Item transport device

Abstract

To provide an article conveying device capable of accurately inspecting an article while transporting the article at high speed and shortening the inspection time for the article.SOLUTION: In a container conveying device 2, when a container 20 is moved from a container charging position P1 to a container inspection position P2, a container 20 is conveyed while maintaining posture thereof by bringing a contact support 4A into contact with the container 20, and when the container 20 is positioned at the container inspection position P2, an actuator 9 moves an arm member 5 from an adjacent position to a separated position, and a driving motor 6 drives a star wheel 4 so that the contact support 4A is separated from one side surface 20a of the container 20.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, a system for weighing containers, as described in Patent Document 1, is known as an article transport device that transports containers to a weighing device.

[0003] This container weighing system includes a rotating disk having a recess on its radial outer periphery for drawing the container in, and the container is drawn into the recess and the rotating disk rotates, thereby transporting the container to the weighing station.

[0004] The weighing station is provided with a weighing cell for weighing the container, and when the container is transported to the weighing station by the rotating disk, the container is brought to rest on the weighing cell, and then the container is physically separated from the recess in order to obtain an accurate weighing value. For this reason, the recess is formed larger than the dimensions of the container.

[0005] In conventional container weighing systems, when a container is transported to a weighing station at a low speed using a rotating disk, the friction between the weighing cell and the container can stop the container at the weighing position when the container is weighed.

[0006] However, when a container is transported to a weighing station at high speed and stopped at the weighing position, the gap between the container and the recess causes the container to shake violently within the recess, making it impossible to identify the container's resting position, and in some cases the container may be weighed while in contact with the recess, which could result in the container not being weighed accurately.

[0007] This makes it difficult to transport the containers at high speed, which may result in a longer time required to weigh the containers.

[0008] A weighing system described in Patent Document 2 is known as a system that can prevent such a situation from occurring.

[0009] The weighing system includes a weighing table and a clamping device attached to the weighing table for clamping a container. The weighing table and the clamping device are placed on a load receiving portion of a weighing cell for weighing the container, and a conveying track for conveying the container runs on the weighing table.

[0010] This weighing system can weigh a container conveyed on a weighing table along a conveying track using a weighing cell while the container is held by a clamping device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0011] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6128466 [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 4805360 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0012] However, in the weighing system described in Patent Document 2, the clamping device that holds the container is installed on the weighing cell that weighs the container, so there is a risk that the position of the container cannot be accurately controlled immediately after it comes to rest, and in some cases the container may be held in contact with the conveying track (i.e., the conveying device), which may prevent the container from being weighed accurately.

[0013] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an article transport device that can transport articles at high speed while accurately inspecting the articles and shortening the time required for inspecting the articles. [Means for solving the problem]

[0014] The article transport device of the present invention includes a plurality of storage sections at an article input position for storing articles sequentially input from an article input section, and is equipped with a transport member for transporting the articles stored in the storage sections to an article inspection position, the storage sections including a plurality of contact support sections provided at an end of the transport member and capable of contacting one side of the article, and a plurality of auxiliary support sections provided at the end of the transport member so as to move between a proximity position where it is close to the other side of the article and a remote position where it is away from the other side of the article, and is an article transport device configured to drive the transport member in the article transport direction, and the storage sections that store the articles are arranged to move from at least a downstream side of the article input position to an article inspection position. and an actuator that moves the auxiliary support part from the proximity position to the separation position, and when the item moves from the item insertion position to the item inspection position, the contact support part is brought into contact with the item to transport the item while maintaining its posture, and when the item is located at the item inspection position, the actuator moves the auxiliary support part from the proximity position to the separation position, and the drive part drives the transport member so that the contact support part is separated from one side of the item.

[0015] With this configuration, when an item moves from the item insertion position to the item inspection position, the contact support portion is brought into contact with the item, thereby maintaining the item's posture and transporting it, so that the item can be transported at high speed from the item insertion position to the item inspection position.

[0016] In addition, when the item is transported to the item inspection position, the drive unit stops the transport member and the actuator moves the auxiliary support unit from the close position to the distant position, thereby allowing the auxiliary support unit to be spaced farther away from the other side of the item than the close position.

[0017] Thereafter, the drive unit moves the conveying member so that the contact support unit is separated from one side of the article, thereby preventing the article from interfering with the contact support unit and the auxiliary support unit at the article inspection position.

[0018] As a result, the articles inserted from the article insertion section can be transported at high speed to the article inspection position, the articles can be accurately positioned at the article inspection position, and the articles can be accurately inspected at the article inspection position, thereby shortening the inspection time for the articles.

[0019] Furthermore, when an article is transported at high speed from the article insertion position to the article inspection position, the auxiliary support portion is positioned in the proximity position, so a small gap is formed between the other side of the article and the auxiliary support portion, preventing the article from being completely held by the contact support portion and the auxiliary support portion.

[0020] Therefore, for example, when an item is transported from the item insertion position to the item inspection position while sliding on the transport surface, the item can be prevented from colliding strongly with the transport surface, preventing the item from being subjected to strong impacts while being transported, and protecting the item.

[0021] In addition, in the item transport device of the present invention, the auxiliary support section is attached to the transport member via a support shaft and has an arm member that can move integrally with the transport member, and the arm member has a first arm section that is provided at one end of the support shaft and can swing freely between the close position and the distant position with the support shaft as a fulcrum, and a second arm section that is provided at the other end of the support shaft and is operated by the actuator to swing the first arm section between the close position and the distant position, and when the item is positioned at the item inspection position, the actuator operates the second arm section to move the first arm section from the close position to the distant position.

[0022] With this configuration, when the article is located at the article inspection position, the first arm portion can be spaced farther away from the other side surface of the article than at the close position.

[0023] Then, the drive unit moves the conveying member so that the contact support unit moves away from one side of the article, thereby preventing the article from interfering with the contact support unit and the first arm unit at the article inspection position. As a result, the article can be accurately inspected at the article inspection position.

[0024] In addition, in the item transport device of the present invention, the auxiliary support portion has an arm member that can move freely integrally with the transport member, and the arm member has a shaft portion that is rotatably supported on the transport member, a first arm portion that is provided at one end of the shaft portion and can swing freely between the close position and the separated position as the shaft portion rotates, and a second arm portion that is provided at the other end of the shaft portion and is operated by the actuator to swing and rotate the shaft portion, and when the item is positioned at the item inspection position, the second arm portion is operated by the actuator to move the first arm portion from the close position to the separated position.

[0025] With this configuration, when the article is located at the article inspection position, the first arm portion can be spaced farther away from the other side surface of the article than at the close position.

[0026] Then, the drive unit moves the conveying member so that the contact support unit moves away from one side of the article, thereby preventing the article from interfering with the contact support unit and the first arm unit at the article inspection position. As a result, the article can be accurately inspected at the article inspection position.

[0027] In addition, in the item transport device of the present invention, the guide portion extends from at least downstream of the item input position toward the item inspection position in the movement direction of the transport member, and consists of a guide plate with which the second arm portion contacts, and is configured to maintain the first arm portion in the close position by the second arm portion contacting the guide plate until the item is transported to the item inspection position by the movement of the transport member.

[0028] This configuration allows the transport member to rotate at high speed while forming a small gap between the first arm and the article, allowing the article to be transported at high speed to the article inspection position, thereby enabling the article to be accurately positioned at the article inspection position and shortening the inspection time for the article.

[0029] Furthermore, it is possible to more effectively prevent the article from colliding strongly with the conveying surface, and more effectively prevent the article from being subjected to a strong impact while being conveyed, thereby more effectively protecting the article.

[0030] In addition, the item transport device of the present invention has a biasing member that biases the arm member so that the first arm portion is located at the separated position, and the actuator has a pressing portion that is movable between a first position that maintains the first arm portion at the close position by pressing the second arm portion against the biasing force of the biasing member when the item is located at the item inspection position, and a second position that releases the pressure on the arm member, and when the pressing portion moves to the second position, the arm member is biased by the biasing member, causing the first arm portion to swing from the close position to the separated position.

[0031] With this configuration, when the article is positioned at the article inspection position, the pressing portion of the actuator presses the second arm portion against the biasing force of the biasing member, thereby maintaining the first arm portion in the proximity position.

[0032] This means that even if a small gap is formed between the other side of the item and the first arm portion when the item is transported, when the item is positioned at the item inspection position and the transport member is stopped, the inertia of the item can cause the other side of the item to come into contact with the first arm portion.

[0033] This prevents the article from being positioned too far downstream from the article inspection position, allowing the article to be accurately positioned at the article inspection position.

[0034] Furthermore, when the pressing portion of the actuator releases the pressure on the second arm portion, the arm member is biased by the biasing member, causing the first arm portion to swing from the close position to the distant position, thereby separating the auxiliary support portion from the other side surface of the article.

[0035] In this way, the arm member can be swung between the close position and the separated position with a simple configuration, which simplifies the configuration of the item transport device and prevents an increase in the manufacturing costs of the item transport device.

[0036] Furthermore, according to the article transport device of the present invention, the second arm portion has a rotating body that rotates in contact with the guide plate.

[0037] This allows the second arm portion to come into contact with the guide plate via the rotating body, and the arm member to move along the guide plate in the movement direction of the transport member due to rotation of the rotating body, thereby preventing wear on the second arm portion and improving the durability of the arm member, thereby improving the reliability of the item transport device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0038] The present invention can provide an article transport device that can transport articles at high speed while accurately inspecting the articles, thereby reducing the time required for inspecting the articles. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0039] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a plan view of an article weighing apparatus equipped with an article transport device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an enlarged plan view of a storage unit of an article transport apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention, showing a state in which an article is held by a contact support unit and an arm member and transported to an article inspection position. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is an enlarged plan view of a storage unit of an article transport apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention, showing a state in which the arm member is separated from the article at the article inspection position. [Figure 4]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a portion of a storage unit of an article transport apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is an enlarged plan view of a storage section of an article transport apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention, showing a state in which the contact support section and arm member are separated from the article at the article inspection position. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a plan view of an article weighing device equipped with an article transport device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is an enlarged plan view of a storage section of an article transport device according to a second embodiment of the present invention, showing an article being held by a contact support section and an arm member. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 shows an enlarged plan view of a storage section of an article transport apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention, showing a state in which the contact support section and arm member are separated from the article at the article inspection position. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a portion of a storage unit of an article transport apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] 10(a) and 10(b) are diagrams showing the procedure for transporting an article to an article inspection position by an article transport apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the direction of arrow A in FIG. [Figure 11] 11(a) and 11(b) are views showing the procedure for releasing an article at an article inspection position by an article transport apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the direction of arrow A in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0040] (First embodiment) Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, the configuration of an article transport device according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described based on FIGS. 1 to 5. FIG.

[0041] In FIG. 1, a container conveying device 2 is provided in a container weighing device 1, and aligns and conveys articles to be weighed to a container weighing section 3 in succession.

[0042] The items to be weighed include items and molded products of a predetermined shape manufactured using existing manufacturing facilities, such as containers containing contents, such as aerosol cans and bottles.

[0043] As shown in Figure 1, the container weighing device 1 includes a container conveying device 2 as an article conveying device that conveys a container 20 along a circular conveying course, a container weighing unit 3 that weighs the container 20 at a container inspection position P2 along the conveying course, a container input unit 11 that inputs the container into the container conveying device 2 at a container input position P1, and a container output unit 12 that outputs the container from the container conveying device 2 at a container output position P3.

[0044] In this embodiment, the container insertion position P1 constitutes an article insertion position, the container inspection position P2 constitutes an article inspection position, and the container insertion section 11 constitutes an article insertion section.

[0045] The container conveying device 2 is equipped with a star wheel 4, which is rotatable in the conveying direction of the containers 20. In this embodiment, the star wheel 4 constitutes a conveying member. The conveying direction of the containers 20 and the rotation direction R1 of the star wheel 4 are the same, i.e., clockwise.

[0046] Recesses 4a are formed on the radial outer periphery (end) of the star wheel 4, and the recesses 4a are provided at equal intervals in the rotation direction R1 of the star wheel 4. Contact support portions 4A are provided on the outer periphery of the star wheel 4, and the contact support portions 4A are provided at equal intervals in the rotation direction R1 of the star wheel 4.

[0047] The recesses 4a are formed between the contact support portions 4A in the rotation direction R1 of the star wheel 4. In other words, the outer periphery of the star wheel 4 is formed with a continuous uneven shape in the rotation direction R1. Note that the recesses 4a and the contact support portions 4A do not have to be provided at equal intervals in the rotation direction R1 of the star wheel 4.

[0048] 4, the contact support part 4A has an upper wall 4B and a side wall 4C. The upper wall 4B extends in the rotation direction R1 of the star wheel 4, and the side wall 4C extends downward from one end of the upper wall 4B (the downstream end of the star wheel 4 in the rotation direction R1) in the rotation direction R1 of the star wheel 4. The contact support part 4A is formed in an L-shape when viewed from the radial direction of the star wheel 4.

[0049] When the star wheel 4 rotates in the conveying direction (rotation direction R1) of the container 20, one side surface 20a (see Figure 1) of the container 20 in the conveying direction comes into contact with the contact surface 4b of the contact support portion 4A, which is made up of the side surface of the upper wall 4B and the side surface of the side wall 4C.

[0050] 1, the star wheel 4 is installed in the main body 1A of the container weighing device 1. The main body 1A of the container weighing device 1 is provided with a drive motor 6 made of a stepping motor.

[0051] A fixed member 7 fixed to the drive shaft 6A of the drive motor 6 is provided on the upper part of the star wheel 4, and the fixed member 7 is fixed to the upper surface of the star wheel 4. When the drive motor 6 is driven to rotate, the star wheel 4 rotates integrally with the fixed member 7. The drive motor 6 of this embodiment constitutes a drive unit.

[0052] Each of the recesses 4a accommodates two containers 20. The radial length of the contact support portion 4A is formed to be twice or more the diameter of the containers 20.

[0053] Arm members 5 are attached to the star wheel 4, and the arm members 5 are provided at equal intervals in the rotation direction R1 of the star wheel 4 so as to form pairs with the contact support parts 4A. Note that the arm members 5 do not have to be provided at equal intervals in the rotation direction R1 of the star wheel 4.

[0054] 2 to 4, a support shaft 5A is provided radially inward of the star wheel 4 relative to the contact support portion 4A. The support shaft 5A extends downward from the star wheel 4, and the arm member 5 is attached to the support shaft 5A so that it can swing freely. This allows the arm member 5 to move integrally with the star wheel 4.

[0055] The arm member 5 includes a first arm portion 5B and a second arm portion 5C. The first arm portion 5B is provided radially outward (on one end side) of the star wheel 4 with respect to the support shaft 5A, and is swingable below the upper wall 4B of the contact support portion 4A between a close position where it is close to the other side surface 20b in the conveying direction of the container 20 and a distant position where it is distant from the other side surface 20b in a direction away from the close position, with the support shaft 5A as a fulcrum.

[0056] The second arm portion 5C is provided radially inward (on the other end side) of the star wheel 4 relative to the support shaft 5A, and is operated by an actuator 9 (described later) to swing the first arm portion 5B between a close position and a distant position.

[0057] When the arm member 5 is located at the close position, the first arm portion 5B comes close to the other side surface 20b of the container 20, forming a small gap between the container 20 and the first arm portion 5B.

[0058] The contact support portion 4A of this embodiment constitutes a housing portion and a contact support portion, and the arm member 5 constitutes a housing portion and an auxiliary support portion.

[0059] A torsion spring 8 is provided on the arm member 5. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, a spring bearing portion 5a is provided on the second arm portion 5C, and one end of the torsion spring 8 abuts against the spring bearing portion 5a from the radially outer side of the star wheel 4.

[0060] The other end of the torsion spring 8 is fitted to the star wheel 4, and the torsion spring 8 biases the arm member 5 so that the first arm portion 5B is positioned at the separated position. The torsion spring 8 of this embodiment constitutes a biasing member.

[0061] 1 and 2, a guide plate 10 is installed on the main body 1A of the container weighing device 1. The guide plate 10 is installed at the same height as the arm member 5 in the height direction (up and down direction) of the container weighing device 1, and extends while curving in the circumferential direction of the star wheel 4 from downstream of the container insertion position P1 toward the container inspection position P2.

[0062] A roller 5D is rotatably provided on the second arm portion 5C of the arm member 5, and the roller 5D rotates in contact with the guide plate 10. The roller 5D of this embodiment constitutes a rotating body.

[0063] 2, the guide plate 10 has a contact surface 10a with which the roller 5D comes into contact. The guide plate 10 is installed on the main body 1A of the container weighing device 1 so that the contact surface 10a is located on the first arm portion 5B side with respect to the radial inner end portion 5b of the roller 5D when the roller 5D is not in contact with the contact surface 10a.

[0064] As the star wheel 4 rotates, the arm member 5 moves integrally with the star wheel 4 in the conveying direction of the container 20, and when the arm member 5 is positioned at the downstream end of the guide plate 10, the roller 5D contacts the guide plate 10, and the arm member 5 moves toward the container inspection position P2 while the roller 5D rotates on the contact surface 10a of the guide plate 10.

[0065] Here, upstream and downstream refer to upstream and downstream with respect to the rotation direction R1 of the star wheel 4. For example, the container insertion position P1 is located upstream of the container inspection position P2, and the container inspection position P2 is located downstream of the container insertion position P1.

[0066] When the roller 5D contacts the guide plate 10, the second arm portion 5C swings around the support shaft 5A as a fulcrum, causing the first arm portion 5B to swing to a close position around the support shaft 5A as a fulcrum against the biasing force of the torsion spring 8.

[0067] As a result, the first arm portion 5B comes close to the other side surface 20b of the container 20, forming a small gap between the container 20 and the first arm portion 5B.

[0068] The guide plate 10 of this embodiment is formed to have a length that allows it to come into contact with the four rollers 5D so as to swing the four first arm portions 5B to the close position. The guide plate 10 of this embodiment constitutes a guide portion.

[0069] When the container 20 is transported, the distance between the contact surface 4b of the contact support portion 4A and the first arm portion 5B in the rotation direction of the star wheel 4 is set to be slightly larger than the maximum dimensional tolerance of the diameter of the container 20, for example.

[0070] In other words, when the container 20 is transported, the container 20 is accommodated between the contact support portion 4A and the first arm portion 5B so that the contact surface 4b of the contact support portion 4A contacts one side surface 20a of the container 20 and a small gap is formed between the first arm portion 5B and the other side surface 20b of the container 20.

[0071] The gap between the first arm portion 5B and the other side surface 20b of the container 20 is formed to be a gap that prevents the container 20 from moving too far downstream from the container inspection position P2 when the container 20 is positioned at the container inspection position P2, and also prevents the container 20 from tilting and leaning against the first arm portion 5B when the container 20 is transported.

[0072] As a result, during transportation, the container 20 accommodated between the contact support portion 4A and the first arm portion 5B is transported while being maintained in a position in which the central axis of the container 20 is parallel to the vertical axis.

[0073] An actuator 9 is installed in the main body 1A of the container weighing device 1. The actuator 9 has a cylinder portion 9A, a shaft portion 9B that can freely protrude and retract from the cylinder portion 9A, and a guide piece 9C that is attached to the tip of the shaft portion 9B and can freely move toward and away from the cylinder portion 9A as the shaft portion 9B protrudes and retracts from the cylinder portion 9A.

[0074] The actuator 9 moves the guide piece 9C between a first position and a second position.

[0075] When guide piece 9C is located in the first position, second arm portion 5C is pressed against the biasing force of torsion spring 8, and first arm portion 5B is maintained in the adjacent position. At this time, as shown in Fig. 2, contact surface 9a of guide piece 9C and contact surface 10a of guide plate 10 are continuous in the conveying direction of container 20, and roller 5D moves smoothly from guide plate 10 to guide piece 9C.

[0076] When the guide piece 9C moves from the first position to the second position, the guide piece 9C moves away from the guide plate 10 so as to be farther away from the contact support portion 4A, the pressure on the second arm portion 5C by the guide piece 9C is released, and the arm member 5 is biased by the torsion spring 8, causing the first arm portion 5B to swing from the close position to the distant position.

[0077] The arm member 5 has a first arm portion 5B extending in the radial direction of the star wheel 4, and a second arm portion 5C bent from the first arm portion 5B in the rotation direction R1 of the star wheel 4. As a result, when the roller 5D contacts the guide piece 9C, the guide piece 9C is located at a position shifted in the rotation direction of the star wheel 4 from the container inspection position P2.

[0078] The actuator 9 maintains the guide piece 9C in the first position until the star wheel 4 rotates and transports the container 20 to the container inspection position P2, and then moves the guide piece 9C from the first position to the second position when the container 20 is positioned at the container inspection position P2. The guide piece 9C of the actuator 9 in this embodiment constitutes a pressing portion.

[0079] 1, container input unit 11 is provided at container input position P1. Container input unit 11 inputs containers 20 into container conveying device 2, and includes container conveying unit 13 such as a linear feeder or conveyor.

[0080] A pair of guide rails 11A and 11B are provided on the upper part of the container conveying section 13, and the gap between the guide rails 11A and 11B is formed to be slightly larger than the diameter of the container 20. The guide rails 11A and 11B are supported on the main body 1A by a support section 11C.

[0081] The containers 20 transported by the container transport section 13 are transported in a single file to the container transport device 2 while being sandwiched between guide rails 11A and 11B.

[0082] The rotation speed of the star wheel 4 is controlled by the drive motor 6, and the star wheel 4 is stopped at the timing when the container 20 is inserted into the recess 4a at the container insertion position P1. At this timing, two containers 20 are inserted from the container insertion section 11 into the recess 4a, and the containers 20 are positioned between the contact support section 4A and the first arm section 5B.

[0083] When two containers 20 are accommodated in the recess 4a, the container 20 following the container 20 accommodated in the recess 4a comes into contact with the container 20 accommodated in the recess 4a and is not accommodated between the contact support part 4A and the first arm part 5B. As a result, the following container 20 waits at the container loading part 11.

[0084] For this reason, the frictional force of the container conveying section 13 is set to be such that the container 20 can be conveyed and the container 20 slides relative to the container 20 when the container 20 is waiting in the container input section 11.

[0085] The container unloading section 12 is provided at the container unloading position P3. The container unloading section 12 unloads the container 20 from the container transport device 2, and has a container transport section 13 that is continuous with the container loading section 11.

[0086] That is, the container conveying section 13 extends from the container input section 11 to the container unloading section 12, passing below the star wheel 4.

[0087] When the star wheel 4 is stopped at the container unloading position P3, the container 20 is unloaded from the recess 4a by the container unloading unit 12, and the container 20 unloaded by the container unloading unit 12 is transported to the next process by the container transport unit 13. Guide rails 12B and 12C may be installed in the container unloading unit 12.

[0088] The container weighing units 3 are installed in pairs at the container inspection position P2 and are aligned radially of the star wheel 4. The container inspection position P2 is located between the container loading position P1 and the container unloading position P3 in the rotation direction R1 of the star wheel 4.

[0089] That is, the container weighing unit 3 is installed between the container loading unit 11 and the container conveying device 2 in the rotation direction R1 of the star wheel 4, and the container loading unit 11, the container weighing unit 3 and the container conveying unit 12 are installed at 90° intervals from each other in the rotation direction R1 of the star wheel 4.

[0090] The container weighing unit 3 is installed in a recess (not shown) recessed downward from the conveying surface 1a of the main body 1A. The container 20 slides on the conveying surface 1a of the main body 1A and is conveyed from the container insertion position P1 to the container removal position P3 via the container inspection position P2.

[0091] In other words, the container 20 housed in the contact support portion 4A and the first arm portion 5B comes into contact with and is pushed by the contact support portion 4A as the star wheel 4 rotates, forming a small gap between the contact support portion 4A and the first arm portion 5B.

[0092] As a result, the container 20 is not completely grasped by the contact support portion 4A and the first arm portion 5B, but slides along the conveying surface 1a of the main body 1A and is conveyed from the container insertion position P1 through the container inspection position P2 to the container removal position P3.

[0093] A container 20 is placed on the container weighing unit 3, and the container weighing unit 3 weighs the container 20 in a state of complete non-contact with the contact support unit 4A and the first arm unit 5B at the container inspection position P2.

[0094] 1 and 2, main body 1A is provided with guide wall 1B. Guide wall 1B extends from container insertion position P1, through container inspection position P2, to container removal position P3, and has a curved surface that follows the outer circumferential shape of star wheel 4, facing star wheel 4.

[0095] The guide wall 1B protrudes upward from the conveying surface 1a of the main body 1A and is formed to a height approximately equal to that of the container 20.

[0096] This prevents the container 20 stored in the recess 4a from coming into contact with the guide wall 1B and falling out of the recess 4a even if the container 20 that is not held by the contact support portion 4A and the first arm portion 5B attempts to fall out of the recess 4a due to centrifugal force when the container 20 is transported from the container loading position P1 to the container unloading position P3.

[0097] Furthermore, the timing at which the container 20 is weighed by the container weighing unit 3 at the container inspection position P2, the timing at which the container 20 is loaded (stored) from the container loading unit 11 into the recess 4a at the container loading position P1, and the timing at which the container 20 is unloaded from the recess 4a to the container unloading unit 12 at the container unloading position P3 are the same, and when the star wheel 4 is stopped, the weighing of the container 20, the loading of the container 20, and the unloading of the container 20 are performed simultaneously.

[0098] Next, the operation of the container transfer device 2 of this embodiment will be described. When a container 20 is inserted into the recess 4a at the container insertion position P1, the drive motor 6 is stopped at the timing when the container 20 is inserted between the contact support portion 4A and the first arm portion 5B, thereby stopping the star wheel 4. At this time, since the first arm portion 5B is positioned at the separated position, the container 20 can be smoothly inserted between the contact support portion 4A and the first arm portion 5B.

[0099] The two containers 20 accommodated in the recess 4a at the container loading position P1 are transported toward the container inspection position P2 with one side 20a in contact with the contact surface 4b of the contact support portion 4A as the star wheel 4 rotates.

[0100] When the roller 5D provided on the second arm portion 5C comes into contact with the contact surface 10a of the guide plate 10, the second arm portion 5C swings around the support shaft 5A as a fulcrum, causing the first arm portion 5B to swing to a close position around the support shaft 5A as a fulcrum against the biasing force of the torsion spring 8 (see Figures 1 and 2).

[0101] That is, one side surface 20a of the container 20 comes into contact with the contact surface 4b of the contact support portion 4A of the star wheel 4, and the container 20 is pushed by the contact support portion 4A, thereby being transported to the container inspection position P2. At this time, a small gap is formed between the other side surface 20b of the container 20 and the first arm portion 5B, and the container 20 is transported from the container insertion position P1 to the container inspection position P2 while sliding on the transport surface 1a of the main body 1A.

[0102] A small gap is formed between the other side 20b of the container 20 and the first arm portion 5B, but as the container 20 is transported, the other side 20b of the container 20 may come into contact with the first arm portion 5B, and if the container 20 attempts to swing excessively, the container 20 will come into contact with the first arm portion 5B, preventing the container 20 from being transported in an inclined state.

[0103] Furthermore, since a small gap is formed between the other side surface 20b of the container 20 and the first arm portion 5B, the container 20 is not completely held by the contact support portion 4A and the first arm portion 5B.

[0104] This allows the bottom surface of the container 20 to slide on the conveying surface 1a of the main body 1A, preventing the bottom surface of the container 20 from colliding strongly with the conveying surface 1a and preventing the container 20 from receiving a strong impact during conveyance.

[0105] When the container 20 is transported to the container inspection position P2, the drive motor 6 is stopped to stop the star wheel 4.

[0106] When the container 20 is transported, a small gap is formed between the other side 20b of the container 20 and the first arm portion 5B, so when the container 20 is positioned at the container inspection position P2 and the star wheel 4 is stopped, the inertia of the container 20 causes the other side 20b of the container 20 to come into contact with the first arm portion 5B.

[0107] This prevents the container 20 from being positioned too far downstream from the container inspection position P2, and allows the container 20 to be accurately positioned at the container inspection position P2.

[0108] When the container 20 is transported to the container inspection position P2 and the roller 5D contacts the guide piece 9C, the cylinder portion 9A moves the guide piece 9C toward the cylinder portion 9A, as shown in Figure 3, and the guide piece 9C moves from the first position to the second position.

[0109] When the guide piece 9C moves from the first position to the second position, the guide piece 9C moves radially inward of the star wheel 4 relative to the contact support portion 4A and moves away from the guide plate 10, and the pressure applied by the guide piece 9C to the second arm portion 5C is released.

[0110] At this time, the arm member 5 is biased by the torsion spring 8, so that the first arm portion 5B swings to a distant position that is farther away from the other side surface 20b of the container 20 than the close position.

[0111] Next, the drive motor 6 rotates the star wheel 4 in a rotation direction R2 opposite to the conveying direction of the container 20. In other words, the star wheel 4 is rotated slightly in the rotation direction R2 so that the star wheel 4 moves away from the first arm portion 5B in the circumferential direction, thereby moving the contact support portion 4A away from one side surface 20a of the container 20 (see FIG. 5).

[0112] As a result, the contact support portion 4A and the first arm portion 5B are completely separated from the container 20, and the load of the star wheel 4 and the arm member 5 is not applied to the container 20. In this state, the container 20 is weighed by the container weighing portion 3.

[0113] In addition, when the container 20 is transported to the container inspection position P2 and the star wheel 4 is stopped, the container 20 is loaded from the container loading section 11 into the recess 4a at the container loading position P1, and the container 20 is loaded from the recess 4a to the container unloading section 12 at the container unloading position P3.

[0114] In this manner, the container weighing device 1 of this embodiment successively transports two containers 20 placed in the recess 4a at the container placement position P1 to the container inspection position P2, and weighs the containers 20 by the container weighing unit 3.

[0115] Next, the effects of the container transport device 2 of this embodiment will be described. The container conveying device 2 of this embodiment includes a plurality of contact support parts 4A and arm members 5 that accommodate containers 20 that are sequentially inserted from the container insertion section 11 at the container insertion position P1, and is equipped with a star wheel 4 that continuously transports the containers 20 accommodated in the contact support parts 4A and arm members 5 to the container inspection position P2.

[0116] The contact support portion 4A is provided on the outer periphery of the star wheel 4 and is capable of contacting one side surface 20a of the container 20, and the arm member 5 is provided on the outer periphery of the star wheel 4 so as to move between a close position close to the other side surface 20b of the container 20 and a distant position away from the other side surface of the container 20.

[0117] The container conveying device 2 also has a drive motor 6 that drives the star wheel 4 in the conveying direction of the container 20, a guide plate 10 that supports the arm member 5 so that the arm member 5 is positioned in a close position when the contact support part 4A that accommodates the container 20 and the arm member 5 move from the container insertion position P1 to the container inspection position P2, and an actuator 9 that moves the arm member 5 from the close position to a separated position.

[0118] In addition, according to the container conveying device 2, when the container 20 moves from the container loading position P1 to the container inspection position P2, the contact support part 4A is brought into contact with the container 20, thereby maintaining the posture of the container 20 and conveying it, and when the container 20 is positioned at the container inspection position P2, the actuator 9 moves the arm member 5 from the close position to the separated position, and the drive motor 6 drives the star wheel 4 so that the contact support part 4A moves away from one side 20a of the container 20.

[0119] In this way, when the container 20 moves from the container loading position P1 to the container inspection position P2, the contact support portion 4A is brought into contact with the container 20, thereby maintaining the posture of the container 20 and transporting it, so that the container 20 can be transported from the container loading position P1 to the container inspection position P2 at high speed.

[0120] Furthermore, when the container 20 is transported to the container inspection position P2, the star wheel 4 is stopped by the drive motor 6, and the arm member 5 is moved from the close position to the distant position by the actuator 9, thereby allowing the arm member 5 to be moved farther away from the other side surface 20b of the container 20 than the close position.

[0121] Thereafter, the drive motor 6 moves the star wheel 4 so that the contact support portion 4A moves away from one side surface 20a of the container 20, thereby preventing the container 20 from interfering with the contact support portion 4A and the arm member 5 at the container inspection position P2.

[0122] As a result, the container 20 inserted from the container insertion section 11 can be transported at high speed to the container inspection position P2, and the container 20 can be accurately positioned at the container inspection position P2. The container 20 can also be accurately weighed at the container inspection position P2, thereby shortening the weighing time of the container 20.

[0123] Alternatively, after the drive motor 6 has moved the star wheel 4 so that the contact support portion 4A is separated from one side surface 20a of the container 20, the actuator 9 may move the arm member 5 from the close position to the separated position.

[0124] Furthermore, when the container 20 is transported at high speed from the container insertion position P1 to the container inspection position P2, the arm member 5 is positioned in the proximity position, so a small gap is formed between the other side surface 20b of the container 20 and the arm member 5. As a result, the container 20 is not completely held by the contact support portion 4A and the arm member 5.

[0125] Therefore, when the container 20 slides on the conveying surface 1a and is conveyed from the container insertion position P1 to the container inspection position P2, the container 20 is prevented from colliding strongly with the conveying surface 1a, and the container 20 is prevented from being subjected to a strong impact during its conveyance, thereby protecting the container 20.

[0126] Furthermore, according to the container transfer device 2 of this embodiment, the arm member 5 is attached to the star wheel 4 via the support shaft 5A, and is movable integrally with the star wheel 4.

[0127] The arm member 5 has a first arm portion 5B that is provided at one end of the support shaft 5A and can swing freely between a close position and a distant position with the support shaft 5A as a fulcrum, and a second arm portion 5C that is provided at the other end of the support shaft 5A and is operated by an actuator 9 to swing the first arm portion 5B between the close position and the distant position, and when the container 20 is located at the container inspection position P2, the actuator 9 operates the second arm portion 5C to move the first arm portion 5B from the close position to the distant position.

[0128] In this way, when the container 20 is positioned at the container inspection position P2, the arm member 5 can be spaced farther away from the other side surface 20b of the container 20 than at the close position.

[0129] Thereafter, the drive motor 6 moves the star wheel 4 so that the contact support portion 4A moves away from the one side surface 20a of the container 20. This prevents the container 20 from interfering with the contact support portion 4A and the first arm portion 5B at the container inspection position P2. As a result, the container 20 can be accurately weighed at the container inspection position P2.

[0130] Furthermore, according to the container conveying device 2 of this embodiment, the guide plate 10 extends from downstream of the container loading position P1 toward the container inspection position P2 in the rotation direction of the star wheel 4, and is contactable with the second arm portion 5C, and maintains the first arm portion 5B in a close position by contacting the second arm portion 5C until the container 20 is transported to the container inspection position P2 by the rotation of the star wheel 4.

[0131] With this configuration, the star wheel 4 can be rotated at high speed to transport the container 20 to the container inspection position P2 at high speed while forming a small gap between the first arm portion 5B and the container 20. This allows the container 20 to be accurately positioned at the container inspection position P2, thereby shortening the time required to weigh the container 20.

[0132] Furthermore, it is possible to more effectively prevent the container 20 from colliding strongly with the conveying surface 1a, and more effectively prevent the container 20 from being subjected to a strong impact while being conveyed, thereby more effectively protecting the container 20. Note that the guide plate 10 may extend from the container insertion position P1 toward the container inspection position P2.

[0133] In addition, the container conveying device 2 of this embodiment has a torsion spring 8 that biases the arm member 5 so that the first arm portion 5B is positioned at the separated position, and the actuator 9 has a guide piece 9C that can move between a first position that maintains the first arm portion 5B at the close position by pressing the second arm portion 5C against the biasing force of the torsion spring 8 when the container 20 is positioned at the container inspection position P2, and a second position that releases the pressure on the arm member 5, and when the guide piece 9C moves to the second position, the arm member 5 is biased by the torsion spring 8, causing the first arm portion 5B to swing from the close position to the separated position.

[0134] With this configuration, when the container 20 is positioned at the container inspection position P2, the guide piece 9C of the actuator 9 presses the second arm portion 5C against the biasing force of the torsion spring 8, thereby maintaining the first arm portion 5B in the close position.

[0135] As a result, even if a small gap is formed between the other side 20b of the container 20 and the first arm portion 5B when the container 20 is transported, when the container 20 is positioned at the container inspection position P2 and the star wheel 4 is stopped, the inertia of the container 20 can bring the other side 20b of the container 20 into contact with the first arm portion 5B.

[0136] This prevents the container 20 from being positioned too far downstream from the container inspection position P2, and allows the container 20 to be accurately positioned at the container inspection position P2.

[0137] Furthermore, when the container 20 is positioned at the container inspection position P2, if the guide piece 9C releases the pressure on the second arm portion 5C, the arm member 5 is biased by the torsion spring 8, causing the first arm portion 5B to swing from the close position to the distant position. This allows the first arm portion 5B to be separated from the other side surface 20b of the container 20.

[0138] In this way, the arm member 5 can be swung between the close position and the separated position with a simple configuration, so that the configuration of the container conveying device 2 can be simplified and an increase in the manufacturing cost of the container conveying device 2 can be prevented.

[0139] Furthermore, according to the container transfer device 2 of this embodiment, the second arm portion 5C has a roller 5D that rotates in contact with the guide plate 10.

[0140] As a result, the second arm portion 5C comes into contact with the guide plate 10 via the roller 5D, and the rotation of the roller 5D allows the arm member 5 to move along the guide plate 10 in the rotation direction R1 of the star wheel 4. This prevents the second arm portion 5C from wearing out, improving the durability of the arm member 5 and the reliability of the container conveying device 2.

[0141] Furthermore, according to the container conveying device 2 of this embodiment, the contact support portion 4A has an upper wall 4B and a side wall 4C, and one side surface 20a of the container 20 is in contact with the entire contact surface 4b of the contact support portion 4A, which consists of the side surface of the upper wall 4B and the side surface of the side wall 4C, so that the container 20 can be stably conveyed by the contact support portion 4A.

[0142] In the container transport device 2 of this embodiment, the arm member 5 is attached to the rotatable star wheel 4, but the present invention is not limited to this.

[0143] For example, the conveying member may be constructed from a conveying member that is freely movable in a straight-line direction, and an arm member (auxiliary support part) may be provided at the end of this conveying member that is freely movable in the straight-line direction integral with the conveying member and that is freely movable relative to the conveying member in the straight-line direction.

[0144] (Second embodiment) Next, the configuration of an article transport device according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 6 to 11. Note that the configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment except for the star wheel 21 and the arm member 22, and the same components as those in the first embodiment are assigned the same numbers and will not be described again.

[0145] 6, the container conveying device 2 of the container weighing device 1 is provided with a star wheel 21, and the star wheel 21 is rotatable in the conveying direction of the containers 20. The star wheel 21 of this embodiment constitutes a conveying member.

[0146] Recesses 21a are formed on the outer periphery (end) of the star wheel 21 in the radial direction, and the recesses 21a are provided at equal intervals in the rotation direction R1 of the star wheel 21. Contact support portions 21A are provided on the outer periphery of the star wheel 21, and the contact support portions 21A are provided at equal intervals in the rotation direction R1 of the star wheel 21. Note that the recesses 21a and the contact support portions 21A do not have to be provided at equal intervals in the rotation direction R1 of the star wheel 21.

[0147] The recesses 21a are formed between the contact support portions 21A in the rotation direction R1 of the star wheel 21. That is, the outer periphery of the star wheel 21 is formed in an uneven shape that continues in the rotation direction R1.

[0148] As shown in FIG. 9, a notch 21b is formed in the contact support portion 21A, and the notch 21b is recessed in the radial direction of the contact support portion 21A in the lower portion of the contact support portion 21A.

[0149] As shown in FIG. 6, when the star wheel 21 rotates in the conveying direction of the container 20, one side surface 20a of the container 20 in the conveying direction comes into contact with the contact surface 21c of the contact support portion 21A.

[0150] The star wheel 21 is installed in the main body 1A of the container weighing device 1. The main body 1A of the container weighing device 1 is provided with a drive motor 6 made up of a stepping motor.

[0151] When the drive motor 6 is driven to rotate, the star wheel 21 rotates integrally with the fixed member 7 .

[0152] Each of the recesses 21a accommodates two containers 20. The radial length of the contact support portion 21A is formed to be twice the diameter of the containers 20 or more.

[0153] Arm members 22 are attached to the star wheel 21, and the arm members 22 are provided at equal intervals in the rotation direction R1 of the star wheel 21 so as to form pairs with the contact support parts 21A. Note that the arm members 22 do not have to be provided at equal intervals in the rotation direction R1 of the star wheel 21.

[0154] As shown in FIGS. 7 and 9, the arm member 22 includes a shaft portion 22A, a first arm portion 22B, and a second arm portion 22C.

[0155] An annular support portion 21B is formed radially inward of the contact support portion 21A of the star wheel 21. The annular support portion 21B protrudes upward from the upper surface of the star wheel 21 and is formed in an annular shape in the circumferential direction of the star wheel 21.

[0156] The shaft portion 22A of the arm member 22 is inserted radially through the annular support portion 21B and is rotatably supported by the annular support portion 21B, so that the arm member 22 can move integrally with the star wheel 21.

[0157] As shown in FIG. 9, the first arm portion 22B has an L-shaped vertically elongated arm portion 22D provided at one end of the shaft portion 22A, and a horizontally elongated arm portion 22E extending radially of the star wheel 21 from the lower end of the vertically elongated arm portion 22D.

[0158] A through-hole 21d that penetrates in the vertical direction is formed in the star wheel 21. The vertically long arm portion 22D extends from one end of the shaft portion 22A in the circumferential direction of the star wheel 21, then extends downward to pass through the through-hole 21d and extend below the ceiling surface 21m of the cutout 21b.

[0159] The width of the through hole 21d in the circumferential direction of the star wheel 21 is formed to be larger than the width of the portion of the vertically elongated arm portion 22D that is inserted into the through hole 21d in the circumferential direction.

[0160] As a result, when the shaft portion 22A rotates, the vertical arm portion 22D swings within the width of the through hole 21d, allowing the horizontal arm portion 22E to move between a position where it enters the notch 21b and a position where it moves away from the notch 21b (see Figures 10 and 11).

[0161] When the horizontally elongated arm portion 22E moves away from the notch 21b, the horizontally elongated arm portion 22E approaches the other side surface 20b of the container 20. On the other hand, when the horizontally elongated arm portion 22E enters the notch 21b, the horizontally elongated arm portion 22E moves away from the other side surface 20b of the container 20.

[0162] That is, the horizontally elongated arm portion 22E of the first arm portion 22B in this embodiment is freely swingable between a close position close to the other side surface 20b of the container 20 and a distant position farther away from the other side surface 20b of the container 20 than the close position.

[0163] The second arm portion 22C is attached to the other end of the shaft portion 22A, and is operated by an actuator 25 (described later) to swing the horizontally elongated arm portion 22E between a close position and a distant position.

[0164] The contact support portion 21A of this embodiment constitutes a housing portion and a contact support portion, and the arm member 22 constitutes a housing portion and an auxiliary support portion.

[0165] 7 and 9, a torsion spring 23 is provided on the arm member 22, and the torsion spring 23 is wound spirally around the shaft portion 22A. A spring receiving portion 22c is provided on the second arm portion 22C, and one end of the torsion spring 8 abuts against the spring receiving portion 22c from below.

[0166] The other end of the torsion spring 23 is fitted into the annular support portion 21B of the star wheel 21, and the torsion spring 23 biases the arm member 22 so that the horizontally elongated arm portion 22E is positioned at the separated position. The torsion spring 23 in this embodiment constitutes a biasing member.

[0167] 6 and 7, a guide plate 24 is provided on the main body 1A of the container weighing device 1. The guide plate 24 is provided above the arm member 22 in the height direction (vertical direction) of the container weighing device 1, and extends while curving in the circumferential direction of the star wheel 21 from downstream of the container insertion position P1 toward the container inspection position P2.

[0168] A roller 22F is rotatably provided on the second arm portion 22C of the arm member 22, and the roller 22F rotates in contact with the guide plate 24. The roller 22F of this embodiment constitutes a rotating body.

[0169] As shown in Figures 10 and 11, the lower surface of the guide plate 24 is provided with a contact surface 24a with which the roller 22F comes into contact, and the contact surface 24a of the guide plate 24 is positioned below the upper end 22m of the roller 22F (see Figure 11) when the roller 22F is not in contact with the contact surface 24a.

[0170] The upstream end of the guide plate 24 in the rotation direction R1 of the star wheel 21 is curved upward with respect to the downstream side of the guide plate 24.

[0171] As the star wheel 21 rotates, the arm member 22 moves integrally with the star wheel 21 in the conveying direction of the container 20, and when the roller 22F of the arm member 22 contacts the contact surface 24a of the guide plate 24, the second arm portion 22C swings so that the roller 22F moves downward with the shaft portion 22A as a fulcrum.

[0172] At this time, the arm member 22 swings to the adjacent position with the shaft portion 22A as a fulcrum against the biasing force of the torsion spring 23, and while the roller 22F is in contact with the guide plate 24, the arm member 22 is maintained at the adjacent position.

[0173] As a result, the horizontally elongated arm portion 22E comes close to the other side surface 20b of the container 20, forming a small gap between the container 20 and the horizontally elongated arm portion 22E.

[0174] The guide plate 24 of this embodiment is formed to have a length that allows it to come into contact with the four rollers 22F so as to swing the four arm members 22 to the close position. The guide plate 24 of this embodiment constitutes a guide portion.

[0175] When the container 20 is transported, the distance between the contact surface 21c of the contact support portion 21A and the horizontally long arm portion 22E in the rotation direction of the star wheel 21 is set to be slightly larger than the maximum dimensional tolerance of the diameter of the container 20, for example.

[0176] In other words, when the container 20 is transported, the container 20 is accommodated between the contact support portion 21A and the horizontal arm portion 22E so that the contact surface 21c of the contact support portion 21A contacts one side surface 20a of the container 20 and a small gap is formed between the horizontal arm portion 22E and the other side surface 20b of the container 20.

[0177] The gap between the first arm portion 5B and the other side surface 20b of the container 20 is formed to be a gap that prevents the container 20 from moving too far downstream from the container inspection position P2 when the container 20 is positioned at the container inspection position P2, and also prevents the container 20 from tilting and leaning against the horizontal arm portion 22E when the container 20 is transported.

[0178] As a result, during transportation, the container 20 accommodated between the contact support portion 21A and the horizontally long arm portion 22E is maintained in a position in which the central axis of the container 20 is parallel to the vertical axis.

[0179] An actuator 25 is installed in the main body 1A of the container weighing device 1, and the actuator 25 is installed above the star wheel 21.

[0180] 10, the actuator 25 has a cylinder portion 25A, a shaft portion 25B that can be freely extended and retracted relative to the cylinder portion 25A, and a guide piece 25C that is attached to the tip of the shaft portion 25B and can be freely moved toward and away from the cylinder portion 25A as the shaft portion 25B extends and retracts relative to the cylinder portion 25A. In other words, the guide piece 25C is freely movable in the vertical direction above the star wheel 21.

[0181] The actuator 25 moves the guide piece 25C between a first position and a second position.

[0182] When guide piece 25C is located in the first position, second arm portion 22C is pressed against the biasing force of torsion spring 23, and horizontally elongated arm portion 22E is maintained in the proximal position. In this state, as shown in Fig. 10, contact surface 25a of guide piece 25C and contact surface 24a of guide plate 24 are continuous in the conveyance direction of container 20, and roller 22F moves smoothly from guide plate 24 to guide piece 25C.

[0183] When the guide piece 25C moves from the first position to the second position, the guide piece 25C moves away from the guide plate 24 so as to be farther away from the contact support portion 21A (see FIG. 11), and the pressure exerted by the guide piece 25C on the second arm portion 22C is released. At this time, the arm member 22 is biased by the torsion spring 23, causing the horizontally elongated arm portion 22E to swing from the close position to the distant position.

[0184] 7, the shaft 22A and the roller 22F are spaced apart in the circumferential direction of the star wheel 21, and the roller 22F is located downstream of the shaft 22A in the rotation direction R1 of the star wheel 21. As a result, when the guide piece 25C comes into contact with the roller 22F, the guide piece 25C is located at a position displaced from the container inspection position P2 in the rotation direction R1 of the star wheel 21.

[0185] The actuator 25 maintains the guide piece 25C at the first position until the star wheel 21 rotates and transports the container 20 to the container inspection position P2, and moves the guide piece 25C from the first position to the second position when the container 20 is positioned at the container inspection position P2. The guide piece 25C in this embodiment constitutes a pressing portion.

[0186] The container conveying device 2 of this embodiment maintains the horizontal arm portion 22E in a close position while the roller 22F is in contact with the guide plate 24, and moves the contact support portion 21A and the horizontal arm portion 22E away from the container 20 when the container 20 is positioned at the container inspection position P2.

[0187] Furthermore, the timing at which the container 20 is weighed by the container weighing unit 3 at the container inspection position P2, the timing at which the container 20 is put into (stored in) the recess 21a from the container putting-in unit 11 at the container putting-in position P1, and the timing at which the container 20 is transported from the recess 21a to the container unloading unit 12 at the container unloading position P3 are the same, and when the star wheel 21 is stopped, the weighing, putting-in and unloading of the container 20 are performed simultaneously.

[0188] 10 and 11, the container weighing unit 3 is installed in a recess 1b recessed downward from the conveying surface 1a of the main body 1A. The container 20 slides on the conveying surface 1a of the main body 1A and is conveyed from a container insertion position P1 to a container removal position P3 via a container inspection position P2.

[0189] In other words, the container 20 housed in the contact support portion 21A and the first arm portion 22B comes into contact with and is pushed by the contact support portion 21A as the star wheel 21 rotates, forming a small gap between the contact support portion 21A and the first arm portion 22B.

[0190] As a result, the container 20 is not completely grasped by the contact support portion 21A and the first arm portion 22B, but slides along the conveying surface 1a of the main body 1A and is conveyed from the container insertion position P1 through the container inspection position P2 to the container removal position P3.

[0191] The container weighing unit 3 is configured to place a container 20 thereon, and weighs the container 20 in a state of complete non-contact with the contact support unit 21A and the first arm unit 22B at the container inspection position P2.

[0192] Next, the operation of the container transfer device 2 of this embodiment will be described. When the container 20 is inserted into the recess 21a at the container insertion position P1, the drive motor 6 is stopped at the timing when the container 20 is inserted between the contact support portion 21A and the first arm portion 22B, thereby stopping the star wheel 21. At this time, the first arm portion 22B is positioned at the separated position, so that the container 20 can be smoothly inserted between the contact support portion 21A and the first arm portion 22B.

[0193] The two containers 20 accommodated in the recess 21a at the container loading position P1 are transported toward the container inspection position P2 with one side 20a in contact with the contact surface 21c of the contact support portion 21A as the star wheel 21 rotates.

[0194] When the roller 22F provided on the second arm portion 22C comes into contact with the contact surface 24a of the guide plate 24, the second arm portion 22C swings around the shaft portion 22A as a fulcrum, causing the horizontal arm portion 22E to swing to a close position around the shaft portion 22A as a fulcrum against the biasing force of the torsion spring 23 (see Figures 7 and 10(a)).

[0195] That is, one side surface 20a of the container 20 comes into contact with the contact surface 21c of the contact support portion 21A of the star wheel 21, and the container 20 is pushed by the contact support portion 21A, thereby being transported to the container inspection position P2.

[0196] At this time, a small gap is formed between the other side surface 20b of the container 20 and the first arm portion 22B, and the container 20 is transported from the container insertion position P1 to the container inspection position P2 while sliding on the transport surface 1a of the main body 1A.

[0197] A small gap is formed between the other side 20b of the container 20 and the first arm portion 22B, but as the container 20 is transported, the other side 20b of the container 20 may come into contact with the first arm portion 22B, and if the container 20 attempts to swing excessively, the container 20 will come into contact with the first arm portion 22B, preventing the container 20 from being transported in an inclined state.

[0198] Furthermore, since a small gap is formed between the other side surface 20b of the container 20 and the first arm portion 22B, the container 20 is not completely held by the contact support portion 21A and the first arm portion 22B.

[0199] This allows the bottom surface of the container 20 to slide on the conveying surface 1a of the main body 1A, preventing the bottom surface of the container 20 from colliding strongly with the conveying surface 1a and preventing the container 20 from receiving a strong impact during conveyance.

[0200] When the container 20 is transported to the container inspection position P2, the drive motor 6 is stopped to stop the star wheel 21.

[0201] When the container 20 is transported, a small gap is formed between the other side 20b of the container 20 and the first arm portion 22B, so when the container 20 is positioned at the container inspection position P2 and the star wheel 21 is stopped, the inertia of the container 20 causes the other side 20b of the container 20 to come into contact with the horizontal arm portion 22E.

[0202] This prevents the container 20 from being positioned too far downstream from the container inspection position P2, and allows the container 20 to be accurately positioned at the container inspection position P2.

[0203] When the container 20 is transported to the container inspection position P2 and the roller 22F contacts the guide piece 25C (see Figure 10(b)), the cylinder portion 25A moves the guide piece 25C toward the cylinder portion 25A, as shown in Figure 11(a), and the guide piece 25C moves from the first position to the second position.

[0204] When the guide piece 25C moves from the first position to the second position, the guide piece 25C moves upward so as to move away from the contact support portion 21A, and the pressure exerted by the guide piece 25C on the second arm portion 22C is released.

[0205] At this time, the arm member 22 is biased by the torsion spring 23, causing the horizontally elongated arm portion 22E to swing from the close position to the distant position.

[0206] Next, the drive motor 6 rotates the star wheel 21 in a rotation direction R2 opposite to the conveying direction of the container 20. In other words, the star wheel 21 is rotated in the circumferential direction so as to move away from the horizontally long arm portion 22E, thereby moving the contact support portion 21A away from one side surface 20a of the container 20 (see FIGS. 8 and 11(b)).

[0207] As a result, the container 20 is released from the contact support portion 21A and the horizontally elongated arm portion 22E, and the weight of the star wheel 21 and the arm member 22 is not applied to the container 20. In this state, the container 20 is weighed by the container weighing portion 3.

[0208] In addition, when the container 20 is transported to the container inspection position P2 and the star wheel 21 is stopped, the container 20 is loaded from the container loading section 11 into the recess 21a at the container loading position P1, and the container 20 is loaded from the recess 21a to the container unloading section 12 at the container unloading position P3.

[0209] In this manner, the container weighing device 1 of this embodiment successively transports two containers 20 placed in the recess 21a at the container placement position P1 to the container inspection position P2, and weighs the containers 20 by the container weighing unit 3.

[0210] Next, the effects of the container transport device 2 of this embodiment will be described. The container conveying device 2 of this embodiment includes a plurality of contact support parts 21A and arm members 22 that accommodate containers 20 that are sequentially inserted from the container insertion section 11 at the container insertion position P1, and is equipped with a star wheel 21 that continuously transports the containers 20 accommodated in the contact support parts 21A and arm members 22 to the container inspection position P2.

[0211] The contact support portion 21A is provided on the outer periphery of the star wheel 21 and is capable of contacting one side surface 20a of the container 20, and the arm member 22 is provided on the outer periphery of the star wheel 21 so as to move between a close position close to the other side surface 20b of the container 20 and a distant position away from the other side surface of the container 20.

[0212] The container conveying device 2 also has a drive motor 6 that drives the star wheel 21 in the conveying direction of the container 20, a guide plate 24 that supports the arm member 22 so that the arm member 22 is positioned in a close position when the contact support part 21A that accommodates the container 20 and the arm member 22 move from the container insertion position P1 to the container inspection position P2, and an actuator 25 that moves the arm member 5 from the close position to a separated position.

[0213] In addition, according to the container conveying device 2, when the container 20 moves from the container loading position P1 to the container inspection position P2, the contact support part 21A is brought into contact with the container 20, thereby maintaining the posture of the container 20 and conveying it, and when the container 20 is positioned at the container inspection position P2, the actuator 25 moves the arm member 22 from the close position to the separated position, and the drive motor 6 drives the star wheel 21 so that the contact support part 21A moves away from one side 20a of the container 20.

[0214] In this way, when the container 20 moves from the container loading position P1 to the container inspection position P2, the contact support portion 21A is brought into contact with the container 20, thereby maintaining the posture of the container 20 and transporting it, so that the container 20 can be transported from the container loading position P1 to the container inspection position P2 at high speed.

[0215] Furthermore, when the container 20 is transported to the container inspection position P2, the star wheel 21 is stopped by the drive motor 6, and the arm member 22 is moved from the close position to the distant position by the actuator 25, thereby allowing the arm member 22 to be moved farther away from the other side surface 20b of the container 20 than the close position.

[0216] Thereafter, the drive motor 6 moves the star wheel 21 so that the contact support portion 21A moves away from one side surface 20a of the container 20, thereby preventing the container 20 from interfering with the contact support portion 21A and the arm member 22 at the container inspection position P2.

[0217] As a result, the container 20 inserted from the container insertion section 11 can be transported at high speed to the container inspection position P2, and the container 20 can be accurately positioned at the container inspection position P2. The container 20 can also be accurately weighed at the container inspection position P2, thereby shortening the weighing time of the container 20.

[0218] Alternatively, after the drive motor 6 has moved the star wheel 21 so that the contact support portion 21A is separated from the one side surface 20a of the container 20, the actuator 25 may move the arm member 22 from the close position to the separated position.

[0219] Furthermore, when the container 20 is transported at high speed from the container insertion position P1 to the container inspection position P2, the arm member 22 is positioned in the proximity position, so a small gap is formed between the other side surface 20b of the container 20 and the arm member 22. As a result, the container 20 is not completely held by the contact support portion 21A and the arm member 22.

[0220] Therefore, when the container 20 slides on the conveying surface 1a and is conveyed from the container insertion position P1 to the container inspection position P2, the container 20 is prevented from colliding strongly with the conveying surface 1a, and the container 20 is prevented from being subjected to a strong impact during its conveyance, thereby protecting the container 20.

[0221] Furthermore, according to the container conveying device 2 of this embodiment, the arm member 22 is provided integrally with the star wheel 21 so as to be freely movable, and has an axle portion 22A rotatably supported on the star wheel 21, a first arm portion 22B provided at one end of the axle portion 22A and having a horizontally long arm portion 22E that can swing between a close position and a distant position as the axle portion 22A rotates, and a second arm portion 22C provided at the other end of the axle portion 22A and operated by an actuator 25 to swing and rotate the axle portion 22A, and when the container 20 is positioned at the container inspection position P2, the drive motor 6 operates the second arm portion 22C to move the horizontally long arm portion 22E from the close position to the distant position.

[0222] This allows the second arm portion 22C to be spaced farther away from the other side surface 20b of the container 20 than at the close position when the container 20 is located at the container inspection position P2.

[0223] Thereafter, the star wheel 21 is moved by the drive motor 6 so that the contact support portion 21A is separated from the one side surface 20a of the container 20, whereby the contact support portion 21A can be separated from the one side surface 20a of the container 20.

[0224] This prevents the container 20 from interfering with the contact support portion 21A and the first arm portion 22B at the container inspection position P2, thereby enabling the container 20 to be accurately weighed at the container inspection position P2.

[0225] Furthermore, according to the container conveying device 2 of this embodiment, the guide plate 24 extends from downstream of the container insertion position P1 toward the container inspection position P2 in the rotation direction of the star wheel 21, and is contactable with the second arm portion 22C, and the second arm portion 22C contacts the guide plate 24, thereby maintaining the horizontal arm portion 22E in a close position until the container 20 is conveyed to the container inspection position P2 by the rotation of the star wheel 21.

[0226] This allows the star wheel 21 to rotate at high speed and transport the container 20 to the container inspection position P2 at high speed while forming a small gap between the horizontally long arm portion 22E and the container 20. This allows the container 20 to be accurately positioned at the container inspection position P2, thereby shortening the time required to weigh the container 20.

[0227] Furthermore, it is possible to more effectively prevent the container 20 from colliding strongly with the conveying surface 1a, and more effectively prevent the container 20 from being subjected to a strong impact while being conveyed, thereby more effectively protecting the container 20. Note that the guide plate 24 may extend from the container insertion position P1 toward the container inspection position P2.

[0228] In addition, the container conveying device 2 of this embodiment has a torsion spring 23 that urges the arm member 22 so that the horizontal arm portion 22E is positioned at the separated position, and the actuator 25 has a guide piece 25C that can be moved between a first position that maintains the horizontal arm portion 22E at a close position by pressing the second arm portion 22C against the urging force of the torsion spring 23 when the container 20 is positioned at the container inspection position P2, and a second position that releases the pressure on the arm member 22, and when the guide piece 25C moves to the second position, the arm member 22 is urged by the torsion spring 23, causing the horizontal arm portion 22E to swing from the close position to the separated position.

[0229] With this configuration, when the container 20 is positioned at the container inspection position P2, the guide piece 25C of the actuator 25 presses the second arm portion 22C against the biasing force of the torsion spring 23, thereby maintaining the horizontally elongated arm portion 22E in the close position.

[0230] As a result, even if a small gap is formed between the other side 20b of the container 20 and the horizontal arm portion 22E when the container 20 is transported, when the container 20 is positioned at the container inspection position P2 and the star wheel 21 is stopped, the inertia of the container 20 can cause the other side 20b of the container 20 to come into contact with the horizontal arm portion 22E.

[0231] This prevents the container 20 from being positioned too far downstream from the container inspection position P2, and allows the container 20 to be accurately positioned at the container inspection position P2.

[0232] Furthermore, when guide piece 25C releases the pressure on second arm portion 22C, arm member 22 is biased by torsion spring 23, causing horizontally elongated arm portion 22E to swing from the close position to the distant position. This allows horizontally elongated arm portion 22E to be separated from the other side surface 20b of container 20.

[0233] In this way, the arm member 22 can be swung between the close position and the separated position with a simple configuration, so that the configuration of the container conveying device 2 can be simplified and the manufacturing cost of the container conveying device 2 can be prevented from increasing.

[0234] Furthermore, according to the container conveying device 2 of this embodiment, the second arm portion 22C has the roller 22F that contacts the guide plate 24 and rotates.

[0235] As a result, second arm portion 22C is brought into contact with guide plate 24 via roller 22F, and rotation of roller 22F allows arm member 22 to move along guide plate 24 in the rotation direction of star wheel 21. This prevents wear on second arm portion 22C, improves the durability of arm member 22, and improves the reliability of container conveying device 2.

[0236] Furthermore, according to the container conveying device 2 of this embodiment, one side surface 20a of the container 20 is in contact with the contact surface 21c of the contact support portion 21A entirely, so that the container 20 can be stably conveyed by the contact support portion 21A.

[0237] In the container transport device 2 of this embodiment, the arm member 22 is attached to the rotatable star wheel 21, but the present invention is not limited to this.

[0238] For example, the conveying member may be constructed from a conveying member that is freely movable in a straight-line direction, and an arm member (auxiliary support part) may be provided at the end of this conveying member that is freely movable in the straight-line direction integral with the conveying member and that is freely movable relative to the conveying member in the straight-line direction.

[0239] While an embodiment of the present invention has been disclosed, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that modifications may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the present invention, and it is intended that all such modifications and equivalents be included in the following claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0240] 2. Container transport device (item transport device) 4,21 Star wheel (transport component) 4A, 21A Contact support part (accommodation part) 5, 22 Arm member (storage part, auxiliary support part) 5A support shaft 5B, 22B First arm 5C, 22C Second arm 5D, 22F Roller (rotating body) 6 Drive motor (drive unit) 8,23 Torsion spring (biasing member) 9,25 Actuator 9C, 25C Guide piece (pressure part) 10,24 Guide plate (guide part) 11 Container input section (goods input section) 20 Containers (articles) 20a One side (one side of the article) 20b Other side (other side of the article) 22A Shaft P1 Container loading position (goods loading position) P2 Container inspection position (item inspection position)

Claims

1. The apparatus includes a plurality of storage sections (4A, 5, 21A, 22) for storing articles (20) sequentially input from an article input section (11) at an article input position (P1), and includes a transport member (4, 21) for transporting the articles stored in the storage sections to an article inspection position (P2), The storage section is a plurality of contact support portions (4A, 21A) provided at an end of the conveying member and capable of contacting one side surface (20a) of the article; an article transport device (2) including a plurality of auxiliary support portions (5, 22) provided at the end of the transport member so as to move between a proximity position close to the other side surface (20b) of the article and a remote position away from the other side surface of the article, a drive unit (6) that drives the conveying member in the conveying direction of the article; a guide section (10, 24) that supports the auxiliary support section so that the auxiliary support section is positioned at the proximity position when the storage section that stores the article moves from at least a downstream side of the article input position to the article inspection position; an actuator (9, 25) that moves the auxiliary support portion from the close position to the distant position, When the article moves from the article insertion position to the article inspection position, the contact support portion is brought into contact with the article, thereby maintaining the posture of the article while transporting it; An item conveying device in which, when the item is positioned at the item inspection position, the actuator moves the auxiliary support portion from the close position to the separated position, and the drive portion drives the conveying member so that the contact support portion separates from one side of the item.

2. The auxiliary support portion is an arm member (5) attached to the conveying member via a support shaft (5A) and movable integrally with the conveying member; The arm member a first arm portion (5B) provided on one end side of the support shaft and swingable between the close position and the separated position with the support shaft as a fulcrum; a second arm portion (5C) provided on the other end side of the support shaft and operated by the actuator to swing the first arm portion between the close position and the separated position; 2. The article transport device according to claim 1, wherein when the article is positioned at the article inspection position, the actuator operates the second arm portion to move the first arm portion from the close position to the distant position.

3. The auxiliary support portion is an arm member (22) that is movable integrally with the conveying member; The arm member a shaft portion (22A) rotatably supported by the conveying member; a first arm portion (22B) provided at one end of the shaft portion and swingable between the close position and the separated position by rotation of the shaft portion; a second arm portion (22C) provided at the other end of the shaft portion and operated by the actuator to swing and rotate the shaft portion; 2. The article transport device according to claim 1, wherein when the article is positioned at the article inspection position, the actuator operates the second arm portion to move the first arm portion from the close position to the distant position.

4. The guide portion is a guide plate (10, 24) that extends from at least a downstream side of the article input position toward the article inspection position in the movement direction of the conveying member and that comes into contact with the second arm portion; An item transport device as described in claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the second arm portion contacts the guide plate to maintain the first arm portion in the proximity position until the item is transported to the item inspection position by movement of the transport member.

5. a biasing member (8, 23) that biases the arm member so that the first arm portion is positioned at the separated position; The actuator is a pressing portion (9C, 25C) that is movable between a first position where the second arm portion is pressed against the biasing force of the biasing member to maintain the first arm portion at the close position when the article is positioned at the article inspection position, and a second position where the pressing of the arm member is released; 5. The article transport device according to claim 4, wherein when the pressing portion moves to the second position, the arm member is urged by the urging member, causing the first arm portion to swing from the close position to the distant position.

6. 5. The article transport device according to claim 4, wherein the second arm portion has a rotating body (5D, 22F) that rotates in contact with the guide plate.

Images