Container separation device

Abstract

To combine a small number of remaining stacked containers with new stacked containers, finish a combining work at a time when the containers are moved upward, and achieve a situation where the containers will not be interrupted for a long time in a subsequent process.SOLUTION: There is provided a container separation device for repeating a process in which a rectangular parallelepiped suction part 5a (or 5b) located at a bottom separates one container from stacked containers 4 and then moves upward so that the one container is moved to a subsequent step. In a first step, when the number of stacked containers 4 remaining is low, a horizontal auxiliary rod 25 is protruded, a horizontal lifting member 14 is lowered, and a conveyor 2 carries new stacked containers 4 at intervals T. In a second step, the horizontal auxiliary rod 25 of the stacked container 4 that is running low is retracted from a groove, and the stacked container 4 falls and merges with a new stacked container 4. In a third step, the horizontal lifting member 14 rises and the combined stacked containers 4 rise, and within the interval T, the operations from the first step to the third step (time T') are completed at (time T'×number of sheets).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] An object of the present invention is to provide a container separation device that can sequentially separate containers such as lunch boxes, etc. one by one from a state in which a plurality of containers, such as lunch boxes, are stacked (stacked containers). [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, in a container separation device 1, a support rod 5 is provided on a horizontal rotating shaft 4, and suction sections 6a, 6b (two units) are provided above and below the support rod 5, and stacked containers 3a (for example, 60 lunch boxes stacked with their bottoms facing up) are transported below by a conveyor, and the bottom of one of the lunch boxes is sucked in by suction air using a bellows-like suction body 20 below. The horizontal rotating shaft 4 is rotated 180 degrees, and the suction section 6a, which has moved upward, transports one of the lunch boxes upward with its top side facing up, and the lunch box moves to a subsequent process, and this process is repeated to move the lunch box to the subsequent process (wherein cooked rice or side dishes are placed inside the lunch box as it flows on the subsequent process conveyor) (Patent Document 1).

[0003] In this way, the horizontal rotating shaft 4 is provided with the support rod 5, and two suction portions 6a, 6b are provided above and below the support rod 5. The horizontal rotating shaft 4 rotates 180 degrees, and one lunch box after another is moved upward from the stacked container 3a at the suction portion 6a (the other suction portion 6b moves downward), and the lunch box that has moved upward is moved to a subsequent process. By repeating this process, the lunch box is transferred to the subsequent process conveyor (wherein rice and side dishes are placed inside the lunch box as it flows) (Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-218190 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Incidentally (see FIG. 23), in the conventional device 1, the stacked containers 3a (bottom side up, for example 60 of the lunch boxes) are transported one after another by the conveyor at intervals T between the stacked containers 3a (for example 60 of the lunch boxes), and therefore, as the stacked containers 3a (for example 60 of the lunch boxes) are spaced apart at intervals T, it is conceivable that when the lunch boxes that have moved upward flow onto the subsequent process conveyor, and rice or side dishes are placed inside the lunch boxes, the lunch boxes may be interrupted for a long period of time.

[0006] The stacked containers 3a (for example, 60 of the lunch boxes) move upward one after another and flow on the subsequent process conveyor at regular intervals, so that there is no hindrance when putting rice or side dishes into the lunch boxes. However, since the stacked containers 3a (for example, 60 of the lunch boxes) and the stacked containers 3a (for example, 60 of the lunch boxes) are transported on the conveyor with an interval T between them, it is conceivable that the lunch boxes will be interrupted on the subsequent process conveyor for a long period of time due to the interval T.

[0007] Even if measures such as narrowing the spacing T between the stacked containers 3a (for example, 60 lunch boxes) on the conveyor are taken to ensure that the lunch boxes do not get separated for a long period of time, another measure is needed to ensure that the lunch boxes do not get separated for a long period of time on the downstream process conveyor.

[0008] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems in the conventional art, and provides a container separation device that combines a stacked container that is running low with a new stacked container, and the suction body of the lower rectangular suction section adsorbs one lunch box, and the combining operation is completed while the lunch box (the rectangular suction section) moves upward, thereby enabling a plurality of the lunch boxes to be continuously supplied for a long period of time in a subsequent process. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides First, a conveyor is provided for transporting stacked containers with their bottom faces facing upward to a suction position, a plurality of stacked containers are arranged on the conveyor at intervals T, the stacked containers are raised by a horizontal lifting member, rectangular parallelepiped suction units are provided at the top and bottom of the ends of the arms of a rotating central shaft, and suction bodies are provided on the bottom and top of both rectangular parallelepiped suction units, and when the rotating central shaft rotates 180 degrees, the suction body of the rectangular parallelepiped suction unit, which was located at the bottom, separates one container from the bottom of the stacked containers by suction air and moves upward with the opening of the one container as the upper surface, and the one container is suctioned. In a container separation device in which the container is moved to a subsequent process, the rectangular parallelepiped suction part that was at the top moves downward, the suction body separates the one container from the bottom surface of the stacked containers by the suction air and moves upward with the opening of the one container as the upper surface, and the one container is moved to a subsequent process and this process is repeated, left and right guides are provided on the conveyor, grooves are provided at both upper ends of the left and right guides, horizontal auxiliary bars are provided in opposing directions from the grooves, and in a first process, when only a few stacked containers remain, the horizontal auxiliary bars protrude in opposing directions from both grooves. When the remaining stacked container is supported by the horizontal auxiliary bar, the horizontal lifting member is lowered, and a new stacked container is carried by the conveyor, the conveyor is stopped by the detection sensor S1, and in a second step, the remaining stacked container falls downward and is combined with the new stacked container as the horizontal auxiliary bar is retracted from the groove, and the remaining stacked container falls downward and is combined with the new stacked container; in a third step, the horizontal lifting member is raised, and the combined remaining stacked container and the new stacked container are raised, and the detection sensor S2 detects the remaining stacked container and the new stacked container. By detecting the bottom surface, the ascent of the combined stacked container with the remaining container remaining and the new stacked container is stopped, and the work from the first step to the third step up to this point is completed when the central axis of rotation rotates 180 degrees, the suction body of the rectangular suction part located below adsorbs to the bottom surface of the one container, and the suction body of the rectangular suction part located below moves upward with the opening of the one container as its upper surface, and the time T' is completed when (the interval T) ≧ (the time T' × (the number of containers with the remaining containers remaining)).

[0010] The container is, for example, a lunch box (4'). The stacked container is, for example, 60 lunch boxes (4') stacked. The stacked container with only a few remaining lunch boxes is, for example, 10 lunch boxes (4') stacked. The groove is, for example, a vertical slit (groove) (28, 28). Therefore, the operations from the first step to the third step are completed by the container separation device, characterized in that the time T' for the central axis of rotation to rotate 180 degrees and the rectangular parallelepiped suction part that was at the bottom to move upward with the opening (4b) of one of the containers (for example, the lunch box (4')) facing upward, is completed when (the interval T) ≧ (the time T' × (the number of containers with only a few remaining containers)). The number of containers with only a few remaining containers is, for example, 10. Therefore, the condition is that (the distance T between the stacked containers 4) is equal to or shorter than ((the time T' for one lunch box (container) 4' to move upward) x 10 containers, for example) (see FIG. 22) (see FIGS. 22(a) to (d)). Therefore, in the container (for example, lunch box (4')), each container (for example, lunch box (4')) moves at regular intervals in the latter process, so that the container (for example, lunch box (4')) is not interrupted for a long time in the latter process.

[0011] Secondly, the container separation device is configured as described in the above-mentioned No. 1, characterized in that when the one container is carried upward by the rectangular suction portion, the horizontal lifting member or the horizontal auxiliary rod rises by the width of the one container.

[0012] When configured in this manner, the horizontal lifting member or the horizontal auxiliary rod rises by the width of one container (e.g., lunch box (4')), so that one container (e.g., lunch box (4')) is carried upward one after another, which is convenient.

[0013] Thirdly, the container separation device is configured as described in the first or second aspect, characterized in that while the central rotating shaft rotates 180 degrees, the cam rotates in a fixed direction, causing the upper and lower rectangular suction portions to move from the bottom dead center to the top dead center and then back to the bottom dead center.

[0014] With this configuration, the separation of one container (for example, lunch box (4')) of the stacked containers is improved.

[0015] Fourthly, the container separation device is configured as described in any one of items 1 to 3 above, characterized in that the left and right guides move in a separating direction, then the remaining stacked container falls and merges with the new stacked container, and then the left and right guides move in a approaching direction, and the left and right guides move to the width of the stacked container.

[0016] With this configuration, the left and right guides move away from each other, so that when the stacked container with only a few containers remaining (e.g., lunch box (4')) falls, it does not get caught and the stacked container with only a few containers remaining falls smoothly and can be combined with the new stacked container.

[0017] Fifth, the container separation device is configured as described in any of items 1 to 4 above, characterized in that, when the central axis of rotation rotates 180 degrees, the suction body of the rectangular suction section, which was located below, separates the one container from the bottom surface of the stacked container using the suction air and moves it upward with the opening of the one container as the upper surface, and when the suction air of the suction body is terminated, the one container that was located above is moved to the subsequent process by both left and right conveyors.

[0018] Therefore, one of the containers (e.g., lunch box (4')) that was at the top is moved to a subsequent process by the left and right conveyors, and in the subsequent process, the container (e.g., lunch box (4')) can be filled with, for example, cooked rice or side dishes. Therefore, the container (e.g., lunch box (4')) is not interrupted in the subsequent process for a long time. Effect of the Invention

[0019] As described above, the present invention is characterized in that the operations from the first step to the third step are completed while the central axis of rotation rotates 180 degrees and the rectangular parallelepiped suction part located at the bottom moves upward with the opening of the one container (e.g., lunch box) as its upper surface. Therefore, the operation from the first step to the third step is completed when the time T' by which the central axis of rotation rotates 180 degrees and the rectangular parallelepiped suction part located at the bottom moves upward with the opening (4b) of the one container (e.g., lunch box (4')) as its upper surface is (the interval T) ≧ (the time T' × (the number of containers remaining)). The number of containers remaining is, for example, 10. Therefore, the condition is that (the distance T between the stacked containers 4) is equal to or shorter than ((the time T' it takes for one lunch box (container) 4' to move upward) x 10 containers) (see FIG. 22) (see FIGS. 22(a) to (d)). Therefore, in the container (e.g., lunch box (4')), each container (e.g., lunch box (4')) moves at regular intervals in the later process, so that the container (e.g., lunch box (4')) is not interrupted for a long time in the later process.

[0020] In addition, since the horizontal lifting member or the horizontal auxiliary rod rises by the width of one container (e.g., a lunch box), one container (e.g., a lunch box) is carried upward one after another, which is convenient.

[0021] In addition, the separation of each container (eg, lunch box) of the laminated container is improved.

[0022] In addition, since the left and right guides move in the direction away from each other, the stacked container with only a few containers remaining is not caught when it falls, and the stacked container with only a few containers remaining falls smoothly and can be combined with the new stacked container.

[0023] In addition, the one container (e.g., lunch box) that was above is moved to a subsequent process by the left and right conveyors, and in the subsequent process, the container (e.g., lunch box) can be filled with, for example, cooked rice or side dishes. Therefore, the container (e.g., lunch box (4')) is not interrupted in the subsequent process for a long time. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0024] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a container separation device according to the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a front view of the container separation device with the stacked containers placed thereon. [Diagram 3] 2 shows a drive mechanism for a guide of the container separating device. [Figure 4] FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view of the container separation device with stacked containers placed thereon, and FIG. 2B is an end view of a conveyor slit. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a front view of a rectangular solid suction unit of the container separation device. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a rear view of the rectangular solid suction unit of the container separation device. [Figure 7] 13(a) and (b) are diagrams showing the bottom dead center (b) and the top dead center (a) due to the rotation of a cam of the container separation device. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of one of the left guides of the container separation device. [Figure 9] 8, and FIG. 10B is a front view of the container separation device as viewed from the Y direction in FIGS. 1 and 8 (only the left and right guides are shown in cross section). [Figure 10] FIG. 4A is a front view of the container separation device, and FIG. 4B is a front view of the container separation device when only a few stacked containers remain. [Figure 11] FIG. 2A is a front view of the container separation device when a new stacked container has been carried in, and FIG. 2B is a front view of the container separation device when the remaining stacked container and the new stacked container have been combined. [Figure 12] FIG. 4 is a front view of the container separation device in a state in which the lunch box carried above the container separation device is carried backward. [Figure 13] 4A and 4B are perspective views showing lunch boxes of the container separating device, in which FIG. 4A shows the lunch box with a container partition wall and FIG. 4B shows the lunch box without the container partition wall. [Figure 14] 4 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a control unit of the container separation device. FIG. [Figure 15] 4 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of a control unit of the container separation device. [Figure 16] 4 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of a control unit of the container separation device. [Figure 17] 4 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of a control unit of the container separation device. [Figure 18] 4 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of a control unit of the container separation device. [Figure 19] 3 is a functional block diagram of a control section of the container separation device. [Figure 20] 3 is a functional block diagram of a control section of the container separation device. [Figure 21] FIG. 2A is a schematic side view of the container separation device before the remaining stacked container and the new stacked container are combined, and FIG. 2B is a schematic side view of the remaining stacked container and the new stacked container after they have been combined. [Figure 22] (a) is the spacing T between stacked containers of the same container separation device, (b) is the time it takes for "one lunch box to move upward", (c) is the "time T' it takes for one lunch box to move upward", and (d) is a conceptual diagram of (spacing T between stacked containers) ≧ ((time T' it takes for one lunch box to move upward) × 10 containers). [Diagram 23] FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a conventional container separation device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0025] A container separation device 1 according to the present invention will be described below (see FIG. 1).

[0026] The container separation device 1 (see FIG. 1) has a conveyor 2 (driving motor M1) below, and at the suction position P, left and right guides 3a, 3b are installed on the left and right sides of the conveyor 2 in a plate-like shape, and the conveyor 2 forms a storage space for stacked containers 4 (for example, 60 lunch boxes (containers) 4' are stacked with the bottom surface 4a facing up, see FIG. 2). The stacked containers 4 (for example, 60 lunch boxes (containers) 4') are transported to the suction position P by the conveyor 2. At that time, the detection sensor S1 (light emitting / receiving sensor, a reflecting mirror is installed at the opposing portion) of the stacked containers 4 detects them and stops driving the drive motor M1 of the conveyor 2. At the suction position P, a suction mechanism 5 (rectangular parallelepiped suction parts 5a, 5b) is provided at the top (see FIG. 1 and FIG. 12).

[0027] As shown in FIG. 13(a), the lunch box (container) 4' is stacked, for example, 60 sheets with the bottom surface 4a facing upward (see the stacked container 4, FIG. 2). The lunch box (container) 4' includes one with a partition wall 4c (see FIG. 13(a)) and one without the partition wall 4c (see FIG. 13(b)). The lunch box (container) 4' comes in various shapes, so it is not necessarily limited to the stacked container 4 (the lunch box (container) 4') (the upper surface of the lunch box (container) 4' is referred to as the "upper surface 4b"). The lunch box (container) 4' comes in various shapes, so some do not have the partition wall 4c as shown in FIG. 13(b).

[0028] The drive mechanism 11 for the left and right guides 3a, 3b will now be described (see FIG. 3). The drive mechanism 11 is installed on the back side of the rear plate 9 (see FIG. 3). A drive plate 3a' is connected to the back side of the rear plate 9 by connecting rods 8, 8 through upper and lower horizontal long holes 7a, 7a in correspondence with the left guide 3a, and a drive plate 3b' is connected to the back side of the rear plate 9 by connecting rods 8, 8 through upper and lower horizontal long holes 7b, 7b in correspondence with the other right guide 3b (see FIG. 1 and FIG. 3). An extendable rod 12a of a horizontal drive cylinder 12 (connected to the back side of the rear plate 9) is connected to the upper end of the drive plate 3b', and furthermore, a rotating disk 10 is provided at the center of the drive plate 3a' and the drive plate 3b' with a central shaft 10' (journaled on the rear plate 9) on the back side of the rear plate 9, and the drive plate 3a' and the drive plate 3b' are connected by links 10a, 10b. Therefore, when the telescopic rod 12a of the horizontal driving cylinder 12 contracts or expands, the rotating disk 10 rotates forward or backward via the links 10a, 10b, so that the left and right guides 3a, 3b can be driven in the direction of approaching each other (in the direction of arrows B, B) or in the direction of moving away from each other (in the direction of arrows A, A).

[0029] The stroke of movement of the left and right guides 3a, 3b differs depending on the size of the stacked container 4 (the lunch box (container) 4'), but the stroke of the drive cylinder 12 can be determined in advance depending on the size of the stacked container 4, or a sensor (not shown) can detect that the telescopic rod 12a has stopped and a load has been applied, and then the drive cylinder 12 can be stopped. Since there are various types of stacked containers 4 (the lunch boxes (containers) 4'), it is possible to accommodate stacked containers 4 of various sizes (for example, lunch boxes (containers) 4').

[0030] The conveyor 2 (see Fig. 1 and Fig. 4(a)(b)) is provided with three or two horizontal slits 34, and three or two horizontal lifting members 14 are provided in the slits 34 (see Fig. 1 and Fig. 4(a)(b)). The rear plate 9 is provided with a vertically long hole 7c, and a telescopic rod 15a of a vertical drive cylinder 15 is connected to the rear end of the horizontal lifting member 14. The telescopic rod 15a of the drive cylinder 15 is connected to the back side of the rear plate 9. Therefore, when the telescopic rod 15a of the drive cylinder 15 is contracted, the stacked container 4 rises upward together with the horizontal lifting member 14 (in the direction of arrow E, see Fig. 4(a)), and the suction body 16·· of the rectangular parallelepiped suction portion 5a (or 5b) sucks the bottom surface 4a of one of the lunch boxes (containers) 4′ with air.

[0031] An air compressor 32 (see FIG. 14) is provided inside the rear plate 9, and flexible resin suction pipes (not shown) are connected to the rectangular parallelepiped suction portions 5a, 5b, and air is sucked from the plurality of suction bodies 16... by driving the air compressor 32. A linear encoder 37 is connected to the drive cylinder 15, and recognizes the position of the horizontal lifting member 14. As a result, when one lunch box (container) 4' separates from the stacked container 4 and moves upward, the extendable rod 15a (the horizontal lifting member 14) of the drive cylinder 15 rises by the width of one lunch box (container) 4'.

[0032] In the suction mechanism 5 (see Figs. 1, 5 and 12), the lower rectangular parallelepiped suction part 5a is held horizontally downward at the ends of the arms 6a, 6a, 6c, 6c of the central rotating shaft 17, and the upper rectangular parallelepiped suction part 5b is held horizontally upward at the ends of the arms 6d, 6d, 6b, 6b of the central rotating shaft 17. The rectangular parallelepiped suction parts 5a, 5b are provided above and below at the ends of the arms 6a, 6a, 6c, 6c and the arms 6d, 6d, 6b, 6b of the central rotating shaft 17. The rectangular parallelepiped suction portion 5a has a plurality of suction bodies 16·· (bellows-shaped (bellows)) on its underside, and the rectangular parallelepiped suction portion 5b has a plurality of suction bodies 16·· (bellows-shaped (bellows)) on its upper surface (see Figures 1, 5 and 12). When both rectangular parallelepiped suction portions 5a and 5b are positioned on the underside, they have the suction bodies 16·· on their undersides, and by driving the air compressor 32, they adsorb the bottom surface 4a of one of the stacked containers 4 (bottom surface 4a of one of the lunch boxes (containers) 4', see Figure 2) (see Figures 10(a)(b) and 12).

[0033] Furthermore, a detection sensor S2 (a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element facing each other) is provided to detect the bottom surface 4a of the top of the stacked container 4 (see FIG. 2), and the sensor detection position of the detection sensor S2 is indicated as "detection position 39" (see FIG. 4(a)). When the detection sensor S2 detects, the drive cylinder 15 is stopped, and the horizontal lifting member 14 (arrow E direction, see FIG. 4(a)) is stopped from rising. When the rotating central shaft 17 rotates in the arrow C direction, the compressor 32 is stopped to stop the air of the suction body 16··. At that time, the two side conveyors 31a, 31b move backward (arrow D direction, see FIGS. 1 and 12) to move one of the lunch boxes 4' backward (to the latter process).

[0034] Next, the suction mechanism 5 of the rectangular parallelepiped suction parts 5a, 5b will be described (see Figs. 1, 5, and 6). In the suction mechanism 5, the horizontal machine frames 18a, 18b and the vertical bars 19a, 19b are fixed to the rear side of the rear plate 9 (see Figs. 5 and 6), the slide mechanisms 13a, 13a are inserted into the vertical bars 19a, 19b, and the slide mechanisms 13b, 13b are inserted into the vertical bars 19a, 19b. A horizontal bar 35a is fixed to the slide mechanisms 13a, 13a, and a horizontal bar 35b is fixed to the slide mechanisms 13b, 13b. A vertical plate 33 (see Fig. 6) is fixed to the upper horizontal bar 35a and the lower horizontal bar 35b, thereby maintaining the interval between the horizontal bars 35a, 35b. The horizontal rods 35a, 35b and the slide mechanisms 13a, 13b are configured to be vertically slidable on the vertical rods 19a, 19b.

[0035] The rear plate 9 is formed with a vertically long hole 7d, through which the rear end of the rotating central shaft 17 reaches the rear side of the vertical plate 33. A driving motor M2 is connected to the side of the vertical plate 33 (see FIG. 6), and a gear (not shown) at the rear end of the rotating central shaft 17 is connected to a pulley of the driving motor M2 via a gear (not shown). When the driving motor M2 rotates 180 degrees, the rotating central shaft 17 rotates 180 degrees in the direction of arrow C (see FIGS. 1, 5, and 12), and the rectangular solid adsorption portion 5a (or 5b) and the rectangular solid adsorption portion 5b (or 5a) are vertically interchanged. The horizontal rods 35a and 35b (the slide mechanisms 13a, 13a, 13b, 13b) are inserted into the vertical rods 19a and 19b together with the rotating central shaft 17 so as to be vertically movable.

[0036] Upper and lower plates 20 are fixed to the horizontal machine frames 18a, 18b (see Figs. 5 and 6), and an eccentric central shaft 21a of a cam 21 is journalled on the upper and lower plates 20. A drive motor M3 for the cam 21 is installed below the upper and lower plates 20. The pulley of the drive motor M3 is connected to the central shaft 21a of the cam 21 via a bevel gear (not shown).

[0037] As shown in Figs. 7(a) and 7(b) (Figs. 5 and 6 show the bottom dead center b), the cam 21 has a bottom dead center b and a top dead center a (see Fig. 7(b)). When the cam 21 rotates in a clockwise direction (a fixed direction), the cam 21 abuts against the cam shaft 22c of the cam 22 (the central shaft 22a of the eccentric, journaled on the upper and lower plates 20). The other shaft 22b of the cam 22 moves upward and arrives at the top dead center a. When the cam 21 further rotates in the clockwise direction (a fixed direction), the shaft 22b moves to the bottom dead center b. When the cam 21 rotates in the clockwise direction (a fixed direction), the top dead center a and the bottom dead center b are repeated. The shaft 22b is connected to a connecting portion 23a (see Fig. 6), and the connecting portion 23a and the rotating shaft 23b are journaled on the horizontal rod 35b. Furthermore, the slide mechanisms 13a, 13a, the slide mechanisms 13b, 13b, the horizontal rods 35a, 35b, the upper and lower plates 33, the drive motor M2, and the central rotating shaft 17 move up and down (from the top dead center a to the bottom dead center b) along the vertical rods 19a, 19b, and are therefore referred to as the up and down slide mechanism 24.

[0038] Therefore, when the cam 21 rotates clockwise (in a fixed direction), the cam 22 moves vertically about the central axis 22a, and the vertical slide mechanism 24 moves vertically along the vertical rods 19a, 19b, and the vertical slide mechanism 24 moves to the bottom dead center b via the top dead center a (see Figures 5, 6, and 7(a)(b)). As the vertical slide mechanism 24 moves between the top dead point a and the bottom dead point b, the drive motor M2 rotates 180 degrees, so that the rotation central shaft 17 rotates 180 degrees in the direction of arrow C, and the suction body 16· of the rectangular parallelepiped suction portion 5a (or 5b) positioned below adsorbs to the bottom surface 4a of one of the lunch boxes (containers) 4' and moves upward from the bottom dead point b through the top dead point a with the top surface 4b of one of the lunch boxes (containers) 4' facing up, and conversely, the rectangular parallelepiped suction portion 5b (or 5a) is positioned at the bottom dead point b (below).

[0039] Then, when the cam 21 rotates in a clockwise direction (a fixed direction) from the bottom dead point b to the top dead point a and then to the next bottom dead point b (since the central rotation shaft 17 (the drive motor M2) rotates 180 degrees in the direction of the arrow C), the rectangular parallelepiped suction part 5a (or 5b) moves one of the lunch boxes (containers) 4' upward, the suction body 16·· adheres to the bottom surface 4a of the lunch box (container) 4', the rectangular parallelepiped suction part 5b (or 5a) arrives downward (at the suction position P), and the suction body 16·· adheres to the bottom surface 4a of one of the lunch boxes (containers) 4'. This is repeated thereafter. The drive motor M2 also rotates 180 degrees repeatedly, and the rectangular parallelepiped suction part 5a (or 5b) moves upward (or downward).

[0040] In this way, the vertical slide mechanism 24 moves to the bottom dead point b via the bottom dead point b and the top dead point a, so that one lunch box (container) 4' of the stacked container 4 can be peeled off. Also, when the rectangular parallelepiped suction part 5a (or 5b) moves upward, the air compressor 32 is stopped. Then, the suction of the suction body 16·· of the one lunch box (container) 4' is released, so that the two side conveyors 31a, 31b move backward (arrow D direction, see Fig. 1 and Fig. 12)) to move the one lunch box (container) 4' backward (later process). Then, the lunch box (container) 4' is moved backward, and in the latter process, cooked rice and side dishes are put into the lunch box (container) 4'. This is repeated. Therefore, in the downstream process (the downstream process conveyor), the lunch boxes (containers) 4' flow on the downstream process conveyor at regular intervals (see FIGS. 21(a) and (b)).

[0041] The left and right guides 3a, 3b are provided with, for example, four vertical slits (grooves) 28, 28 on both sides at the top (see Fig. 8 and Fig. 9(a)(b), eight vertical slits (grooves) 28 on both sides) (the vertical slits (grooves) 28, 28 may not have upper ends 28a), and four opposing horizontal auxiliary bars 25, 25 are provided on both sides on the back side of the left and right guides 3a, 3b (eight horizontal auxiliary bars 25 on both sides). The rear ends of the horizontal auxiliary bars 25, 25 are connected to the vertical machine frames 26, 26 via the vertical slits (grooves) 28, 28 (see Fig. 8 and Fig. 9(a)), and the drive cylinders 27, 27 and the telescopic rods 27a, 27a are connected to the lower ends of the machine frames 26, 26.

[0042] When the stacked container 4 is low, the horizontal auxiliary rods 25, 25 raise the stacked container 4 (see FIG. 10(b)). In the drive mechanism, the angles 29, 29 are connected to the drive cylinders 27, 27 and ball screws 30, 30 (not shown) (see FIGS. 8 and 9(b)), the ball screws 30, 30 are rotated by the drive motors M4, M4', and a female screw (not shown) is screwed into the ball screws 30, 30, and the ball screws 30, 30 are rotated by the drive motors M4, M4', so that the female screw rises, and the horizontal auxiliary rods 25, 25 together with the angles 29, 29 rise within the vertical slits (grooves) 28, 28. During this time, one of the lunch boxes (containers) 4' is sucked by the suction bodies 16·· of the rectangular parallelepiped suction portion 5a (or 5b) (see FIG. 10(b)). The drive motor M4 is provided with a rotary encoder 38 (see FIGS. 8 and 9(b)), which recognizes the current position of the horizontal auxiliary bars 25, 25. Thus, the rotary encoder 38 recognizes the position of the horizontal auxiliary bars 25, 25, and the ball screws 30, 30 are rotated by the drive motors M4, M4', and the lunch box (container) 4' is sucked by the suction portion 16··, causing the horizontal auxiliary bars 25, 25 to rise by the amount of one lunch box (container) 4' (width).

[0043] When the number of remaining stacked containers 4 decreases (the rotary encoder 38 recognizes the position of its own horizontal auxiliary rods 25, 25), the telescopic rods 27a, 27a of the drive cylinders 27, 27 extend, and the telescopic rods 27a, 27a extend in the approaching direction (the direction of arrows B, B), and the horizontal auxiliary rods 25, 25 protrude from the vertical slits (grooves) 28, 28 (see Figures 9(a)(b) and Figure 10(b)). As a result, when the number of remaining stacked containers 4 decreases (the number of remaining lunch boxes (containers) 4' is, for example, 20, the position of the horizontal auxiliary bars 25, 25 is detected by the rotary encoder 38, and the position at which the number of remaining stacked containers 4 decreases (the number of remaining lunch boxes (containers) 4' is, for example, 20) is detected by the rotary encoder 38), the stacked containers 4 are supported by the horizontal auxiliary bars 25, 25, and the horizontal lifting member 14 descends and is stored in the slit 34 of the conveyor 2 (arrow F direction, see Figures 9(a)(b) and 10(b)). Furthermore, the telescopic rod 12a of the drive cylinder 12 extends, and the left and right guides 3a, 3b open slightly (the left and right guides 3a, 3b open slightly, for example, by about 2 mm on both sides, arrow A, A direction, see Figure 3 and Figures 11(a)(b)). Furthermore, when there are only a few stacked containers 4 remaining (for example, 10 lunch boxes (containers) 4' remaining) (the positions of the horizontal auxiliary rods 25, 25 are detected by the rotary encoder 38), the horizontal auxiliary rods 25, 25 retract from the vertical slits (grooves) 28, 28.

[0044] Thereafter, new stacked containers 4 (for example, 60 lunch boxes (containers) 4') are carried by the conveyor 2 at intervals T (see FIG. 11(a)), the detection sensor S1 detects the stacked containers 4 (for example, 60 lunch boxes (containers) 4') (see FIGS. 1 and 2), and the drive motor M1 stops the conveyor 2. Thereafter, the new stacked containers 4 (for example, 60 lunch boxes (containers) 4') are combined with the stacked container 4 with fewer remaining (for example, 10 lunch boxes (containers) 4'). In practice, the stacked container 4 with fewer remaining (for example, 10 lunch boxes (containers) 4') falls and is combined with the new stacked container 4 (for example, 60 lunch boxes (containers) 4') (see FIG. 11(b)).

[0045] That is, the horizontal auxiliary rods 25, 25 and the telescopic rods 27a, 27a of the drive cylinders 27, 27 are contracted, the horizontal auxiliary rods 25, 25 are retracted from the vertical slits (grooves) 28, 28, and the remaining stacked containers 4 (for example, 10 lunch boxes (containers) 4') fall and are combined with the new stacked container 4 (for example, 60 lunch boxes (containers) 4') (see FIG. 11(b)). Then, when the drive cylinder 15 rises, the horizontal lifting member 14 rises (arrow E direction, see FIG. 4(a)), and the new stacked container 4 (for example, 60 lunch boxes (containers) 4' + for example, 10 lunch boxes (containers) 4') is moved to the suction position P, and the detection sensor S2 detects the bottom surface 4a (detection position 39, see FIG. 4(a)), and the drive cylinder 15 (the horizontal lifting member 14) is stopped (see FIG. 4(a)). Thereafter, the extendable rod 12a of the drive cylinder 12 extends and retracts, and the left and right guides 3a, 3b close to the width of the stacked container 4 (in the directions of arrows B, B, see FIG. 3).

[0046] During this time (see paragraphs "0041" to "0045"), the rotating central shaft 17 rotates 180 degrees in the direction of arrow C, and the suction body 16· of the rectangular solid suction portion 5a (or 5b) is adsorbed to the bottom surface 4a of one of the lunch boxes (containers) 4', and the rectangular solid suction portion 5a (or 5b) moves the one lunch box (container) 4' upward, and the rectangular solid suction portion 5b (or 5a) moves downward (see Figures 10(a) and 12). During this period (paragraphs "0041" to "0045"), the operation ends when the rotating central shaft 17 rotates 180 degrees in the direction of arrow C, the suction body 16· of the rectangular solid suction portion 5a (or 5b) is adsorbed to the bottom surface 4a of one of the lunch boxes (containers) 4', the rectangular solid suction portion 5a (or 5b) moves the one lunch box (container) 4' upward, and the rectangular solid suction portion 5b (or 5a) moves downward (see Figures 10(a) and 12).

[0047] The condition for this (see Figures 22(a) to (d)) is that the time that one lunch box (container) 4' moves upward and one lunch box (container) 4' moves upward (time T' x, for example, 10 lunch boxes (containers) 4') is shorter (=time T' x, for example, 10 lunch boxes (containers) 4') than the spacing T between the stacked containers 4 or that it is equal (see Figures 22(a) to (d)). Therefore, the greatest feature of the present invention is that the lunch boxes (containers) 4' (multiple lunch boxes (containers) 4') are uninterrupted for a long period of time in the subsequent process (the subsequent process conveyor).

[0048] Then, when the rectangular parallelepiped suction unit 5a (or 5b) moves the lunch box (container) 4' (the upper surface 4b is open) upward, the air suction of the suction body 16·· ends (the air compressor 32 stops driving), and the two side conveyors 31a, 31b move backward (in the direction of arrow D) to move the lunch box (container) 4' backward (later process) (see FIG. 21). After that, there is the latter process (later process conveyor) in which cooked rice or side dishes are put into the lunch box (container) 4'. This is (see FIG. 22) based on the spacing T between the stacked containers 4, and the condition is that the time it takes for one lunch box (container) 4' to move upward (T' x, for example, 10 lunch boxes (containers) 4') is shorter (=T' x, for example, 10 lunch boxes (containers) 4') or equal (see FIGS. 22(a)-(d)). Therefore, the greatest feature of the present invention is that the one lunch box (container) 4' (multiple lunch boxes (containers) 4') is not interrupted for a long period of time in the latter process (the latter process conveyor) (see FIGS. 21(a)(b)).

[0049] FIG. 14 illustrates the electrical configuration of the control unit 36. The control unit 36 ​​includes a CPU, and the detection sensors S1, S2, the drive motors M1 to M4, M4', the drive cylinders 12, 15, the drive cylinders 27, 27, the rotary encoder 38, the linear encoder 37, and the air compressor 32 are connected to the control unit 36. FIGS. 15 to 18 show the operation procedure of the control unit 36 ​​(CPU). FIGS. 19 and 20 show the function blocks of the control unit 36. The function blocks (see FIGS. 19 and 20) will be explained when explaining the operation procedure (see FIGS. 15 to 18). The operation procedure will be explained below.

[0050] The control unit 36 ​​(conveyor driving means 36b, see Figure 19) drives the driving motor M1 to run the conveyor 2 (P1, see Figure 15), and the control unit 36 ​​(sensor S1 detection means 36a, see Figure 19) detects via the detection sensor S1 that stacked containers 4 (e.g., 60 lunch boxes (containers) 4') have arrived (P2, see Figure 15), and the control unit 36 ​​(conveyor driving means 36b) stops the driving motor M1 to stop the conveyor 2 (P3, see Figures 15 and 10(a)).

[0051] Then, the control unit 36 ​​(horizontal lifting member driving means 36d, see FIG. 19) raises the telescopic rod 15a of the drive cylinder 15 to raise the horizontal lifting member 14 (in the direction of arrow E, see FIGS. 2, 4(a), and 10(a)) (P4, see FIG. 15), and the control unit 36 ​​(sensor S2 detection means 36e, see FIG. 19) raises the horizontal lifting member 14 until the detection sensor S2 detects the bottom surface 4a (detection position 39, see FIG. 4(a)), and when the detection sensor S2 in the sensor S2 detection means 36e detects the bottom surface 4a (detection position 39) (see FIG. 4(a)) (P5, see FIG. 15), the drive cylinder 15 is stopped, and the horizontal lifting member 14 is stopped (P6, see FIG. 15).

[0052] Thereafter, the control unit 36 ​​(air compressor driving means 36f, see FIG. 19) drives the air compressor 32 (P7, see FIG. 15). Then, the control unit 36 ​​(cylinder driving means 36c, see FIG. 19) contracts the telescopic rod 12a of the driving cylinder 12 to close the left and right guides 3a, 3b in the approaching direction (arrows B, B direction) up to the width of the stacked container 4 (P8, see FIG. 15, see FIGS. 1, 2, and 3). From the circled number "1" to Fig. 16, the plurality of suction bodies 16·· suck in air, the plurality of suction bodies 16·· of the rectangular parallelepiped suction portion 5a (or 5b) suction the bottom surface 4a to one of the lunch boxes (containers) 4' (see P9, Fig. 16), the control portion 36 (motor M3 driving means 36g, see Fig. 19) rotates the drive motor M3, the cam 21 rotates clockwise (constant direction) (see P10, Fig. 16), the cam 22 rotates upward and reaches the top dead point a, and the vertical slide mechanism 24 moves between the bottom dead point b, the top dead point a, and the bottom dead point b along the vertical rods 19a, 19b (see Fig. 6, Fig. 7(a)(b)). This makes it easier to separate the lunch box (container) 4' from the stacked container 4.

[0053] The control unit 36 ​​(motor M2 driving means 36h, see Figure 19) rotates the driving motor M2 (P11, see Figure 16), the rotating central shaft 17 rotates 180 degrees in the direction of arrow C (P11, see Figure 16), the rectangular parallelepiped suction portion 5a (or 5b) moves upward (one lunch box (container) 4' moves upward), the rectangular parallelepiped suction portion 5b (or 5a) moves downward, and then the cam 21 rotates clockwise (fixed direction) and reaches the bottom dead center b (see Figures 7(a)(b), Figure 10(a), P12, see Figure 16).

[0054] Then, the rectangular parallelepiped suction part 5b (or 5a) moves downward (to the bottom dead point b), and the rectangular parallelepiped suction part 5a (or 5b) moves one lunch box (container) 4' upward (see FIG. 12, P13, FIG. 16). After that, the control part 36 (the air compressor driving means 36f, see FIG. 19) stops driving the air compressor 32, and the suction body 16·· releases the air suction (P14, see FIG. 16). After that, the two side conveyors 31a, 31b move backward (in the direction of the arrow D), and the one lunch box (container) 4' is moved to the subsequent process (subsequent process conveyor) (see FIG. 12) (see P15, FIG. 16).

[0055] Thereafter, the control unit 36 ​​(horizontal lifting member driving means 36d, see FIG. 19) raises the driving cylinder 15 (horizontal lifting member 14) by one sheet (one sheet width) (the linear encoder 37 recognizes the position of the horizontal lifting member 14) (see P16, FIG. 16, FIG. 4(a)). Then, the control unit 36 ​​(air compressor driving means 36f, see FIG. 19) drives the air compressor 32 (see P17, FIG. 16), and the rectangular parallelepiped suction unit 5b (or 5a) suctions the suction body 16·· to the bottom surface 4a of one of the lunch boxes (containers) 4′ (see P18, FIG. 16). This is repeated thereafter (see P19, P9 to P19, FIG. 16). That is, the lunch boxes (containers) 4' move upward, and one of the lunch boxes (containers) 4' moves to the latter process (the latter process conveyor) (arrow D direction, see Fig. 12, Fig. 21(a)(b)). The lunch boxes (containers) 4' move to the latter process (the latter process conveyor) at regular intervals, and this is repeated (see P19, P9-P19, Fig. 16). When the number of remaining stacked containers 4 decreases (for example, 20 lunch boxes (containers) 4'), the process escapes from "repeating this" (see P19, Fig. 16), the result is NO, and the process moves to step P20. And, "after the horizontal support bar 25 comes out" (see P20, Fig. 16), the result is NO, and the process moves to the next step (transition from circled number "2" to Fig. 17).

[0056] The control unit 36 ​​(motor M4, M4' driving means 36j, see Figure 20) recognizes the position (horizontal auxiliary rod 25, 25) of the driving motors M4, M4' by the rotary encoder 38, and when the number of remaining stacked containers 4 decreases (for example, 20 lunch boxes (containers) 4') (see P21, Figure 17), the control unit 36 ​​(horizontal auxiliary rod driving means 36i, see Figure 20) extends the telescopic rods 27a, 27a of the driving cylinders 27, 27 to drive the four horizontal auxiliary rods 25, 25 (eight on both sides) in the approaching direction (direction of arrows B, B, see Figure 9(a)) (see P22, Figure 17). Therefore, the four (eight on both sides) horizontal auxiliary rods 25, 25 mentioned above come out in the approach direction (direction of arrows B, B, see Figures 9(a) and 10(b)) from the four (eight on both sides) vertical slits (grooves) 28, 28 (see P22 and Figures 17).

[0057] As a result, when the number of remaining stacked containers 4 decreases (for example, 20 lunch boxes (containers) 4'), the stacked containers 4 (for example, 20 lunch boxes (containers) 4') are supported by the horizontal auxiliary bars 25, 25 (P22, see Fig. 17, see Fig. 10(b)). The control unit 36 ​​(horizontal lifting member driving means 36d, see Fig. 20) lowers the extendable rod 15a of the drive cylinder 15, and the horizontal lifting member 14 lowers (in the direction of arrow F, see Fig. 10(b), Fig. 9(a)(b)), and is stored in the slit 34 of the conveyor 2 (P23, see Fig. 17).

[0058] Thereafter, the process moves to the circled number "4" (P9, see FIG. 16), the control unit 36 ​​(the air compressor driving means 36f, see FIG. 19) drives the air compressor 32, the plurality of suction bodies 16·· suck in air, and the plurality of suction bodies 16·· of the rectangular parallelepiped suction unit 5a (or 5b) suction the bottom surface 4a to one of the lunch boxes (containers) 4' (P9, see FIG. 16), and the upper The control unit 36 ​​(drive means 36g for the motor M3, see FIG. 19) rotates the drive motor M3, the cam 21 rotates clockwise (fixed direction) (P10, see FIG. 16), the cam 22 rotates upward to the top dead center a, and the vertical slide mechanism 24 moves between the bottom dead center b, the top dead center a, and the bottom dead center b along the vertical axes 19a, 19b (see FIG. 6, FIG. 7(a)(b)). This makes it easier to separate the lunch box (container) 4' from the stacked container 4.

[0059] The control unit 36 ​​(the motor M2 driving means 36h, see Figure 19) rotates the driving motor M2, and the rotating central shaft 17 rotates 180 degrees in the direction of arrow C (see P11, Figure 16), the rectangular parallelepiped suction portion 5a (or 5b) moves upward (one lunch box (container) 4' moves upward), the rectangular parallelepiped suction portion 5b (or 5a) moves downward, and then the cam 21 rotates clockwise (fixed direction) and reaches the bottom dead center b (see Figures 7(a)(b), Figure 10(a), P12, Figure 16).

[0060] Then, the rectangular parallelepiped suction part 5b (or 5a) moves downward (to the bottom dead point b), and the rectangular parallelepiped suction part 5a (or 5b) moves one lunch box (container) 4' upward (see FIG. 12, P13, FIG. 16). After that, the control part 36 (the air compressor driving means 36f, see FIG. 19) stops driving the air compressor 32, and the suction body 16·· releases the air suction (P14, see FIG. 16). After that, the both side conveyors 31a, 31b move backward (in the direction of arrow D), and move one lunch box (container) 4' to the latter process (the latter process conveyor) (see FIG. 12, FIG. 21(a)(b)) (see P15, FIG. 16).

[0061] Thereafter, the control unit 36 ​​(the motor M4, M4' driving means 36j, see FIG. 20) raises the driving motor M4, M4' (the horizontal auxiliary bar 25, 25) by one sheet (one sheet width) (see P16, FIG. 16, FIG. 10(b)). Then, the control unit 36 ​​(the air compressor driving means 36f, see FIG. 19) drives the air compressor 32 (see P17, FIG. 16), and the rectangular parallelepiped suction unit 5b (or 5a) suctions the suction body 16·· to the bottom surface 4a of one of the lunch boxes 4' (see P18, FIG. 16). This is repeated thereafter (see P19, P9 to P19, FIG. 16). When the number of stacked containers 4 remaining is low (the lunch boxes (containers) 4'), for example, up to 10 sheets, this is repeated (see P19, P9 to P19, FIG. 16).

[0062] The answer to "After the horizontal auxiliary bars 25, 25 are released" (P20, see FIG. 16) is YES, and the number returns to the circled number "5" (see FIG. 17). When the number of stacked containers 4 is low (for example, 10 lunch boxes (containers) 4') (P24, see FIG. 17, first step) (the rotary encoder 38 recognizes the position of the horizontal auxiliary bars 25, 25 (for example, the position of the horizontal auxiliary bars 25, 25 of the 10 lunch boxes (containers) 4')). After that, the control unit 36 ​​(the conveyor driving means 36b, see FIG. 19) drives the driving motor M1 to run the conveyor 2 (P25, see FIG. 17, first step). A new stacked container 4 (for example, 60 lunch boxes (containers) 4') is carried (P26, see FIG. 17, see FIG. 2, first step). The interval T starts from here (see FIG. 21, FIG. 22). The control unit 36 ​​(sensor S1 detection means 36a, see FIG. 19) detects that new stacked containers 4 (for example, 60 lunch boxes (containers) 4') have been carried in by the detection sensor S1 (P27, see FIG. 17, first step), and stops the drive motor M1 and stops the running of the conveyor 2 (P28, see FIG. 17, first step, see FIG. 2, FIG. 11(a)). The process transitions from the circled number "3" to FIG. 18.

[0063] The control unit 36 ​​(the cylinder driving means 36c, see FIG. 19) slightly extends the telescopic rod 12a of the drive cylinder 12, and the left and right guides 3a, 3b are opened in the separation direction by about 2 mm (arrow A, A direction, see FIG. 11(a), P29, see FIG. 18, second step). Then, the control unit 36 ​​(horizontal auxiliary rod driving means 36i, see FIG. 20) contracts the telescopic rods 27a, 27a of the drive cylinders 27, 27, and the horizontal auxiliary rods 25, 25 retract from the vertical slits (grooves) 28, 28 (P30, see FIG. 18, second step, arrow A, A direction, see FIG. 9(a)).

[0064] Then, the remaining stacked containers 4 (for example, 10 lunch boxes (containers) 4') drop (P31, see FIG. 18, second step, see FIGS. 11(a) and (b)). The remaining stacked containers 4 (for example, 10 lunch boxes (containers) 4') are combined with the new stacked containers 4 (for example, 60 lunch boxes (containers) 4') (P32, see FIG. 18, second step, see FIG. 11(b), 36k, and FIG. 20).

[0065] Then, the control unit 36 ​​(the horizontal lifting member driving means 36d, see FIG. 20) raises the telescopic rod 15a of the drive cylinder 15 (in the direction of arrow E), and raises the horizontal lifting member 14 of the combined stacked container 4 (P33, see FIG. 18, third step, in the direction of arrow E, see FIG. 4(a)). Then, when the control unit 36 ​​(the sensor S2 detection means 36e, see FIG. 19) detects the detection sensor S2 (detection position 39, see FIG. 4(a)) (P34, see FIG. 18, third step), it detects the bottom surface 4a, stops the lifting of the horizontal lifting member 14 (stops the lifting of the drive cylinder 15), and stops the lifting of the stacked container 4 (for example, 10 lunch boxes (containers) 4' + for example, 60 lunch boxes (containers) 4') (P35, see FIG. 18, third step, see FIG. 12).

[0066] The operations up to this point (operations from step P24 to step P35 (first step to third step)) are completed when the rectangular parallelepiped suction portion 5a (or 5b) suctions the multiple suction bodies 16·· to the bottom surface 4a of one of the lunch boxes (containers) 4' (the bottom surface 4a of the top lunch box (container) 4' of the stacked container 4) and carries the one lunch box (container) 4' upward. The end time T' is when, for example, 10 stacked containers 4 remain, the rectangular parallelepiped suction portion 5a (or 5b) suctions the plurality of suction bodies 16·· to the bottom surface 4a of one of the lunch boxes (containers) 4' (the bottom surface 4a of the top lunch box (container) 4' of the stacked containers 4), and the one lunch box (container) 4' is carried upward (time for one lunch box (container) 4' to move upward = time T', see Figures 22(b)(c)) (time T', see Figures 22(b)(c)). Therefore, the end time is when, for example, 10 stacked containers 4 remain, and the lunch box (container) 4' is carried upward (time T' x the number of lunch boxes (containers) 4', for example, 10).

[0067] This time T' ends by the time (time T') when one of the lunch boxes (containers) 4' is attracted to the bottom surface 4a by the rectangular parallelepiped suction part 5a (or 5b) and is carried upward. Therefore, the condition is that (the interval T of the stacked containers 4) ≧ ((the time T' for one lunch box (container) 4' to move upward) × 10 pieces) (see FIG. 22), or is equal to or shorter than (the number of remaining lunch boxes (containers) 4' (e.g. 10 pieces)) (the suction body 16·· of the rectangular parallelepiped suction part 5a (or 5b) that was below moves upward with the opening of one lunch box (container) 4' as the upper surface 4b (time T') × (the number of remaining lunch boxes (containers) 4' (e.g. 10 pieces))) (see FIG. 22(a) to (d)).

[0068] Therefore, the lunch box (container) 4' is carried upward by the rectangular parallelepiped suction portion 5a (or 5b) (one lunch box (container) 4' = time T'), so that the lunch box (container) 4' is not interrupted for a long time in the subsequent process (the subsequent process conveyor) ((distance T between stacked containers 4) ≧ (time T' × for example 10 pieces), see Figure 22). One lunch box (container) 4' is carried backward (to the subsequent process) by the two side conveyors 31a, 31b. Then, when the rectangular parallelepiped suction unit 5a (or 5b) moves one lunch box (container) 4' (the upper surface 4b is open) upward, the air suction of the suction body 16·· is terminated, and the two side conveyors 31a, 31b move backward (in the direction of arrow D), moving one lunch box (container) 4' backward (the latter process) (see P15, FIG. 16, FIG. 12, FIG. 21(a)(b)). After that, there is the latter process (the latter process conveyor) in which cooked rice or side dishes are put into the lunch box (container) 4'. Therefore, the lunch box (container) 4' flows in the latter process (the latter process conveyor) at regular intervals, and the lunch box (container) 4' flows continuously for a long time, which is the greatest feature of the present invention.

[0069] This process is repeated (P36, P7 to P36, see FIG. 18). Therefore, the process returns to the circled number "6" (from step P7, see FIG. 15), and step P36 (see FIG. 18) is repeated. When the end button is pressed (P37, see FIG. 18), the process ends (see FIG. 18).

[0070] As described above, in the present invention, the operations from the first step to the third step are completed while the central rotation shaft 17 rotates 180 degrees and the rectangular parallelepiped suction part 5a (or 5b) that was located at the bottom moves upward with the opening of the one container as the upper surface 4b. Therefore, the operations from the first step to the third step are completed within (time T' x (number of remaining containers (e.g., lunch boxes (4'))) when the central rotation shaft rotates 180 degrees and the rectangular parallelepiped suction part that was located at the bottom moves upward with the opening (4b) of the one container (e.g., lunch box (4')) as the upper surface. (This time T' is completed by the time when the rectangular parallelepiped suction part 5a (or 5b) suctions one lunch box (4') to the bottom surface (4a) and the one lunch box (4') is carried upward (time T'). Therefore, (spacing T of stacked containers 4) ≧ ((one Since the time required for one lunch box (container) 4' to move upward (T') × e.g. 10 lunch boxes (containers) 4' to be moved upward (see Figs. 22(a) to (d)), the condition is that the time required for one lunch box (container) 4' to move upward (T') × e.g. 10 lunch boxes (containers) 4' to be moved upward (see Figs. 22(a) to (d)). Therefore, in the case of the container (e.g. lunch box (4')), since each container (e.g. lunch box (4')) moves at regular intervals in the latter process, the container (e.g. lunch box (4')) is not interrupted for a long time in the latter process.

[0071] In addition, the horizontal lifting member 14 or the horizontal auxiliary rods 25, 25 rise by the width of one container (for example, lunch box 4'), so that one container (for example, lunch box 4') is carried upward one after another, which is convenient.

[0072] In addition, the separability of one container (for example, lunch box 4') of the stacked container 4 is improved.

[0073] In addition, since the left and right guides 3a, 3b move in the direction away from each other, when the stacked container 4 with only a few remaining containers falls, it is not caught and the stacked container 4 with only a few remaining containers falls smoothly and can be combined with the new stacked container 4.

[0074] In addition, one of the containers (e.g., lunch box 4') that was above is moved backward by both left and right conveyors 31a and 31b, and in the latter process, it becomes possible to pack, for example, cooked rice or side dishes into one of the containers (e.g., lunch box 4'). Therefore, the container (e.g., lunch box 4') is not interrupted in the latter process.

[0075] In addition, the number of remaining sheets of the lunch box (container) 4' by which the number of remaining sheets of the stacked container 4 is reduced (for example, 20 sheets) and the number of remaining sheets of the stacked container 4 is reduced (for example, 10 sheets) are numbers that are "for example", and the number of remaining sheets of the stacked container 4 by which the number of remaining sheets is reduced is, for example, 15 sheets, for example, 30 sheets, for example, 35 sheets, and the number of remaining sheets of the stacked container 4 by which the number of remaining sheets is reduced is, for example, 10 sheets, for example, 15 sheets, for example, 5 sheets, and are arbitrary numbers. [Industrial Applicability]

[0076] According to the container separation device of the present invention, for example, in a post-stage process of the lunch boxes (containers) 4', the lunch boxes (containers) 4' can be processed uninterruptedly for a long period of time, and is of great industrial utility. [Explanation of symbols]

[0077] 1 Container separation device 2. Conveyor 3a Left guide 3b Right guide 4. Layered containers 4a Bottom 4b Top side 4' Lunch box (container) 5a Rectangular suction part 5b Rectangular suction part 6a,6b Arms 6b,6d Arms 14 Horizontal lifting member 16 Suction body 17 Rotational center axis 21 Cam 25 Horizontal auxiliary rod 28 Vertical slit (groove) 28a Upper end 31a, 31b Left and right side conveyors a Top dead center b Bottom dead center P Adsorption position S1 Detection Sensor S2 detection sensor T interval T' Time

Claims

1. a container separation device comprising: a conveyor for transporting stacked containers with their bottom faces facing upward to a suction position; a plurality of stacked containers are arranged on the conveyor at intervals T; the stacked containers are raised by a horizontal lifting member; upper and lower rectangular parallelepiped suction units are provided at the ends of the arms of a rotating central shaft; suction bodies are provided on the lower and upper faces of both rectangular parallelepiped suction units; when the rotating central shaft rotates 180 degrees, the suction body of the rectangular parallelepiped suction unit that was located below separates one container from the bottom surface of the stacked container by suction air and moves upward with the opening of the one container as its upper surface, the one container moves to a subsequent process; the rectangular parallelepiped suction unit that was located above moves downward; the suction body separates one container from the bottom surface of the stacked container by the suction air and moves upward with the opening of the one container as its upper surface, the one container moves to a subsequent process, and this process is repeated; A left and right guide are provided on the conveyor, grooves are provided at both upper ends of the left and right guides, and horizontal auxiliary rods are provided in opposing directions from the grooves, In the first step, when the number of stacked containers remaining is low, the horizontal auxiliary rods are protruded in the opposite directions from both grooves, the stacked containers with few remaining containers are supported by the horizontal auxiliary rods, the horizontal lifting member is lowered, and when new stacked containers are carried by the conveyor, the conveyor is stopped by the detection sensor S1, In the second step, the horizontal auxiliary rod retracts from the groove, and the stacked container with the remaining container falls downward and is combined with the new stacked container, In the third step, the horizontal lifting member rises, the combined stacked container with the remaining container remaining and the new stacked container rise, and the detection sensor S2 detects the bottom surface, thereby stopping the rise of the combined stacked container with the remaining container remaining and the new stacked container, The time T' required for the central axis of rotation to rotate 180 degrees and the suction body of the rectangular parallelepiped suction part located below to suction the bottom surface of the one container and move upward with the opening of the one container as the upper surface, from the first step to the third step, is expressed in relation to the time required for the stacked containers to move the distance of the interval T, (Time required for the stacked containers to move the distance of the interval T) < (Time T' x (Number of containers with few remaining containers)) The container separation device is characterized in that

2. 2. The container separation device according to claim 1, wherein when the one container is carried upward by the rectangular suction portion, the horizontal lifting member or the horizontal auxiliary rod rises by an amount equivalent to the width of the one container.

3. A container separation device as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that while the central rotating shaft rotates 180 degrees, the cam rotates in a certain direction, causing the upper and lower rectangular suction portions to move from the bottom dead center to the top dead center and then to the bottom dead center.

4. As the left and right guides move in the direction away from each other, the stacked container with the remaining containers falls and merges with the new stacked container. A container separation device as described in any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that after the remaining stacked container and the new stacked container are combined, the left and right guides move in a direction approaching each other, and the left and right guides move to the width of the stacked container.

5. As a result of the central axis of rotation rotating 180 degrees, the suction body of the rectangular parallelepiped suction part located below separates the one container from the bottom surface of the stacked containers by the suction air, and moves the one container upward with the opening of the one container as the upper surface, A container separation device as described in any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that when the suction air of the suction body is terminated, the one container that was at the top is moved to the subsequent process by both left and right conveyors.

Images