Container supply device and container supply system including same

Abstract

The present invention provides a container supply device comprising: a container transfer unit (110) for transferring multiple rows of stacked containers; a container fixing unit (120) disposed on a transfer path of the container transfer unit (110), including a rotatable first rotation member (121), and configured to stop the stacked containers at one point on the transfer path of the container transfer unit (110) or transfer the stacked containers along the transfer path; a container accommodation unit (130) disposed on the transfer path, including a second rotation member (131) rotatable together with the first rotation member (121), and accommodating the stacked containers transferred along the transfer path; and a container moving unit (140) for gripping the stacked containers accommodated in the container accommodation unit (130) and moving the gripped stacked containers to a container input unit.

Description

Container supply device and container supply system including the same

[0001] The present invention relates to a container supply device and a container supply system including the same.

[0002]

[0003] An existing container supply system for supplying disposable containers for containing food consists of a container supply device for supplying stacked containers and a container separation device for separating stacked containers supplied from the container supply device.

[0004] Existing container supply devices typically feed stacked containers one row at a time. Therefore, existing devices feed stacked containers one row at a time, which presents a significant problem: container supply takes a significant amount of time.

[0005] In addition, a method of separating stacked containers using a separator plate is disclosed as one of the existing container separation methods. However, this type of container separation device typically separates stacked containers by driving the separator plate through multiple cylinders. Therefore, if the multiple cylinders are not driven in parallel due to product aging, there is a problem in that the stacked containers are not separated. In addition, the existing container separation device requires a process of processing the separator plate through a process, which makes the manufacturing of the separator plate difficult and requires a long processing time.

[0006] (Patent Document 1) Korean Registered Patent Document No. 10-2492003 (January 26, 2023)

[0007] (Patent Document 2) Japanese Patent Document No. 4804766 (August 24, 2006)

[0008] (Patent Document 3) Korean Registered Patent Document No. 10-0824085 (April 21, 2008)

[0009] (Patent Document 4) Korean Registered Patent Document No. 10-2546495 (June 22, 2023)

[0010]

[0011] The present invention has been devised to solve the above-mentioned problem.

[0012] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a container supply device capable of simultaneously supplying multiple rows of stacked containers to a container separation device.

[0013] In addition, the present invention aims to provide a container supply system capable of separating stacked containers through a separation guide unit having a relatively simple structure.

[0014]

[0015] In order to solve the above problem, one embodiment of the present invention provides a container supply device including a container transfer unit (110) for transferring multiple rows of stacked containers; a container fixing unit (120) disposed on a transfer path of the container transfer unit (110) and including a rotatable first rotational member (121) for stopping the stacked containers at a point on the transfer path of the container transfer unit (110) or allowing them to be transferred along the transfer path; a container receiving unit (130) disposed on the transfer path and including a second rotational member (131) for rotatable together with the first rotational member (121) for receiving the stacked containers transferred along the transfer path; and a container moving unit (140) for gripping the stacked containers received in the container receiving unit (130) and moving the gripped stacked containers to a container input unit.

[0016]

[0017] The first rotational member (121) and the second rotational member (131) can be rotated in the transport direction of the stacked containers or in the opposite direction to the transport direction.

[0018]

[0019] The container receiving portion (130) may further include a container stopper (132) that is spaced apart from the second rotating member (131), extends in the stacking direction of the stacked containers, and crosses a point in the transport direction of the containers.

[0020]

[0021] The first rotational member (121) and the second rotational member (131) are each provided as a pair, and the first rotational member (121) and the second rotational member (131) are rotatable between a first position that blocks the transport of the container and a second position that allows the transport of the container, and the distance between the facing surfaces of the pair of first rotational members (121) at the first position and the distance between the facing surfaces of the pair of second rotational members (131) at the second position may be smaller than the diameter of the container, and the distance between the facing surfaces of the pair of first rotational members (121) at the second position and the distance between the facing surfaces of the pair of second rotational members (131) may be larger than the diameter of the container.

[0022]

[0023] The above container receiving portion (130) can be combined with the container moving portion (140) after moving forward a predetermined distance in the transport direction.

[0024]

[0025] It may further include a forward detection sensor (151) disposed on the container transfer unit (110) to detect the container receiving unit (130) that has advanced a predetermined distance; and a lift detection sensor (152) disposed on the container moving unit (140) to detect the lifting of the container moving unit (140).

[0026]

[0027] Another embodiment of the present invention for solving the above-described problem provides a container supply system including a container supply device (100) according to the above-described clause; and a container separation device (200) for receiving the stacked containers from the container moving unit (140) and separating a container located at the bottom among the supplied stacked containers from the stacked containers.

[0028]

[0029] It may further include a control device (300) that controls the operation of the container supply device (100) and the container separation device (200).

[0030]

[0031] The container separation device (200) may include a container stacking unit (210) that extends in the height direction and accommodates the stacked containers; a separation guide unit (220) that is vertically coupled to the container stacking unit (210) at the lower end of the container stacking unit (210) and has a guide groove (221) formed therein; and a driving unit (230) that reciprocates the separation guide unit (220) at a position between a third position where the guide groove (221) is aligned with the stacked containers and a fourth position where the guide groove (221) is not aligned with the stacked containers.

[0032]

[0033] The above guide groove (221) may include a first guide groove (2211) formed on the upper portion of the separation guide part (220); and a second guide groove (2212) formed on the lower portion of the separation guide part (220) and alternately arranged with the first guide groove (2211) along the direction of movement by the driving part (230).

[0034]

[0035] A container fixing member (2214) may be positioned below the first guide groove (2211), and a container separating member (2213) may be positioned above the second guide groove (2212).

[0036]

[0037] The above separation guide parts (220) are provided as a pair spaced apart from each other along the width direction, and the control device (300) can control the operation of the pair of separation guide parts (220) to be synchronized.

[0038]

[0039] The container separation device (200) may further include an upper sensor (251) that detects a stacked container at an upper point of the container stacking unit (210); and a lower sensor (252) that detects a stacked container at a lower point of the container stacking unit (210).

[0040]

[0041] The above control device (300) controls the container moving unit (140) to move onto the container stacking unit (210) when the stacking container is not detected by the upper sensor (251) but is detected by the lower sensor (252), and controls the container moving unit (140) to move onto the container stacking unit (210) when the stacking container is not detected by the lower sensor (252) to supply the stacking container to the container stacking unit (210).

[0042]

[0043] It may further include a container suction part (240) that can be elevated between the pair of separation guide parts (220) and comes into contact with the container at the lowest level.

[0044]

[0045] The container supply device according to the present invention has the effect of simultaneously supplying multiple rows of stacked containers to a container separation device.

[0046] In addition, the container supply system according to the present invention has the effect of easily separating stacked containers through a separation guide part having a relatively simple structure.

[0047] In addition, the container supply system according to the present invention has the effect of being able to perform continuous container supply and container separation processes.

[0048]

[0049] FIG. 1 is a drawing showing a schematic configuration of a container supply system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0050] Figure 2 is a drawing showing the arrangement relationship of a container supply device and a container separation device.

[0051] Figure 3 is a perspective view of a container supply device.

[0052] Figures 4 to 7 are drawings of a process in which a container supply device separates multi-row stacked containers one row at a time.

[0053] Figure 8 is a drawing of the arrangement relationship between the container receiving section containing the stacked containers and the container moving section.

[0054] Figure 9 is a front view of the container separation device.

[0055] Figure 10 is a perspective view showing the connection relationship between the container stacking portion and the separation guide portion.

[0056] Figure 11 is a perspective view of the configuration of the separation guide part.

[0057] Figures 12 to 14 are drawings of the process in which the container separation device separates the containers at the lowest level.

[0058]

[0059] The above-described purposes, features, and other advantages of the present invention will become more apparent by describing preferred embodiments of the present invention in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this process, the thickness of lines and the sizes of components depicted in the drawings may be exaggerated for clarity and convenience. Furthermore, the terms described below are defined based on their functions in the present invention and may vary depending on the intentions or practices of the user or operator. Therefore, the definitions of these terms should be based on the contents throughout this specification.

[0060] In addition, the described embodiments are provided as examples for the purpose of explaining the invention and do not limit the technical scope of the present invention.

[0061] Hereinafter, “column” may be the d1 direction of FIG. 3 and FIG. 10. Additionally, “row” may be the d2 direction of FIG. 3 and FIG. 10, which is a direction perpendicular to “column.”

[0062]

[0063] 1. Description of the container supply system

[0064] FIG. 1 is a drawing showing a schematic configuration of a container supply system according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a drawing showing the arrangement relationship of a container supply device and a container separation device.

[0065] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the container supply system (1) according to the present invention may include a container supply device (100), a container separation device (200), and a control device (300).

[0066] The container supply device (100) is a device that supplies stacked containers to the container separation device (200) described below. The container supply device (100) can separate the stacked containers in multiple rows that are continuously fed one row at a time. The container supply device (100) can supply the stacked containers in multiple rows, separated one row at a time, to the container separation device.

[0067] The container separation device (200) is a device that separates stacked containers supplied from the container supply device (100) one by one. The container separation device (200) can sequentially separate the containers from the lowest stacked containers. Referring to FIG. 2, the container separation device (200) can be arranged in parallel with the container supply device. For example, a container gripper (141) described below can be raised and lowered to supply the stacked containers in multiple rows, separated one by one, to the container separation device (200).

[0068] The control device (300) is a device that controls the operation of the container supply device (100) and the container separation device (200). The container supply device (100) and the container separation device (200) may include various sensors. The control device (300) receives signals from the sensors and controls the operation of the container supply device (100) and the container separation device (200) to continuously perform the container supply and container separation processes.

[0069]

[0070] 2. Description of the container supply device

[0071] Below, the container supply device (100) is described in detail.

[0072] Figure 3 is a perspective view of a container supply device.

[0073] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the container supply device (100) according to the present invention may include a container transfer unit (110), a container fixing unit (120), a container receiving unit (130), and a container moving unit (140).

[0074] The container transport unit (110) is configured to transport stacked containers. The container transport unit (110) may include multiple rows of conveyors. Stacked containers are fed into each of the multiple rows of conveyors, and the container transport unit (110) may transport the fed multiple rows of stacked containers. Specifically, the container transport unit (110) may transport the multiple rows of stacked containers toward the rear, that is, in the direction where the container fixing unit (120) and the container receiving unit (130) described later are located. The container transport unit (110) may further include a plurality of guides arranged between the multiple rows of conveyors to prevent the stacked containers from interfering with each other or from overlapping and collapsing. The multiple rows of conveyors may be configured with slip-type belts so that even if the multiple rows of containers overlap each other, they can be separated at the container receiving unit (130) described later.

[0075] The container fixing unit (120) may be configured to stop the transported stacked containers at a point on the container transport unit (110) or to allow the stacked containers to be transported in the transport direction. Since multiple rows of stacked containers are continuously fed into the container transport unit (110), the container fixing unit (120) may stop the stacked containers at a point on the container transport unit (110) in order to separate the multiple rows of stacked containers one row at a time. Next, the container fixing unit (120) may rotate to transport the multiple rows of stacked containers in one row to the container receiving unit (130) described later, and then rotate again to stop the multiple rows of stacked containers in the next row.

[0076] The container fixing member (120) may include a first rotational member (121). The first rotational member (121) may be arranged on a transport path of the container transporting member (110) and may be configured to rotate. Specifically, the first rotational member (121) may be arranged at the rear end of the container transporting member (110) so as to block multiple rows of stacked containers. The container fixing member (120) may block multiple rows of stacked containers and stop the stacked containers at one point on the container transporting member (110). Next, the container fixing member (120) may rotate in the transporting direction or the opposite direction to transport a row of multiple rows of stacked containers along the transport path, and then may rotate again to block the containers.

[0077] The container receiving unit (130) is configured to receive multiple rows of stacked containers. Specifically, the container receiving unit (130) may be configured to receive a single row of stacked containers that are arranged at the rear end of the container transfer unit (110) and are transferred by rotating the container fixing unit (120). The stacked containers received in the container receiving unit (130) may be transferred to the container separation device (200) by the container transfer unit (140) described below.

[0078] The container receiving portion (130) may include a second rotation member (131) and a container stopper (132). The second rotation member (131) is arranged on a transport path of the container transport portion (110) and is configured to rotate in the transport direction of the stacked containers or in the opposite direction to the transport direction. The second rotation member (131) may be rotatable together with the first rotation member (121). Therefore, after the second rotation member (131) and the first rotation member (121) rotate together in the transport direction or the opposite direction so that a row of stacked containers is transported to the container receiving portion (130), the second rotation member (131) and the first rotation member (121) may rotate again to block the containers.

[0079] The container stopper (132) is configured to prevent the transport of the stacked containers. The container stopper (132) is spaced apart from the second rotating member (131) and extends in the stacking direction of the stacked containers so as to cross a point in the transport direction of the containers. The multi-column stacked containers in one row that are transported by rotating the first rotating member (121) and the second rotating member (131) can be stopped at a point on the container transport section (110) by the container stopper (132).

[0080] At a first position where a pair of first rotational members (121) and a second rotational member (131) block the movement of the container, a distance between the facing surfaces of the pair of first rotational members (121) and a distance between the facing surfaces of the pair of second rotational members (131) may be smaller than a diameter of the container. At the first position, the container may be fixed at that position by being blocked by the first rotational member (121) and the second rotational member (131).

[0081] Additionally, in a second position where a pair of first rotational members (121) and a second rotational member (131) allow the transport of the container, a distance between the facing surfaces of the pair of first rotational members (121) and a distance between the facing surfaces of the pair of second rotational members (131) may be greater than a diameter of the container. In the second position, the container may be received into the container receiving portion (130) by passing through the first rotational member (121) and the second rotational member (131).

[0082] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 8, the container moving unit (140) may be configured to move containers accommodated in the container receiving unit (130) to another location. The container moving unit (140) may be arranged in the height direction with the container transfer unit (110). The container moving unit (140) may include a container gripper (141) and a transfer rail (142). The container gripper (141) is configured to grip containers accommodated in the container receiving unit (130), and the transfer rail (142) is configured to transfer the container gripper (141) to another location. In FIG. 8, the transfer rail (142) extends in the left and right direction, but is not limited thereto, and stacked containers may be transferred to multiple locations.

[0083]

[0084] Below, a method for transporting stacked containers by a container supply device is described.

[0085] Figures 4 to 7 are drawings of a process in which a container supply device separates multi-row stacked containers one row at a time. Figures 4 to 7 are side views of the container supply device of Figure 3, showing a process in which a container fixing unit (120) and a container receiving unit (130) separate multi-row stacked containers one row at a time.

[0086] First, the multi-row stacked containers (a) are transported to the rear end of the container transport unit along the container transport unit (110).

[0087] Next, referring to FIG. 4, the container fixing member (120) can stop the multi-row stacked containers (a) at one point on the container transport member (110). Specifically, the first rotating member (121) is arranged in a direction that blocks the transport path of the container transport member (110) to prevent the transport of the stacked containers (a).

[0088] Next, referring to FIG. 5, the first rotation member (121) and the second rotation member (131) can rotate in the direction of transport of the container transport unit (110) or in the opposite direction. Accordingly, the transport passage can be opened to allow transport of a row of multi-column stacked containers (a).

[0089] Next, referring to FIG. 6, a row of multi-column stacked containers (a) can be accommodated in a container receiving portion (130). Specifically, a row of multi-column stacked containers (a) can advance to a container stopper (132). Therefore, a row of multi-column stacked containers (a) can be stopped from being transported by the container stopper (132). Next, the first rotating member (121) and the second rotating member (131) can be rotated in a direction that blocks the transport path of the container transport portion (110). As a result, a row of multi-column stacked containers (a) can be accommodated in the container receiving portion (130), and a next row of multi-column stacked containers (a) can be blocked by the first rotating member (121).

[0090] Next, referring to FIG. 7, the container receiving portion (130) can advance a predetermined distance in the transport direction. As the container receiving portion (130) advances a predetermined distance, the container gripper (141) of the container moving portion (140) can easily grip the stacked containers within the container receiving portion (130). Here, a forward detection sensor (151) is arranged at the rear end of the container moving portion (110) to detect the container receiving portion (130) that has advanced a predetermined distance.

[0091] When the forward detection sensor (151) detects the forward movement of the container receiving portion (130), the container gripper (141) can descend and grip the stacked containers received within the container receiving portion (130). Accordingly, a single row of multi-column stacked containers can be received within the container gripper (141).

[0092] Next, referring to FIG. 2, the container gripper (141) can move along the transport rail (142) to supply multiple rows of stacked containers to the container separation device (200). Specifically, after the container gripper (141) rises along the transport rail (142), it moves in the direction where the container separation device (200) is located to supply multiple rows of stacked containers to the container separation device (200).

[0093]

[0094] 3. Description of the container separation device

[0095] Below, the container separation device (200) is described in detail.

[0096] Fig. 9 is a front view of a container separation device, Fig. 10 is a perspective view showing the connection relationship between a container stacking portion and a separation guide portion, and Fig. 11 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the separation guide portion.

[0097] Referring to FIG. 9, a container separation device (200) according to the present invention may include a container stacking unit (210), a separation guide unit (220), a driving unit (230), and a container suction unit (240).

[0098] The container stacking unit (210) is a configuration in which stacked containers supplied from the container supply device (100) are received. The container stacking unit (210) may be formed to extend in the stacking direction of the containers, but is not limited thereto and may be modified into various shapes.

[0099] The separation guide unit (220) is configured to separate the lowest containers among the stacked containers accommodated in the container stacking unit (210). Referring to FIG. 10, the separation guide unit (220) is arranged at the lower end of the container stacking unit (210) and can be vertically coupled with the container stacking unit (210). The separation guide unit (220) can reciprocate by a driving unit (230) to be described later. Specifically, the separation guide unit (220) can reciprocate between a third position where the guide groove (221) to be described later is aligned with the stacked containers and a fourth position where the guide groove (221) to be described later is not aligned with the stacked containers. As the separation guide unit (220) reciprocates between the above-described positions, the lowest containers can be separated.

[0100] The separation guide parts (220) may be provided as a pair spaced apart from each other along the width direction, and the control device (300) may control the operation of the pair of separation guide parts (220) to be synchronized. Here, synchronization may mean that the pair of separation guide parts (220) reciprocate in the same direction simultaneously.

[0101] The separation guide part (220) may include a guide groove (221). The guide groove (221) may be formed in the separation guide part (220) and configured to separate the containers at the lowest level through a reciprocating motion of the separation guide part (220).

[0102] Specifically, the guide groove (221) may include a first guide groove (221a) formed on the upper portion of the separation guide portion (220), a container fixing member (221d) positioned below the first guide groove (221a), a second guide groove (221b) formed on the lower portion of the separation guide portion (220), and a container separation member (221c) positioned above the second guide groove.

[0103] The first guide groove (221a) is formed on the upper portion of the separation guide portion (220) so as to face the container stacking portion (210), and the container settling member (221d) is formed on the lower portion of the first guide portion (221a), so that the stacked containers can be transferred to the first guide groove (221a) at the fourth position, and the lowest container can be set on the container settling member (221d).

[0104] The second guide groove (221b) is formed at the lower portion of the separation guide portion (220) so as to face the transport tray (b), and the container separation member (221c) may be positioned above the second guide groove. In addition, the container separation member (221c) may include an inclined surface whose height decreases as it moves toward the first guide groove (221a). Therefore, when the stacked containers are transported from the fourth position to the third position, the lowest container may be discharged to the transport tray (b) through the second guide groove (221b), and the remaining stacked containers may move along the inclined surface to the third position located on the container separation member (221c).

[0105] The first guide groove (221a) and the second guide groove (221b) can be formed on both sides of the separation guide portion (220), respectively. By forming the first guide groove (221a) and the second guide groove (221b) on both sides of the separation guide portion (220), both ends of the stacked containers can be fixed.

[0106] The separation guide portion (220) may be configured as a pair that are spaced apart from each other along the width direction. By configuring the separation guide portion (220) as a pair, multiple rows of stacked containers can be separated simultaneously.

[0107] The driving unit (230) is configured to reciprocate the separation guide unit (220) left and right. The driving unit (230) may include a driving shaft arranged at the bottom of the separation guide unit (220) and a driving cylinder (not shown) that drives the driving shaft to reciprocate. The driving cylinder (not shown) may be a single cylinder. Accordingly, a single cylinder (not shown) may be connected to a plurality of driving shafts to reciprocate the plurality of driving shafts in the axial direction. The separation guide unit (220) may reciprocate as the plurality of driving shafts reciprocate.

[0108] The container suction unit (240) is configured to come into contact with the lowest containers to easily separate the lowest containers. The container suction unit (240) can be attached to and detached from the bottom surfaces of the lowest containers. The container suction unit (240) can come into contact with the bottom surfaces of the lowest containers by means of air suction, but is not limited thereto, and can come into contact with the containers in various ways. The container suction unit (240) can be raised and lowered between the separation guide units, thereby penetrating the transport tray (b) and coming into contact with the lowest containers.

[0109]

[0110] Below, a method for separating stacked containers accommodated in a container stacking unit (210) one by one using a container separation device (200) is described.

[0111] Figures 12 to 14 are drawings of the process in which the container separation device separates the containers at the lowest level.

[0112] First, referring to FIG. 12, the container stacking unit (210) receives a plurality of stacked containers from the container gripper (141), and the stacked containers can be placed at a third position where the guide groove (221) is aligned with the stacked containers.

[0113] Next, referring to FIG. 13, the container suction section (240) can rise through the transfer tray (b) and come into contact with the lowermost containers.

[0114] Next, the separation guide part (220) is moved to the left by the driving part (230) so that the stacked containers move to the fourth position, and the containers at the lowest position move to the first guide groove (221a) so that they can be placed on the container placement member (221d).

[0115] Next, referring to FIG. 14, the separation guide member (220) can be moved to the right again by the reciprocating motion of the driving member (230), so that the stacked containers can be moved to the third position. In this case, the containers at the bottom can be moved from the first guide groove (221a) to the second guide groove (221b) and discharged to the transport tray (b). The remaining stacked containers can be moved onto the container separation member (221c) along the inclined surface of the container separation member (221c) and returned to the third position.

[0116] Next, after the lowest containers are discharged to the transfer tray (b), the container suction part (240) can be separated from the bottom surface of the lowest containers.

[0117] By repeating the above process, the container separation device (200) can sequentially separate the stacked containers accommodated in the container stacking unit (210) from the containers at the bottom.

[0118]

[0119] 4. Description of the control device

[0120] Below, the control device (300) is described in detail.

[0121] Referring to FIG. 1, the control device (300) according to the present invention may be a configuration that controls the operation of each component of the container supply device (100) and the container separation device (200). The control device (300) may control the operation of the container supply device (100) and the container separation device (200) so that the container supply and container separation processes are performed continuously.

[0122] Referring to FIGS. 3 to 8, the container supply device (100) may include a forward detection sensor (151) that detects a container receiving portion (130) that has advanced a predetermined distance and a lift detection sensor (152) that is positioned on the container moving portion (140) and detects the lifting and lowering of the container moving portion (140).

[0123] The control device (300) can control the container gripper (141) to grip the stacked containers within the container receiving portion (130) when the forward detection sensor (151) detects that the container receiving portion (130) has advanced a predetermined distance. In addition, the control device (300) can control the first rotating member (121) and the second rotating member (131) to rotate so that the stacked containers are received within the container receiving portion (130) when the elevation detection sensor (152) detects that the container gripper (141) is descending toward the container stacking portion (210).

[0124] In another embodiment, the container separation device (200) may include an upper sensor (251) that detects a stacked container at an upper point of the container stacking unit (210) and a lower sensor (252) that detects a stacked container at a lower point of the container stacking unit (210).

[0125] The upper sensor (251) and the lower sensor (252) detect whether a stacked container is accommodated at a point in the container stacking section (210), so that the amount of containers in the container stacking section (210) can be indirectly determined.

[0126] Specifically, when the upper sensor (251) detects a stacked container, a sufficient number of stacked containers may be accommodated within the container stacking unit (210) (hereinafter, “first state”).

[0127] Meanwhile, if the upper sensor (251) does not detect a stacked container and the lower sensor (252) detects a stacked container, the control device (300) can control the container gripper (141) to move onto the container stacking unit (210) because a smaller number of containers than the first state are accommodated in the container stacking unit (210) (hereinafter, “container supply standby state”).

[0128] In addition, if the lower sensor (252) does not detect a stacked container, the stacked containers are insufficient in the container stacking unit (210), so the container gripper (141) in a standby state for supply can supply the stacked containers into the container stacking unit (210).

[0129]

[0130] While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above. That is, those skilled in the art will appreciate that numerous modifications and variations to the present invention can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims, and all such appropriate modifications and equivalents should be considered within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A container transfer unit for transferring multi-row stacked containers; A container fixing unit including a first rotatable member disposed on the transport path of the container transport unit and capable of rotating, and configured to stop the stacked containers at a point on the transport path of the container transport unit or to transport them along the transport path; A container receiving portion that includes a second rotating member arranged on the transport path and rotatable together with the first rotating member, and that receives the stacked containers transported along the transport path; and A container moving unit that includes a container receiving unit that holds the stacked containers and moves the held stacked containers to a container input unit; Container supply device.

2. In paragraph 1, The first rotating member and the second rotating member are rotatable in the transport direction of the stacked containers or in the opposite direction to the transport direction. Container supply device.

3. In paragraph 1, The above container receiving portion is, Further comprising a container stopper spaced apart from the second rotating member, extending in the stacking direction of the stacked containers and crossing a point in the transport direction of the containers; Container supply device.

4. In paragraph 2, The first rotating member and the second rotating member are each provided as a pair, The first rotational member and the second rotational member are rotatable between a first position that blocks movement of the container and a second position that allows movement of the container, The distance between the facing surfaces of the pair of first rotating members at the first position and the distance between the facing surfaces of the pair of second rotating members are smaller than the diameter of the container, The distance between the facing surfaces of the pair of first rotating members at the second position and the distance between the facing surfaces of the pair of second rotating members are greater than the diameter of the container. Container supply device.

5. In paragraph 3, The container receiving portion is moved forward a predetermined distance in the transport direction and then coupled with the container moving portion. Container supply device.

6. In paragraph 5, A forward detection sensor positioned in the container transport section to detect the container receiving section that has advanced a predetermined distance; and Further comprising a lift detection sensor disposed on the container moving unit and detecting the lifting and lowering of the container moving unit; Container supply device.

7. A container supply device according to any one of paragraphs 1 to 6; and A container separation device that receives the stacked containers from the container moving unit and separates the container located at the bottom among the supplied stacked containers from the stacked containers; Container supply system.

8. In paragraph 7, Further comprising a control device for controlling the operation of the container supply device and the container separation device; Container supply system.

9. In paragraph 8, The above container separation device is, A container stack extending in the height direction and accommodating the above-described stacked containers; A separation guide part vertically connected to the container stack part at the bottom of the container stack part and having a guide groove formed therein; and A driving unit that reciprocates the separation guide portion between a third position where the guide groove is aligned with the stacked containers and a fourth position where the guide groove is not aligned with the stacked containers; Container supply system.

10. In paragraph 9, The above guide home is, A first guide groove formed on the upper portion of the above separation guide portion; and A second guide groove formed at the lower portion of the separation guide portion and arranged alternately with the first guide groove along the direction of movement by the driving portion; Container supply system.

11. In paragraph 10, A container mounting member is located at the bottom of the first guide groove, A container separation member is located on the upper part of the second guide groove. Container supply system.

12. In paragraph 11, The above separation guide portion is provided as a pair spaced apart from each other along the width direction, The above control device controls the operation of the pair of separation guide parts to be synchronized, Container supply system.

13. In paragraph 12, The above container separation device is, An upper sensor that detects a stacked container at an upper point of the above-mentioned container stack; and Further comprising a lower sensor for detecting a stacked container at a lower point of the above-mentioned container stack; Container supply system.

14. In paragraph 13, The above control device, If the stacked container is not detected by the upper sensor but is detected by the lower sensor, the container moving part is controlled to move onto the container stacking part. If the stacked container is not detected by the above lower sensor, the container moving part moved on the container stacking part is controlled to supply the stacked container to the container stacking part. Container supply system.

15. In paragraph 14, Further comprising a container suction part that is liftable between the pair of separation guide parts and comes into contact with the lowermost container; Container supply system.

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