Stacked tray group packaging system

Abstract

To provide a stacked tray group packaging system which can perform wraparound packaging even in a state where a plurality of types of tray groups are mixed, and which can add identification information to a product box.SOLUTION: A stacked tray group packaging system A1 includes: two or more i-th stacking means installed therein to stack trays which are conveyed from the upstream and in which products are stored, into a preset number of stages preset correspondingly to types of the products or types of the trays; i-th conveyance means for conveying the stacked tray groups; feed-in mean 5 for feeding the stacked tray groups conveyed in each i-th conveyance means to a packaging position; and a packaging device 6 for performing wraparound packaging on the stacked tray groups fed in by the feed-in means.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1A

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a stacked tray group packaging system, and more particularly to a packaging device for the packaging system, which uses a wrap-around caser. [Background technology]

[0002] For general commercial use, eggs are usually placed in cardboard boxes with four or five layers of molded paper trays or plastic trays containing eggs, and are often traded as 10kg egg boxes. Patent Document 1 discloses a storage device that stacks containers containing eggs one layer at a time on a movable bottom plate that can move up and down within a space surrounded by four side walls of a cardboard box. This storage device is equipped with a shutter that can slide between a closed position that covers the top of the open top of the cardboard box and an open position that retracts it from the open top, a restraining device that is placed on top of the containers held by the shutter in the closed position to restrict the horizontal movement of the containers, and a movable bottom plate that can move up and down within the space and receives containers that fall in order from the edge of the shutter that is retracted to the open position. Patent Document 2 discloses an apparatus that uses a robot to stack egg cartons or trays containing eggs inside a cardboard box. Patent Documents 3 to 5 disclose general wrap-around casers. Wrap-around casers are generally used for packaging cardboard items such as copy paper, canned drinks, and PET bottles. As far as the inventors know, their application to egg products (packages, trays) has not been confirmed. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6795181 [Patent Document 2] International Patent Publication No. WO2019 / 004198 [Patent Document 3] Patent No. 2749633 [Patent Document 4] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-189682 [Patent Document 5] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-104528 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In Patent Document 2, when handling different trays, it is necessary to switch to a hand unit (tool change) that corresponds to the type of tray, or it is necessary to install multiple robots that correspond to the type of tray. Other issues include the difficulty of feeding stacked egg trays into a wrap-around caser, the need to provide identification to product boxes wrapped around multiple egg sizes, and the need to monitor the weight of stacked egg trays (the weight of the eggs contained in the product box or the weight including the egg trays).

[0005] A first object of the present invention is to provide a stacked tray group packaging system capable of wrap-around packaging a plurality of stacked tray groups. The second object is to provide a stacked tray group packaging system that can wrap around even when multiple types of tray groups are mixed together and can provide identification information to the product boxes. A third object is to provide a stacked tray group packaging system that can monitor the weight of the stacked tray group (the weight of the product contained in the product box or the weight including the tray). [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In the present invention, the product stored in the stacked tray is exemplified by eggs, but is not limited to eggs.

[0007] The first stacked tray group packaging system (A1, A2) comprises: At least two or more i-th stacking means (i=2 to n, n<20) are provided, and each of the i-th stacking means (11, 12, 13, 14, 15) stacks trays (T1, T2, T3, T4, T5) containing products (e.g., eggs E) conveyed from upstream into a predetermined number of tiers that is set in advance in accordance with the type of product (e.g., eggs) or the type of tray; an i-th lid placing means (21, 22, 23, 24, 25) for placing lid portions (F1, F2, F3, F4, F5) on the stacked tray groups stacked by each of the i-th stacking means; an i-th conveying means (41, 42, 43, 44, 45) for conveying the stacked tray group; a feeding means (5) for feeding the stacked tray group conveyed by each of the i conveying means to a packaging position (for example, a predetermined position of an unfolded packaging material (for example, a cardboard sheet 800)); a packaging device (6) (for example, a wrap-around caser) that wraps around the stacked tray group fed by the feeding means; a product identification information acquisition unit (7) that acquires product identification information (e.g., color of the colored tray, color of the colored lid, two-dimensional barcode, IC tag information, etc.) before packaging by the packaging device (6); a sealed product information assigning means (8) for assigning sealed product information (ID) (e.g., size, weight, production date, lot number, etc.) corresponding to the product identification information acquired by the product identification information acquiring means (7) to the i-th product box (P1, P2, P3, P4, P5) obtained by wrap-around packaging in the packaging device (6) and corresponding to the product identification information; Equipped with. The first stacked tray group packaging system (A1, A2) comprises: The stacked tray group (T11, T21, T31, T41, T51) stacked to a predetermined number of tiers by the i-th stacking means (11, 12, 13, 14, 15) may further include an i-th product identification information assignment means (31, 32, 33, 34, 35) that assigns product identification information (e.g., size, weight, etc.) corresponding to the type of product (e.g., egg) or the type of tray to any tray or lid portion, and the product identification information acquisition unit (7) may acquire the product identification information assigned by the i-th product identification information assignment means (31, 32, 33, 34, 35). The first stacked tray group packaging system (A1, A2) may be configured such that the set of the ith stacking means, ith lid placing means, ith product identification information assigning means, and ith conveying means is two or more and less than ten. The first stacked tray group packaging system (A1, A2) may be configured with one or more sets of the feeding means, the product identification information acquisition means, the packaging device, and the sealed product information assignment means. The first stacked tray group packaging system (A1, A2) may be equipped with a loading device (e.g., a palletizer) that loads the i-th product boxes (P1, P2, P3, P4, P5) onto a transport rack or pallet, separately or intermixing them according to the product identification information. The first stacked tray group packaging system (A1, A2) may include a sorting means for sorting the i-th product box (P1, P2, P3, P4, P5) from a conveying means connected to a discharge section of the packaging device to a plurality of conveying means so as to distinguish the i-th product box (P1, P2, P3, P4, P5) according to the product identification information. The packaging device may include the plurality of conveying means and the sorting means.

[0008] The second stacked tray group packaging system (B1) comprises: a single stacking means (11) for stacking trays (T1) containing products (e.g., eggs E) conveyed from upstream into a predetermined number of tiers that are preset in accordance with the type of product (e.g., eggs) or the type of tray; a lid placing means (21) for placing a lid portion (F1) on the stacked tray group stacked by the stacking means; a conveying means (41) for conveying the stacked tray group; a feeding means (5) for feeding the stacked tray group conveyed by the conveying means to a packaging position (for example, a predetermined position 800a of an unfolded packaging material (for example, a cardboard sheet 800)); a packaging device (6) (for example, a wrap-around caser) that wraps around the stacked tray group fed by the feeding means; a sealed product information providing means (8) for providing sealed product information (ID) (e.g., size, weight, production date, lot number, etc.) to the product box (P1) obtained by wrap-around packaging in the packaging device (6); Equipped with. The second stacked tray group packaging system (B1) further comprises: a product identification information assigning means (31) for assigning product identification information (e.g., size, weight, etc.) corresponding to the type of product (e.g., eggs) or the type of tray to any tray or lid of the stacked tray group (T11) stacked in a predetermined number of tiers by the stacking means (11); The packaging device may further include a product identification information acquisition means (7) for acquiring the product identification information assigned by the product identification information assignment means (31) before packaging by the packaging device (6).

[0009] The third stacked tray group packaging system (C1) comprises: a conveying means (41) for conveying a stacked tray group (with lids also placed thereon) stacked in a predetermined number of layers that is preset corresponding to the type of product (e.g., eggs) or the type of tray; a feeding means (5) for feeding the stacked tray group conveyed by the conveying means to a packaging position (for example, a predetermined position 800a of an unfolded packaging material (for example, a cardboard sheet 800)); a packaging device (6) (for example, a wrap-around caser) that wraps around the stacked tray group fed by the feeding means; a sealed product information providing means (8) for providing sealed product information (e.g., size, weight, production date, lot number, etc.) to the product box (P1) obtained by wrap-around packaging in the packaging device (6); Equipped with. The process of stacking the trays in a predetermined number of layers is carried out by an operator. The third stacked tray group packaging system (C1) may have a drive button that drives the work position transport means at the stacked work position by the worker, and the work position transport means is driven by the drive button to send the stacked tray group from the work position transport means to the transport means (41).

[0010] The components of the first, second, and third stacked tray group packaging systems (A1, B1, C1) may have the following functions. The tray may be a colored tray (partially or entirely colored) that is set to a different color corresponding to the type of product (e.g., eggs), or may be a molded paper tray or a plastic tray. The trays are rectangular in plan view and may have different rectangular sizes depending on the type of product, or may all be the same rectangular size regardless of the type of product. If the rectangular sizes are the same, the stacking height can be set to the same or approximately the same (a predetermined lower position (as long as there is an allowable gap) from the maximum stacking height), allowing the same wraparound packaging material to be shared. If the rectangular sizes are different, the system may be configured with packaging devices and packaging materials corresponding to the rectangular sizes, or may be configured with a packaging device equipped with supply means (one or more) that can supply multiple types of packaging materials. The lid portion may be a colored lid (partially or entirely colored) that is set to a different color corresponding to the type of product (eg, eggs). The stacking means or the first stacking means may each be configured such that when stacking trays, the lower tray and the upper tray are rotated 180 degrees relative to each other. This allows the convex portion of the tray bottom to be positioned in the depression between the blunt ends when the stored product is chicken eggs, so that the four side surfaces of the tray can be aligned or nearly aligned vertically. This reduces the area of ​​the wrap-around material and the size of the product box. Furthermore, a rotation mechanism that rotates 180 degrees on a horizontal plane may be provided before each stacking means. An example of the rotation mechanism is a horizontal rotary conveyor (the conveying direction can be switched between forward and reverse) that is about the length of one tray. A horizontal rotary conveyor may also be provided at a position just before manual stacking. Each of the stacking means or the i-th stacking means may have a stacking conveying means in a stacked position, and after stacking is completed (after the lid portion is also placed), the stacking position conveying means may be driven to send the stacked tray group to the conveying means (41) or the i-th conveying means. The stacking means or the i-th stacking means may each have an imaging means and an identification unit that analyzes an image obtained by the imaging means to identify the type of tray or product. The stacking means or the i-th stacking means may each have a reading unit that reads an IC tag or a two-dimensional code provided on the tray, and the type of tray or product may be identified from the information read by the reading unit. The stacking means or the i-th stacking means may each include a lid placing means for placing a lid portion on the stacked tray group. The stacking means or each of the ith stacking means may be provided with a weight measuring unit such as a load cell. The feeding means or the i-th conveying means may each include a weight measuring unit such as a load cell. The product identification information providing means or the i-th product identification information providing means may each be configured, for example, by a writing means for writing information to an IC tag, or a printing means for printing information on a tray or a box. The sealed product information providing means (8) may be composed of, for example, a writing means for writing information to an IC tag, a printing means for printing information on a tray or a box, or the like. The product identification information assigning means or the i-th product identification information assigning means may assign weight information measured by a weight measuring unit instead of or in addition to the product identification information. The product identification information assigning means or the i-th product identification information assigning means may assign each piece of information while the product is stopped or being transported. The feeding means (5) may have a main conveying section (51a) that joins and conveys the stacked tray groups conveyed by the i-th conveying means. The feeding means may have an ith tray group transfer section (521, 522, 523, 524, 525) that transfers the stacked tray group from the ith transport means to the main transport section. The ith tray group transfer section may rotate the stacked tray group by 90° in a plan view (horizontally rotate) and transfer it to the main transport section. The feeding means (5) may have a tray group placement section (53) for placing the unfolded packaging material from the main conveying section (51a) onto a predetermined position (62). The product identification information acquisition means may include an imaging means and an identification unit that analyzes an image obtained by the imaging means to identify the type of tray or product, or the product identification information. The product identification information acquisition means may have a reading unit that reads an IC tag or two-dimensional code provided on the tray or lid, and may identify the type of tray or product, or product identification information, from the information read by the reading unit.

[0011] The packaging device may be, for example, a wrap-around caser. The packaging device may include a supply device that supplies packaging material (cardboard sheets) and a weight measuring unit that measures the weight of the product box after sealing.

[0012] On the upstream side of the stacked tray group packaging system (A1, A2, B1), there are provided a raw egg washing device, a drying device, an aligning device, a transfer device for transferring eggs to trays, etc., which may be connected by various conveying means. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1A] An example of the configuration of the first stacked tray group packaging system (A1) is shown. [Figure 1B] 10 shows a configuration example of a first-tier stacked tray group packaging system (A2) according to another embodiment. [Figure 2] An example of the configuration of the second stacked tray group packaging system (B1) is shown. [Figure 3A] An example of stacking processing will be shown. [Figure 3B] An example of a process of transferring from the transport means to the main transport section will be described. [Figure 3C] 10 shows an example of a process of placing packaging materials from the main conveyor to a predetermined position. [Figure 3D] An example of wrap-around packaging processing is shown below. [Figure 4] An example of a configuration in which a weight measuring unit is provided in the first-tier stacking tray group packaging system (A1) is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] (First-tier stacking tray group packaging system) FIG. 1A shows a configuration diagram of the first stacking tray group packaging system A1.

[0015] The first stacking tray group packaging system A1 stacks trays T1, T2, T3, T4, and T5, each containing five different sizes of eggs (2L, L, M, MS, and S), in a specified number of layers and packages them in Lapland packaging. The first-tiered tray group packaging system A1 comprises first to fifth stacking means 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, first to fifth lid placing means 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, first to fifth product identification information assigning means 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, first to fifth conveying means 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, feeding means 5, packaging device 6, product identification information acquisition means 7, and sealed product information assigning means 8. The feeding means 5 includes a main transport section 51 a, first to fifth tray group transfer sections 521 , 522 , 523 , 524 , 525 , and a tray group placement section 53 .

[0016] In this embodiment, the first stacking means 11, first lid placing means 21, first product identification information assigning means 31, first conveying means 41, and first tray group transfer section 521 are functional components for stacking trays T1 containing 2L-sized eggs and transferring them to the main conveying section 51a. The second stacking means 12, second lid placing means 22, second product identification information assigning means 32, second conveying means 42, and second tray group transfer section 522 are functional components for stacking trays T2 containing L-sized eggs and transferring them to the main conveying section 51a. The third stacking means 13, third lid placing means 23, third product identification information assigning means 33, third conveying means 43, and third tray group transfer section 523 are functional components for stacking trays T3 containing M-sized eggs and transferring them to the main conveying section 51a. The fourth stacking means 14, fourth lid placing means 24, fourth product identification information assigning means 34, fourth conveying means 44, and fourth tray group transfer section 524 are functional components for stacking trays T4 containing MS-size eggs and transferring them to the main conveying section 51a. The fifth stacking means 15, fifth lid placing means 25, fifth product identification information assigning means 35, fifth conveying means 45, and fifth tray group transfer section 525 are functional components for stacking trays T5 containing S-size eggs and transferring them to the main conveying section 51a. The functions of the first stacking means 11, first lid placing means 21, first product identification information assigning means 31, first conveying means 41, and first tray group transfer section 521 will be described below, but since other functional components are similar, description will be omitted. Each conveying means and each conveying section may be configured as an endless belt conveyor. Each conveying means and each conveying section may be provided with a proximity sensor or photoelectric sensor at a predetermined position to detect each tray or each tray group and control the start, stop, and speed of conveyance. A detection signal indicating that each tray or each tray group has been detected may be sent to each stacking means and each tray group transfer section, and processing corresponding to the detection signal may be performed. Each product identification means may be a printing means (inkjet printer) that colors or prints characters on the surface of the lid or any tray on any stage.

[0017] Please refer to Figures 3A to 3D. The first stacking means 11 comprises a rectangular main body 11a, a pair of opposing hands 11b and 11c that can move so that the distance between them can be increased or decreased, and a negative pressure suction means 11d (at a position corresponding to the egg placement position) that is disposed inside the main body 11a. The first stacking means 11 also comprises a linear actuator for increasing or decreasing the width of the pair of hands, a drive device for the actuator, and an air suction device (not shown). The first stacking means 11 uses the suction means 11d to suck the eggs or the tray surface of tray T1 transported from the upstream transport means 600, shortens the width of the pair of hands 11b, 11c to hook onto the bottom of tray T1, lifts it, and transports it to the stacking position 41a of the first transport means 41 and places it on top. When stacking the next tray T1 on top of the previous tray T1, it is rotated horizontally by 180° and placed on the tray T1 below. In this embodiment, four trays are stacked (see steps 1 to 5 in Figure 3A). Next, the first lid placing means 21 may include an arm and a suction means or gripping means provided at the tip of the arm. The arm is driven to remove the lids F1 one by one from a magazine storing a plurality of lids F1 using the suction means or gripping means, and place the lids F1 on the top tray T1 (see step 6 in FIG. 3A). Instead of the first lid placing means 21, the first stacking means 11 may remove the lids F1 one by one from the magazine and place the lids F1 on the top tray T1.

[0018] Next, the first conveying means 41 begins conveying downstream from the stacking position 41a. After placing the lid portion F1, the first lid placing means 21 or first stacking means 11 sends a tray group conveyance start signal to drive the belt conveyor at the stacking position 41a of the first conveying means 41, sending the stacked tray group T51 to the belt conveyor of the downstream first conveying means 41, and the belt conveyor at the stacking position 41a stops. The downstream first conveying means 41 conveys the stacked tray group T51 to the product identification information assignment position of the downstream first product identification information assignment means 31. The first product identification information assigning means 31 has an inkjet printer and applies a color or prints (assigns product identification information) associated with the type of egg to the surface of the lid portion F1 of the stacked tray group T51 or any tray T1 at any tier that has reached the product identification information assigning position (see step 11 in Figure 3B). The first product identification information assigning means 31 may receive a detection signal from a proximity sensor or photoelectric sensor arranged at the product identification information assigning position and perform the assigning process. The assigning process may be performed while the stacked tray group T51 is being transported, or may be performed with the first transport means 41 stopped. After the assigning process, the stacked tray group T51 is transported to the transport standby position of the first tray group transport section 521.

[0019] The first tray group transfer section 521 has a pair of opposing hands 521a and 521b that are movable so that the distance between them can be increased or decreased, and a stop section 521c that is provided at the end of the first transport means 41. At the transfer position of the first tray group transfer section 521, the stacked tray group T51 comes into contact with the stopper 521c and stops (see step 12). The first tray group transfer section 521 reduces the width of the pair of hands 521a, 521b, hooks the bottom of the stacked tray group T51, lifts it, and moves it from the transfer position to the main transfer section 51a. The stopper 521c moves below the transfer surface (see step 13). During transfer, the stacked tray group T51 is rotated horizontally by 90° and placed on the surface of the main transfer section 51a (see step 14). The lifting height at the hooking position of the pair of hands may be set to about 10 to 20 mm, and the center of the bottom of the bottommost tray T1 may be lifted in contact with the transfer surface, and the tray may be moved in contact with the transfer surface. If the stacked tray group T51 is in contact with the transfer surface during transfer, the first transfer means 41 may also be driven to distribute the weight of the stacked tray group T51 and assist its movement. After the movement, the pair of hands 521a and 521b widen their width and return to their original positions (see step 15).

[0020] Next, the main transport section 51a transports the stacked tray group T51 to the downstream feeding position transport section 51b (see step 16 in FIG. 3C). The product identification information acquisition means 7 has an imaging means and an identification unit that analyzes the image acquired by the imaging means to identify the product identification information. The product identification information acquisition means 7 uses the imaging means to capture the product identification information printed by the first product identification information assignment means 31, and the identification unit analyzes the image acquired by the imaging means to identify the type of egg (see step 17 in Figure 3C). The identified product identification information (2L size) is sent to the sealed product information assignment means 8 together with information on the order in which it was sent to the feeding position conveying section 51b. The product identification information acquisition means 7 may receive a detection signal from a proximity sensor or photoelectric sensor arranged in a standby position of the feeding position conveying section 51b, and the acquisition process may be performed.

[0021] The tray group placement unit 53 has a pair of opposing hands 531a, 531b that are movable so that the distance between them can be increased or decreased. The tray group placement unit 53 is equipped with a linear actuator for increasing or decreasing the width of the pair of hands and a drive device for the actuator (not shown). The tray group placement unit 53 reduces the width of the pair of hands 531a, 531b, hooks onto the bottom of the stacked tray group T51 stopped at the feeding position conveyance unit 51b, lifts it up, and moves it from the position of the feeding position conveyance unit 51b to the predetermined position 800a of the cardboard sheet 800 that has been laid out in a predetermined shape (steps 17, 18, and 19 in FIG. 3C). The movement process may be performed upon receiving a detection signal from a proximity sensor or photoelectric sensor arranged in a standby position of the feeding position conveyance unit 51b. The pair of hands may be lifted to a height of approximately 10 to 20 mm at the hooking position, with the center of the bottom of the lowest tray T1 in contact with the conveying surface, and the tray may be moved while in contact with the conveying surface. If the trays are in contact with the conveying surface during movement, the feeding position conveying unit 51b may also be driven to distribute the weight of the stacked tray group T51 and assist the movement. After movement, the pair of hands 531a, 531b widen their width and return to their original positions (see step 20 in Figure 3D).

[0022] The cardboard sheet 800 is automatically supplied from the material supply unit 61 of the packaging device 6 and is developed into a predetermined shape. The predetermined position 800a corresponds to the bottom surface of the product box P1. The packaging device 6 closes the first and second left and right side flaps 800b, 800c (see step 21 in FIG. 3D), closes the top flap 800d, and applies hot melt to the surfaces of the first and second left and right side flaps 800b, 800c, then overlaps and closes the first and second upper and lower side flaps 800e, 800f. Next, hot melt is applied to the side closing flap 800g, and the side closing flap 800g is overlapped and closed on the side 800h (see step 22 in FIG. 3D). Through these steps, the product box P1 is completed by wrap-around packaging (see step 23 in FIG. 3D).

[0023] The conveying section 62 sends the product box P1 to the sealing position of the sealed product information providing means 8. The sealed product information assigning means 8 has an inkjet printer and prints a sealed product information ID (e.g., size, weight, manufacturing date, lot number, etc.) on the side of the product box P1 that has arrived at the assigning position (see step 24 in Figure 3D). The sealed product information assigning means 8 may receive a detection signal from a proximity sensor or photoelectric sensor located at the assigning position and perform the assigning process. The assigning process may be performed while the product box P1 is being transported, or may be performed with the transport unit 62 stopped. After the assigning process, the transport unit 62 transports the product box P1 downstream.

[0024] (Another embodiment) 1B shows a first-tier tray group packaging system A2 according to another embodiment. The configuration different from that shown in FIG. 1A will be described. The first tray group transfer unit 521 reduces the width of the pair of hands 521a, 521b, hooks them onto the bottom of the stacked tray group T51, lifts it up, and moves it from the transfer position to the main transfer unit 51a. During the transfer, the tray is placed on the surface of the main transfer unit 51a without being rotated horizontally by 90°. The packaging device 6 is arranged in the same direction as the conveying direction of the main conveying section 51a, unlike in FIG. 1A.

[0025] (Second-tier tray group packaging system) A configuration diagram of the second-stacking tray group packaging system B1 is shown in Figure 2. The second-stacking tray group packaging system B1 includes a single stacking means 11, a lid placement means 21, a conveying means 41, a feeding means 5, a packaging device 6, and a sealed product information providing means 8. In another embodiment, the packaging device 6 may be arranged in the same direction as the conveying direction of the main conveying section 51a, unlike the arrangement shown in FIG.

[0026] (Third-tier tray group packaging system) The third stacked tray group packaging system comprises a conveying means (which may be one or more) that conveys stacked tray groups (with lids also placed on top of them) stacked in a predetermined number of layers that is preset corresponding to the type of product (e.g., eggs) or the type of tray, a feeding means for sending the stacked tray group conveyed by the conveying means to a packaging position, a packaging device (e.g., a wrap-around caser) that wraps around the stacked tray group sent by the feeding means, and a sealed product information providing means that provides sealed product information (e.g., size, weight, manufacturing date, lot number, etc.) to the product box obtained by wrap-around packaging by the packaging device. The stacking of trays and the placement of lids are performed by workers.

[0027] (Another embodiment of the first, second, and third stacked tray group packaging system) (1) The wrap-around caser of the packaging device 8 is not limited to a bottom sealing type, and may be of another sealing type (such as a straight type). (2) Each product identification information providing means may be configured, for example, as a writing means for writing information to an IC tag provided on the lid or tray. (3) The sealed product information providing means may be configured, for example, as a writing means for writing information to an IC tag attached to the cardboard sheet. (4) Each stacking means may be equipped with a weight measuring unit such as a load cell. The measured weight may be included in the product identification information or sealed product information. When the weight of the stacked tray group is not within the acceptable product weight range, processing such as ejection from the conveying means or alarm processing may be performed. In FIG. 4A, weight measuring units 401, 402, 403, 404, and 405 are provided in each stacking means, and when the weight measured when the top tray is stacked is not an acceptable product weight, an alarm may be issued by an alarm output unit (sound, light, monitor display). When the top tray is stacked, the weight is checked, and an operator can confirm whether the weight is excessive or insufficient and remove or add eggs from the top tray. In addition to or instead of each stacking means, a weight measuring unit (for example, a weighing conveyor) may be installed in each transport means 41, 42, 43, 44, 45 (which may also be the transfer standby position of each tray group transfer unit), and an alarm may be issued by an alarm output unit (sound, light, monitor display) if the weight measured during transport is not the acceptable product weight. If inspection or weight adjustment is not required, the alarm can be used only to check the weight, and an alarm can be issued only if the weight is insufficient to prompt the worker to take action. (5) Each feeding position conveying section may be equipped with a weight measuring section such as a load cell. The measured weight may be included in the product identification information or sealed product information. If the weight of the stacked tray group is not within the acceptable product weight range, the stacked tray group may be discharged from the conveying means, an alarm may be issued, or other such processing may be performed. The weight may be measured when the stacked tray group is conveyed to the waiting position of the feeding position conveying section, and if the measured result is not the acceptable product weight, an alarm may be issued by the alarm output section (sound, light, monitor display). If inspection or weight adjustment is not required, the weight may be checked only, and an alarm may be issued only if the weight is insufficient to prompt the worker to take action. (6) A weight measuring unit (e.g., a weighing conveyor) may be placed between the main transport unit 51a and each tray group placement unit. If inspection or weight adjustment is not required, it can be used only to check the weight, and a warning can be issued only if the weight is insufficient, prompting the worker to take action. By placing a weight measuring unit only here, rather than in other locations, the number of weight measuring units can be reduced. It is possible to check for insufficient weight, and send the measured weight information to a sealed product information providing means for printing (information provision). (7) A weight measurement unit (for example, a weighing conveyor) may be disposed between the conveying unit 62 and the sealed product information providing means 8. The measured weight can be provided as information on the product box by the sealed product information providing means. (8) The first-tier stacking tray group packaging systems A1 and A2 are compatible with five sizes of eggs (2L, L, M, MS, S), but are not limited to this and may be compatible with 2, 3, 4, or 7 varieties. Furthermore, packaging is not limited to size and can also be compatible with different colors, such as red eggs and white eggs. (9) Each stacking means is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and may be, for example, the device disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 07-172581. This device has a mechanism that stacks trays by repeatedly raising them vertically, moving them laterally, and lowering them vertically while maintaining their horizontal position. It may further have a mechanism that rotates the trays 180 degrees for each tray. A rotation mechanism that rotates the trays 180 degrees in a horizontal plane may be provided before the stacking device. An example of the rotation mechanism is a horizontal rotary conveyor (the conveying direction can be switched between forward and reverse) that is approximately the length of one tray. The horizontal rotary conveyor receives one tray from upstream and the first tray passes through as is (forward conveying direction). The second conveyor receives one tray from upstream (conveying in the forward direction), stops once it has been completely transferred onto the conveyor, then the conveyor rotates 180 degrees with the tray still loaded, and then reverses the conveyor's previous direction of transport, sending the tray downstream. The third tray passes through in the same state (conveying in the same direction). The fourth conveyor receives one tray from upstream, stops once it has been completely transferred onto the conveyor, then rotates 180 degrees with the tray still loaded, then reverses the conveyor's previous direction of transport, sending the tray downstream. [Explanation of symbols]

[0028] A1 First-tier tray group packaging system 11 First stacking means 21 First lid placement means 31 First product identification information assignment means 41 First conveying means 5. Delivery Method 51a Main conveyor 521 First tray group transfer section 53 Tray group placement section 6 Packaging equipment 7. Means of obtaining product identification information 8. Sealed product information provision means 800 cardboard sheets P1 Product box

Claims

1. At least two or more i-th stacking means (i = 2 to n, n < 20) are provided, and the i-th stacking means stacks trays containing products transported from upstream into a predetermined number of stages that is set in advance corresponding to the type of product or the type of tray; an i-th conveying means for conveying the stacked tray group; a feeding means for feeding the stacked tray groups conveyed by each of the i conveying means to a packaging position; a packaging device that wraps around the stacked tray group fed by the feeding means; a product identification information acquisition unit that acquires product identification information before the product is packaged by the packaging device; a sealed product information assigning means for assigning sealed product information to an i-th product box obtained by wrap-around packaging in the packaging device in accordance with the product identification information acquired by the product identification information acquiring unit, and the sealed product information corresponding to the product identification information; Equipped with Stacked tray group packaging system.

2. Further provided is an i-th lid placing means for placing a lid portion on a group of stacked trays stacked by each of the i-th stacking means, The lid is stored inside the wrap-around package. The stacked tray group packaging system of claim 1 .

3. The method further comprises an i-th product identification information assigning means for assigning product identification information corresponding to the type of product or the type of tray to any tray or lid of the stacked tray group stacked in a predetermined number of tiers by the i-th stacking means, the product identification information acquisition unit acquires the product identification information assigned by the i-th product identification information assignment means; 3. The stacked tray group packaging system according to claim 1 or 2.

4. 3. The stacked tray group packaging system according to claim 1, wherein a weight measuring unit is provided in at least one of the i-th stacking means, the i-th conveying means, and the feeding means.

5. a single stacking means for stacking trays containing products transported from upstream in a predetermined number of stages that is set in advance in accordance with the type of product or the type of tray; a conveying means for conveying the stacked tray group; a feeding means for feeding the stacked tray group conveyed by the conveying means to a packaging position; a packaging device that wraps around the stacked tray group fed by the feeding means; a sealed product information providing means for providing sealed product information to the product box obtained by wrap-around packaging in the packaging device; Equipped with Stacked tray group packaging system.

6. The tray stacking device further includes a lid placing means for placing a lid portion on the stacked tray group stacked by each of the stacking means, The lid is stored inside the wrap-around package.

6. The stacked tray group packaging system according to claim 5.

7. 7. The stacked tray group packaging system according to claim 5, wherein a weight measuring unit is provided in at least one of the stacking means, the conveying means and the feeding means.

Images