Bento box separation device for stacked bento boxes

Abstract

To provide a lunch box separation device for a lamination lunch box capable of changing height of the lamination lunch box.SOLUTION: A left guide 3a and a right guide 3b are provided on a conveyor. a light-emitting sensor S2 of a belt-shaped light beam R in an upward-downward direction is provided to the left guide 3a. A light-receiving sensor S2' of the belt-shaped light beam R in the upward-downward direction is provided to the right guide 3b. "Set threshold value" is determined with respect to the belt-shaped light beam R having a light-shielding rate of 100% to 0%. The "set threshold value" gradually becomes smaller so as to be a light-shielding rate of from 100% to 0%. The "set threshold value" and "threshold value at the current value" are stored with threshold value storage means 36k in a control part 36. One uppermost lunch box 4' bottom face 4a is the "threshold of current value". Driving a horizontal lifting member 14 is stopped, when the "set threshold value" is smaller than the "threshold of current value". There is provided one constituted from a lunch box separation device in which a lower end 16' of a suction body 16 .. and the uppermost lunch box 4' bottom face 4a are made to be at an appropriate distance=t1.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention provides a bento box separation device for a stacked bento box that can raise or lower the position of the bottom surface of the stacked bento box by detecting the bottom surface of the topmost bento box from a state where a plurality of bento boxes are stacked (stacked bento box) with a strip-shaped sensor.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in Patent Document 1, a support rod 5 is provided on a horizontal rotation shaft 4 in Device 1, and suction parts 6a and 6b (two pieces) are provided above and below the support rod 5, respectively. The stacked containers 3a (for example, 60 bento boxes 3 are stacked with the bottom surface 3b facing up) conveyed by a conveyor below are lifted by a lifting member 11 and the bottom surface 3b of one bento box 3 is adsorbed by a bellows-shaped suction body 20 below. The horizontal rotation shaft 4 is rotated 180 degrees, and the suction part 6a that has moved upward conveys the bento box 3 upward with the upper surface 3c of one bento box 3 facing up. The bento box 3 moves to a subsequent process, and this is repeated to move to the subsequent process (when the bento box 3 flows on a conveyor in the subsequent process, rice is put into the bento box 3 or side dishes are put in). A technique for this is known.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, in the conventional Device 1, the sensor 10 detected the bottom surface 3b of one bento box 3 above the stacked container 3a, and the lifting member 11 stopped the ascent of the stacked container 3a.

[0005] Hitherto, the lifting and lowering member 11 uniformly stopped the ascent of the stacked container 3a. However, since it was not known whether the bottom surface 3b of a single lunch box 3 was an upward-opening bottom lunch box or not, it was wrong to uniformly stop the stacked container 3a.

[0006] Therefore, depending on the shape of the bottom surface 3b of a single lunch box 3 (not knowing whether it is an upward-opening bottom lunch box), that is, depending on the shape of the bottom surface 3b at the top of the stacked container 3a, the stop position of the stacked container 3a must be raised or lowered.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above-described conventional problems, and an object thereof is to provide a lunch box separating device for a stacked lunch box in which the stop position of the stacked lunch box can be determined according to the shape of the bottom surface at the top of the stacked lunch box.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] To achieve the above object, the present invention First, a conveyor is provided to convey the stacked lunch box to the adsorption position with its bottom facing upward. The stacked lunch box is lifted by a horizontal lifting member. A rectangular parallelepiped suction part is provided vertically at the end of the arm of the rotation central axis. A plurality of suction bodies are provided on the lower and upper surfaces of both the rectangular parallelepiped suction parts. When the rotation central axis rotates 180 degrees, the suction body of the rectangular parallelepiped suction part below sucks the topmost lunch box from the bottom surface of the stacked lunch box by suction air and moves upward with the opening of the lunch box facing upward. The rectangular parallelepiped suction part above moves downward, and the suction body sucks the topmost lunch box from the bottom surface of the stacked lunch box by suction air and moves upward with the opening of the lunch box facing upward, and this is repeated. In the lunch box separation device of the stacked lunch box, a left guide and a right guide are provided on the conveyor. A light-emitting sensor S2 for the strip-shaped light beam R in the vertical direction is provided on the left guide, and a light-receiving sensor S2' for the strip-shaped light beam R in the vertical direction is provided on the right guide. A "set threshold value" is determined for the light-shielding rate of the strip-shaped light beam R from 100% to 0%. The "set threshold value" gradually decreases with the light-shielding rate from 100% to 0%. The threshold value storage means of the control unit stores the "set threshold value" and the "current threshold value". In the state where the bottom surface of the stacked lunch box faces upward, the bottom surface of the topmost lunch box is the "current threshold value". When the "set threshold value" is lower than the "current threshold value", the driving of the horizontal lifting member is stopped, the lower end of the suction body is at an appropriate distance from the bottom surface of the topmost lunch box, and the suction body of the rectangular parallelepiped suction part below sucks the topmost lunch box from the bottom surface of the stacked lunch box by suction air and moves upward with the opening of the lunch box facing upward, which is constituted by the lunch box separation device of the stacked lunch box.

[0009] The "set threshold" can be in 3 levels, 4 levels, 5 levels, or 10 levels. For example, "set threshold" = 4000 can also be in 4001 levels (for example, 4001 values) such as "4000, 3999, 3998 ··· 3, 2, 1, 0" (the threshold storage means 36k stores the "set threshold", and the stored threshold ("set threshold") can be, for example, 4001 values). The "current threshold value" can also be, for example, "3999", "2800", "2350", or "1999" (4 values) (the threshold storage means 36k stores the "current threshold value", and the stored threshold ("current threshold value") can be, for example, 4 values). Thus, a strip-shaped light beam R in the vertical direction is provided from the light-emitting sensor S2 to the light-receiving sensor S2'. The threshold storage means of the control unit stores the "set threshold" (for example, "set threshold" = 4000) and the "current threshold value" (for example, "current threshold value" = 3999). When the "current threshold value" is lower than the "set threshold" ("set threshold" = 4000 > "current threshold value" = 3999), the driving of the horizontal lifting member is stopped, and the lower end of the suction body is configured by a bento box separation device of the stacked bento box to be at an appropriate distance (for example, distance = t1) from the bottom surface of the bento box. Therefore, the lower end of the suction body is configured by a bento box separation device of the stacked bento box so as to be at an appropriate distance (for example, distance = t1) from the bottom surface of the bento box (the height of the stacked bento box can be changed).

[0010] Second, a plurality of raised-bottom lunch box containers are stacked, and a conveyor is provided to convey the stacked lunch box containers to the adsorption position with their bottom surfaces facing upward. The stacked lunch box containers are lifted by a horizontal lifting member, and rectangular parallelepiped suction portions are provided vertically at the ends of the arms of the rotating central axis. A plurality of suction bodies are provided on the lower and upper surfaces of both the rectangular parallelepiped suction portions. When the rotating central axis rotates 180 degrees, the suction bodies of the rectangular parallelepiped suction portion below separate one raised-bottom lunch box container from the bottom surface of the stacked lunch box containers by suction air and move upward with the opening of the topmost raised-bottom lunch box container as the upper surface. The rectangular parallelepiped suction portion above moves downward, and the suction bodies separate one raised-bottom lunch box container from the bottom surface of the stacked lunch box containers by suction air and move upward with the opening of the topmost raised-bottom lunch box container as the upper surface, and this is repeated. In the lunch box separation device for the stacked lunch box containers, a left guide and a right guide are provided on the conveyor. A light-emitting sensor S2 for a strip-shaped light beam R in the vertical direction is provided on the left guide, and a light-receiving sensor S2' for the strip-shaped light beam R in the vertical direction is provided on the right guide. A "set threshold value" is determined for the light-shielding rate of the strip-shaped light beam R from 100% to 0%. The "set threshold value" gradually decreases from 100% to 0% of the light-shielding rate. The threshold value storage means of the control unit stores the "set threshold value" and the "current threshold value". In the state where the bottom surface of the stacked lunch box containers faces upward, the edge of the topmost raised-bottom lunch box container is the "current threshold value". When the "set threshold value" is lower than the "current threshold value", the driving of the horizontal lifting member is stopped. A detection sensor S3 is provided above the light-emitting sensor S2, and the detection sensor S3 is installed at a position where it can detect the edge c of the stacked lunch box containers or the raised-bottom lunch box containers. At a position where the detection sensor S3 can detect the edge c of the stacked lunch box containers or the raised-bottom lunch box containers, the stacked lunch box containers or the raised-bottom lunch box containers on the horizontal lifting member are lifted upward so that the lower end of the suction body is at an appropriate distance from the bottom surface of the topmost raised-bottom lunch box container. The suction bodies of the rectangular parallelepiped suction portion below separate the topmost raised-bottom lunch box container from the bottom surface of the stacked lunch box containers or the raised-bottom lunch box containers by suction air and move upward with the opening of one raised-bottom lunch box container as the upper surface. It is composed of a lunch box separation device for the stacked lunch box containers.

[0011] The "set threshold" can be in 3 levels, 4 levels, 5 levels, or 10 levels. For example, "set threshold" = 4000 can also be, for example, 4001 levels (e.g., 4001 units) like "4000, 3999, 3998 ··· 3, 2, 1, 0" (the threshold storage means 36k above, the "set threshold" can store, for example, 4001 thresholds). The "current threshold value" can be, for example, "3999", "2800", "2350", or "1999" (e.g., 4 values) (the threshold storage means 36k above, the "current threshold value" can store, for example, 4 threshold values). "The detection sensor S3 is provided above the light-emitting sensor S2" means that the height of the detection sensor S3 is determined within the range from the upper end R' of the strip-shaped light beam R to the upper end S2" of the strip-shaped sensor (light-emitting element) S2. Thus, a strip-shaped light beam R in the vertical direction is provided from the light-emitting sensor S2 to the light-receiving sensor S2'. The threshold storage means of the control unit stores the "set threshold" (e.g., "set threshold" = 4000) and the "current threshold value" (e.g., "current threshold value" = 3999). When the "current threshold value" (3999) is lower than the "set threshold" (4000) ( "set threshold" = 4000 > "current threshold value" = 3999), the driving of the horizontal lifting member is stopped. The detection sensor S3 is provided above the light-emitting sensor S2 and installed at a position where the detection sensor S3 can detect the edge c of the stacked lunch box or the raised-bottom lunch box. At the position where the detection sensor S3 can detect the edge c of the stacked lunch box or the raised-bottom lunch box, the horizontal lifting member raises the stacked lunch box or the raised-bottom lunch box upward so that the lower end of the suction body is at an appropriate distance (e.g., distance = t1) from the bottom surface of the stacked lunch box (the height of the stacked lunch box can be changed), which is constituted by the lunch box separation device of the stacked lunch box.

[0012] Thirdly, the detection sensor S3 being above the light-emitting sensor S2 is constituted by the lunch box separation device of the stacked lunch box according to the second description, where the height is determined within the range from the upper end R' of the strip-shaped light beam R to the upper end S2" of the light-emitting sensor S2.

Advantages of the Invention

[0013] As described above, the "set threshold" in the present invention may be three levels, four levels, five levels, or ten levels. For example, "set threshold" = 4000 may be, for example, 4001 levels (for example, 4001 pieces) such as "4000, 3999, 3998 ··· 3, 2, 1, 0" (the above threshold storage means 36k may store the "set threshold", and the stored threshold ("set threshold") may be, for example, 4001 pieces). The "current threshold value" may be, for example, "3999", "2800", "2350", or "1999" (for example, 4 pieces) (the above threshold storage means 36k may store the "current threshold value", and the stored threshold ("current threshold value") may be, for example, 4 pieces). A strip-shaped light beam R in the vertical direction is provided from the above light-emitting sensor S2 to the above light-receiving sensor S2'. The "set threshold" (for example, set threshold 4000) and the "current threshold value" (for example, "current threshold value" = 3999) are stored in the threshold storage means of the control unit. When the "current threshold value" is lower than the "set threshold" ("set threshold" = 4000 > "current threshold value" = 3999), the driving of the above horizontal lifting member is stopped, and the lower end of the above suction body is at an appropriate distance (for example, distance = t1) from the above bottom surface of the bento box, which is constituted by the bento box separation device of the stacked bento box. Therefore, it is constituted by the bento box separation device of the stacked bento box so that the lower end of the suction body is at an appropriate distance (for example, distance = t1) from the above bottom surface of the bento box (the height of the stacked bento box 4 can be changed).

[0014] Also, the "set threshold" may be in 3 levels, 4 levels, 5 levels, or 10 levels. For example, "set threshold" = 4000 may be in 4001 levels (e.g., 4001 values) such as "4000, 3999, 3998 ··· 3, 2, 1, 0" (the threshold storage means 36k may store the "set threshold" with, for example, 4001 values). The "current threshold value" may be, for example, "3999", "2800", "2350", or "1999" (e.g., 4 values) (the threshold storage means 36k may store the "current threshold value" with, for example, 4 values). A strip-shaped light beam R in the vertical direction is provided from the light-emitting sensor S2 to the light-receiving sensor S2'. The "set threshold" (e.g., "set threshold" = 4000) and the "current threshold value" (e.g., "current threshold value" = 3999) are stored in the threshold storage means of the control unit. When the "current threshold value" is lower than the "set threshold" ("set threshold" = 4000 > "current threshold value" = 3999), the driving of the horizontal lifting member is stopped. A detection sensor S3 is provided above the light-emitting sensor S2, and the detection sensor S3 is installed at a position where it can detect the edge c of the stacked lunch box or the raised-bottom lunch box. When the detection sensor S3 can detect the edge c of the stacked lunch box or the raised-bottom lunch box, the horizontal lifting member raises the stacked lunch box or the raised-bottom lunch box upward so that the lower end of the suction body is at an appropriate distance from the bottom surface of the stacked lunch box or the raised-bottom lunch box (the height of the stacked lunch box 4 can be changed), which is constituted by the lunch box separation device of the stacked lunch box.

[0015] Also, the upper part of the detection sensor S3 above the light-emitting sensor S2 is constituted by the lunch box separation device of the stacked lunch box with a determined height within the range from the upper end R' of the strip-shaped light beam R to the upper end S2" of the light-emitting sensor S2.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0016]

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0017] Hereinafter, the bento box separation device 1 of the stacked bento box according to the present invention will be described (see FIG. 1).

[0018] The bento box separation device 1 of the stacked bento box (see FIG. 1) has a conveyor 2 (drive motor M1) below, and at the adsorption position P, on the conveyor 2, left and right guides 3a, 3b are erected vertically on the left and right in a plate shape. By the conveyor 2, a storage space for the stacked bento box 4 (for example, the bottom surface 4a is upward, and the bento boxes 4' are stacked, for example, 30 sheets, see FIG. 2) is formed. The stacked bento box 4 (the bento boxes 4' are stacked, for example, 30 sheets) is carried to the adsorption position P by the conveyor 2. At that time, the detection sensor S1 (light emitting and receiving sensor, a reflection mirror is installed at the opposing part) of the stacked bento box 4 detects and stops the drive of the drive motor M1 of the conveyor 2. At the adsorption position P, an adsorption mechanism 5 (rectangular parallelepiped adsorption parts 5a, 5b) is provided at the upper part (see FIGS. 1 and 12).

[0019] As shown in Fig. 13(a), for example, 30 of the above bento boxes 4' are stacked with their bottom surfaces 4a facing upward (refer to the stacked bento box 4 in Fig. 2). The above bento box 4' may or may not have a partition wall 4c (refer to Fig. 13(a)). Since the shape of the above bento box 4' varies, it is not necessarily the same as the above stacked bento box 4 (the above bento box 4') (the upper surface of the above bento box 4' is referred to as "upper surface 4b"). Also, the raised-bottom bento box 4' is described in Figs. 8(a) and 8(b).

[0020] Hereinafter, the drive mechanism 11 for the left and right guides 3a and 3b will be described (refer to Fig. 3). The drive mechanism 11 is installed on the back side of the rear plate 9. On the back side of the rear plate 9, a drive plate 3a' corresponding to one of the left guides 3a is connected by connecting rods 8 and 8 through upper and lower horizontal long holes 7a and 7a, and a drive plate 3b' corresponding to the other right guide 3b is connected by connecting rods 8 and 8 through upper and lower horizontal long holes 7b and 7b (refer to Figs. 1 and 3). At the upper end of the drive plate 3b', a telescopic rod 12a of a horizontal drive cylinder 12 (connected to the back side of the rear plate 9) is connected. Further, on the back side of the rear plate 9, a rotating disk 10 is provided at the center between the drive plate 3a' and the drive plate 3b' with a central axis 10' (pivotally supported by the rear plate 9), and the drive plate 3a' and the drive plate 3b' are connected by links 10a and 10b. Therefore, when the telescopic rod 12a of the horizontal drive cylinder 12 contracts or extends, the rotating disk 10 rotates forward and backward through the links 10a and 10b, and is configured to drive the left and right guides 3a and 3b in the approaching direction (arrows B, B direction) or the separating direction from each other (arrows A, A direction).

[0021] The moving strokes of the left and right guides 3a and 3b differ depending on the size of the stacked lunch box 4 (the lunch box 4'), but it is also possible to determine in advance the stroke of the drive cylinder 12 according to the size of the stacked lunch box 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 the stacked lunch box 4 (the lunch box 4'), it can correspond to the stacked lunch boxes 4 of various sizes (for example, the lunch box 4').

[0022] The conveyor 2 is provided with three or two horizontal slits 34 (see FIGS. 1, 4(a) and 4(b)), and three or two horizontal lifting members 14 are provided in the slits 34 (see FIGS. 1, 4(a) and 4(b)). The rear plate 9 is provided with a vertically long hole 7c in the vertical direction, and the telescopic rod 15a of a vertical drive cylinder 15 is connected to the rear end of the horizontal lifting member 14. 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 lunch box 4 rises upward together with the horizontal lifting member 14 (in the direction of arrow E, see FIG. 4(a)), and the bottom surface 4a of one lunch box 4' is adsorbed by the air of the adsorber 16·· of the rectangular parallelepiped adsorption part 5a (or 5b).

[0023] There is an air compressor 32 (see FIG. 14) in the rear plate 9, and resin flexible suction pipes (not shown) are connected to the rectangular parallelepiped adsorption parts 5a and 5b. By driving the air compressor 32, air is sucked from a plurality of adsorbers 16··. In addition, a linear encoder 37 is connected to the drive cylinder 15 (see FIGS. 4(a) and 14), and the position of the horizontal lifting member 14 is recognized. Thereby, when one lunch box 4' is separated from the stacked lunch box 4 and moves upward, the telescopic rod 15a (the horizontal lifting member 14) of the drive cylinder 15 rises by the width of one lunch box 4'.

[0024] The above-mentioned suction mechanism 5 (see FIGS. 1, 4(a), and 12) has a rectangular parallelepiped suction part 5a at the lower part, which is horizontally held downward at the ends of the arms 6a, 6a, 6c, 6c of the rotation central axis 17, and the rectangular parallelepiped suction part 5b at the upper part is horizontally held upward at the ends of the arms 6d, 6d, 6b, 6b of the rotation central axis 17. The rectangular parallelepiped suction parts 5a and 5b are provided vertically at the ends of the arms 6a, 6a, 6c, 6c, and the arms 6d, 6d, 6b, 6b of the rotation central axis 17. The rectangular parallelepiped suction part 5a has a plurality of suction bodies 16·· (bellows-shaped (bellows)) on the lower surface, and the rectangular parallelepiped suction part 5b has a plurality of suction bodies 16·· (bellows-shaped (bellows)) on the upper surface (see FIGS. 1, 4(a), and 12). When the two rectangular parallelepiped suction parts 5a and 5b are located on the lower surface, the suction bodies 16·· are on the lower surface. By driving the air compressor 32, the bottom surface 4a of one of the laminated bento boxes 4 (the bottom surface 4a of one bento box 4’, see FIGS. 4(a) and 12) will be adsorbed.

[0025] Furthermore, the left guide 3a is provided with a vertical strip-shaped sensor (light-emitting sensor, light-emitting element) S2 (vertical strip-shaped light beam R of the light-emitting element) for detecting the bottom surface 4a at the uppermost part of the laminated bento box 4 (one bento box 4’), and the right guide 3b is provided with a vertical strip-shaped sensor (light-receiving sensor, light-receiving element) S2’ (vertical strip-shaped light beam R of the light-receiving element) at the opposing part (see FIGS. 5(a) and 5(b)).

[0026] In the rectangular parallelepiped suction parts 5a and 5b, there are a plurality of the suction bodies 16··, and the lower ends 16' of the suction bodies 16·· are located at the upper ends R' of the strip-shaped light beam R (see FIGS. 6(a) to 6(c)). When the light shielding rate of the strip-shaped light beam R of the strip-shaped sensor (light-emitting sensor) S2 is set to 0% ("set threshold value" = 0) (see FIG. 6(a)), the light shielding rate of the strip-shaped light beam R of the strip-shaped sensor (light-emitting sensor) S2 is set to 50% ("set threshold value" = 2000) (see FIG. 6(b)), and the light shielding rate of the strip-shaped light beam R of the strip-shaped sensor (light-emitting sensor) S2 is set to 100% ("set threshold value" = 4000) (see FIG. 6(c)), any of the above light shielding rates is set as the "current value threshold" (actually, it is set with a "numerical threshold" instead of %). Then, the current value (current value threshold) of the light shielding rate is taken into the control unit 36 (see FIG. 14), and when the "current value threshold" is lower than the "set threshold value" (set threshold value > current value threshold), the horizontal lifting member 14 stops the telescopic rod 15a of the drive cylinder 15. Thereby, the height of the stacked bento box 4 (the uppermost bento box 4') can be changed.

[0027] The "set threshold value" may be in 3 steps, 4 steps, 5 steps, or 10 steps. For example, "set threshold value" = 4000 may be in 4001 steps (for example, "4001" values) such as "4000, 3999, 3998 ··· 3, 2, 1, 0" (the threshold value storage means 36k may store "set threshold value" = 3, 4, 5, 10, or for example 4001 values, see FIG. 20). The "current value threshold" may be "3999", "2800", "2350", "1999" (for example, 4 values) (the threshold value storage means 36k may store "current value threshold" = for example 4 values, see FIGS. 20 and 22).

[0028] As shown in Fig. 21, the above-mentioned strip-shaped light beam R sets the "set threshold value" to 100% of the light shielding rate of all of the above-mentioned strip-shaped light beam R (the light shielding rate of all of the above-mentioned strip-shaped light beam R = "set threshold value" = 4000) (see Fig. 6(c)), 75% of the light shielding rate of all of the above-mentioned strip-shaped light beam R (the light shielding rate of 75% of the above-mentioned strip-shaped light beam R = "set threshold value" = 3000), 50% of the light shielding rate of all of the above-mentioned strip-shaped light beam R (the light shielding rate of 50% of all of the above-mentioned strip-shaped light beam R = "set threshold value" = 2000) (see Fig. 6(b)), 25% of the light shielding rate of all of the above-mentioned strip-shaped light beam R (the light shielding rate of 25% of all of the above-mentioned strip-shaped light beam R = "set threshold value" = 1000), and 0% of the light shielding rate of all of the above-mentioned strip-shaped light beam R (the light shielding rate of 0% of all of the above-mentioned strip-shaped light beam R = "set threshold value" = 0) (see Fig. 6(a)). The control unit 36 must store it in the threshold value storage means 36k (see Fig. 20). For example, in the threshold value storage means 36k (see Fig. 20), the "set threshold value" = "4000, 3999, 3998 ··· 3, 2, 1, 0" is stored in, for example, 4001 steps (for example, "4001" pieces). The "current threshold value" = 3999, 2800, 2350, 1999 are stored in, for example, "4" pieces (see Fig. 22).

[0029] As shown in FIGS. 21 and 22, the control unit 36 must create and store a table in the threshold value storage means 36k (see FIG. 20) (see FIG. 22). In FIG. 7(a), when the "threshold value of the current value" = 3999 and the "set threshold value" = 4000 is lower than the "threshold value of the current value" = 3999 (the "set threshold value" = 4000 > the "threshold value of the current value" = 3999), the vertical lifting member 14 (the drive cylinder 15) is stopped (the strip sensor (light receiving sensor, light receiving element) S2' sends a stop signal to the strip sensor light receiving means 36j, the strip sensor light receiving means 36j sends a stop signal to the vertical lifting member drive means 36d, and the vertical lifting member drive means 36d sends a stop signal to the drive cylinder 15, see FIGS. 20 and 7(a)). In FIG. 7(b), when the "threshold value of the current value" = 1999 and the "set threshold value" = 2000 is lower than the "threshold value of the current value" = 1999 (the "set threshold value" = 2000 > the "threshold value of the current value" = 1999), the vertical lifting member 14 (the drive cylinder 15) is stopped (the strip sensor (light receiving sensor, light receiving element) S2' sends a stop signal to the strip sensor light receiving means 36j, the strip sensor light receiving means 36j sends a stop signal to the vertical lifting member drive means 36d, and the vertical lifting member drive means 36d sends a stop signal to the drive cylinder 15, see FIGS. 20 and 7(b)).

[0030] As shown in Fig. 21, determine the "set threshold value" (e.g., "set threshold value" = 4000) for 100% light-shielding rate of the above-mentioned strip-shaped light beam R, determine the "set threshold value" for 75% light-shielding rate of the above-mentioned strip-shaped light beam R (e.g., "set threshold value" = 3000), determine the "set threshold value" for 50% light-shielding rate of the above-mentioned strip-shaped light beam R (e.g., "set threshold value" = 2000), determine the "set threshold value" for 25% light-shielding rate of the above-mentioned strip-shaped light beam R (e.g., "set threshold value" = 1000), and determine the "set threshold value" for 0% light-shielding rate of the above-mentioned strip-shaped light beam R (e.g., "set threshold value" = 0). The "set threshold value" gradually decreases for 100% light-shielding rate (e.g., "set threshold value" = 4000), 75% light-shielding rate (e.g., "set threshold value" = 3000), 50% light-shielding rate (e.g., "set threshold value" = 2000), 25% light-shielding rate (e.g., "set threshold value" = 1000), and 0% light-shielding rate (e.g., "set threshold value" = 0). In the upward state of the bottom surface 4a of the stacked lunch box 4, the bottom surface 4a (the bottom surface 4a = edge c) of the topmost one lunch box 4' is the "threshold value of the current value" (see Figs. 7(a) and 7(b)). The "set threshold value" and the "threshold value of the current value" are stored in the threshold storage means 36k of the control unit 36. When the "threshold value of the current value" is lower than the "set threshold value", the driving of the horizontal lifting member 14 is stopped, and the lower end 16' of the suction body 16 reaches an appropriate distance = t1 from the bottom surface 4a of the topmost lunch box 4' (see Fig. 7(a)).

[0031] For example, referring to Fig. 7(a), for the normal lunch box 4', the bottom surface 4a and the edge c are at the same level (the bottom surface 4a = the edge c), and the "threshold value of the current value" is "3999" (the lunch box 4' shown by the dotted line) (the threshold storage means 36k stores the "threshold value of the current value" as, for example 4(Refer to FIGS. 20 and 22, which are remembered). The set threshold value is "4000" (light-shielding rate 100%). (The threshold value memory means 36k remembers, for example, 4001 "set threshold values", refer to FIG. 20). When "the current threshold value" = 3999 is lower than "the set threshold value" = 4000 ( "the set threshold value" = 4000 > "the current threshold value" = 3999), the telescopic rod 15a of the drive cylinder 15 of the horizontal lifting member 14 is stopped. (A stop signal comes from the strip-shaped sensor (light-receiving sensor, light-receiving element) S2' to the strip-shaped sensor light-receiving means 36j, and the stop signal in the strip-shaped sensor light-receiving means 36j is sent to the horizontal lifting member drive means 36d, and a stop signal is sent from the horizontal lifting member drive means 36d to the drive cylinder 15, refer to FIG. 20). Thereby, the bottom surface 4a of the lunch box 4' of the suction body 16... can be adsorbed by air (distance = t1, refer to FIG. 7(a)).

[0032] For example, referring to FIG. 7(b), for the normal lunch box 4', the bottom surface 4a and the edge c are at the same level (the bottom surface 4a = the edge c), the "set threshold value" = 2000, and the "current threshold value" = 1999 (the lunch box 4' shown by the dotted line). The set threshold value is = 2000 (light-shielding rate 50%). When "the current threshold value" = 1999 is lower than "the set threshold value" = 2000 ( "the set threshold value" = 2000 > "the current threshold value" = 1999), the telescopic rod 15a of the drive cylinder 15 of the horizontal lifting member 14 is stopped. (A stop signal comes from the strip-shaped sensor (light-receiving sensor, light-receiving element) S2' to the strip-shaped sensor light-receiving means 36j, and the stop signal in the strip-shaped sensor light-receiving means 36j is sent to the horizontal lifting member drive means 36d, and a stop signal is sent from the horizontal lifting member drive means 36d to the drive cylinder 15, refer to FIGS. 20 and 22). Thereby, the bottom surface 4a of the lunch box 4' of the suction body 16... can be adsorbed by the suction air (distance = t2, refer to FIG. 7(b)). Compared with the distance = t1, the distance = t2 is wider, but the suction force of the air compressor 32 must be increased. In this way, the height of the stacked lunch box 4 (the lunch box 4') must be changed (the stacked lunch box 4 (the lunch box 4') can be raised or lowered).

[0033] For example, the switch 38a of the lift-bottom lunch box 4' on the operation panel 38 of the control unit 36 must be pressed. Looking at Fig. 8(a), the bottom surface 4a is not at the same level as the edge c of the lift-bottom lunch box 4', but is lower than the edge c. When detected at the edge c of the lift-bottom lunch box 4' (for example, "set threshold value" = 4000, "current threshold value" = 3999), the lower end 16' of the suction body 16·· and the bottom surface 4a are too far apart by a distance t3 (see Fig. 8(a)). In this case, the suction body 16·· cannot adsorb air to the bottom surface 4a. Therefore, the telescopic rod 15a of the drive cylinder 15 is raised upward until the detection sensor S3 detects the edge c, and the telescopic rod 15a is not stopped until the detection sensor S3 detects the edge c (see Fig. 8(b)) (a continuous signal comes from the strip sensor (light-receiving sensor, light-receiving element) S2' to the strip sensor light-receiving means 36j, and a continuous signal comes from the strip sensor light-receiving means 36j to the horizontal lifting member drive means 36d, and the horizontal lifting member drive means 36d sends a continuous signal to the drive cylinder 15, see Fig. 20). The air compressor 32 must be set to "normal suction force".

[0034] Therefore, until the detection sensor S3 detects the edge c of the raised-bottom lunch box 4', the telescopic rod 15a of the drive cylinder 15 is not stopped (the horizontal lifting member 14 is not stopped) (the signal from the strip-shaped sensor (light-receiving sensor, light-receiving element) S2' reaches the strip-shaped sensor light-receiving means 36j, and a continuous signal is sent from the strip-shaped sensor light-receiving means 36j to the horizontal lifting member drive means 36d and then to the drive cylinder 15. Refer to FIGS. 8(b) and 20). Therefore, the raised-bottom lunch box 4' is lifted upward until the edge c of the raised-bottom lunch box 4' slightly protrudes from the upper end R' of the strip-shaped light beam R. Looking at FIG. 8(b), the edge c of the raised-bottom lunch box 4' stops the telescopic rod 15a of the drive cylinder 15 of the raised-bottom lunch box 4' until the detection sensor S3 detects it (a stop signal comes from the detection sensor S3 to the sensor S3 detection means 36e, and a stop signal comes from the sensor S3 detection means 36e to the horizontal lifting member drive means 36d, and the horizontal lifting member drive means 36d sends a stop signal to the drive cylinder 15. Refer to FIGS. 8(b) and 20). The lower end 16' of the suction body 16·· is at an appropriate distance = t1 from the bottom surface 4a of the raised-bottom cylindrical box 4' (the air compressor 32 must be set to "normal suction force"). FIGS. 8(a) and 8(b) show that there is one raised-bottom lunch box 4', but for the stacked lunch box 4, 30 raised-bottom lunch boxes 4' are stacked, and among them, the topmost raised-bottom lunch box 4' is sucked by the suction body 16·· (distance = t1, refer to FIG. 8(b)).

[0035] Thus, the bottom surface 4a of the above-mentioned lift-bottom lunch box 4' and the lower end 16' of the above-mentioned suction body 16·· are at an appropriate distance of distance = t1 (see FIGS. 8(a) to 8(b)). Therefore, by adsorbing air, the plurality of the above-mentioned adsorbing bodies 16·· can adsorb the bottom surface 4a of the above-mentioned "lift-bottom lunch box 4'" (distance = t1, see FIG. 8(b)). Also, the detection sensor S3 is within the range (distance = t4) from the upper end R' of the above-mentioned strip-shaped light beam R to the upper end S2" of the above-mentioned strip-shaped sensor (light-emitting sensor, light-emitting element) S2, that is, above the above-mentioned strip-shaped sensor (light-emitting sensor, light-emitting element) S2 (distance = t4, shown in FIG. 8(b)), and the height of the above-mentioned detection sensor S3 is determined. The height of the above-mentioned detection sensor S3 is determined to be the lowest at the upper end R' of the above-mentioned strip-shaped light beam R and the highest at the upper end S2" of the above-mentioned strip-shaped sensor (light-emitting sensor, light-emitting element) S2 (see FIG. 23).

[0036] Stop the drive of the telescopic rod 15a of the above-mentioned drive cylinder 15 and stop the upward movement of the above-mentioned horizontal lifting member 14 (in the direction of arrow E, see FIG. 4(a)). Also, when the above-mentioned rotation central axis 17 rotates in the direction of arrow C, stop the compressor 32 and stop the suction air of the above-mentioned suction body 16··. At that time, both side conveyors 31a, 31b move backward (in the direction of arrow D, see FIGS. 1 and 12), and one of the above-mentioned lunch boxes 4' or the above-mentioned lift-bottom lunch box 4' is moved backward (to the subsequent process).

[0037] Next, the suction mechanism 5 of the rectangular parallelepiped suction portions 5a and 5b will be described (see FIGS. 1, 9, 10, and 11). On the back side of the rear plate 9, horizontal machine frames 18a and 18b and vertical rods 19a and 19b are fixed (see FIGS. 9 and 10). Slide mechanisms 13a and 13a are inserted through the vertical rods 19a and 19b, and slide mechanisms 13b and 13b are inserted through the vertical rods 19a and 19b. Further, a horizontal rod 35a is fixed to the slide mechanisms 13a and 13a, and a horizontal rod 35b is fixed to the slide mechanisms 13b and 13b. A vertical plate 33 (see FIG. 10) is fixed to the upper horizontal rod 35a and the lower horizontal rod 35b, thereby maintaining the interval between the horizontal rods 35a and 35b. The horizontal rods 35a and 35b and the slide mechanisms 13a and 13b are configured to be slidable in the vertical direction on the vertical rods 19a and 19b.

[0038] Vertical long holes 7d in the vertical direction are formed in the rear plate 9, and the rear end of the rotation center shaft 17 reaches the back side of the vertical plate 33 through the vertical long holes 7d. A drive motor M2 is connected to the side surface of the vertical plate 33 (see FIG. 10), and a gear (not shown) at the rear end of the rotation center shaft 17 is connected to a pulley of the drive motor M2 via a gear (not shown). When the drive motor M2 rotates 180 degrees, the rotation center shaft 17 rotates 180 degrees in the direction of arrow C (see FIGS. 1, 9, and 12), and the rectangular parallelepiped suction portion 5a (or 5b) and the rectangular parallelepiped suction portion 5b (or 5a) are interchanged in the vertical direction. The horizontal rods 35a and 35b (the slide mechanisms 13a and 13a, 13b and 13b) are inserted through the vertical rods 19a and 19b in the vertical direction together with the rotation center shaft 17.

[0039] The upper and lower plates 20 are fixed to the above-mentioned horizontal machine frames 18a and 18b (see FIGS. 9 and 10), and an eccentric central axis 21a of the cam 21 is supported by the above-mentioned upper and lower plates 20. The drive motor M3 of the above-mentioned cam 21 is installed below the above-mentioned upper and lower plates 20. Incidentally, the pulley of the above-mentioned drive motor M3 is connected to the above-mentioned central axis 21a of the above-mentioned cam 21 via a bevel gear (not shown).

[0040] As shown in FIGS. 11(a) and 11(b) (FIGS. 9 and 10 represent the bottom dead center b), the cam 21 is provided with a bottom dead center b and a top dead center a (see FIG. 11(b)). When the cam 21 rotates in the clockwise direction (constant direction), the cam 21 abuts against the cam shaft 22c of the cam 22 (eccentric central axis 22a, supported by the above-mentioned upper and lower plates 20). The other shaft 22b of the above-mentioned cam 22 moves upward to reach the top dead center a. Thereafter, when the cam 21 further rotates in the clockwise direction (constant direction), the shaft 22b moves to the above-mentioned bottom dead center b. When the cam 21 rotates in the clockwise direction (constant 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. 10), and the connecting portion 23a and the rotating shaft 23b are supported by the above-mentioned horizontal bar 35b. Incidentally, the above-mentioned slide mechanisms 13a, 13a, the above-mentioned slide mechanisms 13b, 13b, the above-mentioned horizontal bars 35a, 35b, the above-mentioned vertical plates 33, the above-mentioned drive motor M2, and the above-mentioned rotating central axis 17 move up and down (from the above-mentioned top dead center a to the above-mentioned bottom dead center b) along the above-mentioned vertical bars 19a, 19b, so it is called the up and down slide mechanism 24.

[0041] Therefore, when the cam 21 rotates in the clockwise direction (constant direction), the cam 22 moves vertically along the central axis 22a, the vertical slide mechanism 24 moves up and down along the vertical rods 19a and 19b, and the vertical slide mechanism 24 moves to the bottom dead center b via the top dead center a and then to the bottom dead center b (see FIGS. 9, 10, 11(a)(b)). And while the vertical slide mechanism 24 moves between the top dead center a and the bottom dead center b, the drive motor M2 rotates 180 degrees, so the rotation center axis 17 rotates 180 degrees in the direction of arrow C, and the suction body 16 of the rectangular parallelepiped suction part 5a (or 5b) located below adsorbs to the bottom surface 4a of one of the bento boxes (containers) 4' or the raised-bottom bento box 4', and then moves upward with the top surface 4b of one of the bento boxes (containers) 4' or the raised-bottom bento box 4' facing up after passing through the top dead center a from the bottom dead center b. Conversely, the rectangular parallelepiped suction part 5b (or 5a) will be located at the bottom dead center b (below).

[0042] Then, when the cam 21 rotates in the clockwise direction (constant direction) and reaches the next bottom dead center b via the top dead center a from the bottom dead center b (since the rotation center axis 17 (the drive motor M2) rotates 180 degrees in the direction of arrow C), the rectangular parallelepiped suction part 5a (or 5b) has the suction body 16 adsorb to the bottom surface 4a of the bento box 4' or the raised-bottom bento box 4', moves one of the bento boxes 4' or the raised-bottom bento box 4' upward, the rectangular parallelepiped suction part 5b (or 5a) arrives at the lower position (adsorption position P), and the suction body 16 adsorbs to the bottom surface 4a of one of the bento boxes (containers) 4' or the raised-bottom bento box 4'. Thereafter, this process repeats. Also, the drive motor M2 repeats 180-degree rotations, and the rectangular parallelepiped suction part 5a (or 5b) moves upward (or downward).

[0043] In this way, the reason why the above vertical slide mechanism 24 moves from the above bottom dead center b, through the above top dead center a, to the above bottom dead center b is that it is easy to peel off one bento box 4' of the above stacked container 4 or the raised-bottom bento box 4'. Also, when the above rectangular parallelepiped suction part 5a (or 5b) moves upward, the driving of the above air compressor 32 is stopped. Therefore, the suction of the above suction body 16... of the above one bento box (container) 4' or the above raised-bottom bento box 4' is released, and at that time, the above both-side conveyors 31a, 31b move backward (in the direction of arrow D, see FIGS. 1 and 12), and the above one bento box 4' or the above raised-bottom bento box 4' is moved backward (to the subsequent process). Then, the above bento box 4' or the above raised-bottom bento box 4' is moved backward, and in the above subsequent process, cooked rice and side dishes are put into the above bento box 4' or the above raised-bottom bento box 4'. This is repeated. Therefore, the above bento box 4' or the above raised-bottom bento box 4' flows into the subsequent process conveyor at regular intervals in the subsequent process (subsequent process conveyor).

[0044] FIG. 14 shows the electrical configuration of the control unit 36. The above control unit 36 is equipped with a CPU, and the above control unit 36 is connected to the above detection sensor S1, the above strip sensor (light-emitting sensor, light-emitting element) S2, the above strip sensor (light-receiving sensor, light-receiving element) S2', the above detection sensor S3, the above drive motors M1 to M3, the above drive cylinder 12, the above drive cylinder 15, the linear encoder 37, and the above air compressor 32. FIGS. 15 to 19 show the operation procedure of the above control unit 36 (CPU). When explaining the operation procedure (see FIGS. 15 to 19), the above function block (see FIG. 20) will be described. Hereinafter, the operation procedure will be explained.

[0045] (1) In the case of a normal bento box 4' (see FIG. 7(a)) The above control unit 36 (conveyor drive means 36b, see Fig. 20) drives the drive motor M1 to run the conveyor 2 (P1, see Fig. 15). The above control unit 36 (sensor S1 detection means 36a, see Fig. 20) detects with the detection sensor S1 that the stacked bento boxes 4 (for example, 30 of the above bento boxes 4' are stacked) have come (P2, see Fig. 15). The above control unit 36 (the above conveyor drive means 36b, see Fig. 20) stops the drive motor M1 and stops the conveyor 2 (P3, see Figs. 15, 1, and 20). The round number "1" moves to Fig. 16.

[0046] Then, the above control unit 36 (horizontal lifting member drive means 36d, see Fig. 20) raises the telescopic rod 15a of the drive cylinder 15 to raise the horizontal lifting member 14 (in the direction of arrow E, see Fig. 4(a)) (P4, see Fig. 16). Also, the above strip-shaped sensor (light-emitting sensor, light-emitting element) S2 (strip-shaped sensor light-emitting means 36i, see Fig. 20) emits a strip-shaped light beam R in the vertical direction to the above strip-shaped sensor (light-receiving sensor, light-receiving element) S2'. Also, the above control unit 36 sets a "set threshold value" (=4000) and a "current threshold value" (=3999) (threshold value storage means 36k, see Fig. 20). When the "current threshold value" = 3999, the above control unit 36 (strip-shaped sensor light-receiving means 36j, see Fig. 20) makes the above strip-shaped sensor (light-receiving sensor, light-receiving element) S 2 ' detect the bottom surface 4a (edge c) until (see Fig. 7(a)). The above horizontal lifting member 14 is raised. When the "set threshold value (=4000)" and the "current threshold value (=3999)" are lower than the "current threshold value = 3999" (the "set threshold value" = 4000 > the "current threshold value" = 3999), the above strip-shaped sensor light-receiving means 36j (see Fig. 20) detects that the above strip-shaped sensor (light-receiving sensor, light-receiving element) S2' has detected the above bottom surface 4a (the above bottom surface 4a = the above edge c) (P5, see Fig. 16). The telescopic rod 15a of the drive cylinder 15 is stopped, and the above horizontal lifting member 14 is stopped (see Fig. 7(a)) (P6, see Fig. 16).

[0047] Thereafter, the control unit 36 (see the air compressor driving means 36f in Fig. 20) drives the air compressor 32 (see P7 in Fig. 16). Then, the control unit 36 (see the cylinder driving means 36c in Fig. 20) contracts the telescopic rod 12a of the driving cylinder 12, closes the left and right guides 3a and 3b, and closes them in the approaching direction (arrow B, B direction) to the width of the stacked lunch box 4 (see P8 in Fig. 16). Moving from the round number "2" to Fig. 17, a plurality of the suction bodies 16·· suck air, and a plurality of the suction bodies 16·· of the rectangular parallelepiped suction part 5a (or 5b) adsorb the bottom surface 4a to one lunch box 4' (see P9 in Fig. 17). The control unit 36 (see the motor M3 driving means 36g in Fig. 20) rotates the driving motor M3, and the cam 21 rotates in the clockwise direction (constant direction) (see P10 in Fig. 17). The cam 22 rotates upward to reach 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 rods 19a and 19b (see Figs. 10, 11(a)(b)). Thereby, it becomes easier for one lunch box 4' to be separated from the stacked lunch box 4 (distance = t1).

[0048] The control unit 36 (see the motor M2 driving means 36h in Fig. 20) rotates the driving motor M2 (see P11 in Fig. 17), the rotation central axis 17 rotates 180 degrees in the direction of arrow C (see P11 in Fig. 17), the rectangular parallelepiped suction part 5a (or 5b) moves upward (one lunch box 4' moves upward), the rectangular parallelepiped suction part 5b (or 5a) moves downward, and then the cam 21 rotates in the clockwise direction (constant direction) and reaches the bottom dead center b (see Fig. 7(a), Fig. 11, P12 in Fig. 17).

[0049] Then, the rectangular parallelepiped suction part 5b (or 5a) moves downward (to the above-mentioned bottom dead center b), and the rectangular parallelepiped suction part 5a (or 5b) moves upward with respect to one of the above-mentioned lunch box 4' (see FIGS. 12, P13, and 17) (distance = t1). Thereafter, the control unit 36 (the air compressor driving means 36f, see FIG. 20) stops driving the air compressor 32, and the suction body 16·· releases air suction (see P14 and FIG. 17). Thereafter, the both-side conveyors 31a and 31b move rearward (in the direction of arrow D), and move one of the above-mentioned lunch box 4' to the subsequent process (subsequent process conveyor) (see FIG. 12) (see P15 and FIG. 17).

[0050] Thereafter, the control unit 36 (the horizontal lifting member driving means 36d, see FIG. 20) raises the driving cylinder 15 (the horizontal lifting member 14) by one sheet (by one sheet width) (the position of the horizontal lifting member 14 is recognized by the linear encoder 37) (see P16, FIGS. 17, and 7(a)). Then, the control unit 36 (the air compressor driving means 36f, see FIG. 20) drives the air compressor 32 (see P17 and FIG. 17), and the rectangular parallelepiped suction part 5b (or 5a) is placed on the bottom surface 4a of one of the above-mentioned lunch box 4', and the suction body 16·· sucks air (see P18 and FIG. 17) (distance = t1). Thereafter, this is repeated (see P19, P9 to P19, and FIG. 17). That is, the lunch box 4' moves upward, and one of the above-mentioned lunch box 4' moves to the subsequent process (the subsequent process conveyor) (in the direction of arrow D, see FIG. 12). The lunch box 4' moves to the subsequent process (the subsequent process conveyor) at regular intervals, and this is repeated (see P19, P9 to P19, and FIG. 17).

[0051] (2) In the case of a normal lunch box 4' (see FIG. 7(b)) The above control unit 36 (conveyor driving means 36b, see Fig. 20) drives the drive motor M1 to run the conveyor 2 (P1, see Fig. 15). The control unit 36 (sensor S1 detection means 36a, see Fig. 20) detects with the detection sensor S1 that the stacked bento boxes 4 (for example, 30 bento boxes 4' are stacked) have arrived (P2, see Fig. 15). The control unit 36 (conveyor driving means 36b, see Fig. 20) stops the drive motor M1 and stops the conveyor 2 (P3, see Figs. 15, 1, and 20). The circled number "1" moves to Fig. 16.

[0052] Then, the control unit 36 (horizontal lifting member driving means 36d, see Fig. 20) raises the telescopic rod 15a of the drive cylinder 15 to raise the horizontal lifting member 14 (in the direction of arrow E, see Fig. 4(a)) (P4, see Fig. 16). Also, the strip-shaped sensor (light-emitting sensor, light-emitting element) S2 (strip-shaped sensor light-emitting means 36i, see Fig. 20) emits a strip-shaped light beam R in the vertical direction to the strip-shaped sensor (light-receiving sensor, light-receiving element) S2'. The control unit 36 sets a "set threshold value" (= 2000) and a "current threshold value" (= 1999) (threshold value storage means 36k, see Fig. 20). When the "current threshold value" = 1999, the control unit 36 (strip-shaped sensor light-receiving means 36j, see Fig. 20) raises the horizontal lifting member 14 until the strip-shaped sensor (light-receiving sensor, light-receiving element) S2' detects the bottom surface 4a (the edge c) (see Fig. 7(b)). When the "set threshold value (= 2000)" and the "current threshold value (= 1999)" are such that the "current threshold value = 1999" is lower than the "set threshold value" (= 2000 > "current threshold value" = 1999), the strip-shaped sensor light-receiving means 36j (see Fig. 20) detects that the strip-shaped sensor (light-receiving sensor, light-receiving element) S2' has detected the bottom surface 4a (the bottom surface 4a = the edge c) (P5, see Fig. 16), and stops the telescopic rod 15a of the drive cylinder 15 and stops the horizontal lifting member 14 (see Fig. 7(b)) (P6, see Fig. 16).

[0053] After that, the control unit 36 (see the air compressor driving means 36f in Fig. 20) drives the air compressor 32 (see P7 in Fig. 16) (the distance = t2 is wider than the distance = t1, but the suction force of the air compressor 32 must be increased). Then, the control unit 36 (see the cylinder driving means 36c in Fig. 20) contracts the telescopic rod 12a of the driving cylinder 12, closes the left and right guides 3a and 3b, and closes them in the proximity direction (arrow B, B direction) to the width of the stacked lunch box 4 (see P8 in Fig. 16). Moving from the circled number "2" to Fig. 17, a plurality of the suction bodies 16·· suck air, and a plurality of the suction bodies 16·· of the rectangular parallelepiped suction part 5a (or 5b) adsorb the bottom surface 4a to one lunch box 4' (see P9 in Fig. 17) (distance = t2). The control unit 36 (see the motor M3 driving means 36g in Fig. 20) rotates the driving motor M3, and the cam 21 rotates in the clockwise direction (constant direction) (see P10 in Fig. 17). The cam 22 rotates upward to reach 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 rods 19a and 19b (see Figs. 10, 11(a)(b)). Thereby, it becomes easier for one lunch box 4' to be separated from the stacked lunch box 4.

[0054] The control unit 36 (see the motor M2 driving means 36h in Fig. 20) rotates the driving motor M2 (see P11 in Fig. 17), the rotation central axis 17 rotates 180 degrees in the arrow C direction (see P11 in Fig. 17), the rectangular parallelepiped suction part 5a (or 5b) moves upward (one lunch box 4' moves upward), the rectangular parallelepiped suction part 5b (or 5a) moves downward, and then the cam 21 rotates in the clockwise direction (constant direction) and reaches the bottom dead center b (see Fig. 7(b), Fig. 11, P12 in Fig. 17).

[0055] Then, the rectangular parallelepiped suction part 5b (or 5a) moves downward (to the bottom dead point b above), and the rectangular parallelepiped suction part 5a (or 5b) moves upward with one of the bento boxes 4' (see FIG. 12, P13, see FIG. 17). After that, the control unit 36 (the air compressor driving means 36f, see FIG. 20) stops driving the air compressor 32, and the suction body 16·· releases air suction (see P14, FIG. 17). Then, the both-side conveyors 31a and 31b move rearward (in the direction of arrow D), and one of the bento boxes 4' is moved to the subsequent process (subsequent process conveyor) (see FIG. 12) (see P15, FIG. 17).

[0056] After that, the control unit 36 (the horizontal lifting member driving means 36d, see FIG. 20) raises the driving cylinder 15 (the horizontal lifting member 14) by one sheet (one sheet width) (the position of the horizontal lifting member 14 is recognized by the linear encoder 37) (see P16, FIGS. 17 and 7(a)). Then, the control unit 36 (the air compressor driving means 36f, see FIG. 20) drives the air compressor 32 (see P17, FIG. 17), and the rectangular parallelepiped suction part 5b (or 5a) is adsorbed to the bottom surface 4a of one of the bento boxes 4' by the suction body 16·· with air (see P18, FIG. 17) (distance = t2). Thereafter, this is repeated (see P19, P9 to P19, FIG. 17). That is, the bento box 4' moves upward, and one of the bento boxes 4' moves to the subsequent process (the subsequent process conveyor) (in the direction of arrow D, see FIG. 12). The bento box 4' moves to the subsequent process (the subsequent process conveyor) at regular intervals, and this is repeated (see P19, P9 to P19, FIG. 17).

[0057] A conveyor 2 is provided for transporting the stacked lunch box 4 to the adsorption position P with its bottom surface 4a facing upward. The stacked lunch box 4 is lifted by a horizontal lifting member 14. Cuboid suction parts 5a (5b) are provided vertically at the ends of the arms of the rotation central axis 17. A plurality of suction bodies 16·· are provided on the lower and upper surfaces of both the cuboid suction parts 5a (5b). When the rotation central axis 17 rotates 180 degrees, the suction bodies 16·· of the lower cuboid suction part 5a (5b) separate the topmost lunch box 4' from the bottom surface 4a of the stacked lunch box 4 by suction air, and move it upward with the opening of the lunch box 4' facing the upper surface 4b. The upper cuboid suction part 5b (5a) moves downward, and the suction bodies 16·· separate the topmost lunch box 4' from the bottom surface 4a of the stacked lunch box 4 by suction air, and move it upward with the opening of the lunch box 4' facing the upper surface 4b, and this is repeated. In the lunch box separation device of the stacked lunch box, a left guide 3a and a right guide 3b are provided on the conveyor 2. A light-emitting sensor S2 for a strip-shaped light beam R in the vertical direction is provided on the left guide 3a, and a light-receiving sensor S2' for the strip-shaped light beam R in the vertical direction is provided on the right guide 3b. A "set threshold value" is determined for the light-shielding rate of the strip-shaped light beam R from 100% to 0% (4000, 3999, 3998···3, 2, 1, 0, for example, 4001 values). The "set threshold value" gradually decreases from 100% to 0% of the light-shielding rate. The threshold value storage means 36k of the control unit 36 stores the "set threshold value" and the "current threshold value" (3999, 2800, 2350, 1999, for example, 4 values). In the state where the bottom surface 4a of the stacked lunch box 4 faces upward, the bottom surface 4b of the topmost lunch box 4' is the "current threshold value". When the "set threshold value" is lower than the "current threshold value" ( "set threshold value" = 4000 > "current threshold value" = 3999), the driving of the horizontal lifting member 14 is stopped, and the lower end 16' of the suction bodies 16·· reaches an appropriate distance (for example, distance = t1) from the bottom surface 4a of the topmost lunch box 4'. The suction bodies 16·· of the lower cuboid suction part 5a (5b) separate the topmost lunch box 4' from the bottom surface 4a of the stacked lunch box 4 by suction air, and move it upward with the opening of the lunch box 4' facing the upper surface 4b. It is composed of a lunch box separation device of the stacked lunch box.

[0058] (2) In the case of the lift-bottom lunch box 4' (see FIGS. 8(a) and 8(b)) The switch 38a of the lift-bottom lunch box 4' on the operation panel 38 of the control unit 36 must be pressed (see P0, FIG. 15, and FIG. 14). The control unit 36 (the conveyor drive means 36b, see FIG. 20) drives the drive motor M1 to run the conveyor 2 (see P1, FIG. 15). The control unit 36 (the sensor S1 detection means 36a, see FIG. 20) detects that the stacked lunch boxes 4 (for example, 30 of the lift-bottom lunch boxes 4') have arrived at the detection sensor S1 (see P2, FIG. 15). The control unit 36 (the conveyor drive means 36b) stops the drive motor M1 to stop the conveyor 2 (see P3, FIG. 15). Up to this point, it is the same. Move to FIG. 18 from the circled number "1".

[0059] Then, the control unit 36 (the horizontal lifting member driving means 36d, see Fig. 20) raises the telescopic rod 15a of the driving cylinder 15 to raise the horizontal lifting member 14 (in the direction of arrow E, see Fig. 4(a)) (P4, see Fig. 18). Further, the strip-shaped sensor (light-emitting sensor, light-emitting element) S2 (strip-shaped sensor light-emitting means 36i) emits the strip-shaped light beam R in the vertical direction to the strip-shaped sensor (light-receiving sensor, light-receiving element) S2'. Also, a threshold value (=4000) set in the control unit 36 and a current threshold value (=3999) are set (see Fig. 8(a)) (the threshold value storage means 36k, see Fig. 20). When the current threshold value = 3999, the control unit 36 (the strip-shaped sensor light-receiving means 36j, see Fig. 20) raises the horizontal lifting member 14 until the strip-shaped sensor (light-receiving sensor, light-receiving element) S2' detects the edge c (see Fig. 8(a)). When "the set threshold value (=4000)" and "the current threshold value (=3999)" are such that "the current threshold value = 3999" is lower than them ("the set threshold value" = 4000 > "the current threshold value" = 3999), the strip-shaped sensor (light-receiving sensor, light-receiving element) S2' detects the edge c in the strip-shaped sensor light-receiving means 36j (P5, see Fig. 18), and the telescopic rod 15a of the driving cylinder 15 is stopped to stop the horizontal lifting member 14 (distance = t3, see Fig. 8(a)) (P6, see Fig. 18). Here, the distance of the suction body 16·· is t3, which is too far, and the raised bottom valve box 4' is not sucked by air to the bottom surface 4a by the suction body 16·· (the air compressor 32 must be set to a normal suction force).

[0060] After that, the horizontal lifting member 14 is raised (P7, see Fig. 18), and the horizontal lifting member 14 (the telescopic rod 15a of the driving cylinder 15) is raised until the detection sensor S3 detects the edge c (see Fig. 8(b), P7, P8, see Fig. 18). Then, the horizontal lifting member 14 is stopped (P9, see Fig. 18) (a stop signal comes from the strip-shaped sensor (light-receiving element) S2' to the strip-shaped sensor light-receiving means 36j, and a stop signal is sent from the strip-shaped sensor light-receiving means 36j to the driving cylinder 15 of the horizontal lifting member driving means 36d, see Fig. 20).

[0061] After that, the control unit 36 (see the air compressor drive means 36f in Fig. 20) drives the air compressor 32 (see P10 in Fig. 18). Thus, the bottom surface 4a of the raised-bottom lunch box 4' is adsorbed by the air by the adsorber 16 (distance = t1, see Fig. 8(b)). Then, the control unit 36 (see the cylinder drive means 36c in Fig. 20) contracts the telescopic rod 12a of the drive cylinder 12 to close the left and right guides 3a and 3b and close them in the approaching direction (arrow B, B direction) to the width of the stacked container 4 (see P11 in Fig. 18). Moving from the circled number "2" to Fig. 19, a plurality of the adsorbers 16 adsorb air, and a plurality of the adsorbers 16 of the rectangular parallelepiped adsorption part 5a (or 5b) adsorb the bottom surface 4a of the raised-bottom lunch box 4' to one raised-bottom lunch box 4' (see P12 in Fig. 19) (distance = t1). The control unit 36 (see the drive means 36g of the drive motor M3 in Fig. 20) rotates the drive motor M3, and the cam 21 rotates in the clockwise direction (constant direction) (see P13 in Fig. 19). The cam 22 rotates upward to reach 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 rods 19a and 19b (see Figs. 10, 11(a)(b)). Thereby, it becomes easier for the raised-bottom lunch box 4' to be separated from the stacked lunch box 4.

[0062] The control unit 36 (see the drive means 36h of the drive motor M2 in Fig. 20) rotates the drive motor M2 (see P14 in Fig. 19), the rotation central axis 17 rotates 180 degrees in the arrow C direction (see P14 in Fig. 19), the rectangular parallelepiped adsorption part 5a (or 5b) moves upward (one raised-bottom lunch box 4' moves upward), the rectangular parallelepiped adsorption part 5b (or 5a) moves downward, and then the cam 21 rotates in the clockwise direction (constant direction) and reaches the bottom dead center b (see Figs. 10, 11(a)(b), see P15 in Fig. 19).

[0063] Then, the rectangular parallelepiped suction part 5b (or 5a) moves downward (to the above-mentioned bottom dead center b), and the rectangular parallelepiped suction part 5a (or 5b) moves upward with one of the above-mentioned raised-bottom lunch box 4' (see FIG. 12, P16, see FIG. 19). After that, the control unit 36 (the air compressor driving means 36f, see FIG. 20) stops driving the air compressor 32, and the suction body 16·· releases air suction (P17, see FIG. 19). After that, the both-side conveyors 31a and 31b move rearward (in the direction of arrow D), and move one of the above-mentioned raised-bottom lunch box 4' to the subsequent process (subsequent process conveyor) (see FIG. 12) (P18, see FIG. 19).

[0064] After that, the control unit 36 (the horizontal lifting member driving means 36d, see FIG. 20) raises the driving cylinder 15 (the horizontal lifting member 14) by one sheet (one sheet width) (the position of the horizontal lifting member 14 is recognized by the linear encoder 37) (P19, see FIG. 19). Then, the control unit 36 (the air compressor driving means 36f, see FIG. 20) drives the air compressor 32 (P20, see FIG. 19). This is repeated (P21, see FIG. 19).

[0065] The round number "3" shifts to FIG. 18, and the strip-shaped sensor (light-emitting sensor, light-emitting element) S2 (see the strip-shaped sensor light-emitting means 36i in FIG. 20) emits the strip-shaped light beam R in the vertical direction to the strip-shaped sensor (light-receiving sensor, light-receiving element) S2'. Also, the control unit 36 sets a threshold value (=4000) and a current threshold value (=3999) (see the threshold value storage means 36k in FIG. 20). When the current threshold value = 3999, the control unit 36 (see the strip-shaped sensor light-receiving means 36j in FIG. 20) raises the horizontal lifting member 14 until the strip-shaped sensor (light-receiving sensor, light-receiving element) S2' detects the edge c (see FIG. 8(a)). When "the set threshold value (=4000)" and "the current threshold value (=3999)" are such that "the current threshold value = 3999" is lower than them ("the set threshold value" = 4000 > "the current threshold value" = 3999), the strip-shaped sensor (light-receiving sensor, light-receiving element) S2' detects the edge c in the strip-shaped sensor light-receiving means 36j (see FIG. 20) (see P5 in FIG. 18), stops the telescopic rod 15a of the drive cylinder 15, and stops the horizontal lifting member 14 (see FIG. 8(a)) (the distance = t3, see FIG. 8(a)) (see P6 in FIG. 18). Here, the attractor 16·· is too far away at the distance t3, and the raised bottom valve box 4' is not sucked by the attractor 16·· with air to the bottom surface 4a.

[0066] After that, the horizontal lifting member 14 is raised (see P7 in FIG. 18), and the horizontal lifting member 14 (the telescopic rod 15a of the drive cylinder 15) is raised until the detection sensor S3 detects the edge c (see FIGS. 8(b), P7, P8 in FIG. 18). Then, the horizontal lifting member 14 is stopped (see P9 in FIG. 18) (a stop signal comes from the strip-shaped sensor (light-receiving element) S2' to the strip-shaped sensor light-receiving means 36j (see FIG. 20), and a stop signal is sent from the strip-shaped sensor light-receiving means 36j to the drive cylinder 15 in the horizontal lifting member drive means 36d, see FIG. 20).

[0067] Thereafter, the control unit 36 (see the air compressor driving means 36f in Fig. 20) drives the air compressor 32 (see P10 in Fig. 18). Thus, the bottom surface 4a of the raised-bottom lunch box 4' is adsorbed by the air by the adsorber 16 (distance = t1, see Fig. 8(b)). Then, the control unit 36 (see the cylinder driving means 36c in Fig. 20) reduces the telescopic rod 12a of the driving cylinder 12, closes the left and right guides 3a and 3b, and closes them in the approaching direction (arrow B, B direction) to the width of the laminated container 4 (see P11 in Fig. 18). Moving from the circled number "2" to Fig. 19, a plurality of the adsorbers 16 adsorb air, and a plurality of the adsorbers 16 of the rectangular parallelepiped adsorption part 5a (or 5b) adsorb the bottom surface 4a of the raised-bottom lunch box 4' to one raised-bottom lunch box 4' (see P12 in Fig. 19). The control unit 36 (see the motor M3 driving means 36g in Fig. 20) rotates the driving motor M3, and the cam 21 rotates in the clockwise direction (constant direction) (see P13 in Fig. 19). The cam 22 rotates upward to reach 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 rods 19a and 19b (see Fig. 11(a)(b)). Thereby, it becomes easier for the raised-bottom lunch box 4' to be separated from the laminated container 4.

[0068] The control unit 36 (see the motor M2 driving means 36h in Fig. 20) rotates the driving motor M2 (see P14 in Fig. 19), the rotation central axis 17 rotates 180 degrees in the direction of arrow C (see P14 in Fig. 19), the rectangular parallelepiped adsorption part 5a (or 5b) moves upward (one raised-bottom lunch box 4' moves upward), the rectangular parallelepiped adsorption part 5b (or 5a) moves downward, and then the cam 21 rotates in the clockwise direction (constant direction) and reaches the bottom dead center b (see Fig. 10, Fig. 11(a)(b), see P15 in Fig. 19).

[0069] Then, the rectangular parallelepiped suction part 5b (or 5a) moves downward (to the above-mentioned bottom dead center b), and the rectangular parallelepiped suction part 5a (or 5b) moves the single raised-bottom lunch box 4' upward (see Fig. 12, P16, see Fig. 19). After that, the control unit 36 (the air compressor driving means 36f, see Fig. 20) stops driving the air compressor 32, and the suction body 16·· releases the air suction (P17, see Fig. 19). After that, the both-side conveyors 31a, 31b move rearward (in the direction of arrow D), and move the single raised-bottom lunch box 4' to the subsequent process (subsequent process conveyor) (see Fig. 12) (P18, see Fig. 19).

[0070] After that, the control unit 36 (the horizontal lifting member driving means 36d, see Fig. 20) raises the driving cylinder 15 (the horizontal lifting member 14) by one sheet (one sheet width) (the position of the horizontal lifting member 14 is recognized by the linear encoder 37) (P19, see Fig. 19). Then, the control unit 36 (the air compressor driving means 36f, see Fig. 20) drives the air compressor 32 (P20, see Fig. 19). This is repeated (P21, see Fig. 19). Thereafter, it returns from the round number "3" to the round number "3" in Fig. 18. This is repeated (P4 to P21, see Fig. 18, Fig. 19).

[0071] Also, in the case of the raised-bottom lunch box 4', the position of the detection sensor S3 is changed according to the height of the bottom surface 4a of the raised-bottom lunch box 4'. The detection sensor S3 detects the edge c of the raised-bottom lunch box 4', and changes the position of the detection sensor S3 until the bottom surface 4a and the lower end 16' of the suction body 16·· reach an appropriate distance (for example, the distance = t1).

[0072] A conveyor 2 is provided for stacking a plurality of raised-bottom lunch boxes 4' and conveying the stacked lunch boxes 4 to the adsorption position P with their bottom surfaces 4a facing upward. The stacked lunch boxes 4 are lifted by a horizontal lifting member 14, and rectangular parallelepiped suction portions 5a (5b) are provided vertically at the ends of the arms of the rotation central axis 17. A plurality of suction bodies 16... are provided on the lower and upper surfaces of both the rectangular parallelepiped suction portions 5a (5b). When the rotation central axis 17 rotates 180 degrees, the suction bodies 16... of the rectangular parallelepiped suction portion 5a (5b) below separate one raised-bottom lunch box 4' from the bottom surface 4a of the stacked lunch box 4' by suction air and move it upward with the opening of the topmost raised-bottom lunch box 4' as the upper surface 4b. The rectangular parallelepiped suction portion 5b (5a) above moves downward, and the suction bodies 16... separate one raised-bottom lunch box 4' from the bottom surface 4a of the stacked lunch box 4 by suction air and move it upward with the opening of the topmost raised-bottom lunch box 4' as the upper surface 4b, and this is repeated. In the lunch box separation device for the stacked lunch boxes, a left guide 3a and a right guide 3b are provided on the conveyor 2. A light-emitting sensor S2 for a strip-shaped light beam R in the vertical direction is provided on the left guide 3a, and a light-receiving sensor S2' for the strip-shaped light beam R in the vertical direction is provided on the right guide 3b. A "set threshold value" is determined for the light-shielding rate of the strip-shaped light beam R from 100% to 0% (4000, 3999, 3998... 3, 2, 1, 0, for example, 4001 values). The "set threshold value" gradually decreases from 100% to 0% of the light-shielding rate. In the threshold storage means 36k of the control unit 36, the "set threshold value" and the "current threshold value" (3999, 2800, 2350,In 1999, for example, four are memorized. With the upward state of the bottom surface 4a of the stacked lunch box 4, the edge c of the topmost raised-bottom lunch box 4' is the "threshold value of the current value". When the "set threshold value" is lower than the "threshold value of the current value" (the "set threshold value" = 4000 > the "threshold value of the current value" = 3999), the driving of the horizontal lifting member 14 is stopped. The detection sensor S3 is provided above the light-emitting sensor S2, and the detection sensor S3 is installed at a position where it can detect the edge c of the stacked lunch box 4 or the raised-bottom lunch box 4'. At a position where the detection sensor S3 can detect the edge c of the stacked lunch box 4 or the raised-bottom lunch box 4', the stacked lunch box 4 or the raised-bottom lunch box 4' of the horizontal lifting member 14 is lifted upward so that the lower end 16' of the suction body 16·· reaches an appropriate distance (for example, the distance = t1) from the bottom surface 4a of the topmost raised-bottom lunch box 4'. The suction body 16·· of the rectangular parallelepiped suction part 5a (5b) below separates the topmost raised-bottom lunch box 4' from the bottom surface 4a of the stacked lunch box 4 or the raised-bottom lunch box 4' by the suction air and moves upward with the opening of the raised-bottom lunch box 4' as the upper surface 4b, which is constituted by a lunch box separation device of the stacked lunch box.,

[0073] The detection sensor S3 is above the light-emitting sensor S2, within the range from the upper end R' of the strip-shaped light beam R to the upper end S2" of the light-emitting sensor S2, and the height is determined (the distance = t4, see Fig. 23).

[0074] As described above, the "set threshold" of the present invention may be in 3 levels, 4 levels, 5 levels, or 10 levels. For example, "set threshold" = 4000 may also be in 4001 levels (for example, 4001 values) such as "4000, 3999, 3998 ··· 3, 2, 1, 0" (the threshold storage means 36k in the control unit 36 may store the "set threshold" in, for example, 4001 values). The "current threshold value" may also be, for example, 4 values such as "3999", "2800", "2350", and "1999" (the threshold storage means 36k in the control unit 36 may store the "current threshold value" in, for example, 4 values). The strip-shaped light beam R in the vertical direction is provided from the light-emitting sensor S2 to the light-receiving sensor S2'. The "set threshold" (for example, "set threshold" = 4000) and the "current threshold value" (for example, "current threshold value" = 3999) are stored in the threshold storage means 36k of the control unit 36. When the "current threshold value" is lower than the "set threshold" ("set threshold" = 4000 > "current threshold value" = 3999), the driving of the horizontal lifting member 14 is stopped, and the lower end 16' of the suction body 16·· is at an appropriate distance (for example, distance = t1) from the bottom surface 4a of the bento box 4', which is constituted by the bento box separation device of the stacked bento box. Therefore, it is constituted by the bento box separation device of the stacked bento box so that the lower end 16' of the suction body 16·· is at an appropriate distance (for example, distance = t1) from the bottom surface 4a of the bento box 4' (the height of the stacked bento box 4 can be changed).

[0075] Also, the "set threshold value" may be in 3 levels, 4 levels, 5 levels, or 10 levels. For example, if "set threshold value" = 4000, it may be in 4001 levels (e.g., 4001 values) such as "4000, 3999, 3998 ··· 3, 2, 1, 0" (the threshold value storage means 36k above may store the "set threshold value" with, for example, 4001 values). The "current threshold value" may be, for example, "3999", "2800", "2350", or "1999" (4 values) (the threshold value storage means 36k above may store the "current threshold value" with, for example, 4 values). A strip-shaped light beam R in the vertical direction is provided from the light-emitting sensor S2 to the light-receiving sensor S2'. The "set threshold value" and the "current threshold value" are stored in the threshold value storage means 36k (see FIG. 20) of the control unit 36. When the "current threshold value" is lower than the "set threshold value" ("set threshold value" = 4000 > "current threshold value" = 3999), the horizontal lifting member 14 is stopped from being driven. A detection sensor S3 is provided at the upper part S2" of the light-emitting sensor S2, and the detection sensor S3 is installed at a position where it can detect the edge c of the raised bottom lunch box 4'. When the detection sensor S3 can detect the edge c of the raised bottom lunch box 4', the horizontal lifting member 14 raises the raised bottom lunch box 4' upward so that the lower end 16' of the suction body 16 ··· is at an appropriate distance (e.g., distance = t1) from the bottom surface 4a of the raised bottom lunch box 4' (the height of the stacked lunch box can be changed), and it is constituted by a lunch box separation device of the stacked lunch box.

[0076] Also, the upper part of the light-emitting sensor S2 where the detection sensor S3 is located is constituted by a lunch box separation device of the stacked lunch box with a fixed height within the range (distance = t4) from the upper end R' of the strip-shaped light beam R to the upper end S2" of the light-emitting sensor S2.

Industrial Applicability

[0077] According to the lunch box separation device of the stacked lunch box according to the present invention, it is constituted by a lunch box separation device of the stacked lunch box that can change the height of the lunch box 4' of the stacked lunch box or the raised bottom lunch box 4'.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0078] 1 Bento box separation device for stacked bento boxes 2 Conveyor 3a Left guide 3b Right guide 4 Stacked bento box 4’ Bento box, lifted-bottom bento box 4a Bottom surface 4b Top surface 5a, 5b Cuboid suction parts 6a, 6a Arms 6b, 6b Arms 6c, 6c Arms 6d, 6d Arms 14 Horizontal lifting member 16·· Suction body 17 Rotation central axis 36 Control unit 36k Threshold memory means P Suction position S2 Light-emitting sensor S2’ Light-receiving sensor S3 Detection sensor R Band-shaped light beam c Edge

Claims

【Claim 1】 A plurality of raised-bottom lunch box containers each having a raised bottom surface that forms a bottom surface and located between a bottom side and an opening side, and an edge c that is an edge of the bottom side, are stacked. A conveyor is provided for conveying the stacked lunch box containers to a suction position with their bottom surfaces facing upward. The stacked lunch box containers are lifted by a horizontal lifting member, and rectangular parallelepiped suction portions are provided vertically at the ends of the arms of the central rotation axis. A plurality of suction bodies are provided on the lower and upper surfaces of both the rectangular parallelepiped suction portions. When the central rotation axis rotates 180 degrees, the suction bodies of the rectangular parallelepiped suction portion located below separate one of the raised-bottom lunch box containers from the bottom surface of the stacked lunch box containers by suction air, and move upward with the opening of the topmost one of the raised-bottom lunch box containers facing upward. The rectangular parallelepiped suction portion located above moves downward, and the suction bodies separate one of the raised-bottom lunch box containers from the bottom surface of the stacked lunch box containers by the suction air and move upward with the opening of the topmost one of the raised-bottom lunch box containers facing upward, and this is repeated. In a lunch box separation device for stacked lunch box containers, a left guide and a right guide are provided on the conveyor, a light-emitting sensor S2 for a strip-shaped light beam R in the vertical direction is provided on the left guide, and a light-receiving sensor S2' for the strip-shaped light beam R in the vertical direction is provided on the right guide, a first height detection value for performing object detection at an arbitrary height position within the vertical range of the strip-shaped light beam R is settable, it has a detection sensor S3 provided on the upper side of the light-emitting sensor S2 and performing object detection at a position of a second height detection value set at least at a position above the upper end of the strip-shaped light beam R, the first height detection value is stored in the threshold storage means of the control unit. When the horizontal lifting member rises and the position of the edge c of the topmost one of the raised-bottom lunch box containers of the stacked lunch box containers is detected at the first height detection value, the rise of the horizontal lifting member temporarily stops, then, again, when the horizontal lifting member rises and the position of the edge c of the topmost one of the raised-bottom lunch box containers of the stacked lunch box containers is detected at the second height detection value, the rise of the horizontal lifting member stops, the lower end of the suction body reaches an appropriate distance from the raised bottom surface of the topmost one of the raised-bottom lunch box containers, and the suction bodies of the rectangular parallelepiped suction portion located below separate the topmost one of the raised-bottom lunch box containers from the bottom surface of the stacked lunch box containers by the suction air and move upward with the opening of one of the raised-bottom lunch box containers facing upward A lunch box separation device for stacked lunch box containers. According to claim 2, the second height detection value is set within a range that is equal to or higher than the upper end of the strip-shaped light beam R and equal to or lower than the upper end of the light-emitting sensor S2. The bento box separation device for a stacked bento box according to claim 1.

Images