is located on extension line L1 of guide plate 42 in the extending direction.

[0204] Next, the operation of the article selecting device 3 of this embodiment will be described. Of the capsules 50 that have flowed downstream from the upstream inclined chute 23, several capsules 50 (hereinafter referred to as capsules 50A) that face the guide plate 42 in the inclination direction L of the downstream inclined chute 24 have their orientation changed to a diagonally forward left direction, which is different from the inclination direction L of the downstream inclined chute 24, by coming into contact with the guide plate 42.

[0205] Guide plate 43, which is located downstream of guide plate 42, which is located upstream, is located on extension line L1 in the extension direction of guide plate 42, so that capsule 50A that comes into contact with guide plate 42 slides toward guide plate 43 while its sliding speed is slowed down by guide plate 42.

[0206] The capsule 50A sliding down toward the guide plate 43 comes into contact with the guide plate 43, and changes its direction to a diagonally forward right direction different from the inclination direction L of the downstream inclined chute 24. In Fig. 14, the movement trajectory of the capsule 50A is indicated by FG.

[0207] The capsule 50A that has passed through the downstream portion 43a of the guide plate 43 slides down along the inclined direction L into the downstream inclined chute 24.

[0208] Since the downstream portions 42a, 43a of the guide plates 42, 43 face each other in the inclination direction L of the downstream inclined chute 24, the capsule 50A that has escaped from the guide plate 42 can be prevented from sliding down along the inclination direction L of the downstream inclined chute 24 without contacting the guide plate 43, and can be reliably collided with the guide plate 43.

[0209] On the other hand, among the capsules 50 that have flowed downstream from the upstream inclined chute 23, several capsules 50 (hereinafter referred to as capsules 50B) that face the guide plate 43 in the inclination direction L of the downstream inclined chute 24 have their orientation changed to a diagonally forward right direction, which is different from the inclination direction L of the downstream inclined chute 24, by coming into contact with the guide plate 43.

[0210] As a result, the sliding speed of the capsule 50B in contact with the guide plate 43 is decelerated, and the capsule 50B that has passed through the downstream portion 43a of the guide plate 43 slides down the downstream inclined chute 24 along the inclined direction L. In Fig. 14, the movement trajectory HG of the capsule 50A is shown.

[0211] In this way, even in the item sorting device 3 of this embodiment, the sliding speed of the capsules 50A, 50B can be slowed down by colliding the capsules 50A, 50B with the guide plates 42, 43 to change the orientation of the capsules 50A, 50B to a direction different from the inclination direction L of the downstream inclined chute 24.

[0212] Furthermore, during maintenance of the article sorting device 3, or when removing light weight items 50b, overweight items 50c, and unknown items 50d from the main body member 21, the downstream inclined chute 24 and the guide plates 42, 43 can be attached and detached as a unit when attaching or detaching the downstream inclined chute 24 to or from the main body member 21. This makes it possible to prevent the guide plates 42, 43 from being left unattached when the downstream inclined chute 24 is attached to the main body member 21, and ensures that the sliding speed of the capsules 50 can be reduced when the capsules 50 are sorted.

[0213] Although two guide plates 42 and 43 are provided in this embodiment, three or more guide plates may be provided.

[0214] (Third embodiment) The configuration of an item sorting device and an item inspection device according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 15. Note that the item sorting device and item inspection device of this embodiment differ from the first embodiment in that the slide direction changing section is configured from a guide plate, and the same components as those of the first embodiment are given the same reference numbers and will not be described.

[0215] 15, downstream inclined chute 24 is provided with guide plates 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, and 49, and guide plates 44 to 49 are provided integrally with downstream inclined chute 24. Guide plates 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, and 49 form a sliding direction changing portion.

[0216] Guide plates 44 to 49 protrude upward from downstream inclined chute 24 and are inclined with respect to the inclination direction L of downstream inclined chute 24.

[0217] Specifically, guide plates 44, 47 are each inclined forward from both widthwise ends (left and right ends) of downstream inclined chute 24 toward the widthwise center of downstream inclined chute 24, and guide plates 45, 48 are each inclined forward from the widthwise center of downstream inclined chute 24 toward both widthwise ends of downstream inclined chute 24.

[0218] The guide plates 46 and 49 are each inclined forward from both ends of the downstream inclined chute 24 in the width direction toward the center of the downstream inclined chute 24 in the width direction.

[0219] The guide plates 44, 45, 46 have downstream portions 44a, 45a, 46a facing each other in the inclination direction L of the downstream inclined chute 24, and the guide plates 47, 48, 49 have downstream portions 47a, 48a, 49a facing each other in the inclination direction L of the downstream inclined chute 24.

[0220] The guide plates 44 and 47, the guide plates 45 and 48, and the guide plates 46 and 49 are adjacent to each other in the width direction perpendicular to the inclination direction L of the downstream inclined chute 24.

[0221] Guide plates 44, 45, and 46, whose downstream portions 44a, 45a, and 46a overlap in the inclination direction L of downstream inclined chute 24, are installed facing opposite directions in the inclination direction L of downstream inclined chute 24, and guide plates 47, 48, and 49, whose downstream portions 47a, 48a, and 49a overlap in the inclination direction L of downstream inclined chute 24, are installed facing opposite directions in the inclination direction L of downstream inclined chute 24.

[0222] Adjacent guide plates 44 and 47, guide plates 45 and 48, and guide plates 46 and 49 in the width direction perpendicular to the inclination direction L of the downstream inclined chute 24 are respectively installed facing in opposite directions.

[0223] Next, the operation of the article selecting device 3 of this embodiment will be described. Of the capsules 50 that have flowed downstream from the upstream inclined chute 23, several capsules 50 (hereinafter referred to as capsules 50C) that face the guide plate 44 in the inclination direction L of the downstream inclined chute 24 have their orientation changed to a diagonally forward left direction, which is different from the inclination direction L of the downstream inclined chute 24, by coming into contact with the guide plate 44.

[0224] Guide plate 45, which is located downstream of guide plate 44, which is located upstream, is located on extension line L2 in the extension direction of guide plate 44, so that capsule 50A that comes into contact with guide plate 44 slides toward guide plate 45 while its sliding speed is slowed down by guide plate 44.

[0225] The capsule 50C sliding down toward the guide plate 45 comes into contact with the guide plate 45 and changes its direction to a diagonally forward left direction different from the inclination direction of the downstream inclined chute 24.

[0226] Guide plate 46, which is located downstream of guide plate 45, which is located upstream, is located on extension line L2 in the extension direction of guide plate 45, so that capsule 50C that comes into contact with guide plate 45 slides toward guide plate 46 while its sliding speed is slowed down by guide plate 45.

[0227] The capsule 50C that has passed through the downstream portion 46a of the guide plate 46 slides down the downstream inclined chute 24 along the inclined direction L. In Fig. 15, the movement trajectory IJK of the capsule 50C is shown.

[0228] On the other hand, capsules 50 (hereinafter referred to as capsules 50D) facing guide plate 45 in inclination direction L of downstream inclined chute 24 come into contact with guide plate 45, and are redirected diagonally forward to the right, which is different from the inclination direction L of downstream inclined chute 24. Then, capsules 50 come into contact with guide plate 45 and then guide plate 46, and their sliding speed is decelerated. The movement trajectory NJK of capsules 50D is shown in FIG.

[0229] The capsules 50C and 50D flowing from the guide plate 47 to the guide plate 49 follow the same flow as the capsules 50C and 50D flowing from the guide plate 44 to the guide plate 46, and therefore will not be described here.

[0230] In this way, even in the item sorting device 3 of this embodiment, the sliding speed of the capsules 50C, 50D can be slowed down by colliding the capsules 50C, 50D from the guide plate 44 to the guide plate 49, thereby changing the orientation of the capsules 50C, 50D to a direction different from the inclination direction L of the downstream inclined chute 24.

[0231] Furthermore, when the downstream inclined chute 24 is attached to or detached from the main body member 21 during maintenance of the article sorting device 3 or when light weight items 50b, overweight items 50c, and unknown items 50d are removed from the main body member 21, the downstream inclined chute 24 and the guide plate 49 can be attached and detached integrally from the guide plate 44. This makes it possible to prevent the guide plates 42, 43 from being left attached when the downstream inclined chute 24 is attached to the main body member 21, and ensures that the sliding speed of the capsules 50 can be reduced when the capsules 50 are sorted.

[0232] A guide plate may be provided downstream of the guide plates 46, 49, or the guide plates 46, 49 may not be provided.

[0233] That is, when the guide plates 44, 45, 46, and 47 form one set, only one set of guide plates may be provided, or two sets of guide plates may be provided.

[0234] Although an embodiment of the present invention has been disclosed, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that modifications may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the present invention, and all such modifications and equivalents are intended to be encompassed by the following claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0235] 3. Item sorting device 21 Main body parts 24 Downstream inclined chute (inclined chute) 24a Inclined surface (inclined surface of inclined chute) 24b Outlet 35 Exclusion gate (opening and closing member) 36, 37 Protruding chute section (slide direction change section) 36A, 37A Upstream protruding chute section (protruding chute section) 36a, 37a sliding surface 40, 41 Regulatory barriers 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49 Guide plate (slide direction change part) 42a, 43a, 44a, 45a, 46a, 47a, 48a, 49a Downstream section (part of guide plate) 50 capsules (target) 50d Unknown item (item to be sorted) H horizontal plane θ1: Incline angle of the sliding surface relative to the horizontal plane θ2 The inclination angle of the inclined surface of the inclined chute relative to the horizontal plane

Claims

1. An article sorting device (3) having a main body member (21) and an inclined chute (24) attached to the main body member and inclined downward, for sorting objects (50) pushed out from an inspection section at a constant cycle and sliding down the inclined chute, The inclined chute has an inclined surface (24a) along which the object (50d) to be sorted that is pushed out from the inspection section slides down, and side plates (38, 39) protruding upward are provided on both side ends of the inclined surface, a discharge port (24b) that opens to a downstream portion of the inclined chute and discharges the object to be sorted that is pushed out from the inspection section from the inclined chute to the main body member side; an opening / closing member (35) that is provided at the discharge outlet to open and close the discharge outlet and selects objects that slide down the inclined chute; a sliding direction changing section (36, 37) located upstream of the opening / closing member and integrally provided with the inclined chute; the sliding direction changing unit changes the orientation of the object sliding down the inclined chute to a direction different from the inclination direction (L) of the inclined chute by contacting the object, An article sorting device in which the inclined chute and the sliding direction changing portion are integral with the side plates and can be freely attached and detached to the main body member.

2. The sliding direction changing portion includes a protruding chute portion (36, 37) that protrudes upward from the inclined surface of the inclined chute and has a sliding surface (36a, 37a) along which the object slides, 2. The article sorting device according to claim 1, wherein an inclination angle (θ1) of the sliding surface relative to a horizontal plane (H) is smaller than an inclination angle (θ2) of the inclined surface (24a) of the inclined chute relative to the horizontal plane.

3. The sliding direction changing portion has a regulating wall (40, 41) located on the opening / closing member side with respect to the sliding surface and capable of contacting the object, 3. The article sorting device according to claim 2, wherein the regulating wall is attached to the side plate opposite the sliding surface and extends from a position lower than the sliding surface to a position higher than the sliding surface.

4. The sliding direction changing section includes a plurality of guide plates (42, 43) that protrude upward from the inclined surface of the inclined chute and are inclined with respect to the inclination direction of the inclined chute, The plurality of guide plates are arranged such that some (42a, 43a) face each other in the inclination direction of the inclined chute and face opposite directions in the inclination direction of the inclined chute, 2. The item sorting device according to claim 1, wherein, among the plurality of guide plates, a guide plate located downstream of a guide plate located upstream is located on an extension line (L1) in the extension direction of the guide plate located upstream.

5. The sliding direction changing section includes a plurality of guide plates (44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49) that protrude upward from the inclined surface of the inclined chute and are inclined with respect to the inclination direction of the inclined chute, The plurality of guide plates are opposed to each other in the inclination direction of the inclined chute, and are adjacent to each other in a direction perpendicular to the inclination direction of the inclined chute. The plurality of guide plates are arranged such that guide plates which overlap with each other in the inclination direction of the inclined chute are arranged in opposite directions in the inclination direction of the inclined chute, and adjacent guide plates in a direction perpendicular to the inclination direction of the inclined chute are arranged in opposite directions, 2. The article selecting device according to claim 1, wherein the guide plate located downstream of the guide plate located upstream is located on an extension line (L2) of the extending direction of the guide plate located upstream.

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