Standing integrated supply device

Abstract

To eliminate the need of replacing components of a pusher member even when product length and quantity, etc. of a plurality of products to be transferred change.CONSTITUTION: A standing integration feeding device comprises: a first transport device 11 for transporting standing products 1 in a state of contacting with each other front and rear; a second transport device 12 traveling side by side with the first transport device; a gate-shaped pusher member 51 reciprocating between the first transport device and the second transport device; and a stopper member 43 which moves in front and rear along a transportation path of the first transport device and is brought into contact with a front surface of the leading product transported by the first transport device. The product advances in an internal space of the pusher member, and the stopper member moves to a downstream side with the advance of the product (a). After a prescribed number of products are stored in the pusher member, the forward movement of the product is stopped, and the stopper member is moved to the downstream side to be positioned on the outer side of the pusher member (b), and in this state, the pusher member is laterally moved, and the internal product is transferred to the second transport device (c).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 12

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a standing integrated supply device.

Background Art

[0002] There is a device that conveys products in a state where they are in contact with each other in the front - rear direction while standing, and laterally pushes out a plurality of products located in a predetermined area on the leading - side by a pusher member, and supplies them to a next - stage conveying device or the like.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] For example, in this type of device, when it is applied in a combined manner to products having different overall lengths that are laterally pushed out all at once, it is necessary to replace the pusher member. Therefore, not only is the replacement work complicated, but also the work of preparing and storing the replacement pusher member is complicated, which also contributes to high costs.

[0005] Also, if the length of the pusher member in the same direction is long with respect to the overall lengths of a plurality of products that are laterally pushed out all at once, there is a risk of interference with other devices when the pusher member is pushed out.

[0006] The above - described problems are described as independent ones, and the present invention does not necessarily have to solve all of the described problems. It is sufficient if at least one problem can be solved. Also, with respect to the configuration for solving this problem, there is an intention to obtain rights by separate filing, amendment, etc. alone.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, the upright integrated supply device of the present invention includes: (1) a first conveying device that conveys the upright products in a state of contacting them front and back; a second conveying device that has a conveying path parallel to the conveying path of the first conveying device and at least a part of which runs side by side; a pusher member that waits so as to cover the upper part of the conveying path of the first conveying device, moves in a lateral direction orthogonal to the conveying direction of the first conveying device, and reaches the conveying path of the second conveying device; and a stopper member that moves forward and backward along the conveying path of the first conveying device and contacts the front surface of the leading product conveyed by the first conveying device. The pusher member has a top surface portion and side wall portions provided on both the left and right sides in the conveying direction below the top surface portion. The product moving on the conveying path of the first conveying device is positioned within the space surrounded by the top surface portion and the side wall portions of the pusher member. When the pusher member moves in the lateral direction, the product is pushed by the side wall portions and moves together with the pusher member and is configured to be transferred to the conveying path of the second conveying device. The stopper member moves downstream in accordance with the forward movement of the product. When a predetermined number of the products are accommodated within the pusher member, the stopper member is moved downstream while the forward movement of the product is stopped and is positioned outside the pusher member, and in this state, the pusher member is configured to move in the lateral direction.

[0008] The product on the conveying path of the first conveying device moves within the space surrounded by the top surface portion and the side wall portions of the pusher member. Since the front surface side of the leading product at that time is in contact with the stopper member, it is prevented from falling forward. Further, since each product is in a state of being in contact with each other front and back, the backward collapse is suppressed by the products themselves. Furthermore, since the side wall portions of the pusher member exist on the left and right of the product, the deviation in the lateral direction is also suppressed. Therefore, each product moves stably in an upright posture within the internal space of the pusher member.

[0009] And for example, when the total length of the pusher member in the conveying direction is longer than the total front-rear length of a plurality of products that move together, the stopper member that moves back and forth along the conveying path of the first conveying device and contacts the front surface of the leading product exists within the space surrounded by the top surface portion and the side wall portion of the pusher member. Therefore, the stopper member is once moved to the downstream side and retracted outside the pusher member. As a result, even if the pusher member is moved laterally, the pusher member and the stopper member do not interfere with each other. By moving the pusher member to the conveying path of the second conveying device, the products within the space surrounded by the top surface portion and the side wall portion of the pusher member can be transferred to the conveying path of the second conveying device.

[0010] In the embodiment, the top surface portion of the pusher member corresponds to the first surface portion 521 of the L-shaped plate 52, and the side wall portion corresponds to the block body 53 in the embodiment. Thus, in the embodiment, it may be composed of a plurality of members or integrally formed.

[0011] Also, even if the number of a plurality of products to be transferred to the second conveying device changes, or the thickness of the products changes, when the total front-rear length of the plurality of products is less than or equal to the total length of the pusher member in the conveying direction, or even if the product located at the front or the end protrudes from the front and rear of the pusher member and a part of it exists within the pusher member, and lateral movement by the pusher member is possible, transfer can be performed using the same pusher member.

[0012] (2) It is preferable to be able to accommodate products with different total lengths of the plurality of products stored in the pusher member, and the total length of the pusher member in the conveying direction is configured to be a length corresponding to the maximum length of the total lengths of the predetermined number of products to be transferred. In this way, when the total length of the plurality of products to be transferred is the maximum, when the predetermined number of products to be transferred are located within the pusher member, the stopper member is located outside the pusher member. Therefore, the pusher member can be moved laterally without particularly retracting the stopper member outside the pusher member. Also, it is possible to suppress the increase in the size of the entire device due to the increase in the length of the pusher member.

[0013] (3) The stopper member is linked to the cylinder rod of a cylinder disposed on the downstream side of the conveyance path of the first conveyance device, and is in a state where the stopper member is in contact with the product in accordance with the operation of the cylinder. On the downstream side It is preferably configured to be controlled so as to move. By doing so, the stopper member can be moved with simple control.

[0014] (4) The operation of the cylinder is preferably controlled so that a force for pushing back acts with a force smaller than the forward biasing force when the product attempts to move forward. By doing so, it is possible to move the pusher member downstream while maintaining the state where the pusher member is in contact with the front surface of the leading product with simple control.

[0015] (5) The distance between the outer peripheral surface of the product housed in the pusher member and the top surface portion and the side wall portion is preferably configured to suppress at least one of the fall and rotation of the product. For example, when the distance is shortened, even if a product standing upright facing forward attempts to fall forward at the upper end side or rotate about a vertical axis so that either the left or right side moves forward (the opposite side moves backward), the side surface of the product contacts the top surface portion or the side wall portion, and further movement is suppressed. Therefore, rotation and fall of the product within the pusher member can be prevented, and the product can maintain an upright posture facing forward.

[0016] Further, the constituent elements described in (1) to (5) above can constitute an invention by any combination.

Effect of the Invention

[0017] According to the present invention, for example, even if there are changes in the product length or the number of a plurality of products to be transferred, it is not necessary to replace the pusher member.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0018]

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Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0019] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the present invention is not construed as being limited thereto, and various changes, modifications, and improvements can be made based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0020] The figures show a preferred embodiment of the vertical integrated supply device according to the present invention. The vertical integrated supply device 10 of this embodiment includes a first transfer device 11 that transfers the product 1 in a state of being in contact with it front and back, a second transfer device 12 arranged in parallel with the carry-out side of the first transfer device 11, and a transfer device 13 that collectively laterally moves a predetermined number of products 1 from the leading product that has reached the carry-out end side of the first transfer device 11 and transfers and supplies them to the second transfer device 12. Further, in this embodiment, two first transfer devices 11 are arranged in parallel with a predetermined distance therebetween, and the second transfer device 12 is arranged between the two first transfer devices 11. And a predetermined number of products 1 are alternately supplied from the two first transfer devices 11 to the second transfer device 12. In this embodiment, the product 1 has a generally flat cylindrical outer shape and is, for example, a disinfectant such as a chlorine tablet, but is not limited thereto.

[0021] Furthermore, the vertical integrated supply device 10 includes, upstream of the first transfer device 11, a third transfer device 14 that transfers the flat product 1 in a toppled state, and a posture conversion unit 15 that is arranged downstream of the third transfer device 14, raises the posture of the toppled product 1, and unloads the product 1 one by one toward the first transfer device 11 while maintaining the raised posture.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 1 and the like, the third transfer device 14 includes a belt conveyor 21 and a pair of side guide members 22 arranged so as to extend along the conveyance direction in the vicinity above the conveyance surface of the belt conveyor 21. The interval between the pair of side guide members 22 is equal to or slightly longer than the diameter of the product 1. Thereby, when a plurality of products 1 are placed between the pair of side guide members 22 on the conveyance surface of the belt conveyor 21, the product 1 receives a conveyance force from the belt conveyor 21 and is conveyed. At this time, the lateral movement is suppressed by the left and right side guide members 22, and the product 1 moves forward in a line toward the carry-in port of the posture conversion unit 15 arranged on the front side, that is, the downstream side.

[0023] In addition, in the present embodiment, two pairs of left and right side guide members 22 are prepared, and each pair of side guide members 22 is arranged near the left and right sides of the conveyance surface of the belt conveyor 21, respectively. As a result, the two third conveyance devices 14 are configured to also serve as the belt conveyor 21, and on the conveyance surface of the belt conveyor 21, rows of products 1 arranged in a single row in the front-rear direction are formed into two rows with a predetermined interval in the left-right direction, and each moves forward and is supplied to the corresponding posture conversion unit 15 in order from the leading product 1.

[0024] The posture conversion unit 15 includes a guide rail member 23 having a conveyance path extending in the horizontal direction on the loading side and an arc-shaped conveyance path extending downward and vertically on the unloading side, and a pressing member 24 covering the upper open side of the conveyance path of the guide rail member 23. In FIG. 1 and the like, the illustration of the pressing member 24 of the posture conversion unit 15 arranged on the left side in the conveyance direction is omitted, and it is shown that the conveyance path of the guide rail member 23 is formed in a concave shape. Also, in other figures, the illustration of some parts may be omitted as appropriate. Further, the posture conversion unit 15 includes a chute base plate member 25 having a conveyance path 251 on the unloading side of the guide rail member 23 along which the product 1 moves while making a detour within a vertical plane, and a cover plate member 26 covering the front surface of the chute base plate member 25. In FIG. 1 and the like, the illustration of the cover plate member 26 arranged on the left side in the conveyance direction is omitted, and the conveyance path of the chute base plate member 25 is shown.

[0025] As a result, when the belt conveyor 21 operates continuously, the leading product 1 that moves forward between the pair of side guide members 22 sequentially reaches the horizontal conveyance path on the loading side of the guide rail member 23, is pushed by the subsequent product 1, advances along the horizontal conveyance path, and when it reaches the arc-shaped conveyance path, it is guided by the conveyance path and gradually rises while moving downward, and finally assumes an upright posture in a vertical plane, and is dropped and supplied onto the loading portion of the conveyance path of the first conveyance device 11 from the discharge port at the lower end of the conveyance path 251 of the chute base plate member 25. Further, the distance between the lower end of the chute base plate member 25 and the conveyance path of the first conveyance device 11 is made larger than the diameter of the product 1 by a predetermined length, so that the product can be separated from the conveyance path 251 provided in the chute base plate member 25 and discharged to the outside. When the leading product 1 is carried out and located at the loading portion, the next product, for example, contacts the leading product 1 so that further downward movement is suppressed. Then, when the product 1 waiting at the loading portion of the first conveyance device 11 is biased forward and moves by the length of one product, the next product 1 waiting in the conveyance path 251 of the chute base plate member 25 is dropped and supplied. Thereafter, the above-described processing is repeated, and the product 1 in the upright posture is conveyed on the first conveyance device 11 in a state of being in contact with the front and rear.

[0026] [First Conveyance Device] The conveyance path 27 of the first conveyance device 11 is formed by arranging a pair of left and right flat first guide plates 28 and second guide plates 29 side by side in the left-right direction with respect to the conveyance direction, and is formed by a strip-shaped space extending in the front-rear direction formed between the first guide plate 28 and the second guide plate 29. And as described above, in this embodiment, since two sets of the first conveyance device 11 are arranged to convey products on the left and right respectively, two sets of the first guide plates 28 and the second guide plates 29 are also prepared, and four guide plates are arranged on the left and right. And in this embodiment, the guide plate located on the center side of the entire device is referred to as the first guide plate 28, and the guide plate located on the outside is referred to as the second guide plate 29. As a result, the left and right positions of the first guide plate 28 and the second guide plate 29 are reversed in the left and right conveyance paths, and the respective first guide plates 28 are close to each other.

[0027] Then, the distance between the opposing side surfaces of the pair of first guide plates 28 and second guide plates 29 that constitute the set is made sufficiently narrow compared to the diameter of the product 1. As a result, the product 1 conveyed by the first conveying device 11 is conveyed in an upright posture with the plane facing front and back. Therefore, the lower end portion of the side peripheral surface of the product 1 enters the space between the first guide plate 28 and the second guide plate 29, and the side peripheral surface of the product 1 is supported by the upper edge portions of the opposing side surfaces of the first guide plate 28 and the second guide plate 29. Thus, the disk-shaped product 1 conveyed in an upright posture with the plane facing front and back is prevented from rolling and moving in the left-right direction that intersects the conveying direction.

[0028] Also, the upstream side of the conveyance path 27 faces the discharge port of the chute base plate member 25 described above. The product 1 that has fallen from the discharge port is located directly on the conveyance path 27 and is supplied by dropping. Further upstream from the position where it is supplied by dropping, a product cutting device 30 is provided, which cuts out standing articles one by one and pushes them out and supplies them to the front conveyance path. The product cutting device 30 includes a windmill-shaped cutting member 31 that rotates in a horizontal plane, and a drive motor or the like that rotates a rotating shaft 32 connected to the center of the lower surface of the cutting member 31 by a predetermined angle.

[0029] In this embodiment, the cutting member 31 is configured by combining members each having a substantially semi-circular shape and a portion where one end protrudes radially outward. The product 1 is cut out at the protruding portion and pushed out onto the front conveying path 27. Then, by controlling a drive motor or the like, the cutting member 31 repeats rotation and temporary stop in units of 180 degrees. As a result, when the cutting member 31 rotates 180 degrees, the product 1 that has been dropped and supplied from the discharge port of the chute base plate member 25 and is waiting on the conveying path 27 is pushed forward, and the next product 1 is dropped and supplied into the space formed thereby. That is, the product 1 located at the head of the conveying path 251 of the chute base plate member 25 is dropped and supplied onto the conveying path 27 of the first conveying device 11 and waits. By repeating such processing, the standing disk-shaped products 1 are pushed out one by one onto the conveying path 27, bias the product 1 located on the conveying path 27 forward, and convey the plurality of products 1 waiting in a state of being in contact with each other front and back on the conveying path 27 by the thickness of the product 1. That is, the first conveying device 11 has no special driving source for conveying, and conveys the product 1 by utilizing the cutting of this product cutting device 30.

[0030] Also, a stopper mechanism 33 is provided near the downstream side of the above-described dropping supply position of the product 1 so as to prevent the product 1 from moving on the conveying path 27. This stopper mechanism 33 includes a fixed stopper member 34 fixed above the first guide plate 28 and a moving stopper member 35 that moves back and forth in a direction intersecting the conveying direction above the second guide plate 29, that is, toward the fixed stopper member 34. The moving stopper member 35 moves back and forth under the drive of the first cylinder 36.

[0031] When the cylinder rod protrudes due to the forward movement of the first cylinder 36 and the moving stopper member 35 moves forward, the product 1 is held between the moving stopper member 35 and the fixed stopper member 34, and the forward movement of the product 1 is blocked. Further, since the product 1 is held between the fixed stopper member 34 and the moving stopper member 35 in this way, the product 1 is also prevented from falling over, and for example, it maintains an upright posture even when there is no product 1 in the front. On the other hand, when the moving stopper member 35 moves backward and separates from the fixed stopper member 34 due to the reverse movement of the first cylinder 36, the holding of the product 1 between the moving stopper member 35 and the fixed stopper member 34 is released, and the forward movement of the product 1 becomes possible.

[0032] The first conveying device 11 arranges a second cylinder 40 on the downstream side of the conveying path 27, and the cylinder rod 41 of the second cylinder 40 is configured to reciprocate along the conveying path 27 within the lower space of the conveying path 27. A stopper member 43 is attached to the tip of the cylinder rod 41. The upper end side of this stopper member 43 protrudes above the upper surfaces of the first guide plate 28 and the second guide plate 29 and is configured to be able to contact the front surface of the product 1. Further, in the present embodiment, the upper end position of the stopper member 43 is above the center of the product 1, more preferably near the upper end, and can contact up to a position more than half of the height direction of the upright product 1.

[0033] Furthermore, the operation of the product cutting device 30 and the operation of the second cylinder 40 are controlled so that the stopper member 43 contacts the leading product 1 among the plurality of products 1 moving on the conveying path 27 of the first conveying device 11, and the stopper member 43 is also moved downstream by the amount of one product 1 in conjunction with the extrusion of the product 1 by the product cutting device 30. In this way, as the product 1 moves, the stopper member 43 is moved downstream to keep the front and rear products 1 in contact and prevent the product 1 from falling forward.

[0034] Then, the control for moving the stopper member 43 to the downstream side may, for example, adjust the pressure on the second cylinder 40 side to actively operate the cylinder rod 41. However, in this embodiment, as will be described later, the stopper member 43 and thus the cylinder rod 41 are passively moved by receiving the biasing force that attempts to move the product 1 forward. By doing so, while suppressing the load on the product 1, the separation of the stopper member 43 from the product 1 is suppressed.

[0035] Also, since the second cylinder 40 and the stopper member 43 are provided, for example, when the thickness of the product 1 to be processed changes, or when the number of products 1 transferred to the second transfer device 12 at once changes, etc., the position of the leading product 1 located on the transfer path 27 immediately before being transferred to the second transfer device 12 is different. However, the position of the stopper member 43 can be positioned at an appropriate location by the operation of the second cylinder 40.

[0036] [Second Transfer Device 12] The second transfer device 12 is composed of a finger conveyor device. The space formed between the adjacent first guide plates 28 constitutes the upstream side of the transfer path 45 of the second transfer device 12. The first guide plate 28 is substantially rectangular in plan view, and the long sides along the transfer direction are parallel. Therefore, the transfer path 27 of the first transfer device 11 and the transfer path 45 of the second transfer device 12 are parallel and run side by side in the installation section of the first guide plate 28. The fingers 47 of the finger conveyor device are configured such that their upper end sides protrude above the upper surface of the first guide plate 28 and can contact the front or rear surface of the product 1.

[0037] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the transfer path 45 is continuously provided also on the downstream side of the first guide plates 28 adjacent to each other on the left and right. The fingers 47 move further downstream even after passing through the installation area of the first guide plate 28, and stably transfer a plurality of products 1.

[0038] [Transfer Device 13] The transfer device 13 includes a third cylinder 50, a pusher member 51 that reciprocates in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the first transport device 11 by the third cylinder 50, a fourth cylinder 55 that moves the third cylinder 50 up and down, and the like. The pusher member 51 transfers a plurality of products 1 on the first transport device 11 to the second transport device 12 in a lump.

[0039] The pusher member 51 has a substantially gate-shaped downward-opening and substantially U-shaped portion, and is shaped to cover the upper part of the product 1 in an upright posture and both the left and right sides in the transport direction of the first transport device 11. In the present embodiment, it is configured by attaching two elongated rectangular parallelepiped block bodies 53 in parallel to the lower surface of a first surface portion 521 extending in the horizontal direction of an L-shaped plate 52 connected to the third cylinder 50. More specifically, the cylinder rod of the third cylinder 50 is connected to the outer surface of a second surface portion 522 extending in the vertical direction of the L-shaped plate 52. The distance between the opposing surfaces of the two block bodies 53 is made equal to or slightly larger than the diameter of the product 1, and the height of the block body 53 is made equal to or greater than the radius of the product 1. When the pusher member 51 covers the product 1 from above, more than the upper half of the product 1 fits inside the pusher member 51, and the left and right ends of the product 1 in an upright posture are each configured to be close to the opposing block bodies 53. As a result, the left and right sides of the product 1 are close to or in contact with the left and right side wall portions (here, the block bodies 53) of the pusher member 51, suppressing lateral displacement and rotation of the product 1 within the horizontal plane. Also, the distance between the upper end of the product 1 and the top surface portion of the pusher member 51 (here, the first surface portion 521 of the L-shaped plate 52) is short, suppressing forward tipping.

[0040] The two block bodies 53 are arranged to extend in a direction parallel to the conveying directions of the first conveying device 11 and the second conveying device 12, and the center line thereof reciprocates between above the center line of the conveying path 27 of the first conveying device 11 and above the center line of the conveying path 45 of the second conveying device 12 along with the reciprocating motion of the third cylinder 50. And in the standby state, the pusher member 51 of the transfer device 13 is positioned to cover above the conveying path 27 of the first conveying device 11. Thereby, the products 1 pushed out one by one by the product cutting device 30 sequentially urge the products 1 waiting in front forward and move into the pusher member 51 at the standby position. And during this movement, the left and right side surfaces of the product 1 are in a state close to the block bodies 53 of the pusher member 51, and even if the product 1 tries to move laterally, it is blocked by one of the block bodies 53. Therefore, the pusher member 51 at the standby position also has the function of the side guide in the first conveying device 11, and the individual products 1 move forward in a stable posture.

[0041] And when a predetermined number, for example, 20 products 1 are located in the pusher member 51, the cutting by the product cutting device 30 temporarily stops and the movement stopper member 35 moves forward, the third cylinder 50 operates and the pusher member 51 moves laterally and reaches onto the conveying path 45 of the second conveying device 12. Along with the movement of the pusher member 51, the predetermined number of products 1 located in the pusher member 51 are guided by the block bodies 53 of the pusher member 51 and move in the lateral direction orthogonal to the conveying direction. Therefore, the predetermined number of products 1 laterally move on the first guide plate 28 while being in contact with each other front and back and are located in the conveying path 45 of the second conveying device 12. Thereby, the transfer of the products 1 is performed, and thereafter, it receives the conveying force from the fingers 47 of the second conveying device 12 and moves forward along the conveying path 45 of the second conveying device 12.

[0042] And when at least the product group is conveyed by the finger 47, for example, when the fourth cylinder 55 is operated to raise the pusher member 51 together with the third cylinder 50 and then the pusher member 51 is positioned above the first transfer device 11 by the double-acting operation of the third cylinder 50, the pusher member 51 may be returned by a box motion operation such as operating the fourth cylinder 55 in a double-acting manner to lower and move the pusher member 51 together with the third cylinder 50 and position it on the transfer path. Further, in the present embodiment, since the fourth cylinder 55 is provided and the pusher member 51 and the third cylinder 50 are made vertically movable, it is preferable to move the stopper member 43 to the upstream side before the pusher member 51 is returned. Note that, for example, the pusher member 51 may be configured not to move up and down. In such a case, it is preferable to move the stopper member 43 to the upstream side after the pusher member 51 returns to the first transfer device 11 side. However, when the pusher member 51 and the like are made vertically movable as in the present embodiment, the stopper member 43 can also move to the upstream side during the return operation of the pusher member 51, which is acceptable.

[0043] And while the pusher member 51 is reciprocating between the first transfer device 11 and the second transfer device 12, the product cutting device 30 of the first transfer device 11 on the operating side temporarily stops and stops the feeding of the product 1. When the pusher member 51 is returned to the standby position, the feeding of the product 1 is restarted. Also, during this temporary stop, the product cutting device 30 on the opposite side of the first transfer device 11 side operates to feed the product 1, so that the products 1 flowing in two rows from the upstream side can be efficiently accumulated, and a predetermined number can be transferred and supplied to the second transfer device 12.

[0044] Further, in the present embodiment, it has a function of accumulating and supplying products 1 with different thicknesses. For example, it is used in both the case of accumulating and supplying a predetermined number, for example, 20 products 1 with a thickness of t1 and the case of accumulating and supplying a predetermined number, for example, 20 products 1 with a thickness of t2 (t2 > t1). Then, in the present embodiment, as described above, since the stopper member 43 is arranged in front of the first product 1 and is made to move downstream following the movement of the product 1, it has the following problems.

[0045] For example, as shown in Fig. 11(a), when accumulating and supplying thick products 1, if a predetermined number of products are placed in the pusher member 51 such that the leading edge of a series of products 1 protrudes the same as or slightly beyond the front end of the pusher member 51, since the cylinder rod 41 and the stopper member 43 are located outside the pusher member 51, with the above-described state maintained, by operating the third cylinder 50 to laterally move the pusher member 51, a predetermined number of products 1 can be transferred (see Fig. 11(b)).

[0046] On the other hand, as shown in Fig. 12(a), when accumulating and supplying the same number of thin products 1 as above, the leading edge of a series of products 1 remains inside the pusher member 51, and the cylinder rod 41 and the stopper member 43 remain inside the pusher member 51. Therefore, if the third cylinder 50 is operated in this state to laterally move the pusher member 51, the pusher member 51 will interfere with the cylinder rod 41 and the stopper member 43.

[0047] Therefore, in this embodiment, first, as shown in Fig. 12(b), the cylinder rod 41 is retracted and housed inside the main body of the second cylinder 40, and the cylinder rod 41 and the stopper member 43 are retracted outside the pusher member 51. Next, the third cylinder 50 is operated to laterally move the pusher member 51. As a result, the pusher member 51 can move to the transfer path 45 of the second transfer device 12 without interfering with the cylinder rod 41 or the like, and a predetermined number of products 1 existing inside can also be transferred and supplied from the transfer path 27 of the first transfer device 11 to the transfer path 45 of the second transfer device 12 (see Fig. 11(c)).

[0048] Also, in this embodiment, as described above, prior to the lateral movement of the pusher member 51, by retracting the second cylinder 40, the stopper member 43 is separated from the leading product 1. In this way, the stopper member 43 is in a state of being separated from the product 1, but in this state, since the subsequent product 1 is not pushed forward, even if the stopper member 43 is separated, the fall of the product 1 can be suppressed as much as possible.

[0049] [Control of the Second Cylinder (Part 1)] Next, the control of the second cylinder 40 that performs the above-described operation will be described. As shown in FIG. 13, the first solenoid valve 61 and the second solenoid valve 62 in the manifold 60 are connected to the A port and the B port of the second cylinder 40, respectively. The first solenoid valve 61 is in the exhaust state when the power is OFF, and the second solenoid valve 62 is closed when the power is OFF. Further, in the present embodiment, a throttle valve (spicon) 63 is attached to the A port and the B port so that exhaust can be performed also from the throttle valve 63 side. In the state of FIG. 13, the output ports of the first solenoid valve 61 and the second solenoid valve 62 are both connected to the B port of the second cylinder 40. When air is supplied in this state, it is exhausted from the A port, the cylinder rod 41 pops out forward, and the stopper member 43 attached to the tip contacts the product 1 (see FIG. 14(a)). At this time, a regulator 65 is provided in the path from the first solenoid valve 61 to the B port to reduce the pressure of the air supplied from the first solenoid valve 61 side.

[0050] Next, turn off the first solenoid valve 61 and the second solenoid valve 62 to put the second cylinder 40 in a free state (see Fig. 14(b)). Then, with this OFF process, the first solenoid valve 61 is connected to the exhaust, and the second solenoid valve 62 is connected to the closed state. Therefore, both the A port and the B port of the second cylinder 40 are connected to the exhaust path of the first solenoid valve 61. Actually, the air in the B port tries to be exhausted from the first solenoid valve 61. Here, in this embodiment, when the products 1 are supplied one by one to the first conveyor 11 by the product cutting device 30, a forward pressing force is applied to the stopper member 43, and as a result, the stopper member 43 and thus the cylinder rod 41 are pushed back, and accordingly, air flows out from the B port. At this time, the exhaust adjustment of the throttle valve 63 is performed to suppress the exhaust amount so that a reaction force is generated when the stopper member 43 is biased toward the downstream side, and the stopper member 43 is prevented from separating from the product 1 and moving downstream due to the inertial force accompanying the pressing force of the product 1. Therefore, when the product 1 moves forward, the stopper member 43 also moves downstream following it. However, when the cutting of one product 1 is completed and the forward movement of the product 1 temporarily stops, the stopper member 43 also temporarily stops and remains in contact with the leading product 1.

[0051] Then, when a predetermined number of products 1 are received, switch the first solenoid valve 61 and the second solenoid valve 62 and introduce air into the A port (see Fig. 15(a)). As a result, air flows into the second cylinder 40 from the A port and the pressure increases. Accordingly, air is discharged from the B port, and the cylinder rod 41 returns.

[0052] [Control etc. for the second cylinder (Part 2)] Also, the control of the backward movement of the stopper member 43 toward the downstream side as the product 1 moves forward is not limited to the adjustment by the exhaust throttle as described above. For example, as shown in FIG. 15(b), adjustment by air pressure may be performed. That is, the second solenoid valve 62 is turned off, but the first solenoid valve 61 is configured to exhaust from the B port while applying pressure to the B port. For example, a weak pressure such as 0.1 MPa reduced by pressure adjustment by the regulator 65 is applied to the B port in the path from the first solenoid valve 61, so that the product 1 can be gently pushed upstream and received by the stopper member 43. And since the force of pushing toward this upstream is weaker than the pushing force by the product 1, finally the second cylinder 40 loses to the pushing force of the product 1 and moves the stopper member 43 backward while exhausting from the B port. Thus, control by air pressure or control by numerical values may be used as it is easier to perform.

[0053] Also, in the above-described embodiment, the application to the combined type for products with different thicknesses has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it can also be applied when changing the number to be integrated or a combination of both.

[0054] Also, for example, in the case of a product with variations in thickness in the front-rear direction or the like, it is preferable that the total length of the pusher member in the conveyance direction is made longer than the total front-rear length of a plurality of products that move together. In this case, even for the product with the maximum overall length, the stopper member 43 is retracted before the pusher member 51 moves forward.

[0055] As described above, various aspects of the present invention have been described using embodiments. However, it should be noted that these embodiments and descriptions are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, but are provided to assist in the understanding of the present invention. The scope of the present invention is not limited to the configurations and manufacturing methods explicitly described in the specification, but also includes combinations of various aspects of the present invention disclosed herein. Among the present invention, the configuration for which a patent is sought has been specified in the appended claims. However, even if a configuration is not currently specified in the claims, it is noted for the record that the configurations disclosed herein may potentially be claimed in the future.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0056] 1: Product 10: Upright Integrated Feeding Device 11: First Conveyor 12: Second Conveyor 13: Transfer Device 14: Third Conveyor 15: Posture Conversion Unit 27: Conveyor Path 28: First Guide Plate 29: Second Guide Plate 30: Product Cutting Device 36: First Cylinder 40: Second Cylinder 41: Cylinder Rod 43: Stopper Member 45: Conveyor Path 50: Third Cylinder 51: Pusher Member 52: L-shaped Plate 53: Block Body

Claims

1. A first conveying device for conveying a standing product in a state of being in contact with it front and back; A second conveying device having a conveying path parallel to the conveying path of the first conveying device and at least partially running side by side; A pusher member that waits so as to cover the upper part of the conveying path of the first conveying device, moves in a lateral direction orthogonal to the conveying direction of the first conveying device, and reaches the conveying path of the second conveying device; A stopper member that moves forward and backward along the conveying path of the first conveying device and contacts the front surface of the leading product conveyed by the first conveying device; Comprising: The pusher member has a top surface portion and side wall portions provided on both the left and right sides in the conveying direction below the top surface portion; The product moving on the conveying path of the first conveying device is positioned within the space surrounded by the top surface portion and the side wall portions of the pusher member, and when the pusher member moves in the lateral direction, it is pushed by the side wall portion and moves together with the pusher member to be transferred to the conveying path of the second conveying device; The stopper member moves downstream in accordance with the forward movement of the product; When a predetermined number of the products are accommodated in the pusher member, the stopper member is moved downstream to a position outside the pusher member while the forward movement of the product is stopped, and in this state, the pusher member is configured to move in the lateral direction. An upright stacking and feeding device.

2. It is possible to accommodate products of different overall lengths stored in the pusher member; The overall length of the pusher member in the conveying direction is configured to be a length corresponding to the maximum length of the overall lengths of the predetermined number of products to be transferred. The upright stacking and feeding device according to Claim 1.

3. The stopper member is linked to a cylinder rod of a cylinder arranged on the downstream side of the conveying path of the first conveying device; The upright stacking and feeding device according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the stopper member is controlled to move downstream in a state of being in contact with the product in accordance with the operation of the cylinder.

4. The operation of the cylinder is controlled such that a force that pushes back with a force smaller than the forward biasing force when the product attempts to move forward acts. The upright stacking and feeding device according to Claim 3.

5. The distance between the outer peripheral surface of the product stored in the pusher member and the top surface portion and the side wall portions is configured to suppress at least one of the toppling and rotation of the product. The upright stacking and feeding device according to Claim 1.

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