Transport tool rotating device and cleaning device

Abstract

To realize a device which enables unstacking and inversion to be performed at the same time with a simple structure.SOLUTION: A transport tool rotation device (100) rotates a transport tool (P) and includes a support base (20) capable of moving up and down and a rotary unit (10). The rotary unit (10) has: a rotary shaft (11) which is located adjacent to a placement area (R) of the transport tool (P) and limits movement of the transport tool (P) in a horizontal direction; and a rotary arm (12) which rotates around the rotary shaft (11) set as an axis and has a hooking tool (13).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a transport tool rotating device that rotates a transport tool and a cleaning device that includes the transport tool rotating device. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a washing device for washing returnable containers. Returnable containers to be washed by such a washing device are usually transported to the washing device in a stacked state with their openings facing upward. Therefore, to place them on a transport mechanism such as the loading conveyor described in Patent Document 1, a de-stack operation is required to separate them into individual containers. Furthermore, because washing is performed in the washing device with the openings facing downward, an operation to invert the containers is also required. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 11-57634 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Conventionally, a complicated device structure has been required to perform the destacking and inversion operations. One aspect of the present invention provides a device with a simple structure that can simultaneously perform destacking and inversion. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In order to solve the above problems, one embodiment of the present invention provides a transport tool rotation device that rotates a stackable transport tool around a virtual axis parallel to the bottom surface of the transport tool, and is equipped with a support base that has a loading area on its upper surface for placing the transport tool and can be raised and lowered, and a rotation unit that is positioned above the support base, and the rotation unit has a rotating shaft axis that is positioned adjacent to the loading area in a top view and limits the horizontal movement of the transport tool, and a rotating arm that is positioned on the opposite side of the rotating shaft axis across the loading area and rotates around the rotating shaft axis, and the rotating arm has a hook that can be hooked onto a locking portion that is positioned on at least a part of the outer edge of the transport tool. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to simultaneously perform unstacking and inversion with a simple structure. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic side view of a transportation tool rotating device and a cleaning device according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] 1 is a schematic side view of a rotation unit according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] 1 is a schematic front view of a rotation unit according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] 1 is a schematic top view of a transportation tool rotating device according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 5] 1A to 1C are diagrams illustrating the operation of the hook according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] [Embodiment 1] A rotation device 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention and a cleaning device 900 including the rotation device 100 will be described in detail below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5. In the drawings, the direction perpendicular to the ground (installation surface) is the Z-axis direction, and the upward direction is the Z-axis positive direction. The traveling direction of the transport tool in the cleaning device 900 is the X-axis positive direction. The X-axis positive direction may also be referred to as the forward direction, and the X-axis negative direction as the backward direction. The Y-axis direction is a direction perpendicular to the Z-axis and X-axis.

[0009] The rotation device 100 according to the first embodiment is an example of a transportation tool rotation device according to the present disclosure. The rotation device 100 is a device that rotates a transportation tool around a virtual axis that is parallel to the bottom surface of the transportation tool. In other words, the rotation device 100 is a device that turns over the transportation tool.

[0010] FIG. 1 shows a schematic side view of the rotation device 100 and the cleaning device 900. Only a portion of the cleaning device 900 is shown. FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of the rotation unit 10, which will be described later. FIGS. 1 and 2 show side views as viewed from the negative Y-axis direction. FIG. 3 is a schematic front view of the rotation unit 10. The front view is a view as viewed from the negative X-axis direction. FIG. 3 is a view of the rotation unit 10 in the state shown by the dashed line in FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a schematic top view of the rotation device 100. The top view is a view as viewed from the Z-axis direction.

[0011] [Cleaning device 900] The cleaning device 900 is a device for cleaning a transport tool. In the first embodiment, a case will be described in which the transport tool is a food container P that is often used to transport bread and the like. The food container P is an example of a transport tool according to the present disclosure. The transport tool according to the present disclosure is not limited to the food container P, but may be any transport tool that can be stacked. For example, the transport tool may be a container or pallet for transporting items. The container for transporting items may be a container, like the food container P, that has a main body for storing items and an outer edge (locking portion) that protrudes outward from the main body.

[0012] The cleaning apparatus 900 may include, for example, a receiving section, a conveying section, a cleaning section, a drying section, and a discharge section. The receiving section is located at the most upstream of the cleaning apparatus 900 and is a section that receives stacked food containers P. The receiving section may also include a de-stack device that separates (de-stacks) the stacked food containers P into individual containers and places them on a conveying section that conveys the food containers P within the cleaning apparatus 900. The rotation device 100 can be used as the de-stack device in the receiving section of the cleaning apparatus 900. The detailed configuration of the rotation device 100 will be described later.

[0013] FIG. 1 shows a receiving section (rotating device 100) and a conveyor 800 (conveying section) that transports the box containers P that have been de-tiered in the receiving section. The conveyor 800 may be, for example, a belt conveyor, a chain conveyor, or a roller conveyor. The conveyor 800 is connected to a driving means (not shown) such as a motor, and driving the motor operates the conveyor 800 to transport the box containers P at a predetermined speed. The height of the conveyor 800 can be designed as desired, but for example, the top surface of the conveyor 800 may be located at a height of approximately 1000 mm from the ground. Setting the height at this level improves maintainability.

[0014] The cleaning unit cleans the food containers P transported by the conveyor 800 (not shown). More specifically, the cleaning unit may be equipped with, for example, a nozzle capable of spraying high-pressure liquid, and may clean the food containers P by spraying cleaning liquid such as water or detergent onto the food containers P transported in the X-axis direction by the conveyor 800. The cleaning unit may also be equipped with a transport mechanism separate from the conveyor 800. In this case, the transporter can receive the food containers P from the conveyor 800.

[0015] The drying section dries the food containers P (not shown) that have been washed in the washing section. The drying section may include, for example, a blower, and may dry the food containers P by blowing hot air onto them using the blower.

[0016] The discharge section is located at the most downstream side of the washing device, and is a section (not shown) through which the food containers P dried in the drying section are discharged. In the discharge section, the food containers P after washing and drying may be stacked and discharged.

[0017] [Configuration of the rotation device 100] The rotation device 100 rotates the food container P around a virtual axis parallel to the bottom surface of the food container P. The rotation device 100 includes a support base 20 and a rotation unit 10. The rotation device 100 can be used in the receiving section of the cleaning device 900 as a device for unstacking and rotating the food container P.

[0018] [Support stand 20] The support table 20 is a table on which stacked food containers P are placed. The support table 20 includes a top plate 21 and an elevating device 22 that raises and lowers the top plate 21. The support table 20 is located below the rotating unit 10 and supplies food containers P placed on the top plate 21 to the rotating unit 10. More specifically, the support table 20 moves the topmost food container P among the stacked food containers P to an initial position where the rotating unit 10 can hold the food container P. The initial position is the position at which the food container P is held by the rotating unit 10 and begins to rotate. Figure 2 shows the rotating unit 10 and food container P in their initial positions.

[0019] The top plate 21 is a platform on which the food containers P are placed. In FIG. 1, the food containers P are stacked on the top surface of the top plate 21. The top plate 21 has a placement area R on its upper surface where the food containers P are placed. The top plate 21 may be a plate-like member with a placement surface (upper surface) large enough to place the food containers P. The top plate 21 is attached to the lifting device 22 so that the placement surface is approximately horizontal.

[0020] The placement area R may be an area that overlaps with the food container P to be placed on it when viewed from above. Alternatively, the placement area R may be an area defined by a restricting member or recess that restricts the movement of the food container P on the top plate 21, or a mark that indicates the placement area. The placement area R shown by the dashed dotted line in FIG. 4 is an area that overlaps with the food container P when viewed from above. The placement area R can be changed as appropriate depending on the dimensions of the transport container to be placed on the top plate 21. The placement area R is adjacent to the rotating shaft axis 11, which will be described later, when viewed from above in the initial position.

[0021] The lifting device 22 is a device that raises and lowers the tabletop 21. The lifting device 22 includes, for example, an electric motor, and the tabletop 21 connected to the lifting device 22 is electrically driven by the electric motor. The lifting device 22 may be disposed in a position that overlaps with the tabletop 21 when viewed from above, or may be disposed to the side of the tabletop 21.

[0022] [Rotation unit 10] The rotation unit 10 rotates the food container P, which has been moved to its initial position by the support base 20, around an imaginary axis parallel to the bottom surface of the food container P. In the first embodiment, the imaginary axis is an axis parallel to the bottom surface of the food container P and parallel to the Y-axis direction. The rotation unit 10 is located above the support base 20. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the rotation unit 10 has a rotating shaft 11, a rotating arm 12, a hook 13, a connecting arm 14, and a motor 15. As shown in FIG. 4, the rotating arm 12 is located on the opposite side of the rotating shaft 11 across the mounting area R in the initial position, and rotates around the rotating shaft 11. The connecting arm 14 is fixed to the rotating shaft 11 and is a member that connects the rotating shaft 11 and the rotating arm 12.

[0023] The rotation unit 10 is positioned above the upper surface of the conveyor 800. The higher the position of the rotation unit 10, the more the number of stackable food containers P can be increased, improving work efficiency. On the other hand, since the food containers P naturally fall onto the upper surface of the conveyor 800 after rotation, problems can occur if the difference in height between the upper surface of the conveyor 800 and the rotation unit 10 is too large. Therefore, the height of the rotation unit 10 may be set so that the rotation shaft axis 11 (described later) is located at a maximum of 250 mm above the upper surface of the conveyor 800.

[0024] [Rotating shaft axis 11] The rotating shaft 11 penetrates the motor 15, is rotated by the motor 15, and transmits rotational power. The rotating shaft 11 is physically connected to the rotating arm 12 via a connection arm 14 that is fixed to the rotating shaft 11. This allows the rotating shaft 11 to transmit rotational power to the rotating arm 12, causing the rotating arm 12 to rotate around the rotating shaft 11. The end of the rotating shaft 11 opposite the motor 15 side may be rotatably supported on a base by a bearing.

[0025] The rotary shaft 11 may be, for example, a stainless steel cylinder. The length of the rotary shaft 11 in the Y-axis direction is greater than the length of the mounting region R in the Y-axis direction.

[0026] As shown in Fig. 4, the rotating shaft 11 is located adjacent to the placement area R in a top view. This restricts horizontal movement of the food container P at the initial position. Also, as shown in Fig. 3, the rotating shaft 11 can function as a support for supporting the food container P during rotation.

[0027] [Connecting arm 14] The connecting arm 14 is a member that connects the rotary shaft 11 and the pivoting arm 12. The connecting arm 14 is fixed substantially perpendicular to the rotary shaft 11. The connecting arm 14 and the pivoting arm 12 can be connected using an L-shaped metal fitting or the like.

[0028] The connecting arm 14 may be extendable. That is, by configuring the connecting arm 14 to be extendable, the distance between the rotating shaft 11 and the pivoting arm 12 may be adjustable. For example, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 , the connecting arm 14 may be configured by connecting a first arm 141 and a second arm 142. One end of the first arm 141 is fixed to the rotating shaft 11, and the other end is connected to one end of the second arm 142. The other end of the second arm 142 is connected to the pivoting arm 12 via an L-shaped bracket. Note that the second arm 142 and the pivoting arm 12 may be formed integrally. In this specification, the first arm 141 and the second arm 142 may be collectively referred to as the connecting arm 14.

[0029] The first arm 141 and the second arm 142 may be connected by a connector 143. The connector 143 may be, for example, a bolt and nut. Alternatively, a hand screw, handle, or the like that can be tightened or loosened without tools may be used. As shown in FIG. 2 , at the connection between the first arm 141 and the second arm 142, a groove having a width that allows the connector 143 to pass through is cut in the first arm 141 and the second arm 142. This configuration allows the connecting arm 14 to be adjusted to a desired length based on the size of the food container P. This allows a common rotation device 100 to be used even when multiple types of transport tools are to be cleaned. If the types of transport tools to be cleaned are generally fixed, the groove may be replaced with through holes drilled at regular intervals. In this case, the length of the connecting arm 14 is simply set to match the through holes, eliminating the need for actual fitting when setting the length of the connecting arm 14 and making it easier to determine the length of the connecting arm 14.

[0030] [Rotating arm 12] The rotating arm 12 rotates around the rotating shaft axis 11. The rotating arm 12 has a hook 13 on the inside. When viewed from above in the initial position, the rotating arm 12 is located on the opposite side of the rotating shaft axis 11 across the mounting area R. The distance between the rotating arm 12 and the rotating shaft axis 11 can be changed by extending or retracting the connecting arm 14.

[0031] 2 and 3, the connecting arm 14 and the rotating arm 12 may be plate-shaped members. There are no particular restrictions on the material, and they may be made of metal or resin.

[0032] [Hook 13] The hook 13 is operably attached to the rotating arm 12 and is a member for hooking the food container P during rotation. When the rotating arm 12 rotates from its initial position, the hook 13 hooks onto a locking portion PK located on at least a part of the outer edge of the food container P. When the rotating arm 12 rotates, the hook 13 abuts against and supports the underside of the locking portion PK, allowing the food container P to rotate in accordance with the rotation of the rotating arm 12.

[0033] The hook 13 may be configured using, for example, an L-shaped metal fitting as shown in Fig. 2. The hook 13 has an anti-back structure. Because the hook 13 has an anti-back structure, the rotation unit 10 allows the food container P to move upward from below the hook 13 as the support base 20 rises, but does not allow the food container P that has moved above the hook 13 to move downward.

[0034] The anti-back structure of the hook 13 will be described with reference to the example shown in Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the hook 13 when the topmost food container P moves upward as the support base 20 moves. The support base 20 is omitted from Fig. 5. As shown in Fig. 5, the hook 13 has an L-shape when viewed from the side, for example, and is configured to be rotatable around the contact point between the corner and the rotating arm 12. The hook 13 may be made of metal or resin, for example, stainless steel.

[0035] The diagram indicated by the reference numeral 5001 shows the state before the food container P is caught by the hooking tool 13. In other words, it shows the state in which the food container P is positioned below the hooking tool 13.

[0036] The diagram indicated by the reference numeral 5002 shows the state when the food container P is pushing up the hooking tool 13. At this time, the food container P is being pushed up by the support base 20. The hooking tool 13 rotates as it is pushed up by the food container P. While the food container P continues to be pushed up by the support base 20, the hooking tool 13 separates from the food container P and returns to its original position due to gravity when it is no longer receiving the upward force.

[0037] Reference numeral 5003 indicates a state in which the food container P is hooked on the hooking device 13. At this time, a load is applied from the food container P to the hooking device 13, but the anti-back structure of the hooking device 13 prevents the food container P from rotating in the opposite direction. This allows the food container P to be supported when rotating.

[0038] The anti-back structure is simple and does not require additional power to hook the food container P, which contributes to reducing the cost and simplifying the structure of the rotating unit 10. The anti-back structure is not limited to the above-mentioned example, and other conventionally known anti-back structures may be used. Note that the hooking device 13 does not have to have an anti-back structure.

[0039] Although the anti-back structure has been explained using a food container P as an example, it can also be used with transport tools that do not have an outer edge like a food container P. For example, consider the case where a pallet is used as the transport tool. The pallet has openings on each side through which the forks of a forklift can be inserted. In this case, the tip of the hooking device 13 can be inserted into the opening, and the top surface of the opening can be used as an engaging part to hook it. In this way, since many common transport tools have parts that allow for engaging, the rotation device and cleaning device disclosed herein can be used for things other than food containers P.

[0040] In the above description, the rotation device 100 has simple components and few drive units. Therefore, the rotation device 100 can be implemented at low cost. Furthermore, as shown in Figures 1 and 4, the rotation device 100 can be realized as a space-saving rotation device due to its simple structure.

[0041] [Control of Rotation Device 100] The operation of the rotating device 100 will be described below. The rotating device 100 may include a control unit (not shown) configured with a processor such as a CPU that controls each unit. The control unit may be a control unit included in the cleaning device 900. The rotating device 100 may also include an operation unit (not shown) that is operated by a user and causes the rotating device 100 to rotate the food container P.

[0042] The following describes the control of the exemplary rotating device 100 by the control unit after the stacked food containers P are placed on the support table 20 by an operator.

[0043] Before starting operation, the rotating arm 12 of the rotating unit 10 is in the initial position shown by the solid line in Fig. 1 and in Fig. 2. In the initial position, the top surface of the hook 13 attached to the rotating arm 12 is approximately parallel to the ground.

[0044] [Hooking process] With the rotating arm 12 of the rotation unit 10 in the initial position, the control unit controls, for example, the motor that drives the support base 20 to raise the support base 20. As the support base 20 rises, the food container P located at the top pushes up the hooking tool 13, causing it to rotate upward. When the food container P moves above the hooking tool 13, the hooking tool 13 returns to its position before rotation, making it possible to hook the food container P.

[0045] The control unit raises the support base 20 until the topmost food container P (more specifically, the locking portion of the food container P) is positioned above the hook 13, and then stops the raising operation of the support base 20 and stops it.

[0046] [Rotation process] After the hooking step, the control unit controls the motor that drives the rotation unit 10 to rotate the rotation shaft 11. As a result, with the hook 13 hooked on the locking portion of the food container P, the rotating arm 12 rotates, and the food container P rotates (turns over).

[0047] When the rotation angle of the food container P exceeds 90° (vertical position), the food container P falls inverted onto the conveyor 800 under its own weight. In this embodiment, the food container P is dropped onto the conveyor 800, but depending on the configuration of the subsequent cleaning device, the food container P may be rotated to any angle between 90° and 180°, and then cleaned by a cleaning device equipped with a holding mechanism that can hold the food container P at that angle.

[0048] When the food container P leaves the rotation unit 10, the control unit returns the rotation unit 10 to its initial position and performs the hooking process again. The control unit repeats the hooking process and the rotation process until all food containers P placed on the support base 20 are gone.

[0049] As described above, the rotation device 100 can simultaneously separate and invert the food containers P, thereby improving work efficiency.

[0050] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. Embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in different embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

[0051] 〔summary〕 (1) A transport tool rotation device according to aspect 1 of the present disclosure is a transport tool rotation device that rotates a stackable transport tool around a virtual axis parallel to the bottom surface of the transport tool, and includes a support base having a loading area on its upper surface for loading the transport tool and capable of moving up and down, and a rotation unit located above the support base, wherein the rotation unit has a rotating shaft axis located adjacent to the loading area in a top view and restricting horizontal movement of the transport tool, and a rotating arm located on the opposite side of the loading area from the rotating shaft axis and rotating around the rotating shaft axis, and the rotating arm has a hook that can be hooked onto a locking portion located on at least a part of the outer edge of the transport tool.

[0052] This configuration allows for simultaneous unstacking and inversion with a simple structure.

[0053] (2) The transport tool rotating device according to aspect 2 of the present disclosure is configured in accordance with aspect 1 above, such that the distance between the rotation shaft axis and the pivot arm is adjustable.

[0054] This configuration can accommodate transport tools of different sizes, so a common transport tool rotation device can be used even when the types of transport tools provided to the transport tool rotation device are different.

[0055] (3) In the transport tool rotation device according to aspect 3 of the present disclosure, in the above-mentioned aspect 1 or 2, the hooking device has an anti-back structure that allows the transport tool to move from below the hooking device to above the hooking device as the support base rises, and does not allow the transport tool that has moved above the hooking device to move downward.

[0056] This configuration makes it possible to realize a simple hooking structure without requiring power.

[0057] (4) A transportation tool rotation device according to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure is any one of the first to third aspects, and rotates the transportation tool by an angle of 90° or more and 180° or less.

[0058] This configuration allows the transport tool to be inverted.

[0059] (5) A cleaning device according to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure includes the transport tool rotation device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects.

[0060] With this configuration, the transport tool rotating mechanism in the cleaning device can be realized with a simple structure, thereby realizing cost and space savings for the cleaning device as a whole. [Explanation of symbols]

[0061] 900 Cleaning Equipment 800 Conveyor 100 Rotating Device 10 Rotating Units 11 Rotating shaft axis 12 Rotating arm 13 Hook 14 Connecting arm 20 Support stand 21 Top plate 22 Lifting device P Banju

Claims

1. A transport tool rotation device that rotates a stackable transport tool around a virtual axis that is parallel to a bottom surface of the transport tool, a support base having a placement area on an upper surface for placing the transport tool thereon and capable of moving up and down; a rotation unit located above the support base, The rotating unit is a rotating shaft positioned adjacent to the placement area in a top view and configured to limit horizontal movement of the transport tool; a rotating arm located on the opposite side of the mounting area from the rotating shaft axis and rotating about the rotating shaft axis, The rotating arm has a hook that can be hooked onto a locking portion located on at least a part of the outer edge of the transport tool.

2. 2. The transfer tool rotating device according to claim 1, wherein the distance between the rotation shaft axis and the pivot arm is adjustable.

3. 2. The transport tool rotation device according to claim 1, wherein the hooking device has an anti-back structure that allows the transport tool to move from below the hooking device to above it as the support platform rises, but does not allow the transport tool that has moved above the hooking device to move downward.

4. The transport tool rotating device according to claim 1 , which rotates the transport tool through an angle of 90° to 180°.

5. A cleaning device comprising the transfer tool rotating device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

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