Packaging stacking device and packaging stacking method

Abstract

To facilitate an accumulation operation and to suppress damage to a package in a step of accumulating a plurality of packages by erecting a small end part.SOLUTION: A package accumulation device that accumulates a long package by standing a small end part includes supply means for supplying the package, and accumulating means for conveying a supplied packages. The accumulating means arranges a first package whose small end part is erected, in a state where a longitudinal direction is perpendicular to a conveying direction, and a newly supplied second package whose small end part is erected, on the downstream side of the first package in the conveyance direction side by side, and conveys and accumulates the first package and the second package in close contact with each other in a thickness direction, in the conveying direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

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[0003] ,

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a packaging body stacking device for stacking and mounting a plurality of packaging bodies, and particularly relates to a device for stacking pillow packaging bodies.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, in the manufacturing processes of processed foods, confectioneries, daily necessities, etc., after the goods, which are the objects to be packaged, are bagged to form individual packaging bodies, a plurality of packaging bodies are stacked and boxed in a packaging box made of cardboard or the like for shipment. Among these packaging bodies, pillow packaging bodies in which the objects to be packaged are enclosed together with gas in a long tubular packaging member, and the front and rear of each object to be packaged are sealed and cut to a predetermined length are widely used, and a product supply and stacking device for smoothly and accurately supplying products using pillow packaging bodies has been proposed (for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).

[0003] In such a conventional stacking device, the method of inserting the packaging body L into individual buckets and scraping the packaging body L out of the packets while aligning it in width for stacking has been adopted. FIG. 12(a) is a front view showing the configuration of a conventional general stacking device 1X, FIG. 12(b) is a left side view, and FIGS. 13(a) to (d) are plan views showing the stacking operation by the stacking device 1X. According to the conventional stacking device 1X, the packaging body L is placed on a supply conveyor 11 conveyed to a roller 12 and supplied (FIG. 12(a), FIG. 13, T10). Similarly, the packaging body L is inserted one by one in a small-end upright manner into buckets 83 provided on a belt 81 conveyed to a roller 83 (FIG., T11). The packaging body L in the bucket 83 is transferred from the bucket 83 to a primary stacking guide 84 by a scraping mechanism 91 and stacked in units of two while being aligned in width without gaps (FIG. 13, M21). Further, the packaging body L is transferred from the primary stacking guide 84 by a scraping mechanism 92 to a secondary stacking guide 85 on a carry-out conveyor 86 and stacked and aligned in units of four (FIG. 13, M22).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

[0005] However, as mentioned above, there are seal portions (hereinafter also referred to as end seal portions) at both the front and rear ends of the packaging. Since these end seal portions are easily deformed and have low dimensional stability, in conventional stacking devices, when the end seal portion is pushed to scrape the packaging out of the bucket into the stacking guide, the packaging may get caught in the stacking guide, preventing smooth stacking or causing damage to the packaging.

[0006] Furthermore, in the case of pillow packaging, the presence of gas causes it to change shape, making it difficult to handle. This can lead to problems such as the packaging getting caught between the guide and the stacking guide when being moved closer together, causing it to tear, or pinholes appearing in the packaging due to friction between the packaging and the guide when scraping it out.

[0007] This disclosure is made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a packaging stacking device and a packaging stacking method that facilitate the stacking operation and suppress damage to the packaging in the process of stacking multiple packaging bodies by raising their small ends. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] A package stacking apparatus, which is one aspect of this disclosure, flat Long shape Form A packaging stacking device for stacking packaging bodies by raising their small ends, comprising a supply means for supplying packaging bodies and a supply means for the supplied packaging bodies horizontally A means for conveying a package, comprising a first package with its short end raised in a state where its long direction is perpendicular to the conveying direction, and a second package, newly supplied and with its short end raised, arranged side by side with respect to the first package downstream in the conveying direction, and the first package and the front NoteThe system includes a stacking means for stacking a second package by transporting it in the transport direction while keeping it in close contact with the second package in the thickness direction. The accumulation means comprises a transport path extending horizontally, a tip claw positioned on the transport path with its tip facing upward and movable in the transport direction, a first claw positioned behind the tip claw in the transport path with its tip facing upward and capable of holding a package between itself and the tip claw, a second claw positioned behind the first claw in the transport path with its tip facing upward and located at a predetermined distance greater than the thickness of the package, a retraction mechanism capable of moving the first claw downward from the transport path to a retraction point, a first transport mechanism capable of gradually moving the tip claw in the transport direction, and a second transport mechanism capable of moving the second claw in the transport direction in synchronization with the tip claw, and the supply means extends vertically above the transport path to a height close to the transport path. The conveying mechanism has a conveying belt suspended above it, and holds and conveys the package on the belt surface with the small end face of the package facing the direction of travel and the longitudinal direction of the package perpendicular to the direction of travel, and is equipped with a supply mechanism that can supply the package from above between the first claw and the second claw, the first claw holds the first package by sandwiching it between the tip claw, the supply means supplies the second package between the first claw and the second claw, the retraction mechanism retracts the first claw when the second package has been supplied, the first conveying mechanism gradually moves the tip claw in the conveying direction after the second package has been supplied, and the second conveying mechanism moves the second claw in the conveying direction with the first package and the second package sandwiched between the tip claw. It is characterized by the following. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to one aspect of this disclosure, it is possible to provide a packaging stacking apparatus and a packaging stacking method that facilitate the stacking operation and suppress damage to the packaging in the process of stacking multiple packaging bodies by standing them upright by their small ends. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view showing the configuration of the packaging stacking device 1 according to the embodiment. [Figure 2] (a) is a plan view showing the configuration of the packaging stacking device 1, and (b) is a front view. [Figure 3] (a) is a plan view showing the configuration of the stacking means 20, (b) is a cross-sectional view taken at AA in (a), and (c) is a front view. [Figure 4] (a) to (e) are cross-sectional views illustrating the operation of the first claw 22 and the second claw 23 in the accumulation means 20. [Figure 5] (a) to (d) are cross-sectional views illustrating the operation of the tip claw 21 and end claw 24 in the accumulation means 20. [Figure 6] (a) to (d) are plan views illustrating the stacking operation by the packaging stacking device 1. [Figure 7] (a) to (d) are plan views illustrating the stacking operation by the packaging stacking device 1. [Figure 8] (a) to (e) are plan views illustrating the stacking operation by the packaging stacking device 1. [Figure 9] (a) to (d) are front views illustrating the stacking operation of the packaging stacking device 1. [Figure 10] (a) to (d) are front views illustrating the stacking operation of the packaging stacking device 1. [Figure 11] (a) to (e) are front views for explaining the stacking operation by the package stacking device 1. [Figure 12] (a) is a front view showing the configuration of the conventional stacking device 1X, and (b) is a left side view. [Figure 13] (a) to (d) are plan views for explaining the stacking and feeding operation in the stacking device 1X.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] ≪Outline of Embodiments for Carrying Out the Present Invention≫ The package stacking device 1 according to the embodiment in the present disclosure is a package stacking device that stacks long packages with their small ends upright, and includes a supply means for supplying packages, and a means for conveying the supplied packages. The first package is upright with its small end in a state where the long direction is perpendicular to the conveying direction, and a second package newly supplied and upright with its small end is arranged side by side on the downstream side in the conveying direction with respect to the first package. The first package and the second package are brought into close contact with each other in the thickness direction and conveyed in the conveying direction for stacking.

[0012] With such a configuration, when stacking a plurality of packages with their small ends upright, when a new package is supplied, it can be stacked in close contact with the existing packages without a gap in the conveying direction. Therefore, the step of scraping the package from the bucket to the stacking guide and performing the stacking operation, which was necessary in the conventional stacking process, becomes unnecessary, the stacking operation can be smoothed, and damage to the package can be suppressed.

[0013] Also, in another aspect, in the aspect described in any of the above, The integrating means includes a conveying path, a tip claw disposed on the conveying path and movable in the conveying direction, a first claw located behind the tip claw in the moving direction of the tip claw in the conveying path and capable of holding a packaging body in a state of sandwiching the packaging body therebetween, a second claw located behind the first claw in the conveying path and separated by a predetermined length equal to or greater than the thickness of the packaging body, a retracting mechanism capable of retracting the first claw from the conveying path, a first conveying mechanism capable of gradually moving the tip claw in the conveying direction, and a second conveying mechanism capable of moving the second claw in the conveying direction in synchronization with the tip claw. The supply means includes a supply mechanism capable of supplying a packaging body between the first claw and the second claw. The first claw holds the first packaging body in a state of being sandwiched between the first claw and the tip claw. The supply means supplies the second packaging body between the first claw and the second claw. The retracting mechanism retracts the first claw in a state where the second packaging body is supplied. After the second packaging body is supplied, the first conveying mechanism gradually moves the tip claw in the conveying direction. The second conveying mechanism may be configured to move the second claw in the conveying direction in a state where the first packaging body and the second packaging body are sandwiched between the second conveying mechanism and the tip claw.

[0014] With such a configuration, immediately after a new packaging body is supplied in a state of being placed on its smaller end in the gap between the first claw and the second claw, the first claw is removed from between the existing packaging body and the newly supplied packaging body, and a configuration in which both packaging bodies are accumulated in close contact with no gap in the conveying direction can be specifically realized.

[0015] In another embodiment, in any of the embodiments described above, the stacking means further includes a retraction mechanism that retracts the retracted first claw to an initial position behind the second claw and at a distance greater than or equal to the thickness of the packaging body, wherein the retraction mechanism, after the first claw is retracted, retracts the retracted first claw to the initial position on the transport path, thereby converting the first claw into the second claw and the second claw into the first claw, and converting the first packaging body and the second packaging body into a new first packaging body.

[0016] With this configuration, by repeatedly performing the operations of lifting the small end and stacking the sequentially supplied packages, it is possible to form a package unit in which multiple packages are stacked tightly together without gaps in the direction of transport.

[0017] In another embodiment, in any of the embodiments described above, the accumulation means further comprises a third transport mechanism which includes an end claw positioned on the transport path and which holds the first package and the second package between itself and the end claw, and which moves the end claw in the transport direction in synchronization with the end claw, wherein when the number of the first package and the second package is a predetermined number, the first transport mechanism moves the end claw to the end position of the transport path, and the third transport mechanism moves the end claw to a predetermined position behind the end position in synchronization with the end claw, with a predetermined number of packages held between itself and the end claw.

[0018] With this configuration, the assembled packaging units can be transported by the transport means to the discharge position, and then removed from the transport path using the transport means and placed into a packaging box.

[0019] In another embodiment, the packaging stacking method according to this embodiment is a packaging stacking method for stacking elongated packaging bodies by standing them upright at their short ends, wherein the packaging bodies are supplied, and the supplied packaging bodies are arranged such that a first packaging body is stood upright at its short end with its elongated direction perpendicular to the transport direction, and a second packaging body is newly supplied and stood upright at its short end downstream of the first packaging body in the transport direction, and the first packaging body and the second packaging body are brought into close contact in the thickness direction and transported in the transport direction to be stacked.

[0020] This configuration provides a stacking method that facilitates the stacking operation and suppresses damage to the packaging when stacking multiple packages by their small ends.

[0021] <Embodiment> The configuration of the packaging stacking device 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Hereinafter, in this specification, the X, Y, and Z directions in each figure may be referred to as the width direction, depth direction, and height direction, respectively, and the positive direction of the height direction may be referred to as the "up" direction and the negative direction as the "down" direction.In addition, the scale of the components in each drawing is not necessarily the same as the actual scale.In addition, in this specification, the symbol "~" used to indicate a numerical range includes the numerical values ​​at both ends.In addition, the materials, numerical values, etc. described in this embodiment are merely examples of preferred materials and are not limited thereto.In addition, modifications can be made as appropriate without departing from the scope of the technical idea of ​​this disclosure.In addition, combinations of parts of the configuration with other embodiments are possible as long as no contradictions arise.

[0022] <Configuration of the packaging stacking device 1> The configuration of the packaging stacking device 1 will be explained using drawings. Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the packaging stacking device 1 according to an embodiment, Figure 2(a) is a plan view showing the configuration of the packaging stacking device 1, and (b) is a front view.

[0023] (Overall structure) As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the packaging stacking device 1 includes a supply means 10 for supplying packaging bodies L, a stacking means 20 for stacking the supplied packaging bodies with their small ends upright, a transfer means 30 for transporting the stacked multiple packaging bodies L and placing them into a packaging box B, a transport means 40 for unloading the finished product P, and a control unit 50 for controlling these.

[0024] (Composition of each part) The configuration of each part of the packaging stacking device 1 will be described below.

[0025] [Package L, finished product P] The configuration of the packaging L used in the packaging stacking device 1 will be described below. The contents to be packaged are, for example, processed foods, confectionery, daily necessities, and other goods that are generally distributed.

[0026] The packaging body L can be a pillow packaging body having a packaging body L0 in which the packaged item and gas are sealed in a cylindrical packaging member, and end seal portions L1 at both ends. A pillow packaging body is formed, for example, by sealing the packaged item together with gas in a long cylindrical packaging member made of resin film, sealing the front and back of the packaged item by, for example, heat sealing, and then cutting the area including the sealed portion to a predetermined length, and usually has a flat, elongated shape in plan view. In this specification, the direction connecting the two end seal portions L1 located at both ends of the packaging body is defined as the longitudinal direction, and of the two directions perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, the longer one is defined as the width direction and the shorter one as the thickness direction.

[0027] In the stacking process, individual packaging units L containing the packaged goods are stacked by raising their small ends and then stacking them without gaps in the thickness direction to form an assembly of multiple packaging units L (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a "packaging unit"). The formed packaging units are then packed into packaging boxes B made of cardboard or the like to form the finished product P.

[0028] [Supply means 10] The supply means 10 is a conveying mechanism that supplies the packaged body L to the accumulation means 20. The supply means 10 comprises a drive drum 11, rollers 13, a suction conveying belt 12, rollers 14, and an opposing belt 15.

[0029] The drive drum 11 rotates counterclockwise in Figure 2(b) (Figure 2(b), R1), and the suction conveying belt 12 is suspended between multiple rollers 13 and conveys vertically from the left end of the circumferential surface of the drive drum 11 (position 9 o'clock in Figure 2(b)) to a height near the lower end of the drive drum 11.

[0030] The opposing belt 15 is suspended from the roller 14 and, to the left of the drive drum 11, is positioned opposite the circumferential surface of the drive drum 11. In the section where the suction conveying belt 12 is conveyed vertically, it is conveyed vertically so as to face the suction conveying belt 12 at a predetermined distance (Figure 2(b), T2).

[0031] The packaged body L is supplied from the right side of the paper, attached to the suction conveying belt 12 at predetermined intervals, and conveyed to the left (Figure 2, T1), then conveyed along the circumferential surface of the drive drum 11. Subsequently, in sections where the suction conveying belt 12 is conveyed vertically, the packaged body L is sandwiched between the opposing belt 15 and conveyed downwards, and transported toward the packaged body receiving point RP of the accumulation means 20 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "receiving point RP"). At this time, the packaged body L is conveyed with its longitudinal direction perpendicular to the conveying direction and its small end face facing the conveying direction.

[0032] The supply means 10 is driven in conjunction with the movement of the accumulation means 20 based on instructions from the control unit 50, and the packaged bodies L are transported and supplied by the suction conveying belt 12 and placed one by one with their small ends upright at the receiving point RP of the accumulation means 20.

[0033] [Integration means 20] The stacking means 20 is a mechanism for stacking multiple packages L supplied by the supply means 10 by raising their small ends and then tightly packing them together without any gaps. Figure 3(a) is a plan view showing the configuration of the stacking means 20, (b) is a view taken along arrow AA in (a), and (c) is a front view.

[0034] The stacking means 20 includes a tip claw 21 (211, 212), a first claw 22, a second claw 23, an end claw 24 (241, 242) arranged along the transport path 27, a driving means 25 for driving the first claw 22 and the second claw 23, and a driving means 26 for transporting the tip claw 21 (211, 212) and the end claw 24 (241, 242). In this specification, the transport direction in the transport path 27 is referred to as "forward," and the opposite direction as "rear."

[0035] The first claw 22 and the second claw 23 are arranged front to back along the conveying direction in the conveying path 27. They are guide claws that receive the packaged body L supplied from the supply means 10 into the gap between them and to hold and accumulate the received packaged body L between them and the tip claw 21. The first claw 22 and the second claw 23 are configured to reciprocate within a first section X1 in the conveying path 27 that includes the receiving point RP, with the front and back positions alternating with each reciprocation. The distance of the first section X1 may be several percent to tens of percent longer than the thickness of the packaged body L.

[0036] Figures 4(a) to 4(e) are cross-sectional views illustrating the movement of the first claw 22 and the second claw 23 in the accumulation means 20.

[0037] In the initial state, the first claw 22 and the second claw 23 are positioned approximately half a distance X1 corresponding to the first section X1 relative to the receiving point RP (Figure 4(a)). Next, the first claw 22 is moved forward by a distance X1 (Figure 4(b), M3). At this point, the receiving point RP is positioned between the first claw 22 and the second claw 23.

[0038] Subsequently, the first claw 22 is moved downward and retracted from the transport path 27 (Figure 4(c), M4), then the first claw 22 is moved back to its initial position by a distance X1, and the second claw 23 is moved forward by a distance X1 (Figure 4(d), M5, M6).

[0039] Subsequently, when the first claw 22, which has returned to its initial position, is raised and returned to the transport path 27, the arrangement of the first claw 22 and the second claw 23 is reversed compared to (b), that is, the receiving point RP is located between the first claw 22 and the second claw 23 (Figure 4(e), M7). From here on, the operations from (b) to (d) are reversed.

[0040] The tip claws 21 (211, 212) and end claws 24 (241, 242) are positioned front to back along the conveying direction in the conveying path 27 and are guide claws for transporting a packaging unit consisting of multiple packaging bodies L along the conveying path 27. The tip claws 21 also function as guide claws for stacking the packaging bodies L by sandwiching them between them and the first claws 22.

[0041] Figures 5(a) to 5(d) are cross-sectional views illustrating the movement of the tip claw 21 and end claw 24 in the accumulation means 20.

[0042] The tip claws 21 and end claws 24 are arranged in two sets (211, 241 and 212, 242) along the transport path 27, on both sides of the transport path 27 in the Y direction.

[0043] The tip claws 21 and end claws 24 are driven independently by the drive mechanism 26 and move back and forth along a second section X2 in the transport path 27 that includes the receiving point RP, with the two sets (211, 241 and 212, 242) alternating with each back and forth movement. The distance of the second section X2 may be a length corresponding to the thickness of the packaging unit, that is, a distance obtained by multiplying the number of packaging bodies L included in the packaging unit by the thickness of one packaging body L.

[0044] In the initial state, the tip claw 211 is located approximately half a distance X1 (see Figure 4) forward of the receiving point RP, and the end claw 241 is located behind the receiving point RP, at a distance X2 backward from the tip claw 21. Also, the tip claw 212 is located at the end of the transport path 27, and the end claw 242 is located at a distance X2 backward from the tip claw 212 (Figure 5(a)).

[0045] Next, the set of tip claws 211 and end claws 241 is moved forward (Figure 5(b), M8), transported to the end of the transport path 27 (Figures 5(c)(d), M10, M12), the set of tip claws 212 and end claws 242 is moved downward to retract from the transport path 27 (Figure 5(b), M9), moved back to its initial position (Figure 5(c), M11), and the set of tip claws 212 and end claws 242, which have returned to their initial position, is raised and returned to the transport path 27 (Figure 5(d), M13). This results in the arrangement of the two sets being reversed from (a). Subsequently, the operations from (a) to (d) are reversed.

[0046] The drive means 25 is a mechanism unit that drives the transport, retraction, and retraction movements of the first claw 22 and the second claw 23, and the drive means 26 is a mechanism unit that drives the transport, retraction, and retraction movements of the tip claw 21 and the end claw 24. These are driven in conjunction with each other in synchronization with the operation of the supply means 10 based on instructions from the control unit 50.

[0047] With the stacking means 20 having the above configuration, a packaged body L with its small end raised in a state where its long direction is perpendicular to the X direction, and another newly supplied packaged body L with its small end raised, can be placed side by side downstream of the packaged body L in the X direction, and the two can be transported in the X direction while in close contact in the thickness direction to be stacked.

[0048] Details of the operation by which the stacking means 20 stacks the packaging bodies L to form a packaging body unit will be described later.

[0049] [others] The transfer means 30 is a multi-joint robot mechanism that removes the packaging units accumulated by the accumulation means 20 from the accumulation means 20, transfers them to the transport means 40, and places them in the packaging box B.

[0050] The transfer means 30 includes a multi-joint robot consisting of a robot hand 32, a robot arm 33, and a robot body base (not shown), and a suction head 31.

[0051] The robot arm 33 can be used in a way that allows the suction head 31 to move to a predetermined position in three-dimensional space by extending from, for example, the base of the robot body installed on the ceiling of the equipment and rotatably supporting the suction head 31 via the robot hand 32. Furthermore, the robot arm 33 includes a drive means (e.g., a motor) and is driven based on a control signal emitted from the control unit 50, allowing the position of the robot hand 32 in three-dimensional space to be changed.

[0052] The suction head 31 is a mechanism that is rotatably held by a robot hand 32 connected to the tip of a robot arm 33 and moves in three-dimensional space to transfer the accumulated packaging units. The suction head 31 is connected to a vacuum pump or the like (not shown). By applying negative pressure while the head surface of the suction head 31 is in contact with the upper surface of the packaging unit, the packaging unit can be held by suction.

[0053] According to this transfer means 30, the robot arm 33 is pulled up while the packaging unit is held by the suction head 31, thereby lifting the packaging unit and transferring it to the top of the packaging box B of the transfer means 40 (Figure 2(a), M1). The suction head 31 is then lowered to release the negative pressure, thereby placing the packaging unit into the packaging box B and manufacturing the finished product P.

[0054] The conveying means 40 is a mechanism for conveying the finished product P which is mounted on the belt 41. The conveying means 40 may be driven by, for example, a motor that rotates the belt, or it may be driven by a linear motor. The conveying means 40 is driven based on instructions from the control unit 50 and transports the finished product P out of the process (Figure 2(a), T4).

[0055] The control unit 50 is electrically connected to the supply means 10, the accumulating means 20, and the transfer means 30, and outputs control signals to control the operation of each unit. The control unit 50 is implemented as a computer, for example, equipped with a general CPU (Central Processing Unit), RAM (Random Access Memory), and a program executed on them. The control unit 50 reads a control program for the packaging accumulating device 1 from a storage device or the like into RAM and executes it, thereby controlling each unit constituting the packaging accumulating device 1 to operate in conjunction with each other, and realizing the functions of the packaging accumulating device 1.

[0056] <Regarding the operation of the packaging stacking device 1> Next, the operation of the packaging stacking device 1 of this embodiment to stack the packaging bodies L and form a packaging unit will be described. The following description will assume that the number of packaging bodies L constituting the packaging unit is four.

[0057] Figures 6(a)-(d), 7(a)-(d), and 8(a)-(e) are plan views illustrating the stacking operation by the packaging stacking device 1. Figures 9(a)-(d), 10(a)-(d), and 11(a)-(e) are schematic front views for understanding, showing the view from the AA cross-section of Figure 3(a) in the upper row and the view from the front in the lower row. In reality, as shown in Figure 1, the end claws 211, 212, the first claw 22, the second claw 23, and the rear end claws 241, 242 are located on approximately the same plane.

[0058] First, in the initial state, the first claw 22 and the second claw 23 are positioned approximately half a distance X1 behind the receiving point RP, as shown in Figure 4(a). The tip claw 211 is positioned approximately half a distance X1 in front of the receiving point RP, as shown in Figure 5(a), and the end claw 241 is positioned behind the receiving point RP, at a distance X2 backward from the tip claw 21 (Figures 6(a) and 9(a)). In this state, the receiving point RP is located between the tip claw 211 and the first claw 22 and the second claw 23.

[0059] Next, the supply means 10 transfers the first package L1 to the receiving point RP and places it with its small end upright in the gap between the tip claw 211 and the first claw 22 and the second claw 23 (Figures 6(b), 9(b)), and the tip claw 211, the end claw 241 and the first claw 22 are moved forward by a distance X1. As a result, the package L1 moves forward by a distance X1 from the receiving point RP, and the receiving point RP is positioned between the first claw 22 and the second claw 23 (Figures 6(c), 9(c), M20).

[0060] Next, the supply means 10 transfers the second package L2 to the receiving point RP and places it in the gap between the first claw 22 and the second claw 23 with its small end facing upwards (Figures 6(d), 9(d)). When the tip claw 211, the end claw 241, the first claw 22, and the second claw 23 are moved forward by a distance of X1, the packages L2 to L1 move forward, and the receiving point RP is positioned behind the second claw 23 (Figures 7(a), 10(a), M21).

[0061] Next, as explained in Figure 4, the first claw 22 is moved downward and retracted from the transport path 27. Then, the first claw 22 is moved back to its initial position by a distance twice the length of the first section X1. When the first claw 22 returns to its initial position and is raised back onto the transport path 27, the first claw 22 and the second claw 23 are in a reversed configuration compared to Figures 6(c) and 9(c), that is, the receiving point RP is located between the second claw 23 and the first claw 22 (Figures 7(b), 10(b), M23).

[0062] At this time, by retracting and removing the first claw 22 that was located between the packaging body L1 and the packaging body L2 from the transport path 27, as explained in Figure 4, the packaging bodies L1 and L2 can be stacked in close contact without any gaps in the transport direction.

[0063] Next, the third package L3 is transferred to the receiving point RP and placed with its small end upright in the gap between the first claw 22 and the second claw 23 (Figures 7(c), 10(c)). When the leading claw 211, the ending claw 241, the first claw 22, and the second claw 23 are moved forward by a distance of X1, the packages L1 to L3 move forward, and the receiving point RP is positioned behind the first claw 22 (Figures 7(d), 10(d), M23).

[0064] Next, as explained in Figure 4, the second claw 23 is retracted from the transport path 27 and returned to its initial position, so that the first claw 22 and the second claw 23 are in an equivalent configuration to that shown in Figures 6(c) and 9(c), that is, the receiving point RP is located between the first claw 22 and the second claw 23 (Figures 8(a), 11(a), M24).

[0065] At this time, by retracting and removing the second claw 23 that was located between packaging body L1 and packaging body L2, as explained in Figure 4, packaging bodies L1 to L3 can be stacked tightly together without any gaps in the transport direction.

[0066] Next, the fourth package L4 is transferred to the receiving point RP and placed with its small end upright in the gap between the first claw 22 and the second claw 23 (Figures 8(b), 18(b)). When the leading claw 211, the ending claw 241, the first claw 22, and the second claw 23 are moved forward by a distance of X1, the packages L1 to L4 move forward, and the receiving point RP is positioned behind the second claw 23 (Figures 8(c), 18(c), M25).

[0067] Next, when the first claw 22 is similarly retracted and returned to its initial position and then back onto the transport path 27, the receiving point RP is positioned between the second claw 23 and the first claw 22 (Figures 8(d), 18(d), M26).

[0068] At this time, by removing the first claw 22 from between the packaging body L1 and the packaging body L2, the packaging bodies L1 to L4 can be stacked tightly together without any gaps in the conveying direction, and a packaging unit containing four packaging bodies is formed.

[0069] Next, with the packaging unit now formed, the tip claw 212 is transported to the end of the transport path 27, and the end claw 242 is transported to a position retracted by a distance X2 from the tip claw 212, thereby transferring the packaging units L1 to L4 to the discharge position (Figures 8(e), 18(e), M27), and the first claw 22 is retracted to its initial position, returning to the initial state.

[0070] Through the above operations, a packaging unit is formed consisting of packaging bodies L1 to L4 that are tightly packed together without gaps in the transport direction and can be accommodated in packaging box B.

[0071] Finally, the transport means 30 picks up and removes the accumulated packages L1 to L4 (packaging units) from the transport path 27, transports them to the transport means 40, and places them in the packaging box B, thus ending the operation.

[0072] Note that Figures 8(e) and 18(e) show the arrangement in which the tip claws 211 and 212, and the end claws 24 and 242 are swapped compared to Figures 6(a) and 9(a). In subsequent stacking operations, the tip claw 211 is replaced with the tip claw 212 and the end claw 241 is replaced with the end claw 242 to form the next packaging unit.

[0073] <Summary> As described above, the packaging stacking device 1 according to the embodiment is a packaging stacking device 1 that stacks long packaging bodies L with their small ends upright, and is characterized by comprising a supply means 10 for supplying packaging bodies L, and a means for transporting the supplied packaging bodies L, wherein the first packaging bodies L1~L(n-1) (n: natural number) are placed with their small ends upright with their long length direction perpendicular to the transport direction (X direction), and a stacking means 20 is arranged alongside the first packaging bodies L1~L(n-1) downstream in the transport direction, and the first packaging bodies L1~L(n-1) and the former second packaging bodies L(n) are placed in close contact in the thickness direction and transported in the transport direction to be stacked.

[0074] Conventional stacking devices performed the stacking operation by pushing the end seal, which is easily deformed and has low dimensional stability, to scrape the packages out of the bucket and onto the stacking guide. However, this sometimes resulted in the packages getting caught in the stacking guide, hindering the smooth stacking operation, or causing damage to the packages. Furthermore, in the case of pillow packaging, problems such as the packages getting caught between the stacking guide and the device when being brought closer together, causing the bags to tear, and pinholes developing in the packages due to friction between the packages and the guide during scraping.

[0075] However, according to the packaging stacking device 1 of the embodiment, with the above configuration, when stacking multiple packaging bodies L1 to L(n-1) and L(n) with their small ends upright, the first claw 22 is removed immediately after a newly supplied packaging body L(n) is supplied, so that it is stacked tightly against the existing packaging bodies L1 to L(n-1) without any gaps in the transport direction (X direction). Therefore, in the stacking process, the conventional step of scraping the packaging bodies from the bucket to the stacking guide and performing the stacking operation is eliminated, making the stacking operation smoother and preventing damage to the packaging bodies.

[0076] Furthermore, the stacking means 20 includes a transport path 27, a tip claw 21 positioned on the transport path 27 and movable in the transport direction (X direction), a first claw 22 located behind the tip claw 21 in the transport path 27 and capable of holding packages L1 to L(n-1) between itself and the tip claw 21, a second claw 23 located behind the first claw 22 in the transport path 27 at a predetermined length X1 greater than the thickness of the package L, a retraction mechanism 25 that can retract the first claw 21 from the transport path 27, a first transport means 26 that can gradually move the tip claw 21 in the transport direction, and a second transport mechanism 25 that can move the second claw 23 in the transport direction in synchronization with the tip claw 21. The supply means 10 includes a supply mechanism 11 capable of supplying the package L between the first claw 22 and the second claw 23. The first claw 22 holds the first packaging body L1~L(n-1) while being held between it and the tip claw 21. The supply means 10 supplies the second packaging body L(N) between the first claw 22 and the second claw 23. The retraction mechanism 25 retracts the first claw 22 when the second package L(n) is supplied. After the second package is supplied, the first conveying mechanism 26 gradually moves its tip claws in the conveying direction. The second conveying mechanism 25 may be configured to move the second claw 23 in the conveying direction while the first packaging bodies L1 to L(n-1) and the second packaging body L(n) are sandwiched between the tip claw 21.

[0077] With this configuration, immediately after a new package L(n) is supplied with its small end facing up in the gap between the first claw 22 and the second claw 23, the first claw 22 is removed from between the existing package L1 to L(n-1) and the newly supplied package L(n), thereby specifically realizing a configuration in which both package bodies are stacked tightly together without any gaps in the direction of transport.

[0078] Furthermore, the stacking means 20 may also include a retraction mechanism 25 that retracts the retracted first claw 22 to an initial position behind the second claw 23 and at a distance of X1 greater than or equal to the thickness of the packaging. The retraction mechanism 25 converts the first claw 22 to the second claw 23 and the second claw 23 to the first claw 22 after the first claw 22 has been retracted, thereby converting the first packaging bodies L1~L(n-1) and the second packaging bodies L(n) into new first packaging bodies L1~L(n-1).

[0079] With this configuration, by repeatedly performing edge-standing and stacking operations on sequentially supplied packages, a package unit can be formed in which multiple packages are stacked tightly together without gaps in the transport direction (X direction).

[0080] Furthermore, the accumulation means 20 also includes a third conveying mechanism 26 which is positioned on the conveying path 27 and has an end claw 24 that holds the first packages L1 to L(n-1) and the second packages L(n) between itself and the end claw 21, and moves the end claw 24 in the conveying direction in synchronization with the end claw 21, and when the number of the first packages L1 to L(n-1) and the second packages L(n) is a predetermined number, the first conveying mechanism 26 moves the end claw 21 to the end position of the conveying path 27, and the third conveying mechanism 26 moves the end claw 24 to a predetermined position behind the end position in synchronization with the end claw 21 while holding a predetermined number of packages between itself and the end claw 21.

[0081] With this configuration, the packaged units accumulated by the transport means 30 can be transported to the discharge position, and then removed from the transport path 27 using the transport means 30 and placed into the packaging box B.

[0082] Although the above explanation has used pillow packaging as an example, the present invention is not limited to this, and can be applied to any long article, achieving similar effects.

[0083] ≪Variations≫ Although a package stacking device according to an embodiment has been described, this disclosure is not limited in any way to the above-described embodiment, except for its essential characteristic components. For example, forms obtained by applying various modifications to the embodiment that a person skilled in the art can conceive of, and forms realized by arbitrarily combining the components and functions of each embodiment without departing from the spirit of the present invention are also included in this disclosure. Below, a modification will be described as an example of such a form.

[0084] In the package stacking device 1 according to the above embodiment, as shown in Figures 6(a) and 9(a), in the initial state during the stacking operation, the first claw 22 and the second claw 23 are positioned approximately half a distance X1 behind the receiving point RP, and the tip claw 211 is positioned approximately half a distance X1 in front of the receiving point RP.

[0085] However, the first claw 22 and the second claw 23 are not limited to the above configuration. For example, either the first claw 22 or the second claw 23 may be positioned forward of the receiving point RP by about half a distance X1, similar to the tip claw 211. The subsequent stacking operation can be performed in the same manner as the packaging stacking device 1 according to the embodiment.

[0086] In the above-described embodiment of the packaging stacking device 1, the number of packaging units constituting the packaging unit was set to four. However, the number of packaging units constituting the packaging unit is not limited to the above, and may be, for example, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 20, 24, etc.

[0087] ≪Additional Information≫ The embodiments described above all represent preferred specific examples of the present invention. The numerical values, shapes, materials, components, arrangement and connection configurations of components, processes, and order of processes shown in the embodiments are examples only and are not intended to limit the present invention. Furthermore, components in the embodiments that are not described in the independent claims representing the highest-level concept of the present invention are described as any components that constitute a more preferred form.

[0088] Furthermore, the order in which the above methods are performed is illustrative for the purpose of specifically illustrating the present invention, and may be performed in a different order. Also, some of the above methods may be performed simultaneously (in parallel) with other methods.

[0089] Furthermore, for the sake of easier understanding of the invention, the scale of the components in the figures shown in each of the above embodiments may differ from that of the actual components. Also, the present invention is not limited by the descriptions of the above embodiments. This invention is not a construct and can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0090] Furthermore, at least some of the functions of each embodiment and its modified form may be combined. [Industrial applicability]

[0091] A packaging stacking device according to one aspect of this disclosure can be suitably used as a packaging stacking device for stacking and boxing products packaged in pillow packaging, such as beverages, food, seasonings, cosmetics, detergents, etc. It can also be used as an article stacking device for boxing articles such as food, products, parts, workpieces, packaging, and various containers on a manufacturing line. [Explanation of symbols]

[0092] 1. Packaging stacking device 10 Supply means 11 Drums 12 Transport Balt 13 Conveyor rollers 20 Accumulation means 21, 211, 212 Tip claws 22 First Claw 23 The second claw 24, 241, 242 End claws 25 Driving means 26 Driving means 27 Conveyor path 30 Means of transport 31 Suction head 32 Robot Hand 33 Robot Arm 40 Conveying mechanism 50 Control Unit L packaging L0 Torso L1 End seal section P Finished product B Packaging box

Claims

1. A packaging stacking device for stacking flat, elongated packaging bodies by standing them upright at their short ends, A supply means for supplying packaging, A means for conveying supplied packages horizontally, comprising: a first package with its short end raised in a state where its long direction is perpendicular to the conveying direction; and a stacking means for arranging a newly supplied second package with its short end raised side by side downstream of the first package in the conveying direction, and conveying and stacking the first package and the second package in the conveying direction while keeping them in close contact in the thickness direction. The aforementioned accumulation means is A transport path extending horizontally, A tip claw is positioned on the transport path with its tip facing upward and is movable in the transport direction, A first claw is located behind the direction of movement of the tip claw in the transport path, with its tip facing upward, and capable of holding the packaged object between itself and the tip claw. A second claw is positioned behind the first claw in the transport path, with its tip facing upward, and located at a predetermined distance greater than the thickness of the package. A retraction mechanism that allows the first claw to be moved downward from the transport path and retracted, A first conveying mechanism that allows the tip claw to move gradually in the conveying direction, The system includes a second conveying mechanism capable of moving the second claw in the conveying direction in synchronization with the tip claw, The supply means has a conveyor belt suspended above the conveyor path so as to extend vertically to a height close to the conveyor path, and holds and conveys the package on the belt surface with the small end face of the package facing the direction of travel and the longitudinal direction of the package perpendicular to the direction of travel, and is equipped with a supply mechanism that can supply the package from above between the first claw and the second claw. The first claw holds the first packaging body while being held between it and the tip claw. The supply means supplies the second packaging between the first claw and the second claw, The retraction mechanism retracts the first claw when the second package is supplied. After the second package is supplied, the first conveying mechanism gradually moves the tip claw in the conveying direction. The second conveying mechanism moves the second claw in the conveying direction while the first package and the second package are sandwiched between the tip claw and the second claw. Packaging stacking device.

2. The supply mechanism further comprises a cylindrical drum around which the conveyor belt is wound, and a counter belt that faces a part of the circumferential surface of the drum and extends vertically, The conveyor belt is suspended so as to extend vertically from the circumferential surface of the drum to a height close to the conveyor path. The opposing belt, in the section where the conveyor belt extends vertically, transports the packaged object between itself and the conveyor belt. The packaging stacking device according to claim 1.

3. The aforementioned accumulation means is Furthermore, the system includes a retraction mechanism that moves the first claw, which has been retracted below the transport path, to an initial position behind the second claw and at a distance greater than or equal to the thickness of the packaged body. The retraction mechanism, after the first claw is retracted, retracts the retracted first claw to the initial position on the transport path, thereby converting the first claw into the second claw and the second claw into the first claw, and converting the first and second packaging bodies into the new first packaging body. The packaging stacking device according to claim 1.

4. Furthermore, the conveying path is provided with a terminal claw positioned with its tip facing upward, which holds the first and second packaging bodies between itself and the tip claw. The system includes a third conveying mechanism that moves the terminal claw in the conveying direction in synchronization with the tip claw, When the number of the first packaging and the second packaging is a predetermined number, The first transport mechanism moves the tip claw to the end position of the transport path, The third transport mechanism moves the terminal claw to a predetermined position behind the terminal position, while holding a predetermined number of packages between the terminal claw and the terminal claw in synchronization with the front claw. The packaging stacking device according to claim 1 or 3.

5. A method for stacking flat, elongated packaging bodies by standing them upright at their short ends, We supply packaging materials, The supplied packages are arranged as follows: a first package with its long length perpendicular to the transport direction and its small end upright, and a second package, newly supplied and with its small end upright, is placed next to the first package downstream in the transport direction. The first and second packages are then transported horizontally, in close contact in the thickness direction, and stacked. In the aforementioned integration, A transport path extending horizontally, A tip claw is positioned on the transport path with its tip facing upward and is movable in the transport direction, A first claw is located behind the direction of movement of the tip claw in the transport path, with its tip facing upward, and capable of holding the packaged object between itself and the tip claw. A second claw is positioned behind the first claw in the transport path, with its tip facing upward, and located at a predetermined distance greater than the thickness of the package. A retraction mechanism that allows the first claw to be moved downward from the transport path and retracted, A first conveying mechanism that allows the tip claw to move gradually in the conveying direction, A second conveying mechanism is used, in which the second claw can be moved in the conveying direction in synchronization with the tip claw. In the pre-supply, a conveyor belt is suspended above the conveyor path and extends vertically to a height close to the conveyor path. The package is held on the belt surface and transported with its small end face facing the direction of travel and its longitudinal direction perpendicular to the direction of travel. A supply mechanism is used that allows the package to be supplied from above between the first claw and the second claw. The first claw holds the first packaging body in place, sandwiched between the tip claw and the first claw. The supply mechanism supplies the second packaging between the first claw and the second claw. The retraction mechanism retracts the first claw while the second packaging body is supplied. After the second package is supplied by the first conveying mechanism, the tip claw is gradually moved in the conveying direction. The second transport mechanism moves the second claw in the transport direction with the first package and the second package sandwiched between it and the tip claw. A method for stacking packaged materials.

6. The supply mechanism further includes a cylindrical drum around which the conveyor belt is wound, and a counter belt that faces a part of the circumferential surface of the drum and extends in a vertical direction, The opposing belt, in the section where the conveyor belt extends vertically, transports the packaged object between itself and the conveyor belt. The method for accumulating packaged materials according to claim 5.

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