Heat treatment system

Abstract

Provided is a heat treatment system capable of efficiently conveying a container after heat treatment. 【Solution means】The heat treatment unit 10 can heat-treat the object to be treated 8. The heat treatment conveyance conveyor 20 is provided so as to pass through the heat treatment unit 10 and conveys the container 3 that houses the object to be treated 8 and the lid 6 attached to the container 3. The post-treatment conveyance conveyor 30 conveys the container 3 that houses the object to be treated 8 after heat treatment in the heat treatment unit 10 and the lid 6 attached to the container 3. The lid removal mechanism unit 71 can remove the lid 6 from the container 3 conveyed by the post-treatment conveyance conveyor 30. The lid conveyance conveyor 40 conveys the lid 6 removed by the lid removal mechanism unit 71. The container conveyance conveyor 50 conveys the container 3 from which the lid 6 has been removed by the lid removal mechanism unit 71. A plurality of container conveyance conveyors 50 are provided in parallel.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a heat treatment system.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a heat treatment system is known in which a container for accommodating an object to be heat-treated and a lid are separately conveyed after being heat-treated in a heat treatment unit. For example, in the heat treatment system of Patent Document 1, in a heat treatment conveyor passing through a heat treatment unit, one (one stage) container and one lid in the vertical direction are conveyed in a state where one (one row) is arranged in the width direction of the conveyor. In a lid conveyor for conveying the lid removed from the container that has passed through the heat treatment unit, one lid is conveyed in a state where one (one row) is arranged in the width direction of the conveyor. In a container conveyor for conveying the container from which the lid has been removed after passing through the heat treatment unit, one container is conveyed in a state where one (one row) is arranged in the width direction of the conveyor.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the heat treatment system of Patent Document 1, since only one container conveyor is provided for one heat treatment unit, the number of containers that can be conveyed within a predetermined time is small, which is inefficient.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a heat treatment system capable of efficiently conveying containers after heat treatment.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The heat treatment system according to the present invention includes a heat treatment unit (10), a heat treatment transfer conveyor (20), a post-treatment transfer conveyor (30), a lid removal mechanism unit (71), a lid transfer conveyor (40), a container transfer conveyor (50), a pre-treatment transfer conveyor (60), and a lid attachment mechanism unit (72). The heat treatment unit can heat-treat the object to be treated (8). The heat treatment transfer conveyor is provided to pass through the heat treatment unit and conveys a container (3) containing the object to be treated and a lid (6) attached to the container.

[0007] The post-treatment transfer conveyor conveys a container containing the object to be treated after heat treatment in the heat treatment unit and a lid attached to the container. The lid removal mechanism unit can remove the lid from the container conveyed by the post-treatment transfer conveyor. The lid transfer conveyor conveys the lid removed by the lid removal mechanism unit. The container transfer conveyor conveys the container from which the lid has been removed by the lid removal mechanism unit.

[0008] The pre-treatment transfer conveyor conveys a container containing the object to be treated before being treated in the heat treatment unit. The lid attachment mechanism unit can attach the lid conveyed by the lid transfer conveyor to the container conveyed by the pre-treatment transfer conveyor. The container transfer conveyor at a predetermined interval in the horizontal direction A plurality of them are provided in parallel. Therefore, the container can be conveyed efficiently.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

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Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Hereinafter, a heat treatment system according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, the same reference numerals are given to substantially the same constituent parts, and the description thereof is omitted.

[0011] (One Embodiment) A heat treatment system according to an embodiment is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The heat treatment system 1 includes a heat treatment unit 10 and a transfer system 2. The heat treatment unit 10 is for heat-treating a workpiece 8 to be described later, and is, for example, a firing furnace. The transfer system 2 is provided so as to pass through the heat treatment unit 10 and can transfer a container 3 or the like containing the workpiece 8.

[0012] The transfer system 2 includes a heat treatment transfer conveyor 20, a post-treatment transfer conveyor 30, a lid transfer conveyor 40, a container transfer conveyor 50, a pre-treatment transfer conveyor 60, a lid removal mechanism unit 71, a lid attachment mechanism unit 72, a lifting lifter 80, a lid alignment mechanism unit 90, and the like. In the present embodiment, a plurality of each of the heat treatment unit 10, the heat treatment transfer conveyor 20, the post-treatment transfer conveyor 30, the lid transfer conveyor 40, the container transfer conveyor 50, and the pre-treatment transfer conveyor 60 are provided.

[0013] For example, three heat treatment units 10 are provided. For the sake of convenience, each heat treatment unit 10 is referred to as a heat treatment unit 11, 12, 13. For example, three heat treatment transfer conveyors 20 are provided. For the sake of convenience, each heat treatment transfer conveyor 20 is referred to as a heat treatment transfer conveyor 21, 22, 23. For example, four post-treatment transfer conveyors 30 are provided. For the sake of convenience, each post-treatment transfer conveyor 30 is referred to as a post-treatment transfer conveyor 31, 32, 33, 34. For example, two lid transfer conveyors 40 are provided. For the sake of convenience, each lid transfer conveyor 40 is referred to as a lid transfer conveyor 41, 42. For example, four container transfer conveyors 50 are provided. For the sake of convenience, each container transfer conveyor 50 is referred to as a container transfer conveyor 51, 52, 53, 54. For example, four pre-treatment transfer conveyors 60 are provided. For the sake of convenience, each pre-treatment transfer conveyor 60 is referred to as a pre-treatment transfer conveyor 61, 62, 63, 64. In the present embodiment, the heat treatment unit 10, the heat treatment transfer conveyor 20, and the lid transfer conveyor 40 are set to have a length of about 60 m, for example.

[0014] Here, xyz coordinates are defined in the space where the heat treatment system 1 is installed. The x-axis, y-axis, and xy plane are along the horizontal direction. The z-axis, zx plane, and zy plane are along the vertical direction. As shown in FIG. 1, the heat treatment units 11, 12, and 13 are provided in parallel along the x-axis. The heat treatment transfer conveyors 21, 22, and 23 are set to be longer than the heat treatment units 11, 12, and 13. The heat treatment transfer conveyor 21 is set to be longer than the heat treatment transfer conveyor 22. The heat treatment transfer conveyor 23 is set to be shorter than the heat treatment transfer conveyor 22. The heat treatment units 11, 12, and 13 are set to have the same length, for example. The heat treatment transfer conveyors 21, 22, and 23 are provided in parallel so as to pass through the heat treatment units 11, 12, and 13, that is, along the x-axis. The post-treatment transfer conveyors 31, 32, 33, and 34 are provided along the y-axis. The lid transfer conveyors 41 and 42 are provided along the x-axis and arranged in the vertical direction, that is, in the z-axis direction (see FIGS. 1 and 2). The lid transfer conveyor 41 is set to have the same length as the heat treatment transfer conveyor 22, for example. The lid transfer conveyor 42 is set to be shorter than the lid transfer conveyor 41, the heat treatment transfer conveyors 21, 22, and 23. The container transfer conveyors 51 and 52 are provided in parallel along the x-axis. The container transfer conveyors 53 and 54 are provided in parallel along the x-axis. The pre-treatment transfer conveyors 61, 62, 63, and 64 are provided along the y-axis.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 3, the heat treatment conveyor 20 has a support portion 205, a roller support portion 206, a conveyor roller 200, etc. The roller support portion 206 is supported by the support portion 205 installed on the floor 9. The roller support portion 206 is provided along the length direction (x-axis direction) on both sides in the width direction (y-axis direction) of the heat treatment conveyor 20. The conveyor roller 200 has a rotating shaft 201 and a support wheel 202. The rotating shaft 201 is formed in a rod shape, for example, by metal, and both ends are rotatably supported by the roller support portion 206. The support wheel 202 is formed in an annular shape, for example, by a ceramic material such as alumina, and a plurality of support wheels 202 are provided in the length direction (y-axis direction) of the rotating shaft 201. A plurality of conveyor rollers 200 are provided at predetermined intervals in the length direction (x-axis direction) of the heat treatment conveyor 20. The conveyor roller 200 is rotatable in a predetermined direction by a driving device (not shown).

[0016] The heat treatment conveyor 20 conveys a multi-stage container 7 with a lid, which consists of a plurality of containers 3 stacked vertically and one lid 6 attached to the upper side in the vertical direction, by rotating the conveyor roller 200. The container 3 is formed in a rectangular box shape with a bottom wall at the lower part and an opening at the upper part, for example, by a ceramic material such as alumina. The container 3 is set to be about 33 cm in length, about 33 cm in width, and about 10 cm in height, for example. The container 3 has cutout portions 5 at the upper parts of the four side walls 4 (see FIGS. 3(A) and 3(C)). The lid 6 is formed in a rectangular plate shape, for example, by a ceramic material such as alumina. The lid 6 is set to be about 32.5 cm in length, about 32.5 cm in width, and about 1 cm in height (thickness), for example.

[0017] The container 3 contains an object to be processed 8. The object to be processed 8 is, for example, a mixture of a lithium-containing compound and a transition metal compound, or an electrode material for a lithium-ion battery, etc., and is contained in the container 3 in a state where the powder is pressed firmly at a predetermined pressure. Here, the height of the upper end surface of the object to be processed 8 in the container 3 is set at a position lower than the lower end portion of the cutout portion 5.

[0018] As shown in FIGS. 3(A) and 3(C), in one multi-stage container 7 with a lid, two containers 3 are stacked. As shown in FIGS. 3(A) and 3(B), the heat treatment conveyor 20 conveys the multi-stage containers 7 with lids arranged in a plurality in the width direction (y-axis direction) of the heat treatment conveyor 20. In the present embodiment, the heat treatment conveyor 20 conveys the multi-stage containers 7 with lids arranged in four in the width direction (y-axis direction) of the heat treatment conveyor 20, that is, conveys containers with lids in four rows and two stages. The conveyance direction of the multi-stage containers 7 with lids in the heat treatment conveyor 20 is the +x direction. Here, the “+x direction” means the positive direction on the x-axis (the same applies to the “+y direction” and “+z direction” hereinafter). Also, the “-x direction” means the negative direction on the x-axis (the same applies to the “-y direction” and “-z direction” hereinafter).

[0019] The heat treatment unit 10 has a furnace body 100 and a heater (not shown). The furnace body 100 is formed in a tunnel shape by, for example, heat insulating materials such as heat-resistant bricks and ceramic boards, and a casing that coats the heat insulating materials. The heater is provided inside the furnace body 100. The heat treatment conveyor 20 is provided such that parts other than both ends are located inside the heat treatment unit 10. The multi-stage containers 7 with lids conveyed by the heat treatment conveyor 20 are carried into the furnace body 100 from the furnace body inlet 101, heated by the heater, and carried out from the furnace body outlet 102. When the multi-stage containers 7 with lids pass through the heat treatment unit 10, the object to be processed 8 in the container 3 is heat-treated by the heater of the heat treatment unit 10.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 4, the post-treatment conveyors 31, 32, and 33 are respectively connected at their +y direction side ends to the +x direction side ends of the heat treatment conveyors 21, 22, and 23. The -y direction side end of the post-treatment conveyor 31 and the central part of the post-treatment conveyor 32 are connected by a connection conveyor 35. The -y direction side end of the post-treatment conveyor 33 and the central part of the post-treatment conveyor 32 are connected by a connection conveyor 36. The +y direction side end of the post-treatment conveyor 34 and the -y direction side part of the post-treatment conveyor 32 are connected by a connection conveyor 37.

[0021] The multi-stage container 7 with a lid that houses the workpiece 8 heat-treated in the heat treatment units 11, 12, and 13 is conveyed from the heat treatment conveyance conveyors 21, 22, and 23 to the post-treatment conveyance conveyors 31, 32, and 33. The multi-stage container 7 with a lid conveyed to the post-treatment conveyance conveyors 31, 32, and 33 is conveyed in the -y direction in a state where four are arranged in the y-axis direction. The connection conveyor 35 conveys the multi-stage container 7 with a lid conveyed to the end on the -y direction side of the post-treatment conveyance conveyor 31 to the post-treatment conveyance conveyor 32. The connection conveyor 36 conveys the multi-stage container 7 with a lid conveyed to the end on the -y direction side of the post-treatment conveyance conveyor 33 to the post-treatment conveyance conveyor 32. In this way, the post-treatment conveyance conveyors 31, 32, and 33 convey the container 3 that houses the workpiece 8 after heat treatment in the heat treatment unit 10 and the lid 6 attached to the container 3 in the -y direction.

[0022] Between the connection conveyors 35 and 36 of the post-treatment conveyance conveyor 32 and the connection conveyor 37, the end on the +x direction side of the lid conveyance conveyor 41 is connected. The lid removal mechanism unit 71 is provided at the connection portion between the post-treatment conveyance conveyor 32 and the lid conveyance conveyor 41. The lid removal mechanism unit 71 can remove the lid 6 from the container 3 (multi-stage container 7 with a lid) conveyed by the post-treatment conveyance conveyor 32 and convey it to the lid conveyance conveyor 41.

[0023] The lid conveyance conveyor 41 conveys the lid 6 removed by the lid removal mechanism unit 71 in the -x direction. The lid conveyance conveyor 41 conveys the lids 6 arranged in two in the width direction (y-axis direction) of the lid conveyance conveyor 41.

[0024] Two lifting lifters 80 are provided in the heat treatment system 1 (see FIG. 1). For the sake of convenience, each lifting lifter 82 is referred to as lifting lifters 81 and 82. The lifting lifter 81 is provided at the end on the +x direction side of the lid conveyance conveyor 42 located above the lid conveyance conveyor 41 in the vertical direction. The lifting lifter 81 moves (lifts) the lid 6 conveyed by the lid conveyance conveyor 41 upward in the vertical direction and can convey it to the lid conveyance conveyor 42. The lid conveyance conveyor 42 conveys the lid 6 lifted by the lifting lifter 81 in the -x direction.

[0025] When the lid 6 is removed by the lid removal mechanism unit 71, part of the container 3 is conveyed to the end on the -y direction side of the post - treatment conveyance conveyor 32, and part of it is conveyed to the post - treatment conveyance conveyor 34 by the connection conveyor 37.

[0026] At the end on the -y direction side of the post - treatment conveyance conveyor 32, the end on the +x direction side of the container conveyance conveyor 51 is connected. At the end on the -y direction side of the post - treatment conveyance conveyor 34, the end on the +x direction side of the container conveyance conveyor 52 is connected.

[0027] The container conveyance conveyors 51 and 52 convey the container 3 conveyed to the end on the -y direction side of the post - treatment conveyance conveyors 32 and 34 in the -x direction. The container conveyance conveyors 51 and 52 convey the container 3 arranged one by one in the width direction (y - axis direction) of the container conveyance conveyors 51 and 52. The container conveyance conveyors 51 and 52 are respectively provided with staggering mechanism units 141 and 142. The staggering mechanism units 141 and 142 can stagger the two - stage containers 3 conveyed by the container conveyance conveyors 51 and 52 into one stage. Therefore, on the +x direction side with respect to the staggering mechanism units 141 and 142, the containers 3 are conveyed in a two - stage stacked state, and on the -x direction side with respect to the staggering mechanism units 141 and 142, the containers 3 are conveyed in a one - stage state.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 1, between the ends on the -x direction side of the container conveyance conveyors 51 and 52 and the ends on the +x direction side of the container conveyance conveyors 53 and 54, a processed object recovery unit 150 and a processed object filling unit 160 are provided. The processed object recovery unit 150 drops and recovers the processed processed object 8 contained in the container 3 by, for example, inverting the container 3 conveyed by the container conveyance conveyors 51 and 52 up and down. The recovered processed processed object 8 is, for example, pulverized and used as a material such as an electrode of a lithium - ion battery.

[0029] The object to be processed filling unit 160 fills the container 3 emptied in the object to be processed recovery unit 150 with the object to be processed 8 before processing. The object to be processed filling unit 160 fills the container 3, for example, with a mixture of a powdery lithium-containing compound and a transition metal compound, and compresses it with a predetermined pressure from the upper side in the vertical direction.

[0030] The container transfer conveyors 53 and 54 transfer the container 3 filled with the object to be processed 8 in the object to be processed filling unit 160 in the -x direction. Stacking mechanism parts 171 and 172 are respectively provided on the container transfer conveyors 53 and 54. The stacking mechanism parts 171 and 172 can stack the single-row containers 3 conveyed by the container transfer conveyors 53 and 54 into two rows. Therefore, on the +x direction side with respect to the stacking mechanism parts 171 and 172, the containers 3 are conveyed in a single-row state, and on the -x direction side with respect to the stacking mechanism parts 171 and 172, the containers 3 are conveyed in a two-row stacked state.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 5, the pre-processing transfer conveyors 61, 62, and 63 are respectively connected at their -x direction ends on the +y direction side to the -x direction ends of the heat treatment transfer conveyors 21, 22, and 23. The -y direction end of the pre-processing transfer conveyor 61 and the central part of the pre-processing transfer conveyor 62 are connected by a connecting conveyor 65. The -y direction end of the pre-processing transfer conveyor 63 and the central part of the pre-processing transfer conveyor 62 are connected by a connecting conveyor 66. The +y direction end of the pre-processing transfer conveyor 64 and the -y direction part of the pre-processing transfer conveyor 62 are connected by a connecting conveyor 67.

[0032] The -x direction end of the container transfer conveyor 53 is connected to the -y direction end of the pre-processing transfer conveyor 62. The -x direction end of the container transfer conveyor 54 is connected to the -y direction end of the pre-processing transfer conveyor 64.

[0033] The pre - processing transfer conveyors 62 and 64 convey the container 3 filled with the object to be processed 8 before processing and stacked in two layers to the end on the - x direction side of the container transfer conveyors 53 and 54 in the +y direction. The container 3 conveyed to the end on the +y direction side of the pre - processing transfer conveyor 64 is conveyed to the pre - processing transfer conveyor 62 by the connection conveyor 67.

[0034] The lifting lifter 82 is provided at the end on the - x direction side of the lid transfer conveyor 42. The lifting lifter 82 can move (lower) the lid 6 conveyed to the end on the - x direction side of the lid transfer conveyor 42 vertically downward and convey it to the lid transfer conveyor 41.

[0035] Between the connection conveyors 65 and 66 of the pre - processing transfer conveyor 62 and the connection conveyor 67, the end on the - x direction side of the lid transfer conveyor 41 is connected. The lid attachment mechanism portion 72 is provided at the connection portion between the pre - processing transfer conveyor 62 and the lid transfer conveyor 41. The lid attachment mechanism portion 72 can attach the lid 6 conveyed to the end on the - x direction side of the lid transfer conveyor 41 to the container 3 conveyed by the pre - processing transfer conveyor 62.

[0036] The container 3 (the multi - stage container 7 with a lid) to which the lid 6 is attached by the lid attachment mechanism portion 72 is conveyed in the +y direction in a state where four are arranged in the y - axis direction on the pre - processing transfer conveyor 62. A part of the multi - stage container 7 with a lid conveyed by the pre - processing transfer conveyor 62 is conveyed to the end on the - y direction side of the pre - processing transfer conveyor 62, a part is conveyed to the pre - processing transfer conveyor 61 by the connection conveyor 65, and a part is conveyed to the pre - processing transfer conveyor 63 by the connection conveyor 66.

[0037] The multi-stage containers 7 with lids that have been conveyed to the +y-direction ends of the pre-treatment conveyors 61, 62, and 63 are each conveyed to the heat-treatment conveyors 21, 22, and 23. The multi-stage containers 7 with lids that contain the workpiece 8 before treatment and have been conveyed to the heat-treatment conveyors 21, 22, and 23 are heated by the heat-treatment units 11, 12, and 13. Thus, in the heat-treatment system 1, the workpiece filling unit 160 fills the container 3 with the workpiece 8 before treatment, the conveying system 2 passes the workpiece 8 through the heat-treatment unit 10 to heat-treat the workpiece 8, and the workpiece recovery unit 150 repeatedly recovers the treated workpiece 8 from the container 3, thereby efficiently and continuously obtaining the treated workpiece 8.

[0038] Next, each part of the heat-treatment system 1 will be described in detail.

[0039] As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the lid removal mechanism unit 71 includes a container lifter 73, a lid lifter 74, a first support portion 701, a second support portion 702, a rail 77, a drive portion 78, a support portion 705, and the like. As shown in FIG. 6, the post-treatment conveyor 32 has conveying rollers 300. The conveying rollers 300 have a rotating shaft 301 and support wheels 302. The configuration of the rotating shaft 301 and the support wheels 302 is the same as that of the rotating shaft 201 and the support wheels 202. For example, two support wheels 302 are provided in the length direction (x-axis direction) of the rotating shaft 301. A plurality of conveying rollers 300 are provided at predetermined intervals in the length direction (y-axis direction) of the post-treatment conveyor 32. The conveying rollers 300 are rotatable in a predetermined direction by a driving device (not shown).

[0040] The container lifter 73 is provided between the adjacent conveying rollers 300 in the y-axis direction so as to be movable in the vertical upward or downward direction (z-axis direction) by a driving device (not shown).

[0041] The first support portion 701 has a claw portion 75 and a pressing portion 76. The claw portion 75 has a claw body 751 and a claw support 752. The claw body 751 is formed in a rectangular plate shape and is provided along the zy plane. The claw support 752 is formed to protrude in the horizontal direction (x-axis direction) from the lower end portion of the claw body 751. Two claw portions 75 are provided at a predetermined interval in the x-axis direction such that the claw supports 752 face each other in the x-axis direction. The two claw portions 75 are movable in the x-axis direction so as to approach each other or move away from each other. The pressing portion 76 is formed in a long plate shape. Two pressing portions 76 are provided at a predetermined interval in the y-axis direction while along the x-axis. The pressing portion 76 is reciprocally movable in the vertical direction (z-axis direction).

[0042] The rail 77 is formed in a rod shape, and both ends thereof are supported by the support portion 705. Two rails 77 are provided at a predetermined interval in the y-axis direction while along the x-axis. The first support portion 701 is provided on one of the two rails 77. The first support portion 701 is reciprocally movable in the x-axis direction along the rail 77 by a driving portion 78 supported by the upper end portion of the support portion 705.

[0043] The second support portion 702 is provided on the other of the two rails 77 and is reciprocally movable in the x-axis direction along the rail 77 by the driving portion 78. Since the second support portion 702 has the same configuration as the first support portion 701, the description thereof is omitted.

[0044] As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the lid conveyor 41 has a support portion 405, a roller support portion 406, a conveying roller 400, etc. The roller support portion 406 is supported by the support portion 405 installed on the floor 9. The roller support portion 406 is provided along the length direction (x-axis direction) on both sides in the width direction (y-axis direction) of the lid conveyor 41. The conveying roller 400 has a rotating shaft 401 and a support wheel 402. The configurations of the rotating shaft 401 and the support wheel 402 are the same as those of the rotating shaft 201 and the support wheel 202. For example, four support wheels 402 are provided in the length direction (y-axis direction) of the rotating shaft 401. A plurality of conveying rollers 400 are provided at predetermined intervals in the length direction (x-axis direction) of the lid conveyor 41. The conveying roller 400 is rotatable in a predetermined direction by a driving device (not shown).

[0045] The lid lifter 74 is provided between the adjacent conveying rollers 400 in the x-axis direction so as to be movable in the upper or lower vertical direction (z-axis direction) by a driving device (not shown).

[0046] Next, the operation of the lid removing mechanism portion 71 will be described.

[0047] When the multi-stage container 7 with a lid is conveyed by the post-treatment conveyor 32 to a position above the container lifter 73 in the vertical direction, the container lifter 73 moves upward in the vertical direction from the initial position. As a result, the multi-stage container 7 with a lid moves upward in the vertical direction while being supported by the upper end portion of the container lifter 73 (see FIG. 6). Subsequently, when the two claw portions 75 of the first support portion 701 and the second support portion 702 move closer to each other, the claw support bodies 752 enter between the lid 6 and the notch portion 5 of the two multi-stage containers 7 arranged in the y-axis direction from both sides in the x-axis direction. Subsequently, when the pressing portion 76 moves downward in the vertical direction, the lid 6 is in a state where both end portions in the x-axis direction are supported by the claw support bodies 752 from below in the vertical direction, and the upper surface in the vertical direction is pressed by the pressing portion 76. Subsequently, when the container lifter 73 moves downward in the vertical direction, the two stacked containers 3 also move downward in the vertical direction, and the lid 6 is removed from the container 3.

[0048] Subsequently, when the first support portion 701 and the second support portion 702 move in the -x direction along the rail 77, the lid lifter 74 moves upward in the vertical direction, and the lid 6 is supported from below in the vertical direction (see FIG. 7). Subsequently, when the pressing portion 76 moves upward in the vertical direction and the two claw portions 75 of the first support portion 701 and the second support portion 702 move away from each other, the two lids 6 are supported by the upper end portion of the lid lifter 74. Subsequently, when the lid lifter 74 moves downward in the vertical direction, the two lids 6 are supported by the support wheels 402 of the conveying roller 400. Through the above operations, the removal of the lid 6 from the multi-stage container 7 with a lid conveyed by the post-treatment conveying conveyor 32 and the conveyance of the lid 6 to the lid conveying conveyor 41 are completed.

[0049] As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the lifting lifter 81 includes a lifting rail 83, a movable roller support portion 85, a conveying roller 800, etc. The lifting rail 83 is formed, for example, in a columnar shape, and a plurality of them are installed on the floor 9 along the vertical direction. The movable roller support portion 85 is provided along the x-axis direction on both sides of the lifting lifter 81 in the y-axis direction. The movable roller support portion 85 is supported by the lifting rail 83 and is provided so as to be movable upward or downward (in the z-axis direction) along the lifting rail 83 by a driving device (not shown). The conveying roller 800 has a rotating shaft 801 and a support wheel 802. The configurations of the rotating shaft 801 and the support wheel 802 are the same as those of the rotating shaft 201 and the support wheel 202. The support wheels 802 are provided, for example, four in the length direction (y-axis direction) of the rotating shaft 801. A plurality of conveying rollers 800 are provided at a predetermined interval in the x-axis direction of the movable roller support portion 85. The conveying roller 800 is rotatable in a predetermined direction by a driving device (not shown).

[0050] As shown in FIG. 9, guides 95 are provided on the lid conveying conveyors 41 and 42 and the lifting lifter 81. The guide 95 is provided in the vicinity of the roller support portion 406 on both sides in the width direction (y-axis direction) of the lid conveying conveyors 41 and 42, and in the vicinity of the movable roller support portion 85 on both sides in the y-axis direction of the lifting lifter 81. The guide 95 has guide rollers 951. The guide roller 951 is formed in an annular shape from a ceramic material such as alumina, for example, and is rotatable about a rotation axis along the vertical direction (z-axis direction). A plurality of guide rollers 951 are provided in the length direction (x-axis direction) of the lid conveying conveyors 41 and 42.

[0051] Nine guide rollers 951 are provided side by side in the x-axis direction in the vicinity of the movable roller support portion 85 on both sides in the y-axis direction of the lifting lifter 81. Two guide rollers 951 located on both sides in the x-axis direction among the nine guide rollers 951 are provided at positions shifted toward the movable roller support portion 85 with respect to the other seven guide rollers 951. That is, the rotation axes of the other seven guide rollers 951 are orthogonal to a straight line L1 along the x-axis direction, and the rotation axes of the two guide rollers 951 located on both sides in the x-axis direction are separated from the straight line L1 toward the movable roller support portion 85. Note that the rotation axes of the guide rollers 951 of the guide 95 provided on the lid conveying conveyors 41 and 42 are orthogonal to the straight line L1.

[0052] The lid conveying conveyors 41 and 42 convey the lids 6 arranged in two in the width direction (y-axis direction) of the lid conveying conveyors 41 and 42 (see FIG. 9). In the lid conveying conveyors 41 and 42 and the lifting lifter 81, the distance in the y-axis direction of the guide rollers 951 whose rotation axes are orthogonal to the straight line L1 is set to about 68 cm, for example. The lid conveying conveyors 41 and 42 and the lifting lifter 81 convey the lids 6 arranged in two in the y-axis direction in the -x direction. The guide roller 951 rotates when it comes into contact with the outer edge portion of the lid 6 and can guide the conveyance of the lid 6. When the two lids 6 arranged in the y-axis direction come into contact with each other and are located at the center in the y-axis direction (see FIG. 9), a gap of about 1.5 cm is formed between the guide roller 951 and the lid 6 on both sides in the y-axis direction with respect to the two lids 6.

[0053] The lid transfer conveyor 41 is divided into the +x direction side and the -x direction side with respect to the lifting lifter 81 (see Fig. 8). The two lids 6 conveyed in the -x direction by the lid transfer conveyor 41 located on the +x direction side with respect to the lifting lifter 81 are conveyed to the transfer roller 800 of the lifting lifter 81 located at the same height as the transfer roller 400 of the lid transfer conveyor 41. Here, when the movable roller support portion 85 moves upward in the vertical direction, the two lids 6 are conveyed to the lid transfer conveyor 42 by the rotation of the transfer roller 800. On the other hand, when the movable roller support portion 85 does not move upward in the vertical direction, the two lids 6 are conveyed to the lid transfer conveyor 41 on the -x direction side with respect to the lifting lifter 81 by the rotation of the transfer roller 800.

[0054] In the present embodiment, among the nine guide rollers 951 arranged in the x-axis direction in the vicinity of the movable roller support portion 85 on both sides in the y-axis direction of the lifting lifter 81, the two guide rollers 951 located on both sides in the x-axis direction are provided at positions shifted toward the movable roller support portion 85 side with respect to the other seven guide rollers 951. Therefore, when the two lids 6 conveyed by the lid transfer conveyor 41 are conveyed to the transfer roller 800 of the lifting lifter 81, it is possible to suppress the front surface in the conveyance direction of the lid 6 from colliding with the guide roller 951 and preventing the conveyance. As a result, the lid 6 can be smoothly conveyed to the transfer roller 800.

[0055] The lid alignment mechanism unit 90 includes a stopper 91, a width adjustment unit 92, a lid lifter 93 with rollers, etc. As shown in FIGS. 10 to 12, the stopper 91 is provided on the lid conveyance conveyors 41 and 42. A plurality of stoppers 91 are provided at predetermined intervals in the length direction (x-axis direction) of the lid conveyance conveyors 41 and 42. The stopper 91 has a stopper roller support portion 911 and a stopper roller 912. The stopper roller support portion 911 is provided between adjacent conveyance rollers 400 in the x-axis direction so as to be movable in the vertical upward or downward direction (z-axis direction) by a driving device (not shown). The stopper roller 912 is formed in a cylindrical shape from a ceramic material such as alumina, for example, and is rotatably provided at the upper end portion of the stopper roller support portion 911. Here, the stopper roller 912 is provided such that the rotation axis is along the y-axis direction. A plurality of stopper rollers 912 are provided in the y-axis direction.

[0056] When the lid 6 is conveyed by the lid conveyance conveyors 41 and 42, the stopper 91 moves upward in the vertical direction from the initial position on the lower side in the vertical direction with respect to the conveyance roller 400. As a result, the stopper roller 912 abuts on the lid 6 on the front side (-x direction side) in the conveyance direction (-x direction) of the lid 6 (see FIGS. 10 and 11). Thereby, the front surface of the lid 6 in the conveyance direction becomes parallel to the y-axis direction, and the inclination of the lid 6 with respect to the width direction (y-axis direction) of the lid conveyance conveyors 41 and 42 is corrected (see FIG. 11). After the stopper 91 abuts on the lid 6, it descends and returns to the initial position. Since the stopper roller 912 is rotatably provided, it is possible to suppress wear or damage of the contact portion between the lid 6 and the stopper roller 912 when the stopper 91 descends.

[0057] The guide 95 is provided in the entire range in the length direction (x-axis direction) of the lid conveyance conveyors 41 and 42 except for the position where the stopper 91 is provided. The guide 95 guides the conveyance of the lid 6 on the lid conveyance conveyors 41 and 42 and can suppress a large displacement of the lid 6 in the y-axis direction and a large inclination of the lid 6 with respect to the y-axis direction.

[0058] As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the lifting lifter 82 is provided on the -x direction side with respect to the end portion on the -x direction side of the lid conveying conveyor 42. The lid conveying conveyor 41 is divided into a +x direction side and a -x direction side with respect to the lifting lifter 82. The configuration of the lifting lifter 82 is the same as that of the lifting lifter 81.

[0059] The two lids 6 conveyed in the -x direction by the lid conveying conveyor 42 located on the +x direction side with respect to the lifting lifter 82 are conveyed to the conveying roller 800 of the lifting lifter 82 located at the same height as the conveying roller 400 of the lid conveying conveyor 42. When the lid 6 is conveyed to the conveying roller 800, the movable roller support portion 85 moves downward in the vertical direction so that the conveying roller 800 has the same height as the conveying roller 400 of the lid conveying conveyor 41. Thereafter, the lid 6 is conveyed to the lid conveying conveyor 41 on the -x direction side with respect to the lifting lifter 82 by the rotation of the conveying roller 800. On the other hand, the two lids 6 conveyed in the -x direction by the lid conveying conveyor 41 located on the +x direction side with respect to the lifting lifter 82 are conveyed to the conveying roller 800 of the lifting lifter 82 located at the same height as the conveying roller 400 of the lid conveying conveyor 41. Thereafter, the lid 6 is conveyed to the lid conveying conveyor 41 on the -x direction side with respect to the lifting lifter 82 by the rotation of the conveying roller 800.

[0060] As shown in FIGS. 15 to 17, the width adjustment portion 92 is provided on the -x direction side with respect to the stopper 91 provided near the end portion on the -x direction side of the lid conveying conveyor 41. The width adjustment portion 92 has a clamping portion 921, a clamping portion support 922, and a width adjustment drive portion 923. The clamping portion 921 is formed in, for example, a rectangular plate shape. The clamping portion 921 is provided along the zx plane in the vicinity of the roller support portions 406 on both sides in the width direction (y-axis direction) of the lid conveying conveyor 41. The clamping portion support 922 is formed in, for example, a rod shape, and one end is provided so as to be connected to the surface of the clamping portion 921 on the roller support portion 406 side. The width adjustment drive portion 923 is provided on the other end side of the clamping portion support 922, and by driving the clamping portion support 922 in the y-axis direction, the two clamping portions 921 can be driven to approach each other or move away from each other in the y-axis direction.

[0061] The lid lifter 93 with rollers is provided at a position corresponding to the width adjustment portion 92 in the length direction (x-axis direction) of the lid conveyor 41 (see FIGS. 15 and 16). The lid lifter 93 with rollers has a lifter roller support portion 931 and a lifter roller 932. The lifter roller support portion 931 has a first lifter roller support portion 941 and a second lifter roller support portion 942. The first lifter roller support portion 941 and the second lifter roller support portion 942 are provided between the conveying rollers 400 adjacent to each other in the x-axis direction so as to be movable in the vertical upward or downward direction (z-axis direction) by a driving device (not shown). The first lifter roller support portion 941 is provided on the side opposite to the second lifter roller support portion 942 with respect to the conveying roller 400 in the x-axis direction.

[0062] The lifter roller 932 is formed in an annular shape by a ceramic material such as alumina, for example, and is rotatably provided at the upper ends of the first lifter roller support portion 941 and the second lifter roller support portion 942. Here, the lifter roller 932 is provided such that the rotation axis 201 is along the x-axis direction. A plurality of lifter rollers 932 are provided in the y-axis direction in the first lifter roller support portion 941 and the second lifter roller support portion 942.

[0063] When the lid 6 is conveyed by the lid conveyor 41, the stopper 91 moves from the initial position below the conveying roller 400 in the vertical direction to the upper side in the vertical direction. As a result, on the front side (-x direction side) in the conveying direction (-x direction) of the lid 6, the stopper roller 912 comes into contact with the lid 6. Thereby, the front surface of the lid 6 in the conveying direction becomes parallel to the y-axis direction, and the inclination of the lid 6 with respect to the width direction (y-axis direction) of the lid conveyor 41 is corrected. Subsequently, when the lid lifter 93 with rollers moves upward in the vertical direction, the lid 6 moves to a position corresponding to the sandwiching portion 921 while being supported by the lifter roller 932 from below in the vertical direction.

[0064] Subsequently, when the two clamping portions 921 are driven by the width adjustment drive unit 923 to approach each other, the two lids 6 arranged in the y-axis direction are clamped by the two clamping portions 921 from both sides in the width direction (y-axis direction) of the lid conveying conveyor 41. Thereby, the position of the lid 6 in the width direction (y-axis direction) of the lid conveying conveyor 41 can be adjusted. When the two lids 6 arranged in the y-axis direction are clamped by the two clamping portions 921, the lifter roller 932 that contacts the lower surface of the lid 6 in the vertical direction rotates. Thereby, while suppressing wear or damage due to sliding between the lifter roller 932 and the lid 6 in the y-axis direction, the position of the lid 6 can be adjusted.

[0065] Subsequently, when the two clamping portions 921 are driven by the width adjustment drive unit 923 to move away from each other, the lid lifter 93 with rollers moves downward in the vertical direction, and the two lids 6 are placed on the conveying rollers 400. The stoppers 91 and the width adjustment portions 92 of the lid alignment mechanism portion 90 correct the inclination with respect to the y-axis direction, and the two lids 6 aligned by adjusting the position in the y-axis direction are conveyed to the downstream lid attachment mechanism portion 72.

[0066] As shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, the lid attachment mechanism portion 72 has a container lifter 73, a lid lifter 74, a first support portion 701, a second support portion 702, a rail 77, a drive portion 78, a support portion 705, etc., similar to the lid removal mechanism portion 71. The configurations of the container lifter 73, the lid lifter 74, the first support portion 701, the second support portion 702, the rail 77, the drive portion 78, and the support portion 705 are the same as those in the lid removal mechanism portion 71.

[0067] As shown in FIG. 18, the pre-treatment conveying conveyor 62 has conveying rollers 600. The conveying rollers 600 have a rotating shaft 601 and support wheels 602. The configurations of the rotating shaft 601 and the support wheels 602 are the same as those of the rotating shaft 201 and the support wheels 202. For example, two support wheels 602 are provided in the length direction (x-axis direction) of the rotating shaft 601. A plurality of conveying rollers 600 are provided at predetermined intervals in the length direction (y-axis direction) of the pre-treatment conveying conveyor 62. The conveying rollers 600 can be rotated in a predetermined direction by a drive device (not shown).

[0068] Next, the operation of the lid attachment mechanism unit 72 will be described.

[0069] When the two lids 6 aligned by the lid alignment mechanism unit 90 are conveyed by the lid conveyor 41 to a position above the lid lifter 74 in the vertical direction, the lid lifter 74 moves upward in the vertical direction from the initial position. As a result, the two lids 6 move upward in the vertical direction while being supported by the upper end portion of the lid lifter 74 (see FIGS. 18 and 19). Subsequently, when the two claw portions 75 of the first support portion 701 and the second support portion 702 move closer to each other, the claw support bodies 752 enter from both sides in the x-axis direction below the lower surfaces of the two lids 6 arranged in the y-axis direction. Subsequently, when the pressing portion 76 moves downward in the vertical direction, the lid 6 is in a state where both end portions in the x-axis direction are supported by the claw support bodies 752 from below in the vertical direction, and the upper surface in the vertical direction is pressed by the pressing portion 76. Subsequently, when the lid lifter 74 moves downward in the vertical direction, the upper end portion of the lid lifter 74 is separated from the lid 6.

[0070] Subsequently, the first support portion 701 and the second support portion 702 move in the -x direction along the rail 77 and are located above the container lifter 73 in the vertical direction. When the two-stage stacked container 3 containing the workpiece 8 before processing is conveyed by the pre-processing conveyor 62 to a position above the container lifter 73 in the vertical direction, the container lifter 73 moves upward in the vertical direction from the initial position. As a result, the two-stage stacked container 3 moves upward in the vertical direction while being supported by the upper end portion of the container lifter 73. Subsequently, when the pressing portion 76 moves upward in the vertical direction and the two claw portions 75 of the first support portion 701 and the second support portion 702 move away from each other, the lid 6 is attached to the upper end portion of the two-stage stacked container 3 (the multi-stage container 7 with a lid). Subsequently, when the container lifter 73 moves downward in the vertical direction, the two multi-stage containers 7 with lids are supported by the support wheels 602 of the conveying roller 600. Through the above operations, the attachment of the lid 6 to the container 3 conveyed by the pre-processing conveyor 62 is completed.

[0071] As described above, (1) this embodiment includes a heat treatment unit 10, a heat treatment transfer conveyor 20, a post-treatment transfer conveyor 30, a lid removal mechanism unit 71, a lid transfer conveyor 40, a container transfer conveyor 50, a pre-treatment transfer conveyor 60, and a lid attachment mechanism unit 72. The heat treatment unit 10 can heat-treat the workpiece 8. The heat treatment transfer conveyor 20 is provided so as to pass through the heat treatment unit 10 and conveys the container 3 containing the workpiece 8 and the lid 6 attached to the container 3.

[0072] The post-treatment transfer conveyor 30 conveys the container 3 containing the workpiece 8 after heat treatment in the heat treatment unit 10 and the lid 6 attached to the container 3. The lid removal mechanism unit 71 can remove the lid 6 from the container 3 conveyed by the post-treatment transfer conveyor 30. The lid transfer conveyor 40 conveys the lid 6 removed by the lid removal mechanism unit 71. The container transfer conveyor 50 conveys the container 3 from which the lid 6 has been removed by the lid removal mechanism unit 71.

[0073] The pre-treatment transfer conveyor 60 conveys the container 3 containing the workpiece 8 before being treated in the heat treatment unit 10. The lid attachment mechanism unit 72 can attach the lid 6 conveyed by the lid transfer conveyor 40 to the container 3 conveyed by the pre-treatment transfer conveyor 60. A plurality of container transfer conveyors 50 are provided in parallel. Therefore, the container 3 can be conveyed efficiently. Also, by providing a plurality of container transfer conveyors 50 in parallel, the installation space of the heat treatment system 1 can be saved.

[0074] Also, (2) in this embodiment, the heat treatment transfer conveyor 20 conveys the multi-stage container 7 with a lid, which consists of a plurality of containers 3 stacked in the vertical direction and one lid 6 attached to the upper side in the vertical direction. Therefore, in one heat treatment unit 10, a workpiece 8 of a predetermined amount or more can be efficiently heat-treated.

[0075] Further, in (3) this embodiment, the heat treatment conveyor 20 conveys the multi-stage containers 7 with lids arranged in a plurality in the width direction of the heat treatment conveyor 20. Therefore, in one heat treatment unit 10, a predetermined amount or more of the workpiece 8 can be heat-treated more efficiently.

[0076] In this embodiment, since one multi-stage container 7 with a lid includes a plurality of containers 3, one heat treatment conveyor 20 will convey a large number of containers 3. In this embodiment, since a plurality of container conveyors 50 are provided, a large number of containers 3 can be conveyed efficiently.

[0077] Further, in (4) this embodiment, a plurality of heat treatment units 10 and heat treatment conveyors 20 are provided in parallel. Therefore, in one heat treatment system 1, a large amount of the workpiece 8 can be heat-treated efficiently. Also, by providing a plurality of heat treatment units 10 and heat treatment conveyors 20 in parallel, the installation space of the heat treatment system 1 can be made more space-saving.

[0078] In this embodiment, although it is necessary to convey a large number of containers 3 in the container conveyor 50, since a plurality of container conveyors 50 are provided, a large number of containers 3 can be conveyed efficiently.

[0079] By the way, in the heat treatment system of Patent Document 1 (Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2024-41508), only one container conveyor is provided for one heat treatment unit. Therefore, when conveying a plurality (multi-stage) of containers and lids in the width direction of the conveyor (a plurality of rows) in the vertical direction, for example, in a heat treatment conveyor passing through the heat treatment unit, there is a possibility that one container conveyor cannot convey a predetermined number or more of containers within a predetermined time.

[0080] On the one hand, in the present embodiment, since a plurality of container conveying conveyors 50 are provided, even when conveying a plurality (multiple stages) of containers 3 and lids 6 in the vertical direction (multiple stages) and a plurality (multiple rows) in the width direction of the conveyor in the heat treatment conveyor 20 passing through the heat treatment unit 10, the plurality of container conveying conveyors 50 can convey a predetermined number or more of containers 3 within a predetermined time.

[0081] In addition, when conveying the container 3 and the lid 6 of the multi-stage container 7 with a lid that houses the workpiece 8 after heat treatment on a common conveyor, there is a problem that it takes time for the conveyance. In the present embodiment, by separating the lid 6 and the container 3 of the 4-row 2-stage container with a lid and conveying them with the lid conveying conveyor 40 and the container conveying conveyor 50, the conveyance amount of the container 3 conveyed by the container conveying conveyor 50 can be reduced to 2 / 3. Further, since the lid 6 is conveyed along the shortest path in the lid conveying conveyor 40, the conveyance time of the lid 6 can be shortened.

[0082] (Other Embodiments) In the above-described embodiment, an example in which two container conveying conveyors are provided has been shown. In contrast, in other embodiments, three or more container conveying conveyors may be provided according to the number of containers to be conveyed within a predetermined time and the like.

[0083] Further, in the above-described embodiment, an example in which the heat treatment conveyor conveys a multi-stage container with a lid including a plurality of containers stacked in the vertical direction and one lid attached above the containers in the vertical direction has been shown. In contrast, in other embodiments, the heat treatment conveyor may convey a container with a lid including one container and one lid attached above the container in the vertical direction.

[0084] Further, in the above-described embodiment, an example in which the heat treatment conveyor conveys a multi-stage container with a lid in a state where a plurality of them are arranged in the width direction of the heat treatment conveyor has been shown. In contrast, in other embodiments, the heat treatment conveyor may convey a multi-stage container with a lid or a container with a lid in a state where one is arranged in the width direction of the heat treatment conveyor.

[0085] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, an example in which three heat treatment units and three heat treatment transfer conveyors are provided has been shown. In contrast, in other embodiments, the heat treatment units and the heat treatment transfer conveyors may be provided in one, two, or four or more numbers according to the amount of the workpiece to be processed.

[0086] In addition, in other embodiments, the length of the heat treatment unit may be appropriately changed according to the amount of the workpiece to be processed and other conditions. Also, the lengths of the heat treatment transfer conveyor and the lid transfer conveyor may be appropriately changed according to the length of the heat treatment unit.

[0087] In addition, in other embodiments, the dimensions of the container and the lid may be appropriately changed according to the amount of the workpiece to be processed and other conditions.

[0088] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, an example in which each member and part of the heat treatment system are arranged along each axial direction in the xyz coordinates has been shown. In contrast, in other embodiments, each member and part of the heat treatment system may not be arranged along each axial direction in the xyz coordinates.

[0089] As described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be implemented in various forms without departing from the gist thereof.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0090] 1 Heat treatment system, 3 Container, 6 Lid, 8 Workpiece, 10 Heat treatment unit, 20 Heat treatment transfer conveyor, 30 Post-treatment transfer conveyor, 40 Lid transfer conveyor, 50 Container transfer conveyor, 60 Pre-treatment transfer conveyor, 71 Lid removal mechanism unit, 72 Lid attachment mechanism unit

Claims

1. A heat treatment section (10) capable of heat treating an object to be treated (8); a heat treatment transport conveyor (20) that is provided to pass through the heat treatment section and transports a container (3) containing the object to be treated and a lid (6) attached to the container; a post-treatment conveyor (30) for conveying the container accommodating the object to be treated after being heat-treated in the heat treatment section and the lid attached to the container; a lid removal mechanism (71) capable of removing the lid from the container transported by the post-treatment transport conveyor; a lid transport conveyor (40) for transporting the lid removed by the lid removal mechanism; a container transport conveyor (50) that transports the container from which the lid has been removed by the lid removing mechanism; a pre-treatment conveyor (60) for conveying the container containing the object to be treated before being treated in the heat treatment section; a lid attachment mechanism (72) capable of attaching the lids transported by the lid transport conveyor to the containers transported by the pre-treatment transport conveyor; A heat treatment system in which the container transport conveyor is provided in parallel at predetermined intervals in the horizontal direction.

2. 2. The heat treatment system according to claim 1, wherein the heat treatment transport conveyor transports a multi-tiered container with lid (7) consisting of a plurality of containers stacked vertically and one lid attached vertically above the containers.

3. 3. The heat treatment system according to claim 2, wherein the heat treatment transport conveyor transports the lidded multi-tiered containers arranged in a state in which the side walls (4) are in contact with each other in the width direction of the heat treatment transport conveyor.

4. 4. The heat treatment system according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the heat treatment sections and the heat treatment transport conveyors are provided in parallel at predetermined intervals in the horizontal direction.

5. A heat treatment system as described in claim 4, wherein the multiple heat treatment transport conveyors are each set to a different length.

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