JP2024049786A - Extruding device - Google Patents

Abstract

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

Description

The present invention relates to a push-out device that pushes out items being transported by a bucket.

Conventionally, there is known a stacking device that transports flat, thin objects in an upright position and stacks them in predetermined numbers (see, for example, Patent Document 1). This stacking device is configured to detect the presence or absence of objects contained in a small number of unit bucket groups (e.g., five objects), and to stack the objects contained in a number of unit bucket groups (e.g., four groups, 20 objects) as one stacking unit and transport them to the next process. If there is even one bucket in the unit bucket group that does not contain an object, the stacking process is skipped for that stacking unit, including the bucket that contains the object. The objects that have been skipped are pushed out of the bucket at a predetermined position and discharged. The objects are discharged by a guide arranged diagonally above the bucket.

Patent No. 6333572

However, the article pushing (discharging) mechanism described in Patent Document 1 had a problem in that some articles could not be pushed (discharged) properly.

A more specific description will be given with reference to FIG. 8. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a conventional pushing mechanism for item XA1. In the conventional pushing mechanism, a guide plate 503 having an inclined surface inclined with respect to the moving direction of bucket 511 (the conveying direction of item XA1 shown by the arrow) is disposed above a bucket conveyor 510 constituted by a servo loop device. This guide plate 503 is fixedly disposed on the bucket conveyor 510. As the bucket 511 moves, a part of item XA1 comes into contact with the inclined surface 503A of the guide plate 503, and is sequentially pushed out and discharged.

In this case, if the item XA1 to be pushed out is a lightweight (small) package wrapped in a taut material such as a tea bag, it can be pushed out reliably. However, in the case of an item that is wrapped in a relatively flexible (non-rigid) material and is particularly heavy, such as a four-sided sealed package containing a liquid food (such as pasta sauce) or a continuous package of four-sided sealed packages, the pressure from the fixed guide plate 503 causes the packaging material to bend, and the weight of the contents tends to cause the item XA1 to remain in the bucket 511. For this reason, even if the package comes into contact with the guide plate 503, the package may deform and absorb the pushing force, or the deformed package may slide down the inclined surface 503 and be transported together with the bucket 511 without being pushed out of the bucket 511, making it difficult to eject the package reliably from the bucket.

This problem occurs not only when discharging items from the stacking device, but also when transferring items from one bucket to another, and not only when packaging but also when transporting unpackaged items in a bucket.

The present invention was made in consideration of the above problems, and aims to provide an extrusion device that can reliably extrude objects from a bucket regardless of their shape.

The present invention relates to a push-out device that pushes out an object from a bucket that stores the object and transports the object in a first direction, the push-out device having a plurality of push-out surfaces that are aligned along the first direction and that are located in different planes from one another, and a driving means that is capable of moving the plurality of push-out surfaces in a second direction that intersects with the first direction, the push-out device moving each of the plurality of push-out surfaces by an amount of movement that is smaller than the length of the bucket in the second direction, and gradually bringing the plurality of push-out surfaces into contact with the object, thereby pushing the object out of the bucket.

The present invention provides an extrusion device that can reliably extrude objects from a bucket regardless of their shape.

1A, 1B, and 1C are diagrams showing an extrusion device according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 1A and 1B are diagrams showing a conveying device, in which (A) is a top view and (B) is a front view. 1A and 1B are diagrams showing an extrusion device according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which (A) is a top view, (B) is a top view showing an extrusion plate, and (C) is a perspective view showing the extrusion plate. FIG. 2 is a top view showing an extrusion device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 4A to 4C are top views illustrating the operation of the extrusion device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a top view showing a modified example of an extrusion device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a top view showing an extrusion device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a top view showing a conventional pushing mechanism.

The push-out device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Here, as an example of the push-out device 1, a push-out device 1 capable of discharging an item XA1 from a moving bucket 11 will be described.

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

The extrusion device 1 shown in FIG. 1 is used in a line that discharges an item XA1 from a conveying means 10 or transfers the item XA1 from the conveying means 10 to another conveying means (not shown in FIG. 1). The item XA1 in this embodiment is, for example, a substantially flat and relatively thin item, and in particular, a package in which the contents are wrapped in a relatively flexible material or a relatively soft item. The contents of the package are, for example, fluid and relatively heavy foods and beverages or daily necessities, more specifically, sauces (pasta sauce, etc.), beverages, shampoo, soap, disinfectant, etc. The packaging form of the package is, for example, overwrap packaging, pillow packaging, three-pack or four-pack sealed packaging, etc.

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

As a definition of various directions in the push-out device 1 in this embodiment, for the sake of convenience, the first direction in which the item XA1 is transported in the vicinity of the push-out device 1 (including directly below) is defined as the transport direction T. In the case of a servo loop conveyor, the bucket 11 moves in a circular motion, so the transport direction of the item XA1 as seen from the push-out device 1 changes, but in this embodiment, the push-out device 1 is used as a reference, and the direction in which the item XA1 is transported (first direction) in the section in which the push-out device 1 pushes out the item XA1 (hereinafter referred to as the "push-out section PO") is defined as the transport direction T. In addition, the second direction perpendicular to the transport direction T in the horizontal plane is defined as the transport width direction W, and the direction perpendicular to the transport direction T and the transport width direction W (vertical direction VT) is defined as the transport height direction H. In addition, in the transport width direction W, the inner side of the bucket conveyor 10 is described as the push-out source BS, and the outer side is described as the push-out destination TP.

Referring to FIG. 2, the bucket 11 has an item holding portion (side surface) 11A that stands up in the vertical direction VT. The item XA1 is held (supported) between the item holding portions (side surfaces) 11A that are lined up in the transport direction T with the approximately flat surface portions in an approximately upright state, and is transported, for example, in one direction as indicated by the arrow. In this example, the item XA1 has an external shape that makes it difficult for it to stand on its own when the approximately flat surface portions are stood up, and it is transported in a state of abutment with the item holding portion 11A of the bucket 11. However, the item XA1 may also be transported in a state of abutment with the item holding portion 11A inside the bucket 11 while standing on its own (without abutting with the item holding portion 11A).

Referring again to FIG. 1, the bucket conveyor 10 in this example is provided with a discharge chute 12 in the push-out section PO that supplies the pushed-out item XA1 to, for example, a buffer (not shown).

The push-out device 1 is disposed above the bucket conveyor 10, and has a support section 2, a push-out section 3, and a drive means 4 that moves the push-out section 3 relative to the support section 2. The support section 2 supports the push-out section 3 and the drive means 4. Although not shown in the figure in this example, the support section 2 is fixed to a part of the bucket conveyor 10 (e.g., a base, a frame, a main body, etc.) and supports the push-out section 3 so that it is positioned above the push-out section PO of the bucket conveyor 10.

The push-out section 3 is, for example, a plate member, and has multiple push-out surfaces 31. The multiple push-out surfaces 31 are located along the conveying direction T and in different planes from one another, and in this example are configured to be arranged integrally and continuously as part of the plate member (hereinafter referred to as the "push-out plate 3").

The driving means (driving unit) 4 reciprocates the push-out plate 3 in a direction intersecting the conveying direction T of the item XA1. In this example, the direction intersecting the conveying direction T is a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction T, which is the conveying width direction W.

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

Further explanation will be given with reference to Figures 3 and 4. Figure 3 shows the extrusion device 1, where Figure 3(A) is a top view, Figure 3(B) is a top view of the extrusion plate 3, and Figure 3(C) is a perspective view of the extrusion plate 3 as seen from the extrusion surface 31. Figure 4 is a top view explaining the driving means 4 and the operation of the extrusion plate 3 by the driving means 4.

Referring to FIG. 3(A), the support section 2 has a support frame 21 that suspends the push-out plate 3 and the drive means 4 above the bucket conveyor 10, for example in a cantilevered state, a storage section 22 for the drive means 4 fixed to the support frame 21 (see FIG. 1(B) and FIG. 1(C), not shown in FIG. 3), and, for example, two shafts 23 fixed within the storage section 22. The two shafts 23 are arranged in parallel so as to extend in the conveying width direction W.

As shown in Figures 3(B) and 3(C), the push-out plate 3 has multiple push-out surfaces 31A-31H. The multiple push-out surfaces 31A-31H are located along the conveying direction T and in different planes from one another, and in this example are configured to be arranged integrally and continuously as part of the push-out plate 3. The push-out plate 3 is an elongated plate-like member, and the multiple push-out surfaces 31A-31H are arranged on one side extending in the longitudinal direction so that they are parallel to one another and continuous. More specifically, on one side extending in the longitudinal direction of the push-out plate 3, the push-out surfaces 31A-31H are arranged in a stepped shape that serves as a tread surface (or riser surface), for example.

In this example, the push plate 3 has, for example, eight push surfaces 31A-31H, each of which has a length L1 along the conveying direction T of, for example, 10 mm to 30 mm (preferably, 15 mm to 25 mm, for example, 20 mm), and the length L2 along the conveying width direction W of the surface 32 (32A-32H) that is continuous with the push surfaces 31A-31H is also, for example, 10 mm to 30 mm (preferably, 15 mm to 25 mm, for example, 20 mm). If the push surfaces 31A-31H are the treads of a staircase, the surfaces 32A-32H that are continuous with them become riser surfaces, and hereinafter these will be referred to as riser surfaces 32A-32H.

The plate member 3 is positioned above the push-out section PO of the bucket conveyor 10 so that its overall longitudinal direction is inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the conveying direction T. More specifically, the plate member 3 is positioned so that the push-out surfaces 31A to 31H are all surfaces that are aligned with the conveying direction T (parallel to the conveying direction T) and perpendicular to the conveying width direction W.

In addition, when viewed from above, the push-out plate 3 is positioned with its longitudinal direction inclined relative to the conveying direction T so that the side on which the push-out surfaces 31A to 31H are provided faces the push-out destination TP, and one end of the push-out plate 3 that is upstream in the bucket conveyor 10 (the right end in Figures 3(A) and (B)) is located on the push-out source BS side, and the other end (the left end) that is downstream in the bucket conveyor 10 is located on the push-out destination TP side.

Referring to FIG. 3(A), the driving means (driving unit) 4 of the extrusion device 1 converts the rotational motion of a motor 6 (FIGS. 1(B) and 1(C)) into linear motion, for example, by a cam mechanism 5, and moves the multiple extrusion surfaces 31 back and forth in a direction intersecting the conveying direction T of the item XA1. In this example, the direction intersecting the conveying direction T is a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction T, which is the conveying width direction W.

Referring to FIG. 4, the cam mechanism 5 has, for example, an eccentric pin 51 that is eccentric with respect to the rotating shaft 7 of the motor 6, a driven disk 52 that serves as a cam follower, and a driven frame 53. The driven frame 53 has a substantially rectangular hole 54 that is long in the conveying direction T near the center, and two cylindrical slide bushes 55 are provided on either side of the hole 54. The shaft 23 of the support part 2 is inserted into the two slide bushes 55. The driven frame 53 has, for example, a hanging support part 56 fixed to its outer periphery (see FIG. 1(B) and FIG. 1(C)).

The eccentric pin 51 fits into the driven disk 52, which can rotate eccentrically around the rotating shaft 7 of the motor 6 from the rotating shaft 7. The driven disk 52 fits into a hole 54 provided in the driven frame 53 and slides within the hole 54. The driven frame 53 is constrained by the shaft 23 inserted into the slide bush 55 so that it can move only in one direction (the conveying width direction W in this example).

For example, both ends in the longitudinal direction of the push-out plate 3 are fixed to the driven frame 53 via hanging support parts 56. As a result, when the motor 6 rotates, the cam mechanism 5 converts the rotational motion of the rotating shaft 7 (here, rotational motion in one direction) into reciprocating motion in the conveying width direction W, and the push-out plate 3 moves back and forth on the bucket 11 in the conveying width direction W (from the push-out source BS to the push-out destination TP (or vice versa). In this way, the drive unit 4 can move the multiple push-out surfaces 31A to 31H back and forth in the conveying width direction W.

The pushing operation of the push-out device 1 for the item XA1 will be described with reference to Figure 5. For ease of explanation, Figures 5(A) to (E) are top views showing in chronological order the state in which one item XA1 stored in one bucket 11 is pushed out by the push-out device 1, and Figure 5(F) is a top view at a certain timing while multiple items XA1 are being transported continuously.

In this embodiment, the amount of movement (push-out amount) S of the push-out plate 3 (push-out surfaces 31A to 31H) by the drive unit 4 in one movement (the amount of movement from the state of the dashed line in FIG. 5(A) to the state of the solid line) is set to an amount smaller than the length W0 of the bucket 11 in the conveying width direction W (for example, 150 mm to 200 mm, preferably 165 mm to 175 mm, more preferably about 170 mm). Specifically, the amount of movement (push-out amount) S of the push-out plate 3 by the drive unit 4 in one movement is set to be equal to the length L2 of the riser surface 32 (32A to 32H) (for example, 20 mm). The pitch M of the movement of the intermittent moving bucket 11 is, for example, 25 mm to 30 mm (for example, 28.55 mm). The length L0 of the push-out section PO along the conveying direction T is, for example, about 250 mm to 300 mm, preferably about 270 mm to 290 mm.

The bucket conveyor 10 intermittently moves the bucket 11 in the conveying direction T at a predetermined speed and pitch. The moving speed (processing capacity) of the bucket 11 is, for example, an intermittent feed of 120 times per minute. The push-out device 1 moves the push-out plate 3 back and forth in the conveying width direction W at a predetermined speed. The moving speed of the push-out plate 3 is, for example, about 260 revolutions per minute at the rotation speed of the motor 6.

Under these conditions, the reciprocating period of the push plate 3 (multiple push surfaces 31A-31H) is set to be equal to or shorter than the period of the intermittent movement of the bucket 11 (the rotation period of the push plate 3 (260 rotations/min) >= the intermittent feed period of the bucket 11 (120 times/min). In other words, when the bucket 11 moves one pitch, the push device 1 makes the push plate 3 make one reciprocating motion in the conveying width direction W. Specifically, it moves from the push source BS side to the push destination TP side and then returns to the push source BS side again.

In addition, the item XA1 stored in the bucket 11 is set to come into contact with one of the multiple push surfaces 31A to 31H for each movement pitch of the bucket 11. More specifically, the item XA1 is set to come into contact with all of the stepped push surfaces 31A to 31H in stages (sequentially) for each movement pitch of the bucket 11 in the conveying direction T.

First, as shown in FIG. 5A, when the item XA1 (the bucket 11 that contains it) enters the bucket position P1 on the upstream side of the push-out section PO, the push-out plate 3 is, for example, located closest to the push-out origin BS (initial position shown by the dashed line). At this time, the item XA1 abuts against, for example, the push-out surface 31A on the most upstream side of the push-out plate 3. The push-out device 1 moves the push-out plate 3 toward the push-out destination TP. As a result, the item XA1 is pushed toward the push-out destination TP along the conveying width direction W. In this example, this movement amount (push-out amount) S is equal to the length L2 of the riser surface 32A that is continuous with the push-out surface 31A. In addition, the movement amount S is equal to or less than the length M of one pitch of the intermittent movement of the bucket 11 (28.55 mm in this example). Then, while the bucket 11 advances one pitch and moves to the adjacent bucket position P2, the drive unit 4 moves the push-out plate 3 to a position on the push-out origin BS side (initial position).

Figure 5 (B) shows the timing when the bucket 11 has moved one pitch from bucket position P1 to bucket position P2. In this case, item XA1 comes into contact with the next push surface 31B of the push plate 3 and is pushed out. As a result, item XA1 is pushed further along the conveying width direction W toward the push destination TP by a further movement amount S (equivalent to the length L2 of the riser surface 32B continuing from the push surface 31B). Then, while the bucket 11 advances one pitch to the adjacent bucket position P3, the drive unit 4 moves the push plate 3 to a position (initial position) on the push source BS side.

By repeating this process, item XA1 in bucket 11 gradually comes into contact with stepped push surfaces 31C-31H, moving in the direction of the destination by a distance S each time (Figs. 5(C)-5(E)). When push surface 31H reaches the destination side, it is located approximately near the end of bucket 11 on the destination side, and in this example, item XA1 falls from bucket 11 under its own weight and is discharged along discharge chute 12 (Fig. 5(F)).

In this example, while the bucket 11 moves one pitch in the conveying direction T, the drive unit 4 moves the push plate 3 back and forth once in the conveying width direction W, but the reciprocating period of the push plate 3 (plurality of push surfaces 31A-31H) may be set to be equal to or shorter than 1/2 the period of the intermittent movement of the bucket (rotation period of the push plate 3 (260 rotations/min) >= intermittent feed period of the bucket 11 (120 times/min) x 2). In other words, when the bucket 11 moves one pitch, the push-out device 1 may move the push plate 3 back and forth twice in the conveying width direction W. With this configuration, for example, even if the timing of the operations of the push plate 3 and the bucket 11 does not match and the push plate 3 cannot abut against the item XA1 in the first operation, it can be pushed out in the second operation.

The design values or setting amounts of each component in the extrusion device 1 of this embodiment are appropriately selected based on the processing capacity of the bucket conveyor 10, the form of the item XA1 (shape, weight, packaging material or material of the item XA1, etc.), the minimum length L0 in the conveying direction T of the extrusion section PO, etc.

For example, the amount of movement (push-out amount) S of the push-out plate 3, the speed of the reciprocating movement of the push-out plate 3, and the number (number of stages) N of the push-out surfaces 31 are appropriately selected based on the moving speed of the bucket conveyor 10 (one-pitch intermittent feed speed (processing capacity)), the length W0 of the bucket 11 in the conveying width direction W, the form of the item XA1 (shape, weight, packaging material or material of the item XA1, etc.), and the minimum length L0 of the push-out section PO in the conveying direction T. Note that it is possible to increase the speed of the reciprocating movement of the push-out plate 3 by controlling the rotation of the motor 6, but if the speed is too high, the item XA1 cannot follow the moving speed of the push-out plate 3, and especially if the packaging material is soft, it will deform and the push-out plate 3 will not be able to push it. This is also true when the number (number of stages) N of the push-out surfaces 31 of the push-out plate 3 is extremely reduced.

Here, the conveying speed of the bucket 11 and the moving speed of the push-out plate 3 of the push-out device 1 do not need to be synchronized, and can be controlled independently, which avoids complicating the processing in the push-out device 1.

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

From another viewpoint, when the length of the bucket 11 in the second direction (conveyance width direction W) is W0, the minimum length of the push-out section PO in the first direction (conveyance direction T) is L0, the movement amount is S, the feed unit time (the time required for one push-out operation of the movement amount S) of the multiple push-out surfaces 31A to 31H (push-out plates 3) is ts seconds, the feed unit time of the bucket 11 (the time required for one pitch of intermittent movement) is tm seconds, and the pitch of the intermittent movement is M, it is desirable to satisfy the following relationship.
L0>={(W0/S)×ts}/tm×M
Here, {(W0/S)×ts} is the total push-out time T of the push-out plate 3, and {(W0/S)×ts}/tm is the number of times the bucket 11 is fed during the total push-out time T.

From another perspective, the amount of movement S of the push-out plate 3 is equal to or less than one pitch M (28.55 mm in this example) of the intermittent movement of the bucket 11. By making the amount of movement S small, push-out errors can be minimized.

According to the extrusion device 1 of this embodiment, the item XA1 contained in the bucket 11 can be moved in stages (in small increments) in the conveying width direction W in multiple steps (eight times in this example). This allows the item XA1 to be reliably extruded even if, for example, the item XA1 is packaged in a relatively soft (low-rigid) material and the contents are somewhat heavy, such as having fluidity.

In addition, the conveying speed of the bucket 11 and the moving speed of the push-out plate 3 of the push-out device 1 do not need to be synchronized and can be controlled independently, which avoids complicating the processing in the push-out device 1.

In the above example, the drive unit 4 moves back and forth the same number of times (8 times) as the number of push-out surfaces 31A-31H (number of stages). However, this is not limited to the above, and any configuration may be used as long as the item XA1 contained in a certain bucket 11 abuts against all of the push-out surfaces 31A-31H and is pushed forward during the period in which the bucket 11 passes through the push-out section PO. Furthermore, the positions at which the push-out surfaces 31A-31H abut against the item XA1 are not limited to always being the same positions (for example, the center positions of the respective push-out surfaces 31A-31H), and may be different positions for each of the push-out surfaces 31A-31H (as long as the item XA1 abuts against and is pushed forward).

In the above embodiment, the push-out section 3 is a plate member (push-out plate) integrally provided with multiple push-out surfaces 31A-31H, and a configuration has been exemplified in which this plate member is moved back and forth horizontally along the conveying width direction W. However, the configuration of the push-out section 3 is not limited to this. The push-out device 1 of this embodiment may be configured in any way as long as the multiple push-out surfaces 31A-31H move in the conveying width direction W and abut against a single item XA1 in stages, pushing it out in the conveying width direction W by a push-out amount (movement amount) S at a time. Below, modified examples of the push-out device 1 (push-out section 3) are described with reference to Figures 6 and 7.

<Modification>
6 is a top view showing another example of the drive means 4 and the push-out unit 3. First, in the example of Fig. 6(A), the push-out unit 3 is a plate member of a substantially right-angled triangle, and a plurality of push-out surfaces 31 perpendicular to the conveying width direction W are provided on its hypotenuse. Then, a link mechanism 9 (parallel crank) is connected to one side along the conveying direction T, and the link mechanism 9 is rotated so as to advance and retreat in the conveying direction T of the bucket conveyor 10. This allows the plurality of push-out surfaces 31 to push out the article XA1 in the conveying width direction W.

Also, as shown in FIG. 6B, an endless belt 33 may be looped around two rollers 36, and a push-out surface 31 may be provided on the surface of the endless belt 33, rising perpendicularly to the conveying width direction W. The push-out surface 31 moves in the conveying width direction W as the endless belt 33 runs. The endless belt 33 may be a timing belt, and the rollers 36 may be timing pulleys.

The pushing unit 3 shown in FIG. 6(C) is a simplified illustration, but is an example of a configuration in which each of the pushing surfaces 31 moves individually. Each pushing surface 31 is provided with a total of four rollers 35 (per stage) at both ends in the conveying height direction H (perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 6(C)) and at the front and rear of the pushing surface 31 in the arrangement direction AL. The front roller 35 and the rear roller 35 run on separate guide rails (not shown). By changing the positional relationship of this guide rail, the angle α between the rise surface 32 of each stage and the pushing surface 31 changes like an escalator, and when it reaches its maximum (90 degrees), the pushing surface 31 is set to be perpendicular to the conveying width direction W. Then, while each stage moves in the arrangement direction AL while maintaining the angle α at 90 degrees, the pushing surface 31 moves in the conveying width direction W.

The extrusion section 3 shown in FIG. 6(D) has a configuration in which a continuous extrusion surface 31 is wound in a spiral shape around a cylindrical shaft 34. A support section 2 (not shown) supports the cylindrical shaft 34 so that the extrusion surfaces 31 are perpendicular to the conveying width direction W. When the cylindrical shaft 34 is rotated by the power of a rotating shaft 7 of a motor 6 (not shown), the multiple extrusion surfaces 31 move in the conveying width direction W.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the pushing device 1 is used to discharge the item XA1 from the bucket conveyor 10, but this is not limited to the above, and it can also be used to transfer the item XA1 from the bucket conveyor 10 to another bucket conveyor 10', for example, as shown in FIG. 7. The bucket conveyors 10, 10' move the buckets 11, 11' at a constant speed in the same direction as indicated by the arrows. The pushing device 1 (push plate 3) provided above the bucket conveyor 10 sequentially pushes out the item XA1 and transfers it to the other bucket conveyor 10'.

The support section 2 of the pushing device 1 may be fixed to the transport means (bucket conveyor) 10 for the item XA1, or may be movable (portable) separately from these and moved to any transport means 11 as necessary to push out the item XA1. The vertical position (hanging position) of the multiple pushing surfaces 31 (pushing section 3) in the vertical direction VH (transport height direction), the horizontal position (amount of protrusion above the transport device 10), and the angle of the pushing section 3 relative to the transport direction T may be changeable. Multiple pushing sections 3 with different numbers (number of steps) of pushing surfaces 31 (stairs) and sizes may be prepared and replaced as appropriate depending on the item XA1 and the operating speed of the device.

The servo loop conveyor constituting the bucket conveyor 10 is not limited to the horizontal servo loop conveyor described above, but may be a vertical servo loop conveyor with multiple buckets 11 on the conveying surface that circulates around a horizontally extending rotating shaft. In that case, the push-out surface 31 is arranged parallel to the conveying surface, i.e., the push-out section 3 is arranged so that the push-out surface 31 is aligned vertically.

Also, for example, the drive unit 4 may be configured to move the push-out plate 3 back and forth in the transport width direction W multiple times while the bucket 11 moves one pitch in the transport direction T.
The bucket conveyor 10 may also be a bucket conveyor that rotates in a vertical plane, or a double-loop device that has two sets of a predetermined number of fingers that push the article XA1, each set running independently.

Furthermore, in some cases (for example, when the item XA1 is relatively light), it is not necessary to contact all of the multiple pushing surfaces 31 in sequence, and for example, the contact with one pushing surface 31 and the resulting pushing action may be skipped. In that case, the amount of pushing out after the skip increases (2 x S), but if the item XA1 is light or the packaging material is hard, it may be possible to push it out without any problems.

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

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

1 Push-out device 2 Support unit 3 Push-out unit, plate member, push-out plate 4 Driving means (driving unit)
5 Cam mechanism 6 Motor 7 Rotating shaft 9 Link mechanism 10 Conveying means (bucket conveyor)
10C Rotating shaft 11 Bucket 11A Item holding portion (side surface)
12 Discharge chute 21 Support frame 22 Storage section 23 Shaft 31, 31A to 31H Push-out surface 32, 32A to 32H Riser surface 33 Endless belt 34 Cylindrical shaft 35, 36 Roller 51 Eccentric pin 52 Driven disc 53 Driven frame 54 Hole 55 Slide bush 56 Support section XA1 Article

Claims (5)

A push-out device that pushes out an object from a bucket that stores an object and transports the object in a first direction, comprising:
a plurality of extrusion surfaces located along the first direction and in different planes from one another;
a driving means capable of moving the plurality of extrusion surfaces in a second direction intersecting the first direction;
having
each of the plurality of pushing surfaces is moved by an amount of movement that is smaller than a length of the bucket in the second direction, and the plurality of pushing surfaces are brought into step-by-step contact with the article, thereby pushing the article out of the bucket;
An extrusion device characterized by: The plurality of extrusion surfaces are configured in a continuous stepped shape.
2. The extrusion device according to claim 1 . a push plate having the plurality of push surfaces integrally formed thereon;
The driving means reciprocates the push-out plate in the second direction.
3. The extrusion device according to claim 2. The bucket moves intermittently along the first direction;
The driving means is configured to reciprocate the plurality of extrusion surfaces along the second direction;
a reciprocating period of the plurality of pushing surfaces is equal to or shorter than a period of the intermittent movement of the bucket;
2. The extrusion device according to claim 1 . The article is a substantially flat body,
The bucket is configured to move about a vertical axis of rotation;
The article is stored in the bucket in a substantially upright state.
2. The extrusion device according to claim 1 .

Images