JP2001238590A - Method and apparatus for arranging confectionery etc. - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Problem] An object of the present invention is to forcibly separate confectionery and the like sent at random from an adsorption plate and to accurately align them on a conveyor. The present invention relates to a method of adsorbing one piece of confectionery or the like conveyed at random, moving the confectionery or the like to a predetermined position, canceling the adsorbing force of the confectionery or the like, and aligning the confectionery or the like. The object is achieved by a method of arranging confectionery or the like, wherein suction and release are performed on a circular locus, suction is performed under reduced pressure, and release is performed by release of pressurized air.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for arranging confectionery and the like for the purpose of arranging confectionery and the like sent at random on a conveyor for operation.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A number of inventions and devices have been disclosed for a device for aligning a rice cracker or dough by dropping the rice cracker or dough under its own weight by moving the rice cracker or its dough under reduced pressure by adsorbing and moving it and releasing the decompression at a predetermined position. (For example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 51-2059)
No. 1, Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 62-11858 or JP-A-6-329.
249).

[0003]

In each of the above-mentioned inventions and inventions, there is provided a decompression suction means, the decompression is released at a predetermined position, the adsorption power is reduced, and the rice crackers and the like are separated and aligned. The rice crackers or the like that have lost their adsorbing power fall under their own weight or fall at the stopper position.

[0004] The above-mentioned method employs reduced pressure adsorption, so that one sheet can be adsorbed from the supply position of a rice cracker or the like. However, when the decompression is released, either the self-weight drop or the stopper contact drop occurs. Also in the case of, in general, the adsorption surface of each rice cracker or the like has a difference in its flatness, roughness, etc., and particularly in the case of using a stopper, the adsorption surface of the suction cup just before dropping,
Since the elastic deformation of the suction cup due to the difference in frictional force between the suction surfaces of the rice crackers and the like is not constant, the suction cup cannot be dropped to a fixed position, the alignment accuracy is poor, and there are problems such as overlapping.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION However, the present invention is based on the object of reducing the pressure of air from a pressurized air nozzle in a suction plate when a rice cracker or the like (hereinafter referred to as "confectionery") is moved by suction under reduced pressure and reaches a desired position. Is ejected to forcibly separate the confectionery or the like from the suction plate, so that the confectionery or the like can be surely separated at a predetermined position, thereby solving the above-mentioned conventional problems.

[0006] That is, the invention of the method is to adsorb one piece of confectionery or the like conveyed at random and move it to a predetermined position as it is,
In the method of releasing the suction force of the confectionery or the like and arranging them on a conveyor that runs the confectionery or the like, the confectionery or the like performs suction and release on a circular locus, and the suction is performed under reduced pressure,
The release is a method of arranging confectionery or the like, characterized in that the release is performed by the ejection of pressurized air, and the ejection of the pressurized air is controlled by opening and closing a valve of an air pipe.

Next, in the invention of the apparatus, a plurality of rows of suction means are provided on the outer peripheral wall of the rotary drum having both ends sealed, and a plurality of suction means are provided in each row at predetermined intervals in parallel with the center line of the rotary drum. The suction means is disposed in the rotating drum, the suction releasing means is installed in the suction means, the rotating means is connected to the rotating drum, and a control means for the suction releasing means is provided. The adsorbing means is a device in which an adsorbing plate is continuously provided at an outer end of a thin tube communicating with the inside of the decompression drum. Further, the suction releasing means inserts a pressurized air nozzle into a narrow tube of the suction means, and the pressurized air nozzle is connected to an air supply pipe. The control means includes a valve interposed in the air supply pipe, Of the opening and closing means.

In the above invention, the rotary drum has many cylinders, but may be a polygonal cylinder. In the above invention, since the pressurized air nozzle is inserted into the narrow tube, the inside of the narrow tube communicates with the inside of the depressurizing drum, and the pressure is normally reduced. However, since the pressurized air is instantaneously ejected from the pressurized air nozzle, , Confectionery and the like are surely blown to a predetermined position.

The number and shape of the suction plates for suction in the above invention are not limited, and are determined by the size and shape of the confectionery rows, intervals, confectionery and the like to be aligned. For example, if eight thin tubes are circumferentially implanted on the outer wall of a cylindrical drum and eight thin tubes (with an adsorbing plate) are implanted in a direction parallel to the central axis of the cylindrical drum, 64 revolutions per rotation can be achieved. Confectionery and the like can be arranged.

In the above invention, the valve of the control means is interposed in the pressurized air pipe, and when the cam roller provided on the lever comes into contact with the fixed cam, the lever is pressed to open the valve, so that the valve can be automatically controlled easily. Can be. An electromagnetic valve can be used instead of the opening and closing by the lever.

[0011]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention adsorbs confectionery and the like sent randomly at a time, passes through a circular orbit, reaches a conveyor, and forcibly adsorbs the confectionery and the like by pressurized air. And a method for arranging confectionery and the like on the conveyor properly.

A plurality of rows of suction means are provided on the outer peripheral wall of the rotary drum, a plurality of rows of suction means are provided in each row, and a plurality of suction means are provided in each row in parallel with the center line of the rotary drum. At a distance, exhaust means (for decompression) is connected to the inside of the rotary drum, suction release means is installed in the suction means, rotation means is connected to the rotary drum, and control means for the suction release means is provided. (For example, opening and closing of a valve).

The present invention differs from the conventional vacuum suction in that pressurized air is used to release the vacuum suction. In this way, there is an advantage that the alignment accuracy is accurate and the swing of the confectionery or the like is reduced.

In addition, there is also an advantage that the structure of the vacuum adsorption is simplified since opening and closing of a valve or the like is not required (constant pressure reduction).

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Attachment plates 2, 2 are fixed to the outer peripheral wall of a rotating drum 1 in parallel with the center line of the rotating drum 1 at equal intervals. Capillary 3,3
The inner ends of the thin tubes 3 and 3 are communicated with the inside of the rotary drum 1, and the outer ends of the thin tubes 3 and 3 are connected to an adsorption plate 4. Inside the rotary drum 1, a pressurized air dividing pipe 5 is fixed to the rotating drum wall in parallel with the mounting plate 2. One end of a connecting pipe 6 is connected to the dividing pipe 5,
The other end of the connection pipe 6 is connected to a valve 7 provided outside the rotary drum 1, and the suction side of the valve 7 is connected to an air supply pipe 8 through an air supply hole 17. (FIGS. 1, 2, 3) One ends of tube shafts 9, 10 are connected to both ends of the rotary drum 1, and the tube shafts 9, 10 are rotatably mounted on bearings 11, 12. Connecting pipes 13, 14 are provided on the pipe shafts 9, 10.
Exhaust pipes 15 and 16 are continuously provided through the exhaust pipes 15 and 1.
6 is connected to an exhaust pump (not shown).

The air supply pipe 8 is connected to one end of an air supply pipe 18 via an air supply hole 17 in an end plate 1a on one side of the rotary drum 1, and the other end of the air supply pipe 18 is provided with a compressor (not shown). Connected to. (FIGS. 1 and 2) In the valve 7, a housing 19 is provided with a charging port 20 and a discharge port 21, and a valve 23 is inserted into a communication hole 22 between the inlet port 20 and the discharge port 21 so as to be openable and closable. One side 24a of the valve rod 24 of the valve body 23 projects outside the housing 19 to provide a pressurizing portion 25, and the other side 24b of the valve rod 24 is inserted into a guide hole 26 in the housing 19, and The guide hole 26 is provided on the other side 24b.
And a communication hole 27 communicating the communication hole 22 is formed. On the outside of the housing 19, the base of the pressing rod 28 of the pressing portion 25 of the valve rod 24 is rotatably mounted, and a cam roll 29 is mounted on the tip of the pressing rod 28. (FIGS. 2, 4) In the above embodiment, when the sprocket 30 fixed to the pipe shaft 9 is rotated by the chain 31, the rotating drum 1 rotates in the direction of arrow 32 in FIG. In this case, arrows 33 and 3 are shown from the exhaust pipes 15 and 16 respectively.
4, the inside of the rotating drum 1 is depressurized. Since the compressor connected to the air supply pipe 18 has been started, pressurized air is supplied into the air supply pipe 18, the air supply pipe 8, and the air supply hole 17.

Then, the rotating drum 1 is rotated and the suction plate 4 is rotated.
When c approaches the cracker 36 at the tip of the gutter 35, the cracker 36 is instantaneously adsorbed. Therefore, the suction plates 4e, 4e,
f, 4g, 4h, 4a, and 4b, the rice crackers are adsorbed on the adsorption plates 4. Further, the cam roll 29 of the valve 7e in FIG.
Abuts against the cam plate 37, and presses the cam roll 29 to move the pressing rod 28 in the direction of the arrow 38. Therefore, the top of the pressing portion 25 of the valve rod 24 is moved from the position shown by a chain line 25a to a solid line It moves as indicated by arrow 39 to the position of 25b. Then, since the valve element 23 can release the valve seat 40, the pressurized air passes through the valve 7 as indicated by arrows 41, 42, and 43, is discharged through the connecting pipe 6, the air separation pipe 5, and the air nozzle 44, and is adsorbed. The suction hole of the plate 4 is set to a positive pressure, and the rice cracker 36 is blown off. Then, the rice crackers 36 fall exactly to the predetermined positions and are aligned on the conveyor 45.

In the above, when the rotary drum 1 further rotates in the direction of arrow 32 and the cam roll 29 comes off the cam plate 37, the valve rod 24 is moved by the springs 46 and 47 to the direction of arrow 48.
To return to the old position, and the valve element 23 is
, And the communication hole 22 is sealed, so that the pressurized air is reliably shut off, and there is no possibility that the suction by the suction plate 4 will be disturbed (FIG. 4). In the above, the housing 1 of the valve 7
The communication hole 27 of No. 9 discharges the air in the guide hole 26 to the communication hole 22 when the valve rod 24 moves in the direction of the arrow 39, so that the air in the guide hole 26 resists the movement of the valve rod 24. There is no danger.

In the above, the rice cracker 36 is fed by the vibrating feeder 50 as shown by arrow 49 and enters the gutter 35,
It reaches the U-shaped stopper 51 provided at the tip of the gutter 35 and stands upright. Since the stopper 51 is provided along the movement locus of the suction plate 4, the suction plate 4
Then, the rice cracker 36 comes off the stopper 51 while being adsorbed. Therefore, from the gutter 35 to the suction plate 4
The rice cracker 36 is moved very smoothly and accurately.

As described above, the suction plates in each row are simultaneously sucked and released simultaneously, so that the randomly transported rice crackers can be accurately moved and aligned.

[0021]

According to the present invention, the confectionery or the like is sucked or released only by opening and closing the valve for controlling the pressurized air, so that the operation can be performed reliably, the alignment can be performed with high accuracy, and a failure occurs. There are various effects such as no fear.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partially omitted cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged side view of the valve-mounting-side end plate, a part of which is also omitted.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a state where the air separation tube and the suction plate are attached, with a part omitted.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view of an embodiment of the valve.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory view of suction and alignment.

FIG. 6 (a) is an explanatory view of a feed gutter for confectionery and the like. (B) The side view of the feed gutter of confectionery etc. which also omitted a part. (C) A plan view in which a part is also omitted.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view in which a part of the embodiment in a state where the suction plate is attached is also omitted.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 rotating drum 2 mounting plate 3 thin tube 4, 4 a, 4 b, 4 e, 4 f, 4 g, 4 h suction plate 5 minute air tube 6 connecting tube 7, 7 e valve 8 air supply tube 9, 10 tube shaft 11, 12 bearing 13, 14 connection tube 15, 16 Exhaust pipe 17 Air supply hole 18 Air supply pipe 19 Housing 20 Loading port 21 Discharge port 22 Communication hole 23 Valve element 24 Valve rod 25 Pressurizing section 26 Guide hole 27 Communication hole 28 Pressing rod 29 Cam roll 30 Sprocket 31 Chain 35 Gutter 36 Rice cracker 37 Cam plate 40 Valve seat 44 Air nozzle 45 Conveyor 46, 47 Spring 50 Vibration feeder 51 Stopper

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A method of adsorbing one piece of confectionery or the like conveyed at random, moving the confectionery or the like to a predetermined position, releasing the attraction force of the confectionery or the like, and arranging the confectionery or the like on a conveyor for operation. A method for arranging confectionery or the like, wherein confectionery and the like are adsorbed and released on a circular locus, suction is performed under reduced pressure, and release is performed by blowing out pressurized air. 2. The method for arranging confectionery and the like according to claim 1, wherein the ejection of the pressurized air is controlled by opening and closing a valve of an air pipe. 3. An outer peripheral wall of a rotary drum having both ends sealed,
A plurality of rows of suction means are installed, a plurality of suction means are arranged in each row at predetermined intervals in parallel with the center line of the rotating drum, and an exhaust means is connected to the inside of the rotating drum, and the suction means is released from the suction means. Means for arranging confectionery or the like, wherein means are installed, a rotating means is connected to the rotating drum, and a control means for the suction releasing means is additionally provided. 4. The suction means has a suction plate connected to an outer end of a thin tube communicating with the inside of the decompression drum.
An apparatus for arranging the confectionery described above. 5. The arrangement of confectionery or the like according to claim 3, wherein the suction releasing means inserts a pressurized air nozzle into a narrow tube of the suction means, and the pressurized air nozzle is connected to an air supply pipe. apparatus. 6. An apparatus for arranging confectionery or the like according to claim 3, wherein the control means comprises a valve interposed in the air supply pipe and means for opening and closing the valve.