Extrusion device

Abstract

To provide an extruding device that enables surely extruding from a bucket, regardless of the form of an article.SOLUTION: An extruding device 1 comprises a plurality of extruding faces 31 along a first direction, that are located in planes different from each other; and driving means 4 capable of moving the plurality of extruding faces 31 in a second direction crossing the first direction. It is designed that the plurality of extruding faces 31 each are moved with a smaller movement amount than a length in a second direction of a bucket 11; the plurality of extruding faces 31 are brought into contact with an article XA1 in a stepwise manner; and the article XA1 is extruded from the bucket 11.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an extrusion device that extrudes an article conveyed in a bucket from the bucket.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, an accumulation device that conveys flat and thin articles in a standing state and accumulates them at predetermined intervals is known (for example, see Patent Document 1). In this accumulation device, the presence or absence of articles accommodated in a small number (for example, five) of unit bucket groups is detected, and a plurality of sets of unit bucket groups (for example, four sets, twenty) are used as one accumulation unit, and the articles accommodated in these are accumulated and conveyed to the next process. When there is a bucket in which no article exists in one of the unit bucket groups, the accumulation process for that accumulation unit is skipped, including the bucket in which the article is accommodated. And the articles for which the accumulation process is skipped are extruded from the bucket at a predetermined position and discharged. This discharge of the article is performed by a guide disposed obliquely above the bucket.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the article extrusion (discharge) mechanism described in Patent Document 1, there is a problem that extrusion (discharge) cannot be performed well depending on the article. <{

[0005] Let us explain this in detail with reference to Figure 8. Figure 8 is a diagram illustrating a conventional extrusion mechanism for article XA1. In the conventional extrusion mechanism, a guide plate 503 having an inclined surface that is inclined with respect to the direction of movement of the bucket 511 (the direction of transport of article XA1 indicated by the arrow) is placed above the bucket conveyor 510, which is composed of a servo loop device. This guide plate 503 is fixedly positioned on the bucket conveyor 510. As the bucket 511 moves, a portion of the article XA1 is sequentially pushed out and discharged so as to come into contact with the inclined surface 503A of the guide plate 503.

[0006] In this case, if the item XA1 to be extruded is a lightweight (small) package made of a firm material such as a tea bag, reliable extrusion is possible. However, in the case of items packaged in a relatively flexible (lacking rigidity) material, especially those with a certain amount of weight, such as a four-sided sealed package containing fluid foods (pasta sauce, etc.), or a continuous pack of four-sided sealed packages, the pressure from the fixed guide plate 503 causes the packaging material to flex, and the weight of the contents makes it easier for the item XA1 to remain in the bucket 511. Therefore, even when the package comes into contact with the guide plate 503, the package may deform and absorb the extrusion force, or the deformed package may slide on the inclined surface 503 and be transported together with the bucket 511 without being pushed out, making reliable discharge from the bucket difficult.

[0007] This problem arises not only when discharging items from a collection device, but also, for example, when transferring items from one bucket to another, and not only when transporting packaged items, but also when transporting unpackaged items in buckets.

[0008] This invention has been made in view of the above problems, and aims to provide an extrusion device that can reliably extrude articles from a bucket regardless of their shape. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The present invention relates to an extrusion device for pushing an article out of a bucket that stores and transports the article in a first direction, comprising: a plurality of extrusion surfaces located along the first direction and in different planes from each other; and a driving means capable of moving the plurality of extrusion surfaces in a second direction intersecting the first direction, wherein each of the plurality of extrusion surfaces is moved by an amount smaller than the length of the bucket in the second direction, the plurality of extrusion surfaces are brought into contact with the article in stages, and the article is pushed out of the bucket. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an extrusion device that can reliably extrude articles from a bucket regardless of their shape. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] This figure shows an extrusion apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, where (A) is a top view, (B) is a side view, and (C) is a front view. [Figure 2] This diagram shows a conveying device, with (A) being a top view and (B) being a front view. [Figure 3] This figure shows an extrusion apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, and (A) is a top view, (B) is a top view showing the extrusion plate, and (C) is a perspective view showing the extrusion plate. [Figure 4] This is a top view showing an extrusion device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] This is a top view showing the operation of an extrusion device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] This is a top view showing a modified example of an extrusion apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] This is a top view showing an extrusion device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] This is a top view showing a conventional extrusion mechanism. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] Hereinafter, an extrusion device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Here, as an example of an extrusion device 1, an extrusion device 1 capable of discharging an article XA1 from a moving bucket 11 will be described.

[0013] The configuration of the extrusion device 1 will be explained using Figures 1 and 2. Figure 1 shows the extrusion device 1, with Figure 1(A) being a top (plan) view, Figure 1(B) being a side view seen from the upstream side in the conveying direction of the article XA1, and Figure 1(C) being a front view. Figure 2 shows the state of the article XA1 being conveyed, with Figure 2(A) being a top view and Figure 2(B) being a front view. In this figure and subsequent figures, some components will be omitted as appropriate to simplify the drawings. Also, in this figure and subsequent figures, the size, shape, thickness, etc. of the components will be exaggerated as appropriate.

[0014] The extrusion device 1 shown in Figure 1 is used in a line to discharge articles XA1 from a conveying means 10, or to transfer articles XA1 from the conveying means 10 to other conveying means (not shown in Figure 1). Article XA1 in this embodiment is, for example, a generally flat and relatively thin article, and in particular, a package containing contents wrapped in a relatively flexible material, or a relatively soft article. The contents of the package may be, for example, fluid and relatively heavy food and beverages or daily necessities, more specifically sauces (pasta sauce, etc.), beverages, or shampoo, soap, disinfectant, etc. The packaging of the package may be, for example, overwrap packaging, pillow packaging, or three-pack / four-pack sealed packaging.

[0015] As an example, the conveying means 10 in this embodiment is a servo loop conveyor (horizontal servo loop conveyor) that circulates multiple buckets 11 around a rotating shaft 10C extending in the vertical direction VT. Hereinafter, this conveying means 10 will be referred to as a bucket conveyor. The bucket conveyor (conveying means) 10 intermittently moves the buckets 11 at a predetermined pitch in a predetermined direction (for example, clockwise in Figure 1(A)).

[0016] As for the definitions of various directions in the extrusion device 1 in this embodiment, for convenience of explanation, the first direction in which the article XA1 is conveyed in the vicinity (including directly below) of the extrusion device 1 is defined as the conveyance direction T. In the case of a servo loop conveyor, since the bucket 11 moves in a circular motion, the conveyance direction of the article XA1 as viewed from the extrusion device 1 changes. However, in this embodiment, based on the extrusion device 1, the direction (the first direction) in which the article XA1 is conveyed in the section where the extrusion device 1 extrudes the article XA1 (hereinafter referred to as the "extrusion section PO") is defined as the conveyance direction T. Also, the second direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction T in the horizontal plane is defined as the conveyance width direction W, and the direction (vertical direction VT) orthogonal to the conveyance direction T and the conveyance width direction W is defined as the conveyance height direction H. Further, in the conveyance width direction W, the inner peripheral side of the bucket conveyor 10 is described as the extrusion source BS, and the outer peripheral side is described as the extrusion destination TP.

[0017] Referring to FIG. 2, the bucket 11 includes an article holding portion (side surface) 11A that stands upright in the vertical direction VT. The article XA1 is held (indicated) between the article holding portions (side surfaces) 11A that are arranged in the conveyance direction T with a substantially flat surface portion in a substantially upright state, and is conveyed in one direction indicated by an arrow, for example. In this example, the article XA1 has an outer shape that is difficult to stand on its own when the substantially flat surface portion is stood up, and is conveyed in a state of abutting against the article holding portion 11A of the bucket 11. However, the article XA1 may be conveyed independently (without abutting against the article holding portion 11A) within the bucket 11.

[0018] Referring to FIG. 1 again, in the bucket conveyor 10 of this example, a discharge chute 12 for supplying the extruded article XA1 to, for example, a buffer (not shown) is provided in the extrusion section PO.

[0019] The extrusion device 1 is arranged above the bucket conveyor 10 and has a support part 2, an extrusion part 3, and a driving means 4 for moving the extrusion part 3 relative to the support part 2. The support part 2 supports the extrusion part 3 and the driving means 4. Although not shown in this example, the support part 2 is fixed to a part of the bucket conveyor 10 (for example, a base, a frame, a main body, etc.) and supports the extrusion part 3 so that it is arranged above the extrusion section PO of the bucket conveyor 10.

[0020] The extrusion part 3 is, for example, a plate member and has a plurality of extrusion surfaces 31. The plurality of extrusion surfaces 31 are located along the conveyance direction T and in different planes from each other, and in this example, they are configured to be arranged integrally and continuously as a part of a plate member (hereinafter referred to as "extrusion plate 3").

[0021] The driving means (driving part) 4 reciprocally moves the extrusion plate 3 in a direction intersecting the conveyance direction T of the article XA1. In this example, the direction intersecting the conveyance direction T is the direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction T, which is the conveyance width direction W.

[0022] Each part of the bucket conveyor 10 and the extrusion device 1 is comprehensively controlled by a control unit. The control unit is composed of a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, etc., and executes various controls. The CPU is a so-called central processing unit, and various programs are executed to realize various functions. The RAM is used as the working area of the CPU. The ROM stores the basic OS and programs executed by the CPU. By such a control unit, for example, the bucket conveyor 10 intermittently moves the bucket 11 at a predetermined speed and pitch, and the extrusion device 1 reciprocally moves the extrusion plate 3 in the conveyance width direction W at a predetermined speed.

[0023] Further explanation will be given with reference to Figures 3 and 4. Figure 3 is a diagram showing the extrusion device 1, where Figure 3(A) is a top view, Figure 3(B) is a top view of the extrusion plate 3, and Figure 3(C) is a perspective view of the extrusion plate 3 viewed from the direction of the extrusion surface 31. Figure 4 is a top view illustrating the driving means 4 and the operation of the extrusion plate 3 by the driving means 4.

[0024] Referring to Figure 3(A), the support section 2 includes a support frame 21 that suspends the extrusion plate 3 and the driving means 4 above the bucket conveyor 10, for example in a cantilevered state, a housing section 22 for the driving means 4 fixed to the support frame 21 (see Figures 1(B) and 1(C), not shown in Figure 3), and two shafts 23 fixed within the housing section 22. The two shafts 23 are arranged parallel to each other so as to extend in the conveying width direction W.

[0025] As shown in Figures 3(B) and 3(C), the extrusion plate 3 has a plurality of extrusion surfaces 31A to 31H. The plurality of extrusion surfaces 31A to 31H are located along the transport direction T and in different planes from each other, and in this example, they are configured to be arranged integrally and continuously as part of the extrusion plate 3. The extrusion plate 3 is an elongated plate-shaped member, and the plurality of extrusion surfaces 31A to 31H are arranged parallel to each other and continuously on one side extending in the longitudinal direction. More specifically, on one side extending in the longitudinal direction of the extrusion plate 3, the extrusion surfaces 31A to 31H are arranged in a staircase-like manner, for example, forming a tread (or riser).

[0026] In this example, the extruded plate 3 has, for example, 8 extruded surfaces 31A to 31H, and the length L1 along the transport direction T of each is, for example, 10 mm to 30 mm (preferably 15 mm to 25 mm, 20 mm as an example), and the length L2 along the transport width direction W of the surface 32 (32A to 32H) continuous with the extruded surfaces 31A to 31H is, for example, 10 mm to 30 mm (preferably 15 mm to 25 mm, 20 mm as an example). When the extruded surfaces 31A to 31H are used as the treads of a staircase, the surfaces 32A to 32H continuous with them become the risers, and these will be referred to as risers 32A to 32H below.

[0027] The plate member 3 is positioned above the extrusion section PO of the bucket conveyor 10 such that its longitudinal direction as a whole is inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the conveying direction T. More specifically, the plate member 3 is positioned so that its extrusion surfaces 31A to 31H are all surfaces that align with (are parallel to) the conveying direction T and are perpendicular to the conveying width direction W.

[0028] Furthermore, the extrusion plate 3 is positioned such that, in a top view, the side on which the extrusion surfaces 31A to 31H are provided faces the destination TP, and one end of the extrusion plate 3 that is on the upstream side in the bucket conveyor 10 (the right end in Figures 3(A) and 3(B)) is on the source BS side, and the other end that is on the downstream side in the bucket conveyor 10 (the left end) is on the destination TP side, with its longitudinal direction inclined with respect to the conveying direction T.

[0029] Referring to Figure 3(A), the drive means (drive unit) 4 of the extrusion device 1 converts the rotational motion of the motor 6 (Figure 1(B), Figure 1(C)) into linear motion using, for example, a cam mechanism 5, and moves the multiple extrusion surfaces 31 back and forth in a direction intersecting the transport direction T of the article XA1. In this example, the direction intersecting the transport direction T is the direction perpendicular to the transport direction T, which is the transport width direction W.

[0030] Referring to Figure 4, the cam mechanism 5 includes, for example, an eccentric pin 51 that is eccentric with respect to the rotation axis 7 of the motor 6, and a driven disc 52 and a driven frame 53 that serve as cam followers. The driven frame 53 has a roughly rectangular hole 54 that is elongated in the transport direction T near its center, and two cylindrical slide bushes 55 are provided so as to sandwich the hole 54. The shafts 23 of the support part 2 are inserted through the inside of each of the two slide bushes 55. A suspension support part 56 is fixed to the outer circumference of the driven frame 53, for example (see Figures 1(B) and 1(C)).

[0031] The eccentric pin 51 is fitted into the driven disc 52, which is able to rotate eccentrically around the rotation axis 7 of the motor 6. The driven disc 52 fits into a hole 54 provided in the driven frame 53 and slides within the hole 54. The driven frame 53 is restrained so as to be movable in only one direction (in this example, the transport width direction W) by a shaft 23 inserted through a slide bush 55.

[0032] The extrusion plate 3 is fixed to the driven frame 53 at both ends in the longitudinal direction via suspension support parts 56. As a result, when the motor 6 rotates, the cam mechanism 5 converts the rotational motion of the rotating shaft 7 (in this case, rotational motion in one direction) into reciprocating motion in the transport width direction W, causing the extrusion plate 3 to reciprocate on the bucket 11 in the transport width direction W (moving back and forth from the extrusion source BS to the extrusion destination TP (or vice versa)). In this way, the drive unit 4 can move multiple extrusion surfaces 31A to 31H back and forth in the transport width direction W.

[0033] Referring to Figure 5, the extrusion operation of article XA1 by the extrusion device 1 will be explained. For the sake of explanation, Figures 5(A) to 5(E) are top views showing, in chronological order, the state in which one article XA1 contained in a bucket 11 is extruded by the extrusion device 1, and Figure 5(F) is a top view at a certain point in time while multiple articles XA1 are being transported in succession.

[0034] In this embodiment, the amount of movement (extrusion amount) S of the extrusion plate 3 (extrusion surface 31A~31H) by the drive unit 4 in one cycle (the amount of movement from the dashed line state to the solid line state shown in Figure 5(A)) is set to be smaller than the length W0 of the bucket 11 in the transport width direction W (for example, 150 mm to 200 mm, preferably 165 mm to 175 mm, more preferably about 170 mm). Specifically, the amount of movement (extrusion amount) S of the extrusion plate 3 by the drive unit 4 in one cycle is set to be equivalent to the length L2 of the riser surface 32 (32A~32H) (for example, 20 mm). The pitch M of the intermittently moving bucket 11 is, for example, 25 mm to 30 mm (for example, 28.55 mm). The length L0 of the extrusion section PO along the transport direction T is, for example, about 250 mm to 300 mm, preferably about 270 mm to 290 mm.

[0035] The bucket conveyor 10 intermittently moves the buckets 11 in the transport direction T at a predetermined speed and pitch. The moving speed (processing capacity) of the buckets 11 is, for example, 120 intermittent feeds per minute. The extrusion device 1 reciprocates the extrusion plate 3 in the transport width direction W at a predetermined speed. The moving speed of the extrusion plate 3 is, for example, about 260 revolutions per minute in terms of the rotational speed of the motor 6.

[0036] Under these conditions, the reciprocating period of the extrusion plate 3 (multiple extrusion surfaces 31A to 31H) is set to be equal to or shorter than the intermittent movement period of the bucket 11 (rotation period of extrusion plate 3 (260 rpm) >= intermittent feeding period of bucket 11 (120 times / min). That is, when bucket 11 moves by one pitch, the extrusion device 1 makes the extrusion plate 3 reciprocate once in the transport width direction W. Specifically, it moves from the extrusion source BS side to the extrusion destination TP side and then back to the extrusion source BS side again.

[0037] Furthermore, the bucket 11 is configured such that, with each movement pitch of the bucket 11, the article XA1 contained in the bucket 11 comes into contact with one of the multiple extrusion surfaces 31A to 31H. More specifically, with each movement of the article XA1 in the transport direction T, it is configured to come into contact with all of the stepped extrusion surfaces 31A to 31H in a stepwise (sequential) manner.

[0038] First, as shown in Figure 5(A), when the item XA1 (and the bucket 11 containing it) enters the bucket position P1 on the upstream side of the extrusion section PO, the extrusion plate 3 is positioned, for example, on the side closest to the extrusion source BS (initial position shown by the dashed line). At this time, the item XA1 comes into contact with, for example, the extrusion surface 31A on the uppermost side of the extrusion plate 3. The extrusion device 1 moves the extrusion plate 3 toward the extrusion destination TP. As a result, the item XA1 is extruded toward the extrusion destination TP along the transport width direction W. This amount of movement (extrusion amount) S is equivalent to the length L2 of the riser surface 32A continuous with the extrusion surface 31A in this example. Also, the amount of movement S is less than or equal to the length M of one pitch of intermittent movement of the bucket 11 (28.55 mm in this example). Then, while the bucket 11 moves one pitch forward to the adjacent bucket position P2, the drive unit 4 moves the extrusion plate 3 to the position on the side closest to the extrusion source BS (initial position).

[0039] Figure 5(B) shows the timing when bucket 11 has moved one pitch from bucket position P1 to bucket position P2. In this case, article XA1 comes into contact with the next extrusion surface 31B of the extrusion plate 3 and is extruded. As a result, article XA1 is extruded further along the transport width direction W by a distance S (equivalent to the length L2 of the riser surface 32B continuous with the extrusion surface 31B) toward the extrusion destination TP. While bucket 11 is advancing one pitch to the adjacent bucket position P3, the drive unit 4 moves the extrusion plate 3 to the position on the extrusion source BS side (initial position).

[0040] By repeating this process, the item XA1 in the bucket 11 comes into contact with the stepped extrusion surfaces 31C to 31H in stages, moving by an amount S each time in the direction of the extrusion destination (Figures 5(C) to 5(E)). When the extrusion surface 31H has moved to the end of the bucket 11, it is located near the end of the bucket 11 on the end of the bucket 11. In this example, the item XA1 falls from the bucket 11 due to its own weight and is discharged along the discharge chute 12 (Figure 5(F)).

[0041] In this example, while the bucket 11 moves one pitch in the transport direction T, the drive unit 4 moves the extrusion plate 3 back and forth once in the transport width direction W. However, the reciprocating period of the extrusion plate 3 (multiple extrusion surfaces 31A to 31H) may be set to be equal to or shorter than half the intermittent movement period of the bucket (rotation period of the extrusion plate 3 (260 revolutions / min) >= intermittent feeding period of the bucket 11 (120 times / min) × 2). In other words, when the bucket 11 moves one pitch, the extrusion device 1 may move the extrusion plate 3 back and forth twice in the transport width direction W. With such a configuration, for example, even if the timing of the movements of the extrusion plate 3 and the bucket 11 does not match and the extrusion plate 3 cannot contact the item XA1 in the first movement, it can be extruded in the second movement.

[0042] The design values ​​or set quantities for each component in the extrusion device 1 of this embodiment are appropriately selected based on the processing capacity of the bucket conveyor 10, the form of the article XA1 (shape, weight, packaging material or material of the article XA1, etc.), the minimum length L0 of the extrusion section PO in the transport direction T, etc.

[0043] For example, the amount of movement (extrusion amount) S of the extrusion plate 3, the reciprocating speed of the extrusion plate 3, and the number (stages) N of the extrusion surfaces 31 are appropriately selected based on the movement speed of the bucket conveyor 10 (speed of intermittent feeding per pitch (processing capacity)), the length W0 of the bucket 11 in the transport width direction W, the form of the item XA1 (shape, weight, packaging material or material of item XA1, etc.), and the minimum length L0 of the extrusion section PO in the transport direction T. Although it is possible to increase the reciprocating speed of the extrusion plate 3 by controlling the rotation of the motor 6, if the speed is too high, the item XA1 cannot keep up with the movement speed of the extrusion plate 3, and especially if the packaging material is flexible, it will deform, causing a problem in which the extrusion plate 3 cannot push the item. The same is true when the number (stages) N of the extrusion surfaces 31 of the extrusion plate 3 is extremely small.

[0044] Here, the transport speed of the bucket 11 and the movement speed of the extrusion plate 3 of the extrusion device 1 do not need to be synchronized and can be controlled independently, thus avoiding increased complexity in the processing of the extrusion device 1.

[0045] From another perspective, the extrusion device 1 appropriately selects the number of extrusion surfaces 31 of the extrusion plate 3, the length L1 of each extrusion surface 31, and the length L2 of the adjacent riser surface 32 (= amount of movement S) so that, while moving through the extrusion section PO, the item XA1 moves a distance approximately equal to the length W0 of the conveying width W of the bucket 11 (so that extrusion is completed before the end of the extrusion section PO), and in addition, so that the amount of movement S is as small as possible under these conditions. Note that the length L1 of the extrusion surface 31 and the length L2 of the riser surface 32 do not have to be the same.

[0046] Furthermore, from another perspective, if the length of the bucket 11 in the second direction (conveying width direction W) is W0, the minimum length of the extrusion section PO in the first direction (conveying direction T) is L0, the amount of movement is S, the feed unit time of the multiple extrusion surfaces 31A to 31H (extrusion plate 3) (the time required for one extrusion operation of the amount of movement S) is ts seconds, the feed unit time of the bucket 11 (the time required for one intermittent movement of one pitch) is tm seconds, and the pitch of the intermittent movement is M, then it is desirable that the following relationship be satisfied. L0>={(W0 / S)×ts} / tm×M Here, {(W0 / S)×ts} is the total extrusion time T of the extrusion plate 3, and {(W0 / S)×ts} / tm is the number of times the bucket 11 is fed during the total extrusion time T.

[0047] From another perspective, the amount of movement S of the extrusion plate 3 is less than or equal to one pitch M of the intermittent movement of the bucket 11 (28.55 mm in this example). By reducing the amount of movement S, the extrusion error can be minimized.

[0048] According to the extrusion device 1 of this embodiment, the article XA1 contained in the bucket 11 can be moved in the transport width direction W in stages (in small increments) in multiple steps (eight steps in this example). This ensures that the article XA1 can be reliably extruded, even if, for example, the article XA1 is packaged in a relatively flexible (non-rigid) material and the contents are somewhat heavy, such as being fluid.

[0049] Furthermore, the transport speed of the bucket 11 and the movement speed of the extrusion plate 3 of the extrusion device 1 do not need to be synchronized and can be controlled independently, thus avoiding increased complexity in the processing of the extrusion device 1.

[0050] In the example above, the drive unit 4 moves back and forth a number of times equal to the number of extrusion surfaces 31A to 31H (8 times). However, it is not limited to this, and any configuration is acceptable as long as, during the period in which a bucket 11 passes through the extrusion section PO, the article XA1 contained in the bucket 11 comes into contact with and is pushed against all of the extrusion surfaces 31A to 31H. Furthermore, the position where the extrusion surfaces 31A to 31H come into contact with the article XA1 is not always the same position (for example, the center position of each of the extrusion surfaces 31A to 31H), but may be different for each of the extrusion surfaces 31A to 31H (as long as it comes into contact and is pushed).

[0051] In the above embodiment, the extrusion section 3 is a plate member (extrusion plate) integrally comprising a plurality of extrusion surfaces 31A to 31H, and the configuration in which this plate member is moved horizontally back and forth along the transport width direction W is illustrated. However, the configuration of the extrusion section 3 is not limited to this. The extrusion device 1 of this embodiment can be configured such that the plurality of extrusion surfaces 31A to 31H move in the transport width direction W, and these surfaces come into contact with a single article XA1 in stages, extruding it in the transport width direction W by an extrusion amount (movement amount) S. Hereinafter, modified examples of the extrusion device 1 (extrusion section 3) will be described with reference to Figures 6 and 7.

[0052] <Variation> Figure 6 is a top view showing another example of the drive means 4 and the extrusion unit 3. First, in the example of Figure 6(A), the extrusion unit 3 is a plate member in the shape of a roughly right triangle, and multiple extrusion surfaces 31 perpendicular to the transport width direction W are provided on its hypotenuse. A link mechanism 9 (parallel crank) is connected to one side along the transport direction T, and the link mechanism 9 is rotated to move back and forth in the transport direction T of the bucket conveyor 10. As a result, the multiple extrusion surfaces 31 can push out the article XA1 in the transport width direction W.

[0053] Alternatively, as shown in Figure 6(B), an endless belt 33 may be wrapped around two rollers 36, and an extrusion surface 31 may be provided on the surface of the endless belt 33 that rises perpendicular to the conveying width direction W. The extrusion surface 31 moves in the conveying width direction W as the endless belt 33 moves. The endless belt 33 may be a timing belt, and the rollers 36 may be timing pulleys.

[0054] The extrusion section 3 shown in Figure 6(C), although simplified in its illustration, is an example of a configuration in which each of the extrusion surfaces 31 is moved individually. Each extrusion surface 31 is equipped with a total of four rollers 35 (per step) at both ends in the transport height direction H (perpendicular to the plane of the paper in Figure 6(C)) and at the front and back in the alignment direction AL of the extrusion surface 31. The front roller 35 and the rear roller 35 run on separate guide rails (not shown). By changing the relative positions of these guide rails, the angle α between the riser surface 32 of each step and the extrusion surface 31 changes, similar to an escalator, and when it reaches its maximum (90 degrees), the extrusion surface 31 is set to be perpendicular to the transport width direction W. Then, while maintaining the angle α at 90 degrees, each step moves in the alignment direction AL, and the extrusion surface 31 moves in the transport width direction W.

[0055] The extrusion unit 3 shown in Figure 6(D) has a configuration in which extrusion surfaces 31 are wound spirally around a cylindrical shaft 34. Here, a support unit 2 (not shown) supports the cylindrical shaft 34 so that the extrusion surfaces 31 are perpendicular to the transport width direction W. Here, when the cylindrical shaft 34 rotates due to the power of the rotating shaft 7 of a motor 6 (not shown), the multiple extrusion surfaces 31 move in the transport width direction W.

[0056] Furthermore, although the above embodiment illustrates the use of the pusher 1 when discharging article XA1 from bucket conveyor 10, it is not limited to this, and can also be used, for example, when transferring article XA1 from bucket conveyor 10 to another bucket conveyor 10', as shown in Figure 7. Bucket conveyors 10 and 10' move buckets 11 and 11' at a constant speed in the same direction indicated by the arrows. Then, the pusher 1 (push plate 3) installed above bucket conveyor 10 sequentially pushes out article XA1 and transfers it to the other bucket conveyor 10'.

[0057] The support section 2 of the extrusion device 1 may be fixed to the conveying means (bucket conveyor) 10 for the article XA1, or it may be a separate, movable (portable) unit that can be moved to any conveying means 11 as needed to extrude the article XA1. Furthermore, the vertical position VH (conveying height direction) (suspension position), horizontal position (amount of protrusion above the conveying device 10), and angle of the extrusion section 3 with respect to the conveying direction T of the multiple extrusion surfaces 31 (extrusion section 3) may be changed. In addition, multiple extrusion sections 3 with different numbers (steps) and sizes of extrusion surfaces 31 (stairs) may be prepared and replaced as appropriate according to the article XA1 and the operating speed of the device.

[0058] Furthermore, the servo loop conveyor that constitutes the bucket conveyor 10 is not limited to the horizontal servo loop conveyor described above, but may also be a vertical servo loop conveyor in which a plurality of buckets 11 are provided on a conveying surface that is wound around a rotating shaft extending horizontally and circulates. In that case, the extrusion section 3 is positioned so that the extrusion surface 31 is parallel to the conveying surface, that is, the extrusion surface 31 is aligned in the vertical direction.

[0059] Alternatively, for example, the drive unit 4 may be configured to move the extrusion plate 3 back and forth multiple times in the transport width direction W while the bucket 11 moves one pitch in the transport direction T. Furthermore, the bucket conveyor 10 may be a bucket conveyor that rotates in a vertical plane, or a double-loop device having two sets of a predetermined number of fingers for pushing the article XA1, with each set traveling independently.

[0060] Furthermore, in some cases (for example, when the item XA1 is relatively lightweight), it is not necessary to sequentially contact all of the multiple extrusion surfaces 31. For example, contact with one extrusion surface 31 and the resulting extrusion operation may be skipped. In that case, the amount of extrusion after the skip increases (2 × S), but it may still be possible to extrude without problems if the item XA1 is lightweight or the packaging material is rigid.

[0061] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit and technical concept. Furthermore, each modification may be applied to other modifications to the extent possible.

[0062] In other words, in the above embodiment, the position, size, length, shape, material, orientation, etc., of each component can be changed as appropriate. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0063] 1. Extrusion device 2 Support part 3. Extrusion section, plate member, extrusion plate 4. Driving means (driving unit) 5 Cam mechanism 6 motors 7 Rotation axis 9 Link mechanism 10. Conveying means (bucket conveyor) 10C Rotation axis 11 buckets 11A Article holding part (side) 12 Discharge Chute 21 Support frame 22 Storage Unit 23 Shaft 31, 31A~31H Extruded surface 32, 32A~32H Riser surface 33 Endless belt 34 Cylindrical shaft 35, 36 Laura 51 Eccentric pin 52 Driven disk 53 Dependent frame 54 Hole 55 Slide Bushing 56 Support part XA1 Goods

Claims

1. An extrusion device that pushes an article out of a bucket that stores the article and transports it in a first direction, A plurality of extruded surfaces located along the first direction and in different planes from each other, A driving means capable of moving the plurality of extrusion surfaces in a second direction intersecting the first direction, It has, Each of the plurality of extrusion surfaces is moved by an amount of movement smaller than the length of the bucket in the second direction, the plurality of extrusion surfaces are brought into contact with the article in stages, and the article is pushed out of the bucket. An extrusion device characterized by the following features.

2. The aforementioned multiple extruded surfaces are arranged in a continuous stepped pattern. The extrusion device according to feature 1.

3. The extrusion plate has the plurality of extrusion surfaces integrally provided therein, The driving means moves the extrusion plate back and forth in the second direction. The extrusion device according to feature 2.

4. The bucket moves intermittently along the first direction, The driving means is configured to reciprocate the plurality of extrusion surfaces along the second direction, The reciprocating period of the plurality of extrusion surfaces is equal to or shorter than the intermittent movement period of the bucket. The extrusion device according to feature 1.

5. The article is substantially flattened, The bucket is configured to move around a vertical axis of rotation, The aforementioned article is contained in the bucket in a substantially upright position. The extrusion device according to feature 1.

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