Container dewatering device and container dewatering and stacking device

Abstract

To provide a container dehydration device capable of minimizing a value of a dimension in a direction of movement of a container to be dehydrated.SOLUTION: A container dehydration device 7 comprises: a container conveying part 13 that conveys a container 3 to be dehydrated; a container stacking part 15 that stacks the container 3 which is conveyed by the container conveying part 13 to a predetermined position P1, above the predetermined position P1; and a container rotation part 17 that rotates a plurality of the containers 3 stacked by the stacking part 15.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a container dewatering apparatus and a container dewatering and stacking apparatus. [Background Art]

[0002] Conventionally, a centrifugal dewatering apparatus for container washing lines as disclosed in Patent Document 1 is known. In a centrifugal dewatering apparatus for container washing lines (a conventional centrifugal dewatering apparatus), a container that is an object to be dewatered is moved from an upstream side to a downstream side (from an inlet side to an outlet side) to dewater the container.

[0003] To explain further, as shown in FIG. 13(b), the conventional centrifugal dewatering apparatus 301 is configured to include an accumulation conveyor 303, a press stacker 305, a dewatering apparatus main body 307, and a stacker 309. The accumulation conveyor 303, the press stacker 305, the dewatering apparatus main body 307, and the stacker 309 are arranged in this order from the inlet side toward the outlet side.

[0004] The accumulation conveyor 303 is configured to convey the placed containers 311 from the inlet side toward the outlet side. The press stacker 305 is configured to stack the containers 311 conveyed by the accumulation conveyor 303 in a vertical direction. The plurality of stacked containers 311 are configured to be supplied to the dewatering apparatus main body 307.

[0005] The dewatering apparatus main body 307 is configured to rotate the plurality of containers 311 stacked by the press stacker 305 to perform centrifugal dewatering. The plurality of centrifugally dewatered containers 311 are supplied to the stacker 309, further stacked, and stored temporarily. [Prior Art Documents] [Patent Documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2019-132541 [Summary of the Invention] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0007] By the way, in conventional centrifugal dewatering devices 301, the accumulation conveyor 303, pre-stacker 305, dewatering device main body 307, and stacker 309 are arranged in the front-to-back direction (outlet / inlet direction), so the front-to-back dimension of the centrifugal dewatering device 301 is large.

[0008] The present invention aims to provide a container dewatering device and a container dewatering and stacking device that can minimize the dimensional value of the container to be dewatered in the direction of movement (front-to-back direction). [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] A container dewatering apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention is a container dewatering apparatus having a container transport unit for transporting containers to be dewatered, a container stacking unit for stacking the containers that have been transported to a predetermined position by the container transport unit above the predetermined position, and a container rotating unit for rotating the plurality of containers stacked in the container stacking unit.

[0010] Furthermore, in an embodiment of the present invention, the container dewatering device is configured such that the container stacking section is equipped with a container placement table on which the containers are placed, and which is movable vertically and rotatable, and when the stacked plurality of containers are rotated by the container rotation section, the stacked plurality of containers are placed on the container placement table, and the container placement table is configured to rotate together with the stacked plurality of containers.

[0011] Furthermore, in an embodiment of the present invention, the container dewatering device is configured such that the container stacking section is provided with a pair of temporary container placement sections, the temporary container placement section is configured with a temporary placement movable body that is movable in the horizontal direction and a temporary installation rotating body that is rotatable relative to the temporary placement movable body, the temporary placement movable body is movable between an inner position and an outer position, the temporary installation rotating body is rotatable between a closed position and an open position, the temporary placement movable body is located in the inner position, the temporary installation rotating body is located in the closed position, the container placement table places the first container and moves away from the temporary placement movable body and the temporary installation rotating body and the temporary placement movable This container dewatering device is configured such that, starting from a state where the body and the temporary installation rotating body are positioned below the first container, the container mounting table and the first container rise, causing the first container to come into contact with the temporary installation rotating body and the temporary installation rotating body to rotate to the open position, the container mounting table and the first container rise further, causing the first container to move away from the temporary installation rotating body and be positioned above the temporary installation rotating body, and the temporary installation rotating body returns to the closed position, and the container mounting table lowers, causing the first container to come into contact with the temporary installation rotating body and the first container to be temporarily placed on the temporary installation rotating body.

[0012] Furthermore, in the container dewatering apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, the first container is temporarily placed on the temporary installation rotating body, and the container placement table is placed on the second container and is located below the temporary installation moving body and the temporary installation rotating body, away from the temporary installation moving body and the temporary installation rotating body, as the container placement table and the second container rise, the second container comes into contact with the temporary installation rotating body and the temporary installation rotating body rotates to the open position, and the container placement table and the second container The container dewatering device is configured such that as the container rises further, the second container is positioned below the first container and overlaps the first container, the second container moves away from the temporary installation rotating body and is positioned above the temporary installation rotating body, and the temporary installation rotating body returns to the closed position, the container placement table descends, the second container comes into contact with the temporary installation rotating body, and the first and second containers are temporarily placed on the temporary installation rotating body.

[0013] Furthermore, in an embodiment of the present invention, the container dewatering apparatus is configured such that a plurality of stacked containers are temporarily placed on the temporary installation rotating body, and the container placement table, which does not have any containers on it, is located below the temporary installation moving body and the temporary installation rotating body, away from the temporary installation moving body and the temporary installation rotating body. As the container placement table rises, the plurality of stacked containers are placed on the container placement table and rise, separating from the temporary installation rotating body, and the plurality of stacked containers remain on the container placement table and are installed in the container rotating section to rotate for dewatering. Furthermore, in the container dewatering device according to an aspect of the present invention, after the container is rotated by the container rotating unit, the temporary placement moving body moves from the inner position to the outer position, and the container placement table on which the stacked containers are placed is lowered so that the stacked containers are placed on the container transport unit.

[0014] Furthermore, a container dewatering and stacking apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention is a container dewatering and stacking apparatus comprising: a container dewatering apparatus; a conveying apparatus for transporting the containers to the container dewatering apparatus by placing the containers on it in order to supply the containers to the container dewatering apparatus; and a stacker for stacking a plurality of containers discharged from the container dewatering apparatus in an overlapping state. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] The present invention provides a container dewatering device and a container dewatering and stacking device that can minimize the dimensional value of the container to be dewatered in the direction of movement (front-to-back direction). [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0016] [Figure 1A] This is a view of a container dewatering and stacking device according to an embodiment of the present invention, as seen from the front-to-back outlet side. [Figure 1B] This image shows a state in which the shutter member provided in the container dewatering device, which constitutes the container dewatering and stacking device, is closed, according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 1C] This image shows the state in which the shutter member provided in the container dewatering device, which constitutes the container dewatering and stacking device, is open, according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a view from arrow II in Figure 1A. [Figure 3] This is a view from arrow III in Figure 1A. [Figure 4] This figure shows a container placement table and a mechanism for moving the container placement table up and down, which constitute the container stacking section of a container dewatering device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] (a) is a view along the VA arrow in Figure 4, and (b) is a view along the VB-VB arrow in Figure 4. [Figure 6] This figure shows the container rotating section of a container dewatering device according to an embodiment of the present invention, where (b) is a view taken along the VIB arrow in (a). [Figure 7]It is a diagram showing the container positioning section of the container dewatering apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, (b) is a view along arrow VIIB in (a), and (c) is a diagram showing the operation of the container positioning section. [Figure 8] It is a diagram showing the temporary placement moving body, temporary installation rotating body and the like that constitute the container stacking section of the container dewatering apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, (b) is a view along arrow VIIIB in (a), and (c) is a diagram showing the operation of the temporary placement moving body, temporary installation rotating body and the like. [Figure 9] It is a diagram showing the operation of the temporary placement moving body, temporary installation rotating body and the like that constitute the container stacking section of the container dewatering apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] It is a diagram showing a container that is a dewatering target of the container dewatering apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, (b) is a view along arrow XB in (a), and (c) is a diagram showing a state where containers are stacked. [Figure 11] It is a diagram showing the operation of the container dewatering apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] It is a diagram showing the operation of the container dewatering apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] (a) is a plan view of the container dewatering and stacking apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, and (b) is a plan view of a conventional centrifugal dewatering apparatus. Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0017] The container dewatering and stacking apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention stacks containers (for example, containers) 3 to perform dewatering and temporary storage, and as shown in Fig. 2, Fig. 3 and Fig. 13(a), is configured to include a conveying device 5, a container dewatering device 7, and a stacker 9.

[0018] Here, for convenience of description, a predetermined horizontal direction connecting the inlet and the outlet of the container dewatering and stacking apparatus 1 is defined as the front-rear direction, another predetermined horizontal direction orthogonal to the front-rear direction is defined as the width direction, and the direction orthogonal to both the front-rear direction and the width direction is defined as the vertical direction. Note that the front-rear direction may also be referred to as the outlet-inlet direction.

[0019] In the container dewatering and stacking device 1, the containers 3 flow (move) from the inlet side to the outlet side (from upstream to downstream; from rear to front). The conveying device 5, the container dewatering device 7, and the stacker 9 are arranged in this order from the inlet side to the outlet side.

[0020] The conveying device 5 is designed to transport the containers 3 to the container dewatering device 7 by placing the containers 3 on the outside of the housing 11 of the container dewatering device 7. The conveying device 5 also functions as an accumulator for temporarily storing the containers 3.

[0021] The stacker 9 is designed to stack multiple containers 3 that have been discharged from the container dewatering device 7 in an overlapping state. More specifically, the stacker 9 is designed to temporarily store the multiple containers 3 that have been discharged from the container dewatering device 7 in an overlapping state by further stacking them. The stacking of multiple containers 3 by the stacker 9 is performed by a mechanism similar to that of the pre-stacker shown in Japanese Patent Publication No. 2019-132541.

[0022] In the stacker 9, the next batch of containers (the second batch of containers) 3 discharged from the container dewatering device 7, also stacked on top of the first batch of containers 3 discharged from the container dewatering device 7, are stacked on top of each other. These stacked containers (the first batch, the second batch, the third batch, etc.) 3 are then temporarily stored in the stacker 9.

[0023] The container dewatering device 7 is for dewatering the container 3, and as shown in Figures 1A to 3, it is composed of a housing 11, a container transport unit 13, a container stacking unit 15, and a container rotating unit 17.

[0024] The container transport unit 13 is provided in the housing 11 and is designed to transport the containers 3 to be dewatered from the inlet side to the outlet side. The container stacking unit 15 is provided in the housing 11 and is designed to stack the containers 3 that have been transported by the container transport unit 13 to a predetermined position P1 inside the housing 11, above (directly above) that predetermined position P1, away from the container transport unit 13, inside the housing 11.

[0025] The container rotating unit 17 is provided in the housing 11 and rotates the multiple containers 3 stacked in the container stacking unit 15 at a predetermined position P2 above (directly above) a predetermined position P1 away from the container transport unit 13 for centrifugal dewatering within the housing 11. The container stacking unit 15 and the container rotating unit 17 are located in the center of the container dewatering device 7 (housing 11) in the width direction, and at predetermined positions P1 and P2 in the front-to-back direction.

[0026] The conveying device 5 and the container conveying section 13 are, as shown in Figure 2, for example, composed of a single belt conveyor 19. The belt conveyor 19 passes through the housing 11 of the container dewatering device 7 in the front-to-back direction, and the portion that extends from the housing 11 towards the entrance forms the conveying device 5. The portion of the belt conveyor 19 inside the housing 11 forms the container conveying section 13. The portion of the belt conveyor 19 that extends slightly from the housing 11 towards the exit allows multiple stacked and dewatered containers 3 to be transported to the stacker 9.

[0027] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the container stacking section 15 is configured to include, for example, a container placement table 21 formed in the shape of a disc. The containers 3 are placed on the container placement table 21. The container placement table 21 is movable vertically relative to the housing 11 and is also rotatable relative to the housing 11. The thickness of the container placement table 21 is oriented vertically.

[0028] Furthermore, a disc-shaped recess 22 is provided in the center of the container mounting table 21, as shown in Figures 4 and 5(a). In addition, the container mounting table 21 is provided with a plurality of through holes 24 that penetrate the container mounting table 21 in the vertical direction. The plurality of through holes 24 are arranged to equally distribute the circumference of the container mounting table 21. The presence of the through holes 24 reduces the moment of inertia of the container mounting table 21 and allows water that has entered the recess 22 to be discharged.

[0029] The container placement table 21 moves vertically between positions P3 and P4, as shown in Figures 4 and 11. The lower limit position P3 of the container placement table 21 is located slightly below the upper surface of the belt conveyor 19. The upper limit position P4 of the container placement table 21 is located above the upper surface of the belt conveyor 19.

[0030] As shown in Figures 2, 11, and 12, the container rotating section 17 is positioned above the container transport section 13 and the container placement table 21. As shown in Figure 6, the container rotating section 17 is composed of a rotating body section 23 and a movement restricting section (a plurality of rod-shaped guide protrusions) 25.

[0031] The rotating main body 23 is rotatable relative to the housing 11. The movement restricting section 25 is composed of a plurality of rod-shaped guide projections 27. The guide projections 27 are integrally provided with the rotating main body 23 and protrude downward from the rotating main body 23 in order to restrict the horizontal movement of the plurality of containers 3 stacked in the container stacking section 15.

[0032] The movement restricting section 25 (guide projection 27) also rotates together with the rotating main body 23 relative to the housing 11. The rotating main body 23 and the guide projection 27 are rotated by an actuator such as a motor 29. When rotating multiple stacked containers 3, the stacked containers 3 are fitted inside the rod-shaped guide projections 27. As a result, when the rotating main body 23 and the guide projections 27 (movement restricting section 25) rotate, the multiple containers 3 also rotate simultaneously.

[0033] Furthermore, when the stacked containers 3 are rotated by the container rotation unit 17, the stacked containers 3 are placed on the container mounting table 21. The container mounting table 21 is configured to rotate together with the rotating main body 23, the movement restricting unit 25, and the multiple containers 3. The container mounting table 21 does not rotate on its own by an actuator such as a motor, but rotates by obtaining rotational driving force from the rotating main body 23 and the movement restricting unit 25.

[0034] Furthermore, when rotating the stacked containers 3, the rotating main body 23 and the upper ends of the stacked containers 3 are slightly separated. Alternatively, when rotating the stacked containers 3, the container placement table 21 and the rotating main body 23 may be configured to sandwich the stacked containers 3 from above and below.

[0035] As shown in Figures 1A and 3, the container stacking section 15 is configured to include a container placement table 21 and a pair of temporary container placement sections 31. The pair of temporary container placement sections 31 are provided on the housing 11. One of the pair of temporary container placement sections 31A is located on one side of the container dewatering device 7 (housing 11) in the width direction. In the front-rear direction, one of the temporary container placement sections 31A is located at a predetermined position P1 (P2, P3, P4). Furthermore, in the vertical direction, one of the temporary container placement sections 31A is located between the container transport section 13 and the container rotation section 17.

[0036] The other container temporary storage section 31B of the pair of container temporary storage sections 31 is located on the other side of the container dewatering device 7 (housing 11) in the width direction. The other container temporary storage section 31B is located at a predetermined position P1 (P2, P3, P4) in the front-rear direction, and is located between the container transport section 13 and the container rotating section 17 in the up-down direction. The pair of container temporary storage sections 31 are symmetrical with respect to the central plane of the container dewatering device 7. The central plane is a plane that includes the center of the container dewatering device 7 and is perpendicular to the width direction.

[0037] As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the temporary container placement section 31 (31A, 31B) is configured to include a temporary placement movable body 33 that is movable in the width direction relative to the housing 11, and a temporary installation rotating body 35 that is rotatable relative to the temporary placement movable body 33. The temporary placement movable body 33 is movable in the width direction between an inner position P5 and an outer position P6. The temporary installation rotating body 35 is rotatable between a closed position P7 and an open position P8. The inner position P5 is the position on the central side of the container dewatering device 7 (housing 11), and the outer position P6 is the position on the opposite side from the center of the container dewatering device 7 (housing 11).

[0038] The temporary installation rotating body 35 is provided at the inner end (the end on the central side in the width direction) of the temporary mounting mobile body 33, and protrudes further towards the center in the width direction from the inner end of the temporary mounting mobile body 33. The temporary installation rotating body 35 rotates within a predetermined angular range relative to the temporary mounting mobile body 33, with the axis C1 extending in the front-rear direction at the inner end of the temporary mounting mobile body 33 as the pivot point.

[0039] In the closed position P7, the temporary installation rotating body 35 extends in the width direction and protrudes from the temporary mounting movable body 33. In the open position P8, the temporary installation rotating body 35 protrudes from the temporary mounting movable body 33, with the part on the temporary mounting movable body 33 side positioned downwards and the tip side (the part away from the temporary mounting movable body 33) positioned upwards, extending diagonally in the width direction and vertical direction.

[0040] The temporary placement mobile body 33 and temporary installation rotating body 35 of one temporary container placement section 31A are separated by a predetermined distance in the width direction from the temporary placement mobile body 33 and temporary installation rotating body 35 of the other temporary container placement section 31B. The container placement table 21 is positioned between the pair of temporary container placement sections 31 (temporary placement mobile body 33, temporary installation rotating body 35) in the width direction and is configured to move vertically between the pair of temporary container placement sections 31.

[0041] In the container dewatering device 7, the container placement table 21 and the first container 3 rise from the first state. In the first state, the temporary placement movable body 33 is in the inner position P5, and the temporary installation rotating body 35 is in the closed position P7. Also in the first state, the container placement table 21 has the first container 3 placed on it and is separated from the temporary placement movable body 33 and the temporary installation rotating body 35, and is located below the temporary placement movable body 33 and the temporary installation rotating body 35 (see Figure 8(c)).

[0042] In the container dewatering device 7, the container placement table 21 and the first container 3 rise from the first state, causing the first container 3 to come into contact with the temporary installation rotating body 35, and the temporary installation rotating body 35 is pushed by the container 3 and rotated to the open position P8 (see Figure 9(a)).

[0043] Next, the container placement table and the first container 3 rise further, so that the first container 3 moves away from the temporary placement rotating body 35 and is positioned above the temporary placement rotating body, and gravity causes the temporary placement rotating body 35 to return to the closed position P7. Subsequently, the container placement table 21 and the first container 3 descend, so that the first container 3 comes into contact with the temporary placement rotating body 35 and is temporarily placed on the temporary placement rotating body 35 (see Figure 9(b)).

[0044] Next, in the container dewatering device 7, from the second state (not shown), the container mounting table 21 and the second container 3 are placed on it, and the container mounting table 21 and the second container 3 are raised. In the second state, the temporary mounting movable body 33 is in the inner position P5, and the temporary installation rotating body 35 is in the closed position P7. Also in the second state, the first container 3 is temporarily placed on the temporary installation rotating body 35. Furthermore, in the second state, the container mounting table 21, with the second container 3 placed on it, is separated from the temporary mounting movable body 33 and the temporary installation rotating body 35 and is positioned below the temporary mounting movable body 33 and the temporary installation rotating body 35.

[0045] In the container dewatering device 7, the container placement table 21 and the second container 3 rise, causing the second container 3 to come into contact with the temporary placement rotating body 35, which in turn rotates to the open position P8 while the first container remains on it.

[0046] Next, the container placement table 21 and the second container 3 rise further, so that the second container is positioned below the first container 3 and overlaps the first container 3. At this time, the second container 3 is positioned below the first container 3. Also, the second container 3 moves away from the temporary installation rotating body 35 and is positioned above the temporary installation rotating body 35, and gravity causes the temporary installation rotating body 35 to return to the closed position P7.

[0047] Next, the container placement table 21, the first container 3, and the second container 3 descend, causing the second container 3 to come into contact with the temporary placement rotating body 35, so that the second container 3 overlaps the first container 3 below it. Furthermore, the first container 3 and the second container 3 are configured to be temporarily placed on the temporary placement rotating body 35.

[0048] In the container dewatering device 7, the third and subsequent containers 3 are similarly configured to be stacked on top of the containers 3 that are temporarily placed on the temporary installation rotating body 35. The container stacking section 15 allows for stacking three or more containers 3.

[0049] Next, in the container dewatering device 7, from the third state, the container placement table 21 rises, causing the multiple stacked containers 3 to be placed on the container placement table 21 and rise, separating them from the temporary installation rotating body 35.

[0050] In the third state, multiple stacked containers 3 are temporarily placed on the temporary mounting rotating body 35. Also in the third state, the container mounting table 21, which does not have any containers 3 on it, is located below the temporary mounting moving body 33 and the temporary mounting rotating body 35, away from them.

[0051] Next, the stacked containers 3 are placed on the container placement table 21 and then set on the container rotation unit 17, which is configured to rotate for dewatering. The rotation by the container rotation unit 17 is performed for a predetermined period of time.

[0052] Next, in the container dewatering device 7, with the temporary placement mobile body 33 having moved from the inner position P5 to the outer position P6 (see Figure 9(c), etc.), the container placement table 21 on which the stacked containers 3 are placed descends. This descent of the container placement table 21 causes the stacked containers 3 to be placed back onto the container transport unit 13.

[0053] When multiple stacked containers 3 are placed on the container transport unit 13, the container placement table 21 is positioned below the lower edge of the containers 3 placed on the container transport unit 13. Furthermore, the multiple containers 3 placed on the container transport unit 13 are transported by the container transport unit 13 while remaining stacked.

[0054] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 1A, 3, and 7, the container dewatering device 7 is provided with a container positioning unit 37 for positioning the container 3, which has been transported inside the housing 11 by the container transport unit 13, at a predetermined position P1. The container positioning unit 37 is configured to include a pair of container stopping units 39.

[0055] A pair of container stopping units 39 are provided on the housing 11. One of the container stopping units 39A is positioned on one side of the container dewatering device 7 (housing 11) in the width direction. The other container stopping unit 39A is positioned at a predetermined position P1 in the front-rear direction and between the container transport unit 13 and the temporary container placement unit 31 in the vertical direction.

[0056] The other container stopping unit 39B of the pair of container stopping units 39 is located on the other side of the container dewatering device 7 (housing 11) in the width direction. The other container stopping unit 39B is located at a predetermined position P1 in the front-rear direction and is located between the container transport unit 13 and the temporary container placement unit 31 in the vertical direction.

[0057] As shown in Figure 7, the container stopping section 39 (39A, 39B) is configured to have a contact material 41 that contacts the container 3 that has been transported inside the housing 11 by the container transport section 13. The contact material 41 is movable relative to the housing 11. Furthermore, the contact material 41 is movable in the width direction between an inner position P9 and an outer position P10. The inner position P9 is the central position of the container dewatering device 7 (housing 11) (see Figures 7(a) and 7(b)), and the outer position P10 is the position opposite the center of the container dewatering device 7 (housing 11) (see Figure 7(c)).

[0058] In the container dewatering device 7, when the contact material 41 is in the inner position P9, the container 3 that has been transported inside the housing 11 by the container transport unit 13 comes into contact with the contact material 41. Then, the container 3 is positioned in the front-rear direction and stops at a predetermined position P1. When the contact material 41 is in the outer position P10, the container 3 does not come into contact with the contact material 41.

[0059] Here, we will explain the container dewatering and stacking device 1 in more detail. First, we will explain the container 3 with reference to Figure 10. The container 3 is made of synthetic resin, for example, and is integrally molded. The container 3 is formed in a rectangular box shape, comprising a rectangular flat bottom wall portion 43 and flat side wall portions 45. Although not shown in the figure, multiple through holes are formed in the bottom wall portion 43 and the side wall portion 45. These multiple through holes penetrate the bottom wall portion 43 and the side wall portion 45 in the thickness direction. Furthermore, the container 3 is configured such that the thickness direction of the bottom wall portion 43 is vertical, and the side wall portion 45 is raised above the bottom wall portion 43, allowing for dewatering and other processes in the container dewatering and stacking device 1.

[0060] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the belt conveyor 19 is configured with an inlet pulley 47, an outlet pulley 49, and a pair of belts 51. The inlet pulley 47 is located on the outside of the housing 11, on the inlet side of the housing 11. The outlet pulley 49 is located on the outside of the housing 11, on the outlet side of the housing 11. The inlet pulley 47 and the outlet pulley 49 are located at the same position in the vertical direction. Furthermore, the inlet pulley 47 and the outlet pulley 49 rotate relative to the housing 11 with a central axis extending in the width direction as the center of rotation. The inlet pulley 47 or the outlet pulley 49 is rotationally driven by a motor or the like (not shown).

[0061] One of the pair of belts 51 is wrapped around the inlet pulley 47 and the outlet pulley 49 on one side in the width direction. The other of the pair of belts 51 is wrapped around the inlet pulley 47 and the outlet pulley 49 on the other side in the width direction. The pair of belts 51 are separated from each other by a predetermined distance in the width direction. The container mounting table 21 is configured to move up and down between the pair of belts 51 without interfering with each other.

[0062] The container 3 is placed on a pair of belts 51 that are located between the inlet pulley 47 and the outlet pulley 49, and extend in the front-rear direction above the inlet pulley 47 and the outlet pulley 49, and is transported by this means.

[0063] The container mounting table 21, which constitutes the container stacking section 15 of the container dewatering device 7, is supported by a table drive unit 55 via a bearing 53, as shown in Figure 4. As a result, the container mounting table 21 rotates only relative to the table drive unit 55, with its central axis C2 as the center of rotation. The table drive unit (table vertical movement drive unit) 55 is located below the container mounting table 21. The table drive unit 55 is also vertically movable relative to the table support (table support case) 57. The table support 57 is integrally provided with the housing 11.

[0064] The table drive unit 55 is composed of an upper connector 59, a plurality of guide rods 61, and a lower connector 63. The upper connector 59, the plurality of guide rods 61, and the lower connector 63 are integrated with each other. The container mounting table 21 is supported by the upper connector 59 via a bearing 53.

[0065] Multiple linear guide bearing bodies 65 are integrally provided on the table support 57. Multiple guide rods 61 of the table drive unit 55 are engaged with multiple linear guide bearing bodies 65. This allows the table drive unit 55 to move only in the vertical direction relative to the housing 11 (table support 57).

[0066] The lead screw (for example, a ball screw) 67 is composed of a threaded portion 69 and a nut portion 71. The threaded portion 69 of the ball screw 67 is supported by the table support 57 via a bearing 73. As a result, the threaded portion 69 rotates only relative to the table support 57 about its central axis C3. The central axes C2 and C3 coincide with each other.

[0067] The nut portion 71 is screwed onto the threaded portion 69 on the upper side of the bearing 73 and is integrally provided with the lower connecting body 63 of the table drive unit 55. As a result, the nut portion 71, the table drive unit 55, and the container mounting table 21 move vertically in accordance with the rotation of the threaded portion 69 of the ball screw 67.

[0068] A pulley 75 is provided at the lower end of the threaded portion 69 of the ball screw 67. A pulley 79 is also provided on the rotating output shaft 85 of the actuator, such as the servo motor 77. A belt (for example, a timing belt) 83 is wrapped around the pulleys 75 and 79. The servo motor housing 87 of the servo motor 77 is integrally provided with the housing 11.

[0069] The container mounting table 21 is moved and positioned vertically by the rotation of the servo motor 77's output shaft 85 as needed. A space (internal space of the table support) 89 is formed inside the table support 57, and the threaded portion 69 and nut portion 71 of the ball screw 67 are positioned within this space 89. This prevents water from coming into contact with the threaded portion 69 and nut portion 71 of the ball screw 67 during dewatering of the container 3, etc.

[0070] The container temporary placement section 31, which constitutes the container stacking section 15 of the container dewatering device 7, is configured with a linear guide bearing 93 and an actuator such as a pneumatic cylinder 95, as shown in Figures 8 and 9. The linear guide bearing 93 is configured with a rail 97 and a bearing 99 that is movable relative to the rail 97. The pneumatic cylinder 95 is configured with a cylinder body 101 and a cylinder rod 103 that moves relative to the cylinder body 101.

[0071] The rail 97 and the cylinder body 101 are integrally mounted on the housing 11. The bearing 99 is integrally mounted on the temporary mounting movable body 33, and the tip of the cylinder rod 103 is also integrally mounted on the temporary mounting movable body 33. The cylinder rod 103 moves appropriately relative to the cylinder body 101 so that the temporary mounting movable body 33 is positioned at either the inner position P5 or the outer position P6.

[0072] The temporary mounting movable body 33 is formed in the shape of a rectangular flat plate. The thickness direction of the temporary mounting movable body 33 is in the vertical direction. The temporary installation rotating body 35 is also formed in the shape of a rectangular flat plate. As described above, the temporary installation rotating body 35 rotates between a closed position P7 and an open position P8 with respect to the temporary mounting movable body 33, with the rotation center axis C1 as the rotation center. In addition, the stopper 105 is provided so that the temporary installation rotating body 35 does not rotate downward (clockwise) beyond the state shown in Figure 8(a).

[0073] As described above, the container rotating section 17 of the container dewatering device 7 is configured to include a rotating body section 23 and a movement restricting section 25. The rotating body section 23 is formed, for example, in the shape of a disc, with its thickness in the vertical direction. As shown in Figure 6, a shaft member 107 is integrally provided on the rotating body section 23, and the rotating body section 23 is supported by the housing 11 via the shaft member 107 and a bearing 106, and is able to rotate relative to the housing 11 with the central axis C4 as the center of rotation. The shaft member 107 protrudes upward from the upper surface of the rotating body section 23.

[0074] A pulley 109 is integrally mounted on the shaft member 107. The housing 11 is also equipped with an actuator, such as a motor 113, to rotationally drive the rotating body 23 and the movement restricting unit 25. The motor housing 117 of the motor 113 is integrally mounted on the housing 11. A pulley 111 is integrally mounted on the rotating output shaft 115 of the motor 113. A belt 119 is wrapped around the pulleys 109 and 111. As the rotating output shaft 115 of the motor 113 rotates, the rotating body 23 and the movement restricting unit 25 rotate.

[0075] Furthermore, when the container 3 is inside the movement restricting section 25 of the container rotating section 17, the rod-shaped guide projections 27 are in contact with each of the four sides of the container 3, which appears rectangular in plan view. This prevents the container 3 from moving horizontally even when the container rotating section 17 rotates. Also, in plan view, the positions of the central axis of the container 3, the central axis 2 (see Figure 4), and the central axis C4 (see Figure 6) coincide with each other.

[0076] The container stopping section 39, which constitutes the container stacking section 15 of the container dewatering device 7, is composed of a pair of linear guide bearings 121, a pair of guide rods 123, a connecting member 125, a cylinder 127, and a contact member 41, as shown in Figure 7. The cylinder 127 is composed of a cylinder body 131 and a cylinder rod 129. The longitudinal direction of the guide rod 123 is the width direction.

[0077] The contact member 41 connects a pair of guide rods 123 at one longitudinal end of the guide rods 123, and the connecting member 125 connects a pair of guide rods 123 at the other longitudinal end of the guide rods 123. Each of the pair of guide rods 123 is supported by each of the pair of linear guide bearings 121. As a result, the guide rod 123 can move only in the width direction relative to the linear guide bearing 121. The linear guide bearing 121 and the cylinder body 131 are integrally provided in the housing 11. The cylinder rod 129 moves appropriately relative to the cylinder body 131 so that the contact material 41 is positioned at either the inner position P9 or the outer position P10.

[0078] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 2, the wall 137 on the entrance side of the housing 11 has a belt conveyor 19 passing through it, and a through-hole 139 through which the container 3 entering the housing 11 passes. In addition, as shown in Figures 1A and 2, the wall 141 on the exit side of the housing 11 has a belt conveyor 19 passing through it, and a through-hole 143 through which the container 3 exiting the housing 11 passes.

[0079] As shown in Figure 2, the wall 137 on the entrance side is provided with a shutter member 145 for opening and closing the through hole 139. The wall 141 on the exit side is also provided with a shutter member 147 for opening and closing the through hole 143.

[0080] The shutter member 145 is supported by a guide (not shown) on the entrance-side wall 137 of the housing 11, and is capable of moving vertically relative to the entrance-side wall 137. The shutter member 145 is also capable of taking either an upper or lower position by an actuator such as a pneumatic cylinder (not shown). When the shutter member 145 is in the upper position, the through-hole 139 in the entrance-side wall 137 is open (see Figure 1C). When the shutter member 145 is in the lower position, the through-hole 139 in the entrance-side wall 137 is closed (see Figure 1B).

[0081] The shutter member 147 operates in the same way as the shutter member 145. When the shutter member 147 is in the upper position, the through hole 143 in the exit-side wall 141 is open. When the shutter member 147 is in the lower position, the through hole 142 in the exit-side wall 141 is closed.

[0082] The stacker 9 of the container dewatering and stacking device 1 is equipped with a roller conveyor 135, which consists of multiple rollers 133 arranged at predetermined intervals in the front-to-back direction, as shown in Figure 2, etc. Containers 3, transported by the belt conveyor 19 and coming out of the container dewatering device 7, temporarily stop at position P11 on the roller conveyor 135, and are then stacked at position P12 for temporary storage. After this, the stacked containers 3 are lifted off the roller conveyor 135 by a lifter (not shown). To the floor The containers are designed to be unloaded. Furthermore, the roller conveyor 135 may be extended further towards the exit than shown in Figure 2, etc., so that the stacked containers 3 are transported further towards the exit than position P12.

[0083] The operation of the container dewatering and stacking device 1 will now be described. The container dewatering and stacking device 1 operates under the control of a control device (not shown in the figure) (for example, a control device comprising a CPU and memory).

[0084] Initially, no containers 3 are placed on the belt conveyor 19 or the container placement table 21, and no containers 3 are placed in the container rotating section 17 or the stacker 9. Initially, the temporary placement moving body 33 is in the inner position P5, the temporary installation rotating body 35 is in the closed position P7, the contact material 41 is in the inner position P9, and the container placement table 21 is at the lower limit position P3. Furthermore, the container rotating section 17 is stopped and not rotating. Also, initially, the through hole 139 in the wall section 137 on the inlet side is open, and the through hole 143 in the wall section 141 on the outlet side is also open.

[0085] In the initial state described above, the belt conveyor 19 is operated, and the container 3 is placed at the entrance end of the belt conveyor 19. The placed container 3 is transported to the exit side by the belt conveyor 19, comes into contact with the contact material 41, and stops at a predetermined position P1 (see Figure 11(a)). At this time, for example, the container 3 is detected by a container detection sensor (not shown), and the operation of the belt conveyor 19 is stopped.

[0086] Next, the container placement table 21 is raised, and as described above, the container 3 is temporarily placed on the container temporary placement section 31 (see Figures 9(b) and 11(b)), and the container placement table 21 is lowered to the lower limit position P3. After lowering the container placement table 21, the belt conveyor 19 is started, and the next container 3 is placed on the entrance end of the belt conveyor 19. The placed next container 3 is transported to the exit side by the belt conveyor 19, comes into contact with the contact material 41, and stops at a predetermined position P1. Then, the operation of the belt conveyor 19 is stopped.

[0087] Next, the container placement table 21 is raised, and as described above, the next container 3 is temporarily placed on the temporary container placement section 31. The above operation is repeated, and multiple containers 3 are stacked in the container stacking section 15 (see Figure 11(c)). When the last container 3 is stacked, the container placement table 21 is raised to, for example, the upper limit position P4, and the stacked multiple containers 3 are rotated in the container rotation section 17 for a predetermined time to dewater the containers 3. During this dewatering, as described above, the rotation center axis C2 of the container placement table 21 and the rotation center axis C4 of the rotating body section 23 coincide with each other. Also, just before starting the dewatering, the through hole 139 in the inlet side wall section 137 is closed, and the through hole 142 in the outlet side wall section 141 is closed.

[0088] Next, the rotation of the containers is stopped in the container rotating section 17, the contact material 41 is positioned at the outer position P10, the container placement table 21 is lowered to the lower limit position P3, and the stacked containers 3 are placed back onto the belt conveyor 19 (see Figure 12(a)). After this, the through hole 139 in the inlet side wall 137 is opened, and the through hole 143 in the outlet side wall 141 is opened. The belt conveyor 19 is then started again to transport the stacked containers 3 from the container dewatering device 7 to position P11 of the stacker 9 (see Figure 12(b)). The stacked containers 3 transported to position P11 are further stacked at position P12 (see Figure 12(c)). The stacked containers 3 at position P12 are then lifted off the roller conveyor 135 by a lifter (not shown). To the floor It is being removed.

[0089] The container dewatering device 7 comprises a container transport unit 13 for transporting containers 3, and a container stacking unit 15 for stacking the containers 3 that have been transported to a predetermined position P1 by the container transport unit 13 at a position P2 above the predetermined position P1. The container dewatering device 7 also comprises a container rotating unit 17 for rotating the multiple containers 3 stacked in the container stacking unit 15.

[0090] As a result, the container stacking section 15 and the container rotating section 17 are located in approximately the same place in the front-to-back direction. By providing the container stacking section 15, multiple containers 3 can be centrifuged and dewatered simultaneously, and the dimensions of the container dewatering device 7 in the front-to-back direction can be minimized.

[0091] Furthermore, in the container dewatering device 7, the container stacking section 15 is configured to include a container placement table 21 on which the containers 3 are placed, and which is movable vertically and rotatable. In addition, in the container dewatering device 7, when the multiple stacked containers 3 are rotated by the container rotation section 17, the container placement table 21 is configured to rotate together with the multiple stacked containers 3. This allows the multiple stacked containers 3 to be supported by the container placement table 21, and simplifies the configuration of the container rotation section 17.

[0092] Furthermore, the container dewatering device 7 is configured such that the temporary container placement section 31 includes a temporary placement movable body 33 that is movable in the horizontal direction, and a temporary installation rotating body 35 that is rotatable relative to the temporary placement movable body 33. In addition, the temporary placement movable body 33 is movable between an inner position P5 and an outer position P6, and the temporary installation rotating body 35 is rotatable between a closed position P7 and an open position P8 and P7.

[0093] Here, the first state is defined as the temporary mounting movable body 33 being in the inner position P5, the temporary installation rotating body 35 being in the closed position P7, and the container mounting table 21 having the first container 3 placed on it and being located below the temporary mounting movable body 33 and the temporary installation rotating body 35.

[0094] In the container dewatering device 7, from the first state, the container mounting table 21 and the first container 3 rise, causing the first container 3 to come into contact with the temporary mounting rotating body 35 and the temporary mounting rotating body 35 to rotate to the open position P8. Subsequently, the container mounting table 21 and the first container 3 rise further, causing the first container 3 to move away from the temporary mounting rotating body 35 and to be positioned above the temporary mounting rotating body 35, while the temporary mounting rotating body 35 returns to the closed position P7. Subsequently, the container mounting table 21 and the first container 3 descend, causing the first container 3 to come into contact with the temporary mounting rotating body 35 and the first container 3 to be temporarily placed on the temporary mounting rotating body 35.

[0095] As a result, the temporary placement rotating body 35 can be rotated and the container 3 temporarily placed simply by moving the container placement table 21, simplifying the configuration of the temporary container placement section 31.

[0096] Furthermore, the second state is defined as the state in which the first container 3 is temporarily placed on the temporary installation rotating body 35, and the container placement table 21 is positioned below the temporary installation moving body 33 and the temporary installation rotating body 35 with the second container 3 placed on it.

[0097] In the container dewatering device 7, from the second state, the container mounting table 21 and the second container 3 rise, causing the second container 3 to come into contact with the temporary mounting rotating body 35, which then rotates to the open position P8. Subsequently, the container mounting table 21 and the second container 3 rise further, so that the second container 3 is positioned below the first container 3, and the second container 3 overlaps the first container 3.

[0098] Next, the second container 3 moves away from the temporary installation rotating body 35 and is positioned above the temporary installation rotating body 35, and gravity causes the temporary installation rotating body 35 to return to the closed position P7. Then, the container placement table 21, the first container 3, and the second container 3 descend, causing the second container 3 to come into contact with the temporary installation rotating body 35, and the first container 3 and the second container 3 are temporarily placed on the temporary installation rotating body 35.

[0099] This allows the temporary placement rotating body 35 to be rotated and the containers 3 to be stacked and temporarily placed simply by moving the container placement table 21, thus simplifying the configuration of the temporary container placement section 31.

[0100] Furthermore, a third state is defined as a condition in which multiple stacked containers 3 are temporarily placed on the temporary installation rotating body 35, and the container placement table 21, on which no containers 3 are placed, is located below the temporary installation moving body 33 and the temporary installation rotating body 35.

[0101] In the container dewatering device 7, from the third state, the container placement table 21 rises, causing the stacked containers 3 to be placed on the container placement table 21 and raised, separating from the temporary installation rotating body 35. Subsequently, the stacked containers 3, while still placed on the container placement table 21, are placed on the container rotating unit 17 and rotated for dewatering.

[0102] Next, after the containers are rotated by the container rotation unit 17, the temporary placement mobile body 33 moves from the inner position P5 to the outer position P6. Then, the container placement table 21 on which the stacked containers 3 are placed is lowered, so that the stacked containers 3 are placed on the container transport unit 13.

[0103] This allows multiple stacked and dewatered containers 3 to be placed again in the container transport unit 13 and supplied to the stacker 9 with a simple configuration.

[0104] Furthermore, the container dewatering device 7 is equipped with a container positioning unit 37 for positioning the containers 3 that have been transported inside the housing 11 by the container transport unit 13 at a predetermined position P1. This minimizes variations in the stopping position of the containers 3 that have been transported inside the housing 11 by the container transport unit 13, and allows for accurate stacking of the containers 3 by the container stacking unit 15.

[0105] Furthermore, the container dewatering and stacking device 1 comprises a container dewatering device 7, a conveying device 5 that carries the containers 3 to the container dewatering device 7, and a stacker 9 that stacks the multiple containers 3 discharged from the container dewatering device 7 in an overlapping state.

[0106] This allows the multiple stacked containers 3 that come out of the container dewatering device 7 to be stacked further, reducing the space required for temporarily storing the containers 3.

[0107] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 13, the value of dimension La in the front-to-back direction of the container dewatering and stacking device 1 is smaller than the value of dimension Lb in the front-to-back direction of the conventional centrifugal dewatering device 301. This is because, in the container dewatering device 7, the container stacking section 15 and the container rotating section 17 are located at the same position relative to each other in the front-to-back direction.

[0108] Furthermore, in the container dewatering and stacking device 1 shown in Figure 13(a), multiple containers 3 stacked in the container stacking section 15 are rotated on the container stacking section 15 by the container rotating section 17. As a result, the front-to-back dimension La of the container dewatering and stacking device 1 is shorter than the front-to-back dimension Lb2 of the conventional centrifugal dewatering device 301 shown in Figure 13(b).

[0109] Although this embodiment has been described above, this embodiment is not limited to these, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the gist of this embodiment. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0110] 1. Container dewatering and stacking device 3 containers 5. Conveying device 7 Container dehydration device 9 stacker 13 Container transport section 15 Container stacking section 17 Container Rotating Section 21 Container placement table 31 Temporary container placement section 33 Temporary mounting mobile unit 35 Temporarily installed rotating body P1 Designated position P5 inner position P6 outside position P7 Closed position P8 open position

Claims

1. A container transport unit that transports containers to be dewatered, A container stacking section stacks the containers that have been transported to a predetermined position by the container transporting section above the predetermined position, A container rotating unit rotates the multiple containers stacked in the container stacking section at a position directly above the stacked position, A container dewatering device having the following features.

2. A container transport unit for transporting containers to be dewatered, A container stacking section stacks the containers that have been transported to a predetermined position by the container transporting section above the predetermined position, A container rotating unit that rotates the multiple containers stacked in the container stacking section, It has, The container stacking section is configured to include a container placement table on which the containers are placed, and which is movable vertically and rotatably. A container dewatering device configured such that when a plurality of stacked containers are rotated by the container rotating unit, the plurality of stacked containers are placed on the container mounting table, and the container mounting table rotates together with the plurality of stacked containers.

3. The container stacking section is configured to include a pair of temporary container placement sections. The container temporary placement section is configured to include a temporary placement mobile body that is movable in the horizontal direction, and a temporary installation rotating body that is rotatable relative to the temporary placement mobile body. The temporary mounting movable body is movable between an inner position and an outer position, and the temporary installation rotating body is rotatable between a closed position and an open position. The container dewatering device according to claim 2, configured such that the temporary mounting movable body is located in an inward position, the temporary installation rotating body is located in a closed position, and the container mounting table is positioned below the temporary mounting movable body and the temporary installation rotating body, away from the temporary mounting movable body and the temporary installation rotating body, when the container mounting table and the first container rise, causing the first container to come into contact with the temporary installation rotating body and the temporary installation rotating body to rotate to the open position, when the container mounting table and the first container rise further, causing the first container to move away from the temporary installation rotating body and be positioned above the temporary installation rotating body, and when the temporary installation rotating body returns to the closed position, when the container mounting table lowers, causing the first container to come into contact with the temporary installation rotating body and the first container to be temporarily placed on the temporary installation rotating body.

4. The container dewatering device according to claim 3, wherein the first container is temporarily placed on the temporary installation rotating body, and the container placement table is positioned below the temporary installation rotating body and away from the temporary installation moving body and the temporary installation rotating body after the second container has been placed on it, the container placement table and the second container rise so that the second container comes into contact with the temporary installation rotating body and the temporary installation rotating body rotates to the open position, the container placement table and the second container rise further so that the second container is positioned below the first container and overlaps the first container, the second container moves away from the temporary installation rotating body and is positioned above the temporary installation rotating body and the temporary installation rotating body returns to the closed position, the container placement table lowers so that the second container comes into contact with the temporary installation rotating body and the first container and the second container are temporarily placed on the temporary installation rotating body.

5. The container dewatering device according to claim 3, wherein a plurality of stacked containers are temporarily placed on the temporary installation rotating body, and the container placement table, which does not have any containers on it, is positioned below the temporary installation rotating body and away from the temporary installation moving body and the temporary installation rotating body, and as the container placement table rises, the plurality of stacked containers are placed on the container placement table and rise, away from the temporary installation rotating body, and the plurality of stacked containers remain on the container placement table and are installed on the container rotating part to rotate for dewatering.

6. The container dewatering device according to claim 5, configured such that after the container is rotated by the container rotating part, the temporary placement moving body moves from an inner position to an outer position, and the container placement table on which the stacked containers are placed is lowered so that the stacked containers are placed on the container transport part.

7. A container dewatering device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, A conveying device for transporting the containers to the container dewatering device in order to supply the containers to the container dewatering device, A stacker for stacking multiple containers that have been discharged from the container dewatering device in an overlapping state, A container dewatering and stacking device.

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