JP2014240329A - Falling assist mechanism, filling system and filling method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make a falling object fall slowly.SOLUTION: The falling assist mechanism comprises: a slide for making an object slide down; and a holding assembly for holding the object which slides down on the slide in cooperation with the slide. The holding assembly comprises: a holding member for holding the object by supporting the object from a lower part in cooperation with an inclination surface of the slide; a support member for supporting the holding member rotatably while making the holding member face the slide in a state of holding the object, and moving in a direction separating from the slide; and a force applying member for applying force for rotating toward the slide to the holding member. In a structure of the falling assist mechanism, the object sliding down on the slide is held by the holding member which holds the object from a lower part in cooperation with the inclination surface of the slide, thereby speed of sliding down is regulated. The holding member is rotatably supported by the support member, and holds the object by being applied the force for rotating toward the slide by the force applying member.

Description

  The present invention relates to a drop assist mechanism, a filling system, and a filling method that regulate the speed at which an object falls, such as agricultural and livestock products, industrial parts, and the like on a slide.

  Mass-produced agricultural and livestock products, industrial parts, etc. are transported through a transport system before being distributed to the market or delivered to customers, or in the middle of production. For example, agricultural and livestock products are packed before being distributed to the market, and are packed while being transported by the transport system. In addition, the industrial parts are assembled by a flow operation at the time of production, and at this time, the assembly is performed while being transported by the transport system.

  Some of such transport systems include a slide part (slide) that slides and transports objects to be transported (agricultural and livestock products, industrial parts, etc.). For example, it is one of the agricultural and livestock products, and the eggs are produced in the poultry house and filled in the tray for transportation, using the egg's falling motion to keep the long axis along the vertical direction. And may be filled to the tray to match the tray pitch.

  As such a filling system, there is an egg filling system (vertical conveyance and supply device) as described in Patent Document 1. In this filling system, a clamping member (control finger) that moves along the eggs that slide down the slide regulates the speed of the eggs that slide down by clamping the eggs in cooperation with the slide. In addition, the clamping member is released from the state where the chicken egg is clamped when the clamping member is separated from the slide in the vicinity of the end of the slide, and drops the egg toward the tray. Further, when the sandwiching member is separated from the slide, the sandwiching member is rotated in the direction of sandwiching the eggs by the projecting member provided on the path along which the sandwiching member moves, and the rate at which the eggs fall further is reduced.

  Therefore, the speed at which the eggs are slid down is regulated by the moving speed of the holding member, and when released from the holding member, the dropping speed is reduced and the tray is filled.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-193732

  However, when the protruding member is provided in the path of the clamping member, there is a problem that the movement of the clamping member is hindered and the filling system is broken down. Further, in the mechanism in which the protruding member is provided in the path of the sandwiching member, the projecting member must be manufactured so that the sandwiching member appropriately reduces the falling speed of the object, and the mounting to the filling system becomes complicated. was there.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and is to slowly drop an object with a simple structure.

  According to the fall assisting device of the present invention, the speed at which the object sliding down the slide is controlled by the clamping member that holds the target from below in cooperation with the inclined surface of the slide is regulated. Is done. The sandwiching member is rotatably supported by the support member, and sandwiches the object by being given a force that rotates toward the slide by the force applying member.

  When the support member moves in a direction away from the slide from the state in which the object is held, the holding member also moves in a direction away from the slide, and the object is released. At this time, since the pressing member continues to apply a rotating force to the clamping member, the clamping member gradually releases the countermeasure object while being separated from the slide. Therefore, the drop assist device can drop an object slowly with a simple structure.

  The present invention can slowly drop an object.

It is a perspective view which shows the filling system which concerns on this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the storage container used for the filling system which concerns on this invention. It is a top view which shows the direction alignment apparatus of the filling system in FIG. It is a top view which expands and shows a part of direction alignment apparatus in FIG. FIG. 4 is a schematic side view for explaining a behavior in which a part of the direction aligning device in FIG. 3 is enlarged and a chicken egg falls. It is a perspective view which expands and shows a part of direction alignment apparatus in FIG. It is a schematic plan view for demonstrating the behavior by which the terminal part of the direction alignment apparatus in FIG. 3 is expanded and a egg is changed direction. It is a schematic plan view for demonstrating the behavior by which the terminal part of the direction alignment apparatus in FIG. 3 is expanded and an egg is tilted. It is a perspective view which expands and shows the pushing-up part of the direction alignment apparatus in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the behavior in which an egg falls the fall auxiliary | assistance apparatus of the filling system in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the fall auxiliary | assistance apparatus of the filling system in FIG. It is a perspective view which expands and shows the fall assistance apparatus of the filling system in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the clamping assembly of the fall auxiliary | assistance apparatus in FIG. 11, (A) is a perspective view which mainly shows the front of a clamping assembly, (B) is the perspective which mainly shows the back surface of a clamping assembly. FIG. It is a side view which expands and shows the clamping assembly in FIG. It is the side surface schematic diagram which shows the track | orbit of the endless track body of the fall assistance apparatus in FIG. It is a conceptual side view which shows operation | movement of the fall assistance apparatus in FIG. It is a conceptual side view which shows the operation | movement which the fall assistance apparatus in FIG. 16 pinches and slides down an egg. It is a conceptual side view for demonstrating the operation | movement which the fall auxiliary | assistance apparatus in FIG. 16 opens and drops a chicken egg. It is a perspective view which shows the conveying apparatus in FIG. FIG. 19 is a schematic plan view for explaining an operation in which the transport device in FIG. 19 transports the storage container. (B) is a conceptual diagram in which a transmission means is engaged with the inside of the storage container and the storage container is conveyed.

  A filling system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the following description, a filling system that fills a container with a large number of eggs will be described with reference to the preferred embodiment, and the description will be given of the filling system. The transport method will also be described.

[Filling system]

  As shown in FIG. 1, the filling system S1 according to the embodiment of the present invention is a so-called farm packer that fills a container T having a rectangular planar shape such as a tray with eggs E laid in a poultry house. . As a conventional farm packer, for example, there is a filling system described in JP-A-5-8851.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the storage container T is formed in a rectangular planar shape and has a plurality of mountain-shaped portions. The storage container T has one storage seat Tz formed by four adjacent mountain-shaped portions that form a quadrangle. The storage seats are formed in a lattice shape of n columns × m rows (n and m are order numbers), and the eggs E are stored in the storage seats Tz, so that the storage containers T are filled with the eggs E. .

  In the present embodiment, an American tray having a square plane and having 6 rows × 5 rows of storage seats Tz will be described as a storage container. Various types of trays referred to as a mold tray, a setter tray, and the like will be described. There is a tray. For example, there is also a tray described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-276779.

  Referring again to FIG. 1, the filling system S <b> 1 is connected to the distribution device 2, receives the eggs E distributed by the distribution device 2, and fills the containing containers T with the eggs E in the aligned state. . As a distribution device, for example, there is a distribution and alignment device described in Japanese Patent No. 5055483.

  The container T filled with the eggs E is transferred to the next process of the filling system S1, and packed, stored, transported, and the like. The distribution device 2 rotates around the long axis as the center of rotation in a state in which the sharp end side of the egg E is directed in either the left-right direction (direction perpendicular to the transport direction), that is, the long axis is in the left-right direction. Then, the egg E is transported toward the filling system S1.

  The filling system S1 supports a direction aligning device 10 that transports a large number of eggs E in at least a plurality of rows and drops the sharp ends of the eggs E downward at the end thereof, and assists the eggs E that are aligned and dropped. A drop assist device 50 and a transport device 80 that transports the container T filled with the egg E falling while being assisted to a position for receiving the egg E are provided. The distribution device 2 distributes a large number of eggs E so as to uniformly supply the eggs E to the respective conveying lines described after the direction aligning device 10.

  The direction aligning device 10, the drop assisting device 50, the transporting device 80, and the tray supply device 90 of the filling system S <b> 1 are operated in synchronization with each other, and ideally, the eggs transported in six rows by the direction aligning device 10. E is filled in such a manner that each row has 6 columns containing seats Tz without any omission. Thereby, the container T filled with the eggs E by the filling system S1 is transferred to a process to be refrained next to the filling system in a state in which all the accommodation seats Tz are filled with the eggs E.

[Direction alignment device]

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 to 9, the direction aligning device 10 receives the eggs E from the distribution device 2, and conveys the eggs E forward (in the direction of arrow a). In the vicinity of the end, a push-up unit 14 that pushes up the egg E that has been transported, and a guide unit 16 that is provided at the end of the transport unit 12 and guides the egg E pushed up by the push-up unit 14 to the drop assist device 50. Prepare.

  In the present embodiment, the conveying unit 12 is a well-known roller bar conveyor. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the transport unit 12 includes six rows of transport lines 18. Each conveyance line 18 receives the eggs E distributed by the distribution device 2, and sequentially conveys a plurality of eggs E in the state where the long axis is along the left-right direction. Each conveyance line 18 includes a plurality of rollers 20 arranged at equal intervals in the front-rear direction, and the rollers 20 adjacent to each other in the left-right direction of each conveyance unit 12 are penetrated by a rod-shaped first shaft member 22.

  The transport unit 12 further includes a pair of first endless track bodies 19 (see FIG. 5) disposed on both sides of the six rows of transport lines 18 and a first drive source that rotates the first endless track body 19 (see FIG. 5). (Not shown). The pair of first endless track bodies 19 are arranged so as to form a track-like frame extending in the transport direction (see FIG. 5), and a track-like orbit is formed by the first drive source. Rotate.

  Both ends of the first shaft member 22 are rotatably coupled to the pair of first endless track bodies 19 respectively. Furthermore, the transport unit 12 includes guides 24 disposed on both sides of the six rows of transport lines 18. The guide 24 guides the first shaft member 22 along the orbit.

  In the transport unit 12, the first shaft member 22 moves, that is, revolves, along the orbit of the first endless track body 19 by the rotation of the pair of first endless track bodies 19. Each guide 24 is provided corresponding to the upper side of the orbit of the first endless track body 19, and the first shaft member 22 moves forward (in the direction of arrow a) while being in contact with the upper surface of the guide 24. Then, it rotates in the same rotation direction (direction of arrow b in FIG. 5) as that of the orbit of the first endless track 19, that is, rotates.

  Thereby, the first shaft member 22 revolves while moving along the circular orbit of the first endless track body 19. Further, since the first shaft member 22 is rotatably coupled to the first endless track body 19, it rotates in the same rotational direction. Since the roller 20 is connected to the first shaft member 22, the roller 20 revolves along with the revolution of the first shaft member 22, and rotates along with the rotation of the first shaft member 22.

  As shown in FIG. 4, each transport line 18 supports one egg E by a pair of rollers 20 adjacent in the front-rear direction on the upper side of the circuit track, and transports the egg E forward as the roller 20 revolves. To do. Each roller 20 is formed in a thread sesame shape in which a pair of disk-like members 28 are attached to both ends of a cylindrical columnar member (see FIG. 8). The egg E is supported by a pair of rollers 20 adjacent to each other in the transport direction with the long axis extending in the left-right direction (see FIG. 3).

  As each roller 20 rotates, the egg E rotates in the direction opposite to the rotation direction of each roller (in the direction of the arrow c in FIG. 5) with the movement of each roller, with the major axis direction as the center. It is conveyed forward. The chicken egg E has a characteristic of moving closer to the sharp end when rotating around the long axis direction. Therefore, the egg E rotating on the roller 20 having the thread sesame shape approaches the sharp end side and is conveyed forward in a state where the sharp end rides on the disk-shaped member 28 of the roller 20.

  In the present embodiment, a thread sesame-shaped thread sesame roller is used as the roller, but instead of this, a conventionally known drum-shaped drum roller may be used. However, by conveying the egg E with the thread sesame roller, the egg E can be brought close to one of the rollers with certainty.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the push-up portion 14 includes six push-up members 30 corresponding to six rows of conveyance lines, and a second shaft member 32 (see FIG. 8) penetrating the six push-up members 30 in the left-right direction. Is provided. As shown in FIG. 9, each push-up member 30 is attached to a cross-shaped base 30a having an extending portion that extends through the second shaft member 32 and extends in four directions, and to each extending portion of the cross of the base 30a. Four blocks 30b.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the base 30a is formed in a cross shape with a thick plate, and the block 30b is formed in a pentagonal column with a bottom surface and a top surface having a home base shape. By attaching the block 30 to the base 30a, each push-up member 30 has a gear shape having four peak portions 30A at equal intervals when viewed from the left-right direction.

  The second shaft member 32 is connected to the first drive source, and rotates in synchronization with the first endless track 19 and thus the roller 20. Each push-up member 30 is disposed at a position where the peak portion 30A protrudes from between the rollers 20 and rotates in synchronization with the rollers 20 to move the eggs E upward between the continuously moving rollers 20. Sequentially push up (see FIG. 5). As shown in FIG. 8, the push-up member 30 tilts the egg E so that the sharp end side is directed downward by projecting the mountain portion 30 </ b> A from between the pair of rollers 20 (see FIG. 8).

  In the present embodiment, the push-up member 30 is assembled from the base 30a and the block 30b, but may be integrally formed from one material. For example, it may be formed in a thin plate shape in the left-right direction. Further, the push-up portion 14 may have another structure as long as the egg E can be pushed upward and tilted. For example, a mechanism in which the rod-like member reciprocates up and down so as to protrude from between the pair of rollers may be used.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the guide unit 16 is provided in the vicinity of the end of each transport line 18, and corresponds to six guide structures 34 corresponding to the six rows of transport lines, and a connecting member that connects the guide structures 34. 36. Each guide structure 34 includes a pair of guide plates 40. The pair of guide plates 40 are disposed so as to oppose each other in the left-right direction across the transport path of the egg E transported through each transport line 18.

  The guide plate 40 is disposed in the vicinity of the end of the transport line 18 so that the sharp end of the egg E whose posture is inclined by the push-up member 30 contacts. Thereby, the guide structure 34 is brought into contact with a part of the sharp end side of the egg E in a state where the sharp end is inclined obliquely downward by the push-up portion 30 so that the contacted egg E falls from the sharp end side. invite.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the guide plate 40 is formed from a first plate-like member 40 having a fan-shaped plane, and extends in an arc shape so as to follow a path until the egg E is transported and dropped. . Thereby, the pair of guide plates 40 guide the egg E tilted by the push-up member 30 so that the sharp end falls downward.

  As described above, in the transport line 12, as shown in FIG. 7, the egg E transported to the vicinity of its end is pushed up substantially at the center by the push-up member 30 (see FIG. 8), and pushes up the substantially center. The obtained egg E is tilted in a diagonal direction between the front and the lower end on the sharp end side. The chicken egg E whose posture is inclined comes into contact with a guide structure 34, that is, the guide portion 40 a of the guide plate 40, with a part on the sharp end side.

  The chicken egg E whose posture is inclined receives the force indicated by the arrow k by coming into contact with the guide portion 40a. The force of the arrow k can be decomposed into the force of the arrow k1 in the normal direction to the imaginary line l parallel to the long axis and the force of k2 in the tangential direction with respect to the long axis of the egg. The force indicated by the arrow k1 at the contact point with the guide plate 40 is a rotational force that turns the sharp end side of the egg E forward. Accordingly, the egg E falls along the guide portion 40a while receiving the force indicated by the arrow k, and thus falls while the sharp end is directed forward by the force indicated by the arrow k1. Thereby, the egg E turns its sharp end downward at the end of the conveying line 12.

  The egg E falls from the guide portion 40a along the guide portion 40b. Therefore, the egg E is directed downward by the guide portion 40a and guided to the slide 52 of the drop assisting device 50, which will be described later, and is received by the slide 52 with the sharp end being surely directed downward. It is done.

  In this Embodiment, as shown in FIG.5 and FIG.6, a pair of guide plate 40 is arrange | positioned so that the conveyance path | route of the egg E may be pinched | interposed, and the part near the fall auxiliary | assistance apparatus 50 (downstream of a fall path | route) It is bent at a virtual line i indicated by a one-dot chain line so as to approach the transport path of the egg E, that is, toward the inside of each transport line 18.

  The portion close to the transport unit 12 from the phantom line acts as a guide portion 40a for directing the sharp end of the egg E downward, and the portion close to the drop assisting device 50 from the phantom line i has the sharp end directed forward. It acts as a guiding portion 40b for guiding the hen's egg E to a slide 52 described later of the sliding assist device 50.

  The guide plate 40 is bent into a gently curved surface so that the boundary between the guide portion 40a and the guide portion 40b is not clear. However, it may be bent at an angle so that the boundary is clear.

  In the pair of guide plates 40 sandwiching the conveying path of the egg E, the distance between the opposing guide portions 40a is wider than the diameter in the major axis direction of the egg E, and the distance between the tips of the guiding portions 40b is the major axis direction of the egg E. It is narrow with respect to the diameter of each other and wide with respect to the diameter perpendicular to the major axis direction. Accordingly, the pair of guiding portions 40b are formed at intervals that the egg E cannot pass in a state where the major axis is directed in the left-right direction. However, the distance between the opposing guide portions 40a and guide portions 40b of the pair of guide plates 40 can be adjusted.

  In this Embodiment, the guide part 40a of each guide plate 40 is arrange | positioned so that the surface perpendicular | vertical with respect to the left-right direction may be followed. Further, a pair of adjacent guide plates 40 of adjacent transport unit lines 18 are bonded to each other on the outer surface of the transport line 18 at the guide portion 40a. As a result, a pair of adjacent guide plates 18 forms a single plate upper portion placed perpendicular to the left-right direction in the guide portion 40a. However, the guide plate 40 may be disposed along a surface inclined in the left-right direction.

  Since each guide structure 34 is formed so as to be removable from the transport unit 12 and is connected by a connecting member 36, the guide unit 16 including a plurality of guide structures 34 is removed from the transport unit 12 at a time. Can do. Thereby, when cleaning the vicinity of the terminal end of the conveyance unit 12, the guide unit 16 can be easily removed, so that maintainability is improved. Moreover, since the guide part 16 contacts with the egg E, it is easy to get dirty, and if the guide part can be easily removed, the guide part 16 can be easily cleaned.

  In the present embodiment, the guide plate is made of a stainless material that is low in friction and hygienic with respect to the egg E, but may be made of other materials. However, there is a possibility that the content of the guide plate with which the sharp end abuts is attached when the egg E is broken. Therefore, it is desirable that the guide plate be formed of a stainless material that is superior in terms of hygiene. The guide plate may have another shape as long as it guides the egg E tilted by the push-up member so that the sharp end falls downward.

  In addition, the guide structure is not limited to the guide plate, and may be another member that abuts and guides the sharp end of the egg E. For example, the guide part may be a bent rod-like member such as a rail that guides the sharp end of the egg E, and a plurality of cylindrical rollers are arranged along the dropping path of the egg E, and the roller is rotated. It may be formed like a guide roller that guides the sharp end of the egg E.

  Moreover, in this Embodiment, although the conveyance part 12 has the conveyance line 18 of 6 rows, what is necessary is just to be provided with the conveyance part 12 of at least 1 row. Each transport unit 12 is a roller bar conveyor that transports the eggs E by a plurality of rollers 20, but may be another conveyor as long as the major axis of the eggs E can be transported along the left-right direction. Even in that case, the push-up unit 14 only needs to push the egg E upward from the conveying path of the conveyor and tilt the posture so that the sharp end is directed downward. The guide unit 16 is configured so that the egg E moves the sharp end downward. It only has to be able to guide it to fall.

  As described above, the direction aligning device according to the present embodiment has at least one transport line that transports a plurality of eggs forward and drops the eggs at the end in a state where the long axis is directed in either the left or right direction. And a push-up member that is provided near the end of each transport line, and inclines so that the sharp end is inclined obliquely downward by pushing up the approximate center of the egg transported through each transport line, and near the end of each transport line. A guide structure that is provided and abuts a part of the sharp egg side of the egg E in a state where the sharp edge is directed obliquely downward by the push-up portion, and guides the abutted egg E to fall from the sharp edge side; Is provided.

  By the way, eggs represented by chicken eggs E and the like include edible eggs used for cooking and seed eggs for producing chicks. These eggs are laid by a chicken and then filled in a tray to be transported and managed. For example, in the egg production process, a large number of eggs born from a large number of chickens are transported from a poultry house and stored in a dedicated container called a setter tray.

  The egg E has a sharp end with a relatively large curvature and a blunt end with a relatively small curvature, and a virtual axis connecting the sharp end and the blunt end is called a long axis. . In general, an air chamber is located on the blunt end side of the egg. In order to facilitate gas exchange of the embryo in the seed egg through the air chamber, the seed egg is filled in the setter tray with the blunt end facing up. Moreover, not only for eggs, but also for eggs, American trays are filled with the sharp end with strong eggshell strength facing down, that is, with the blunt end facing up.

  However, the eggs E are transported by a conveyor or the like with the long axis set in the lateral direction to facilitate transport until the tray is filled. Therefore, in order to fill the tray with the eggs E with the blunt end facing upward, that is, with the long axis facing the up and down direction, it is necessary to change the posture of the eggs E to be aligned.

  As such an apparatus that aligns the blunt ends of the eggs E upward and aligns the directions of the eggs E, there is a direction aligning apparatus described in JP-A-5-8851, for example. This direction alignment apparatus includes a first transport unit that transports the egg E, and a second transport unit that receives the egg E falling at the end of the first transport unit and further transports the egg E.

  The first transport line is composed of a roller bar conveyor, and the pair of rollers adjacent in the front-rear direction sandwiches the egg E so that the long axis is in the left-right direction, and transports the egg from the rear to the front. In the vicinity of the terminal end, the first transport unit transports the push-up member that pushes up the substantially center in the left-right direction from between the pair of rollers to the transported egg E, and the sharp end side of the egg E lifted from the center. A pressing member that presses in the direction, that is, forward. The push-up member tilts the egg E so that the substantially center of the egg E to be conveyed is lifted and the sharp end side is directed downward.

  The pressing member presses the sharp end of the egg E tilted by the push-up member toward the front faster than the conveying speed of the egg E. As a pressing member, a plate-like member that rotates to push the sharp end of the egg E forward and a drive mechanism that rotates the plate-like member are provided near the end of the conveyor. The pressing member is made of an elastic body so as to adjust the force for pressing the egg.

  According to the configuration of the conventional direction alignment device, the egg E transported to the vicinity of the end of the first transport line is lifted at the center and tilted so that the sharp end is directed downward by the lifting member. In this state, the egg E is pressed by the pressing member with the sharp end facing forward, reaches the end of the first transport line while directing the sharp end forward, and falls. Therefore, the egg E falls with its sharp end facing downward and is received by the second transport line. As a result, the egg E is transported by the second transport line with the blunt end facing upward, transferred to the tray from the second transport line, and placed on the tray with the blunt end facing upward. Filled.

  However, in the direction aligning device of the cited document 1, since the pressing member having the driving mechanism is provided on the first transport line, the structure of the device is extremely complicated.

  In contrast to this conventional direction aligning device, according to the direction aligning device according to the present embodiment, the push-up member provided near the end of the transport line is an abbreviation of the egg E that has been transported near the end of the transport line. Push the center up. Thereby, the egg E is inclined in a state where the sharp end side is directed downward, and the sharp end side is brought into contact with the guide structure provided at the end of the transport line. Thereby, a guide structure guides the egg E so that it may fall in the state which turned the sharp end downward. Therefore, the direction aligning device according to the present embodiment can change the direction of the egg E from the state in which the sharp end is directed in the left-right direction to the state in which the sharp end is directed downward, and can align the direction of the egg E.

  Therefore, according to the direction aligning device according to the present embodiment, the direction of the eggs can be aligned by the static guide structure fixed to the transport line. It is not necessary to provide a simple mechanism at the end of the conveying line for the direction alignment. As a result, the structure of the direction aligning device is simplified, and the device can be provided at low cost.

  The transport line includes a plurality of rollers that are aligned in the front-rear direction and transported forward, and supports the egg E with a pair of rollers adjacent to each other in the front-rear direction with the major axis directed in either the left-right direction. May be. By doing so, the egg E can be reliably conveyed.

  The guide structure may include a pair of guide plates arranged so as to oppose each other in the left-right direction across the transport path of the eggs E to be transported. If it does in that way, the direction of the egg E which turned to the direction of either the left-right direction can be aligned by the same operation | movement with the guide plate of the same structure.

[Drop assist device]

  As shown in FIGS. 10 to 12, the drop assist device 50 receives at least one egg E that falls at the end of the direction aligning device 10, and slides the egg E to the receiving container T (next step). One slide 52, a plurality of sandwich assemblies 54 that sandwich the eggs E in cooperation with each slide 52, and a second endless track 55 for moving each sandwich assembly 54.

  In the present embodiment, the drop assist device 50 includes six slides 52 corresponding to the six rows of the conveyance lines 18. Each slide 52 extends on a straight line with a slight inclination from the vertical direction. The plurality of slides 52 are arranged side by side in the left-right direction so as to receive the eggs E from the end of each transport line 18.

  In the present embodiment, the inter-column pitch (left-right direction pitch) of the transport line 18 is larger than the left-right direction pitch of the container T filled with the chicken eggs E. Therefore, the upper parts of the plurality of slides 52 are adapted to the pitch in the conveyance width direction of the conveyance unit 12, and the lower parts of the plurality of slides are adapted to the pitch of the storage container T. That is, the plurality of slides 52 are arranged so that the pitch becomes narrower downward.

  However, the slide 52 can change the pitch of the upper part and the lower part of the slide 52 by changing the angle in the left-right direction. Accordingly, it is possible to cope with the case where the horizontal pitch of the transfer line 18 is smaller than the horizontal pitch of the storage container, or the case where the horizontal pitch of the transfer line is equal to the horizontal pitch of the storage container.

  Each slide 52 has an upper part that receives the egg E from the corresponding transfer line 18, a sliding part that is continuous with the upper part and slides down the received egg E, and an egg E that slides down and continues to the sliding part in the receiving container. And a lower part to be passed, and a single semi-cylindrical shape is formed. Thereby, the slide 52 is provided with a smooth surface that curves in a U shape as viewed from the sliding direction corresponding to the shape of the egg E and slides the egg E down.

  Each slide 52 is formed of a synthetic resin such as plastic so that the smooth surface gives appropriate friction to the eggs E. The slide may be formed of other materials and structures as long as it does not prevent the eggs E from sliding down.

  The plurality of sandwiching assemblies 54 are arranged at equal intervals in the sliding direction of the egg E, and sandwich the chicken egg E in cooperation with the slide 52. As shown in FIG. 13 and FIG. 14, each clamping assembly 54 cooperates with the sliding surface of the slide 52 to hold the egg E, and can rotate the clamping member 56 toward the slide. A supporting member 58 that supports and moves along the slide, a pair of mounting members 60 that are interposed between the sandwiching member 56 and the support member 58, and a force applying member that applies a force to the sandwiching member to rotate toward the slide 52 62 and a stopper 64 for preventing the clamping member 56 from rotating in the opposite direction (second rotation direction) to the direction toward the smooth surface (first rotation direction).

  The clamping member 56 includes a plate-like member 66 extending in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the egg E slides down, and a connecting member 68 that connects the plate-like member 66 to the mounting member 60. The plate member 66 is coupled to the connecting member 68 by a screw 67, and the sandwiching member 56 is configured so that a plurality of eggs E sliding down the plurality of slides 52 abut one surface of the plate member 66. It is attached to the attachment member 60.

  In the present embodiment, one clamping member 56 and six slides 52 sandwich six chicken eggs E arranged in the sliding width direction. The sandwiching member 56 is rotatably supported by the support member 58, and when sandwiching the egg E, when viewed from the side, the one surface of the plate-like member 66 and the sliding surface of the slide 52 are reversed. (See FIG. 16), and in cooperation with the slide 52, the egg E is sandwiched so as to be supported from below.

  In the present embodiment, the plate-like member 66 is made of a stainless material, but may be other materials or other shapes as long as it does not hinder the egg E. Moreover, although the clamping member is provided with the plate-shaped member 66 and the connection member 68, it may be formed from one integral member. Furthermore, although the several egg E is clamped by the one clamping assembly 54, a clamping assembly may be used in the one-to-one relationship with the egg E. That is, the clamping assembly may include a plurality of clamping members, and one clamping member may be provided corresponding to one slide.

  The support member 58 includes a pair of support bodies 70 provided so as to sandwich the sandwiching member 56 with an interval in the extending direction of the plate-like member 66. Each support body 70 has a through hole 72 through which one end of the connecting member 68 of the holding member 56 passes, and the holding member 56 is supported rotatably around the connecting member 68 passed through the through hole 72. . That is, an imaginary straight line passing through both parts of the clamping member 56 forms the rotation axis of the clamping member 56.

  In addition, the pair of attachment members 60 are interposed between the ends of the clamping member 56 and the supports 70, and a part of the clamping member 56 is penetrated. Each attachment member 60 is fixedly coupled to the sandwiching member 56 and is rotatable with the sandwiching member 56 with respect to the support body 70.

  In the present embodiment, the force applying member 62 is a rod-like weight body that extends along the pinching member 56 and is supported by the pair of attachment members 60, that is, a so-called weight. The force-applying member 62 is positioned on the opposite side of the center of gravity of the clamping member 56 with respect to a virtual vertical line passing through the center of rotation of the clamping member 56 (the one-dot chain line D in FIG. 16). A rotating force is applied to the clamping member 56.

  As the force applying member 62 is arranged at a distance from the rotation center of the holding member 56, a larger force can be applied to the holding member 56 with the same weight. Moreover, the rotational force given to the clamping member 56 can be adjusted with the weight and arrangement | positioning of a weight body. The pressing member 62 is not limited to the attachment member 60 and may be attached to another member of the clamping assembly as long as the clamping member 56 can apply a force to rotate toward the slide 52.

  The stopper 64 includes a pair of disk-shaped rollers 74 that are rotatably coupled to each mounting member. Referring to FIG. 12 again, the stopper 64 engages with the guide 76 provided in the drop assist device 50 to guide the clamping assembly 54. The guide 76 is provided in the drop assist device 50 and includes a pair of rod-shaped members 78 disposed at positions corresponding to both sides of the six slides 52. Each rod-shaped member 78 extends along the extending direction of the slide 52, and is disposed substantially parallel to the sliding surface and the side surface. The rod-shaped member 78 is made of a stainless steel member, and the roller 74 is brought into contact therewith. The rod-shaped member 78 is provided so as not to move with respect to the slide 52.

  Each stopper 64 engages with the guide 76 in a detachable manner. This prevents the clamping member from rotating in the second rotational direction while engaged with the guide 76, but does not prevent it from rotating in the first rotational direction. That is, in a state where the guide 72 and the stopper 64 are engaged, the clamping member 56 is only prevented from rotating in a direction away from the slide 52.

  Further, the stopper 64 rotates and slides on the rod-shaped member 78 extending in parallel with the extending direction of the slide 52, so that the clamping assembly 54 moves smoothly along the extending direction of the slide 52. can do. The second endless track body 55 to which the clamping assembly 54 is coupled is composed of a pair of chains arranged at intervals in the width direction of the transport mechanism, and the extension of the clamping member 56 so as to sandwich the clamping assembly 54. Coupled to the corresponding support 70 at intervals in the direction.

  As shown in FIG. 15, each second endless track body 55 forms a substantially trapezoidal outline so as to make the clamping assembly 54 circulate when viewed from the side. Accordingly, the second endless track body 55 receives the power from the first drive unit and rotates along the substantially trapezoidal outline.

  That is, the second endless track body 55 is continuous with the first straight portion 55a extending along the extending direction of the slide and the lower side of the first straight portion, and forms a turn for the circular motion. Continuous with the first folded portion 55b, the first folded portion, the second straight portion 55c extending in the direction away from the first straight portion, and the second straight portion, A second folded portion 55d that forms a folded portion for circular motion, a third straight portion 55e that is continuous with the second folded portion and extends in a direction approaching the first straight portion upward, and a third A third folded portion 55f extending substantially horizontally and continuously extending above the straight portion, and a fourth straight portion extending substantially horizontally extending continuously from the third folded portion. 55g and a fourth folded portion 55h that is continuous with the fourth straight portion and continues to the upper side of the first straight portion. That.

  A sprocket is disposed in each folded portion of the chain as necessary. Accordingly, power is transmitted to the second endless track body 55 while the second endless track body 55 is folded back. The first straight portion extends substantially parallel to the extending direction of the guide 76 when viewed from the side.

  Since each clamping assembly 56 is coupled to the endless track through the support, it rotates while drawing a substantially trapezoidal track by the rotation of the endless track. Accordingly, the trajectory of the clamping assembly has a first trajectory that moves along the sliding surface of the slide at a position corresponding to the first straight portion, and a direction away from the slide at a position corresponding to the first turn-up portion. The second track that moves to the position, the third track that moves upward from below at the position corresponding to the second straight line portion, and the direction that approaches the slide at the position corresponding to the second folding portion. The fourth track, the fifth track moving in the direction approaching the slide at a position corresponding to the third straight line portion, and the second track turned in the direction toward the slide at the position corresponding to the third folding portion. No. 6 track and a seventh track moving in the direction toward the slide at a position corresponding to the fourth straight portion, and an eighth track folded back in the direction corresponding to the fourth folding portion. Including orbit.

  That is, each clamping assembly 54 moves so as to draw the first to eighth tracks. The first track corresponding to the first straight portion 55a has a function in which the sandwiching assembly cooperates with the slide 52 to sandwich the egg E and slide it down, and corresponds to the first bent portion 55b. The trajectory 2 has the effect that the clamping assembly 54 moves away from the slide 52 and drops the egg E into the container T.

  As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the support body 70 that couples the clamping assembly 54 to the second endless track body 55 has a coupling position spaced from a through-hole 72 through which a part of the clamping member 56 is inserted. 73 is coupled to the second endless track body 55. The support body 70 is coupled to the second endless track body 55 so that the coupling position 73 is outside the circular motion of the clamping assembly 56 and the through-hole 72 is inside the circular motion.

  As a result, the tangential speed of the through-hole 72 in the second, fourth, sixth, and eighth trajectories of the orbiting movement of the clamping member due to the difference in the rotational radius of the orbiting movement between the through-hole 72 and the coupling position 73. , It becomes slower than the tangential speed of the coupling position 73. On the other hand, in the first, third, fifth and seventh trajectories, the through-hole 72 and the coupling position 73 move in a straight line in parallel, and therefore have the same speed. That is, the clamping assembly 54 decelerates at a position corresponding to each folded portion of the endless track body as compared to when moving linearly.

  Therefore, the clamping assembly 54 releases the egg E at a position corresponding to the second trajectory, so that the clamping member 56 releases the egg E while relaxing the moving speed. As a result, the sandwiching assembly 54 can slowly fill the eggs E with the eggs E.

  In the present embodiment, a plurality of clamping assemblies 54 are attached to the second endless track body 55, but a single clamping assembly 54 is attached to the second endless track body to constitute a fall assist device. May be. The number and speed of the clamping assemblies are adjusted by the amount of eggs to be processed by the filling system S1, in synchronization with the direction aligning device 10.

  Next, an operation model of the drop assist device 50 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 16 shows the state of the drop assist device 50 in a state where the chicken egg E is not sandwiched. As shown in FIG. 16, the clamping member 56 can rotate in the direction of a double-headed arrow d with a portion passed through the through hole 72 of the support body 70 as a center of rotation 56 </ b> A. The support body 70, that is, the rotation center 56A is coupled to the second endless track body 55, and moves along the two-dot chain line A corresponding to the first straight line portion 55a.

  A solid line B indicates the guide 76, and a solid line C indicates the slide 52. A solid line extending from the rotation center 56 </ b> A to the stopper 64 or the force applying member 62 corresponds to the attachment member 60. In a state where the egg E is not sandwiched, the sandwiching assembly 54 is maintained in a posture mainly by the balance between the weight of the force applying member 62 and the weight of the sandwiching member 56.

  That is, the holding member 56 is rotated toward the slide 52 until the sliding surface of the slide 52 and the tip of the holding member 56 are slightly spaced compared to the size of the egg E. At this time, the sliding surface of the slide 52 and the sandwiching member 56 are formed in a reverse C shape with a slight downward gap. In this state, the stopper 64 and the guide 76 do not contact each other.

  FIG. 17 shows a position where the egg E is sandwiched between the slide 52 and the sandwiching assembly 56 and slides down, that is, the state of the drop assisting device 50 at the sliding portion of the slide 52. As shown in FIG. 17, with the egg E held between the slide 52 and the holding assembly 56, the holding member 56 receives the weight of the egg E, and the holding member 56 rotates away from the slide 52. The space below the reverse letter C is wider than when the egg is not pinched.

  In this state, when the stopper 64 and the guide 76 abut, the clamping member 62 is maintained at a position where the egg E does not fall. However, even if the stopper 64 and the guide 76 are not provided, the clamping member 56 may be maintained at any position depending on the balance between the force applying member 40 and the weight of the egg E.

  The sandwiching assembly 54 moves along the slide 52 in a state where the egg E is sandwiched. However, since the stopper 64 moves in contact with the guide 76, the sandwiching assembly 542 is guided by the solid line C, and is slid. It moves substantially parallel to the table 52. The stopper 64 slides on the guide 76 as the roller 74 in contact with the guide 76 rotates.

  FIG. 17A and FIG. 17B differ in the size of the egg E sandwiched by the sandwiching assembly 54. That is, the slide 52 and the sandwiching assembly 54 sandwich the small egg E1 in FIG. 17A and the large egg E2 in FIG. When the stopper 64 and the guide 76 come into contact with each other, the holding member 56 holds the small egg E1 and the large egg E2 in the same posture. As a result, the sliding surface of the slide 52 and the clamping member 56 form an inverted cross-section with a narrower interval as it goes downward, so that both the small egg E1 and the large egg E2 are reliably located at a position corresponding to the egg E. Sandwiched between.

  FIG. 18 shows a position where the egg E is released from the holding of the slide 52 and the holding assembly 54 and falls, that is, the state of the drop assisting device 50 in the lower part of the slide 52. As shown in FIG. 18, when the holding assembly 54 reaches the position where the egg E is dropped, that is, the lower part of the slide 52, the support 70, that is, the rotation center 54A moves away from the slide 52 along the two-dot chain line A. Move in the direction.

  Thereby, the space | interval of the slide 52 and the clamping member 56 spreads, and it begins to be released | released from the state by which the egg E was clamped. However, the clamping member 56 receives a force rotating in the direction of arrow e by the force applying member 62. Thereby, although the space | interval below the reverse letter C spreads gradually, the egg E continues receiving the force according to the weight of the force applying member 62, while contacting the clamping member 54. FIG. Therefore, according to the drop assist device 50 according to the present embodiment, the egg E can be slowly dropped.

  FIG. 18A and FIG. 18B differ in the size of the sandwiched egg. That is, the slide 52 and the sandwiching assembly 54 sandwich the small egg E1 in FIG. 18A and the large egg E2 in FIG. 18B. When the support member 70 moves in a direction away from the slide 52, the clamping member 56 also moves away from the slide, but when the force applying member 62 applies a force in the direction of rotating the clamping member 56 in the direction of arrow b, Until it falls regardless of the size of the egg, the egg E is pinched with substantially the same force. Thereby, the egg E can be dropped slowly regardless of the size of the egg.

  Further, referring to FIGS. 18A and 18B, the egg E <b> 2 is more than the egg E <b> 1 until the support member 70 is separated from the slide 52 until the holding member 56 and the slide 52 are separated. It is pinched. That is, according to the drop assist device 50 according to the present embodiment, the larger the egg, the later the timing of release from the clamping, and the larger the egg, the less the impact of dropping. Since the impact of the drop increases as the weight of the egg increases, according to the drop assisting device 50, the impact of the drop can be reduced as the egg increases in impact.

  In this Embodiment, it demonstrated as a target object to which the egg E is dropped. However, in the drop assist device, the object to be dropped is not limited to the egg E, but may be other objects such as industrial products and agricultural products.

  As described above, the fall assisting device 50 according to the embodiment of the present invention slides an object and passes it to the next step, and the object that slides down the slide with the slide. At least one clamping assembly that cooperates and clamps, wherein the clamping assembly cooperates with a slide to clamp the object, and the clamping member clamps the object. The holding member is rotatably supported toward the slide, and the support member moves in a direction away from the slide from the state where the holding member holds the object, and rotates toward the slide. A pressing member that applies force to the clamping member.

  The force applying member may be a weight body.

  According to this drop assist device, it is easy to attach a weight body as a force applying member. Moreover, if the weight body is changed, the speed at which the object slides can be easily adjusted.

  The weight body may have a center of gravity on a side opposite to the center of gravity of the clamping member with respect to a virtual vertical plane including the rotation axis of the clamping member.

  According to this drop assisting device, the center of gravity of the weight body is placed on the opposite side of the center of gravity of the clamping member with respect to the virtual vertical plane including the rotation axis of the clamping member. Thereby, the force which rotates a clamping member becomes so large that the gravity center of a weight body leaves | separates from the said vertical surface. Therefore, the rotational force of the clamping member can be adjusted by changing the position of the weight body without changing the weight of the weight body.

  The slide has an upper part for receiving an object, a sliding part for sliding the received object, and a lower part for transferring the sliding object, and the support member moves along the sliding part. And a second trajectory that moves in a direction away from the slide at a position corresponding to the lower portion of the trajectory.

  According to this drop assisting device, from the beginning when the object is received by the slide and slides down, the clamping member acts on the object, and the sliding speed can be restricted to the moving speed of the clamping member (supporting member). Therefore, the object can be dropped more slowly.

  The drop assist device includes a guide extending along the slide, and the clamping assembly includes a stopper that is coupled to the support member and prevents the clamping member from rotating in a direction away from the slide. It may be.

  The stopper can prevent the object from being released by being pushed by the object to be slid down.

  The force applying member may be an elastic body. If the force for holding the object by the holding member is given by the elastic body, the object is received with a weak force at the beginning of receiving the object, and the force gradually increases. Thereby, a target object can be clamped appropriately.

  The drop assist device according to the present embodiment includes a plurality of the clamping assemblies and an endless track body that forms the moving track of the clamping assembly, and the drop assist device includes a plurality of the clamping assemblies. Each support part is coupled to the endless track body, and each stopper is guided by the guide.

  According to this drop assisting device, the endless track body forms a moving track of the plurality of clamping assemblies, so that the plurality of falling eggs can be sequentially supported.

  The filling system S1 according to the present embodiment includes the drop assist device described above, and uses the object as an egg, and moves the egg to the slide in a state where the long axis of the egg is along the extending direction of the slide. According to the filling system S1 according to the present embodiment, the object can be slowly filled with a simple structure.

  The filling method according to the present embodiment includes a slide that slides an object and passes it to the next step, and a clamping member that clamps the object that slides down the slide in cooperation with the slide. In the fall assisting device, the object is provided by the slide and the sandwiching member, wherein the gripping member comprises a force applying member that applies a force to the sandwiching member so that the sandwiching member sandwiches the object from below. Holding the object, and moving the holding member in a direction away from the slide.

  According to the filling method according to the present embodiment, the speed at which the object sliding down the slide is slid by the pinching member that holds the target from below in cooperation with the inclined surface of the slide. Be regulated. The sandwiching member is rotatably supported by the support member, and sandwiches the object by being given a force that rotates toward the slide by the force applying member. When the support member moves in a direction away from the slide from the state in which the object is held, the holding member also moves in a direction away from the slide, and the object is released. At this time, since the pressing member continues to apply a rotating force to the clamping member, the clamping member gradually releases the countermeasure object while being separated from the slide. Therefore, the drop assist device can drop an object slowly with a simple structure.

  According to another drop assist device according to the present embodiment, a slide that slides an object and passes it to the next process, and a clamping member that receives an egg in cooperation with the slide, A clamping member having a clamping surface that forms a reverse C-shaped side surface in cooperation with the sliding surface, and the clamping member is rotatably supported in a direction in which the clamping surface approaches the sliding table, and is separated from the sliding table. A support member that moves in a direction, and a force applying member that applies a force to add to the pinching member in the rotational direction.

  According to another drop assist device according to the present embodiment, the sliding surface and the clamping surface form a reverse-shaped side surface, so that the object sliding down the slide is securely clamped and supported by the support member. When the sandwiched member is separated from the slide, it receives a force rotating in a direction approaching the slide by the force applying member. Thereby, the gripping member gradually releases the countermeasure object while being separated from the slide. Therefore, the drop assist device can drop an object slowly with a simple structure.

[Conveyor]

  The transport apparatus 80 according to the embodiment of the present invention transports a storage container (tray) T for filling the chicken eggs E. The transport device 80 receives the storage container from the tray supply device 90 and transports the storage container T along the transport path 82 to below the drop assist device 50 of the filling system S1.

  The tray supply device 90 is provided at one end of the transport device 80 (see FIG. 1), and the stacked containers T are dropped one by one onto one end of the transport path of the tray transport device 80, as is well known in the art. The storage container T is supplied. The tray supply device 90 is synchronized with the transport device 80 and appropriately supplies the storage container according to the operation of the transport device 80.

  As shown in FIG. 19, the conveyance path 82 includes a first straight region 82A, a curved region 82B that follows the first straight region 82A, and a second region that continues from the curved region 82B on the opposite side of the first straight region. A straight line region 82C is included in the transport surface. That is, the conveyance path 82 forms an L-shaped conveyance path with rounded corners. The curved region is curved with a predetermined curvature. The first straight region 82A is provided with a tray supply device 90 above it, and the second straight region is provided with a drop assist device 50 above it.

  The conveyance path 82 includes a first transmission member 84 provided from the first linear region 82A to the second linear region 82C via the curved region 82B, and a first linear member 82C provided only in the second linear region 82C. 2 transmission members 86. In the conveyance path 82, the curved region side of the first linear region 82A is the end of the first linear region, and the opposite side is the starting end of the first linear region 82A. Further, in the conveyance path, the curved region side of the second linear region 82C is the start end of the second linear region 82C, and the opposite side is the end of the first linear region 82A.

  The first and second transmission members 84 and 86 are chains to which dogs 88 and 89 with which the container T is engaged are attached at predetermined intervals, and the first transmission member 84 has a first linear region. It is formed as a third endless track body via a sprocket (not shown) provided at the start end and the end of the second straight line region. The second transmission member 86 is formed as a fourth endless track body through sprockets provided at the start end of the second straight region 82C and the end of the second straight region 82C.

  The first transmission member 84 is provided on one side which is the inner side in the curved region 82B. The first transmission member 84 includes a so-called curve chain configured to be able to bend with a predetermined curvature in the bending region, and a dog 88 attached to the curve chain. However, the first transmission member may have another structure as long as the container T can be conveyed with a predetermined curvature in the curved region 82B. For example, a structure such as a linear guide may be used in which the conveyance path is formed as a rail, and the receiving container engaged with the dog is conveyed by sliding the dog on the rail.

  The second transmission member 86 includes a general chain that cannot be bent, and a dog 89 attached to the chain. The second transmission member 86 is disposed on the opposite side of the conveyance path 82 with respect to the first transmission member 84 and in parallel with the straight portion of the first transmission member 84 in the second linear region 82C.

  The first and second transmission members 84 and 86 are fixedly attached with dogs 88 and 89 that engage with the storage container T to be transported, and transport the storage container T by engaging with the storage container T. Each dog is provided at a predetermined interval according to the pitch for transporting the container T. Each dog is formed in a mountain shape, and engages with the container T by being fitted into the top of the container T. The dog has a shape that fits the peak of the container T.

  The dogs 88 and 89 attached to the first and second transmission members 84 and 86 are engaged with the container T, and the first and second transmission members 84 and 86 revolve around the dog 88 and 86. 89 moves and the storage container T engaged therewith is conveyed. Here, the transmission member being engaged with the storage container means a state in which the transmission member is hooked on the storage container and the storage container is moved by the operation of the transmission member.

  In the present embodiment, in the first transmission member 84, one receiving container T is engaged by two adjacent dogs 88, and in the second transmission member 86, one dog 89 is attached to one receiving container T. Engage. As a result, in the first linear region 82A and the curved region 82B, the container T is engaged with the two dogs 89 of the first transmission member 84 and conveyed. On the other hand, in the second linear region 82C, one receiving container T is engaged and conveyed by the three dogs 88 and 89. If the container that moves on the plane engages with the transmission member at two or more points, the container on the plane is stabilized and conveyed.

  The transfer device 80 according to the present embodiment is configured so that the first transmission member 84 engages the inner side in the transfer direction of the storage container T from the first linear region 82A to the curved region 82B, and the storage container is received by the first transmission member. Transport T. Next, the conveying device 80 engages the second transmission member 86 with the other side that is the outside of the storage container T that has reached the second linear region 82C, so that the first and second transmission members 84 and 86 are engaged. Transport by.

  The storage container T receives the storage container T from the tray supply device 90 in the first linear region 82A, and is conveyed to the second linear region 82C via the curved region 82B. A drop assist device 50 of the filling system S1 is provided above the second straight region 82B of the conveyance path 82, and corresponds to the position where the egg E falls, that is, the lower part of the six slides 52 of the drop assist device 50. It is transported to a predetermined position by the transport device 80 so that the forefront line in the transport direction is arranged at the position to be moved.

  The drop assisting device 50 slowly drops the egg E in a state where the foremost six seats of the receiving container T are positioned below the six slides 52 of the drop assisting device 50. That is, the drop assist device 50 and the direction alignment device 10 are synchronized with the transport device 80. The six eggs E dropped from the drop assist device 50 are filled in the six storage seats Tz in the forefront of the storage container T.

  When the egg E is filled in the foremost line of the storage container T, the transport device 80 transports the storage container T for one line of the storage seat by tact transport. Thereby, the six storage seats Tz in the next row of the storage container T are positioned below the six slides 52 of the drop assist device. In this state, the drop assist device 50 slowly drops the egg E. Further, subsequently, the transport device 80 transports the storage container T by one line of the storage seat Tz by tact transport, and the drop assist device 50 slowly drops the egg E.

  This is repeated for one storage container T, that is, 5 rows of the storage seat Tz, and in the state where all the rows of the storage seat Tz of the storage container T are filled with the eggs E, the next storage container (second storage container T The storage seat Tz in the forefront of the storage container T is tact-transferred by the transfer device 80 to a position corresponding to the lower part of the six slides 52 of the drop assist device 50. Then, in the second storage container T, the tact transport for each row of the storage seats Tz is repeated five times, and the tact transport for one storage container is performed again, so that the next storage container (third storage container) is obtained. The foremost storage seat Tz of T is tact-conveyed by the conveyance device 80 to a position corresponding to the lower part of the six slides 52 of the drop assist device 50. By repeating this, the eggs E are sequentially filled into a large number of containers T.

  In the present embodiment, since the container T is filled with the eggs E in the second straight region 86, the load for transporting the container T is small up to the curved region 82B, and the load is loaded in the second straight region 82C. To increase. However, since the storage container T is transported from the second straight region 82C by the first and second transmission members 84 and 86, the storage container T can be transported stably even if the load increases. In particular, since the first and second transmission members 84 and 86 are respectively engaged with one end and the other end of the storage container T in the transport direction, the storage container T is stabilized with equal force from both sides. Can be transported.

  The conveyance device 80 includes a third drive source (not shown), and causes the first and second transmission members 84 and 86, which are endless track bodies to rotate around the third drive source. In other words, the first and second transmission members 84 and 86 rotate in a synchronous manner. However, a drive source corresponding to each transmission member may be provided, and each transmission member may be circulated alone.

  In the present embodiment, the storage container is transported by the two transmission members of the first and second transmission members 84 and 86, but the storage container may be transported T by only one transmission member. Moreover, in this Embodiment, although the 1st transmission member is arrange | positioned inside the conveyance path | route, it may be arrange | positioned anywhere from the outer side of a conveyance path | route. However, the more the first transmission member is arranged on the inner side, the shorter the conveyance pitch of the storage container. By disposing the first transmission member in the center of the transport path on the inner side, it is possible to transport the storage containers without leaving an interval between the storage containers.

  Using FIG. 20, it demonstrates that the conveyance pitch of a storage container can be shortened, so that the 1st transmission member is arrange | positioned inside. The first transmission members 84 in FIGS. 20A and 20B have the same curvature and the same length, respectively. FIG. 20A shows a case where the dog 88 is engaged with the center of the storage container T to transport the storage container. On the other hand, FIG. 20B shows a case where the dog 88 is engaged with the inside of the storage container T and the storage container is conveyed.

  As the dog 88 of the first transmission means 84 is engaged with the inner side of the storage container T, the rotation radius of the storage container T increases, so that the rotation path of the end portion on the inner front side of the storage container T also increases. Thereby, even when a plurality of storage containers are continuously transported, since the rotating track of the inner front end of the storage container is large, the inner rear end of the front storage container and the rear It is prevented that the inner front end of the container comes into contact.

  In addition, since the container T is transported while being engaged with the two dogs 88, the posture on the plane is stable even in the curved region 82B, and is transported along the transport path without rotating on the plane. The

  In the present embodiment, the first transmission member is provided from the first straight region to the second straight region via the curved region. However, the first transmission member only needs to be provided at least in the curved region. For example, in the first and second linear regions, a conveyance path may be formed by a belt conveyor that does not use a transmission member, and each linear region and the curved region may be conveyed by different transmission means. In the present embodiment, the transmission member is a chain provided with a dog, but may have another structure as long as it can be engaged with the storage container and transport the storage container.

  The filling system S <b> 1 according to the present embodiment can be manufactured in a space-saving manner by transporting the container with the planar L-shaped transport device 80. Further, since the storage container is transported through the transport path by engaging with the first transmission means, the storage container does not slip on the transport path, and can be easily synchronized with the transport of eggs.

[Operation of filling system]

  The filling system S1 receives a large number of eggs E from the dispensing device 2 in sequence. The distribution device 2 distributes the eggs E in six rows corresponding to the direction aligning device 10 of the filling system S <b> 1, and supplies the eggs E to the respective transport units 12 of the direction aligning device 10. The egg E is delivered from the distribution device 2 to the direction alignment device 10 with the long axis aligned in the left-right direction. In the present embodiment, the dispensing device and the filling system S1 transport the eggs E in 6 rows, but may transport them in 12 rows, for example.

  The direction aligning device 10 includes a pair of rollers 20 arranged in the conveyance direction of each conveyance line receiving the egg E, and a pair of rollers 20 arranged in six rows in the left-right direction receives the egg E, and is the first for one roller. The endless track 19 is rotated. In other words, the direction aligning device 10 tact-transports the egg E so that it proceeds by one roller when six eggs E are arranged in the left-right direction. However, the direction aligning device 10 may be operated continuously. For example, if the dispensing device can reliably supply the eggs E to each row, the eggs E can be filled in all the storage seats of the storage container T even if the direction alignment device 10 is continuously conveyed.

  The direction aligning apparatus 10 conveys the eggs E in a state of being arranged in six rows in the left-right direction sequentially by tact conveyance. Since the roller 20 rotates during the tact conveyance, each egg E is brought to the sharp end side by the rotation of the roller 20, and the sharp end rides on the disk-shaped member 28 of the roller 20 and is conveyed in multiple states. By lengthening the conveyance path of the conveyance unit 12, the sharp end of the egg E can be reliably brought close to one of the rollers 20 and can run on the disk-shaped member of the roller 20.

  When each egg E reaches the vicinity of the end of each conveyance line 18, the push-up member 30 tilts the posture so that the sharp end side faces downward as shown in FIG. 8. The chicken egg E whose posture is tilted falls in a state where the sharp end side is in contact with one guide plate 40 of the guide structure 34 while the posture is tilted. Thereby, the guide structure 34 and the push-up member 30 deliver the egg E to the drop assisting device 50 with the sharp end facing downward. The push-up member 30 rotates in a tact operation in accordance with the tact movement of the first endless track 19 and the rollers.

  In the present embodiment, the container is filled with the target egg from the direction aligning device via the drop assist device, but the target container is filled from the direction aligning device by other means without using the drop assist device. You may fill things. For example, the object may be received from a direction aligning device by a receiving unit such as a cup, and the object received by the receiving unit may be adsorbed by a transfer device having a suction mechanism and transferred to the storage container. As such a delivery device, for example, there is a filling portion described in Japanese Patent No. 5036912.

  The drop assist device 50 receives the egg E falling from the transport unit 12 of the direction aligning device 10 with its sharp end facing downward on the top of the slide 52. Along with this, one holding assembly 54 of the drop assist device 50 holds the egg E in cooperation with the upper part of the slide 52. The egg E is sandwiched so as to be supported from below by the sandwiching assembly 54 and the slide 52. Further, the holding assembly 54 of the drop assist device 50 makes a circular motion in synchronization with the tact transfer of the transfer line 18 of the direction aligning device 10.

  When the egg E is received, the support member 58 of the sandwiching assembly 54 reaches the end of the fourth folded portion (the base end of the first straight portion), and the through hole 72 of the support 70 of the support member 58 The sandwiching assembly 54 is accelerated when moving from the eighth track to the first track by the circular motion of the coupling portion 73 with a different radius. Therefore, the sandwiching assembly 54 receives the fall of the egg E while accelerating at a position corresponding to the fourth folded portion 55h. Thereby, the impact to the egg E can be suppressed.

  The holding member 56 of the holding assembly 54 moves in parallel with the slide 52 while maintaining the posture of holding the egg E at the sliding portion of the slide 52. As a result, the egg E sandwiched between the sandwiching member 56 and the slide slides on the slide 52 as the sandwiching assembly 54 moves. At this time, the support member 58 of the clamping assembly 54 moves at a constant speed along the first straight portion. Further, the stopper of the clamping assembly 54 is engaged with the guide 76, and the clamping assembly 54 moves while being guided by the guide 76.

  The clamping member 56 of the clamping assembly 54 moves in a direction away from the slide at the lower part of the slide 52. As a result, the sandwiched egg E starts to fall toward the storage container T. However, since the clamping member 56 receives a force rotating toward the slide by the force applying member 62, the sandwiching member 56 continues to contact the egg E by the rotating force of the force applying member 62 while being separated from the slide 52. Release gradually. Thereby, the egg E falls slowly into the container T.

  Further, when the egg E falls into the storage container T, the support member 58 of the sandwiching assembly 54 reaches the first folded portion 55b, and the through hole 72 and the coupling portion 73 of the support 70 of the support member 58 Causes the clamping assembly 54 to slow down. Thereby, the egg E is released slowly, and the egg E falls more slowly.

  The sandwich assembly 54 that has released the chicken egg E moves from the first folded portion 55b to the second straight portion, and further falls along the circular motion of the second endless track body 55 to fall from the transport mechanism. Move again to the position to receive. At this time, since the sandwiching assembly 54 is rotatably coupled to the second endless track body 55, the sandwiching assembly 54 revolves in substantially the same posture.

  In parallel with the movement of the egg E through the direction aligning device 10 and the drop assist device 50, the container T is transported by the transport device 80. The transport device 80 receives the storage container T from the tray supply device 90 and transports the storage container T to a position where the drop assist device 50 drops the egg E. The tray supply device 90 is synchronized with the transport device 80, and drops the receiving container T when the dog 88 comes to a predetermined position. Thereby, the dog 88 fits into the mountain-shaped portion of the storage container T.

  The container T is transported to a predetermined position by the transport device 80 so that the front row in the transport direction is arranged at a position corresponding to the lower part of the six slides 52 of the drop assist device 50, that is, the position where the egg E falls. Is done. Since the container T is engaged with the dog 88 and conveyed, the container T is surely placed at a predetermined position without slipping along the conveyance path.

  The drop assisting device 50 causes the eggs E to fall slowly in a state where the six front receiving seats Tz of the containing container T are positioned below the six slides of the drop assisting device 50. That is, the drop assist device 50 and the direction alignment device 10 are synchronized with the movement of the transport device 80. The six eggs E dropped from the drop assist device 50 are filled in the six storage seats Tz in the forefront of the storage container T.

  When the egg E is filled in the forefront of the storage container T, the transport device 80 transports the storage container T for one row of the storage seat by tact transport. Accordingly, the six storage seats in the next row of the storage container T are positioned below the six slides 52 of the drop assist device 50. In this state, the drop assist device 50 slowly drops the egg E. Further, subsequently, the transport device 80 transports the storage containers T for one row of the storage seats Tz by tact transport, and in this state, the drop assist device 50 slowly drops the eggs E.

  This is repeated for one storage container, that is, five storage seats, and the storage seat Tz of the next storage container T in the state where all the storage seats Tz of the storage container T are filled with eggs E Is tact-transferred by the transfer device 80 to a position corresponding to the lower part of the six slides 52 of the drop assist device 50. Then, the tact transport for each row of the storage seat is repeated until all of the storage seats Tz of the next storage container T are filled with eggs E, and then the tact transport for one storage container is performed again. These tact conveyances are repeated until a large number of eggs E are processed.

  The conveyance path of the conveyance device 80 continues to the next process of the filling system S1, and the container T filled with the eggs E is conveyed to the next process.

  By the way, there are various storage containers for storing various articles (objects) such as cardboard boxes and trays. In order to transport these storage containers, a transport device that engages the storage containers with a transmission means such as a conveyor chain and transports an object by the operation of the transmission means may be used. For example, there is a tray conveyor described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-111484 as a transport device that transports a tray for filling (accommodating) agricultural and livestock products such as chicken eggs.

  In such a tray conveyor (conveyance device), dogs are generally attached to a pair of chains that are transmission means, and the dogs of both transmission means are engaged on both sides of a storage container placed between the pair of chains. , Transport the container. That is, the transport device operates the transmission means by the driving source, and engages the receiving container with the transmission means to transport the receiving container. These containers are transported with the mutual transport pitch reduced as much as possible from the viewpoint of transport efficiency.

  Depending on the use, purpose, place of use, and the like, the container container may have a bent conveyance path, that is, a conveyance path whose conveyance direction is changed. Such a change in the transport direction is generally achieved when a container having a plurality of linear transport paths is arranged by rotating the respective transport directions when the container is engaged and transported. Is carried out by delivering the container to the other transfer device. That is, the change (curve) of the conveyance path in the chain conveyor is made by a combination of a plurality of conveyance devices on a straight line.

  However, if the transport path is formed in this way, the delivery of the storage container between the transport apparatuses becomes complicated, and more than one transport apparatus is required, so that the cost for manufacturing the transport path becomes expensive and maintenance is difficult. become.

  The transport apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a transport path including a curved region curved with a predetermined curvature, and transports the storage container along the transport path. The transport path includes first transmission means that engages with the storage container and transports the storage container, and the first transmission means follows the predetermined path to transport the storage container along the transport path. It can be bent with a curvature of.

  According to the transport apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, the first transmission means can be stably transported and the first transmission means can be bent by engaging the storage container with the first transmission means. A curved region can be formed in the conveyance path of the storage container. Accordingly, since the curved region can be formed by a single transmission means, the conveyance path can be easily changed.

  The first transmission means may be engaged with one side of the storage container that is inside when the storage container is transported through the curved region. In such a case, since the rotation radius of the storage container is increased, when the storage container is continuously transported, the adjacent storage containers are prevented from coming into contact with each other in the curved region, and the pitch of the adjacent storage containers is increased. Can be small.

  Further, the transport path includes at least one linear region continuous to one side of the curved region, and engages with the other side of the storage container that is outside when the storage container is transported through the curved region, You may provide the 2nd transmission means to which the said container is moved in the said linear area | region. In the linear area following the curved area, the first and second transmission units convey the container. Therefore, even if the load on the container increases in the linear area, the container can be stably conveyed.

  The first and second transmission means may engage with one end and the other end of the storage container, respectively, and the storage container may have a rectangular planar shape.

  The storage container may be a tray for storing eggs, and the first transmission means may be engaged with the tray at at least two points. According to this conveying apparatus, it can be used for the filling system of the egg which fills a chicken egg.

  The filling system according to the embodiment of the present invention may include the above-described transport device. According to this filling system, since the storage container can be transported by a simple transport device, it is possible to easily synchronize the filling of the object to be filled and the transport device.

  According to the transport method according to the embodiment of the present invention, the transport container is engaged with the transport container to transport the transport container so as to follow a transport path having a curved region curved with a predetermined curvature. In the transfer apparatus including the transmission means that can be bent and bent at the predetermined curvature, the storage container is disposed in the transfer path, the storage container is engaged with the transmission means, and the transmission means is operated to transfer the storage container. including.

  According to this transport method, the transmission means can be stably transported by engaging the transmission means with the storage container, and the transmission means can be bent, so that a curved region can be formed in the transport path of the storage container. it can. Since the curved region can be formed by a single transmission means, the transfer path can be easily changed.

  In the present embodiment, the chicken egg E filling system S1 has been described. However, the direction aligning device 10 can be used for the direction alignment of eggs other than the chicken egg E, and the drop assisting device can be used for assisting the fall of other objects other than the chicken egg E. Can be used for containers other than trays, such as egg packs. Further, the transport device may transport a cubic box as the storage container.

  The embodiment disclosed this time is an example, and the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the scope described above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

  The drop assist mechanism according to the present invention is used in an egg filling system such as a farm packer. However, the drop assist mechanism according to the present invention may be used for a direction aligning device, a transport mechanism, and the like, and is not limited to eggs, and may be used for filling agricultural and livestock products, industrial supplies, and the like.

  S1 filling system, 10-direction alignment device, 20 rollers, 30 push-up member, 40 guide plate, 50 drop assist device, 52 slide, 54 clamping assembly, 80 transport device, 82 transport path, 82A first linear region, 82B Curved region, 82C third linear region, 84 first transmission member, 86 second transmission member, 88 dog, 89 dog, 90 tray supply device.

Claims (10)

At least one slide that slides the object down and delivers it to the next process;
At least one clamping assembly that clamps an object that slides down the slide in cooperation with the slide;
The clamping assembly is
A clamping member that cooperates with the slide to hold the object from below;
A support member that rotatably supports the clamping member toward the slide;
A force applying member that applies a force to the clamping member to rotate toward the slide,
The support member moves in a direction away from the slide to release the object from being held,
A drop assisting mechanism that applies the force of the force applying member to the object through the clamping member while the clamping member is in contact with the object. The drop assist mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the force applying member is a weight body. The drop assisting mechanism according to claim 2, wherein the weight body has a center of gravity on a side opposite to a center of gravity of the sandwiching member with respect to a virtual vertical plane including a rotation axis of the sandwiching member. The drop assist mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the force applying member is an elastic body. The slide has an upper part that receives an object, a sliding part that slides the received object, and a lower part that delivers the sliding object to the next process,
The support member moves so as to draw a movement locus including a first locus that moves along the sliding portion and a second locus that moves in a direction away from the slide at a position corresponding to the lower portion. The drop assist mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 4. A guide extending along the slide;
The fall assisting mechanism according to claim 5, wherein the sandwiching assembly includes a stopper coupled to the support member and engaged with the guide to prevent rotation in a direction opposite to the rotation. And a plurality of the clamping assemblies, and an endless track that forms the movement trajectory of the clamping assemblies,
The support member of each clamping assembly is coupled to the endless track;
The drop assist mechanism according to claim 6, wherein each stopper is guided by the guide. A filling system comprising the drop assist mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
The object is an egg;
A filling system that delivers eggs to the slide in a state where the long axis of the egg is along the extending direction of the slide. A slide that slides the object down and delivers it to the next process;
A clamping member for clamping the object sliding down the slide in cooperation with the slide;
A support member that rotatably supports the clamping member toward the slide;
In the fall assisting mechanism, comprising: a force applying member that applies a force to the clamping member so that the clamping member clamps the object from below.
Clamping an object by the slide and the clamping member;
Releasing the object from the sandwiched state by moving the support member in a direction away from the slide;
A drop assisting method comprising applying a force of the force applying member to the object through the clamping member while the clamping member is in contact with the object. A slide that slides the object down and delivers it to the next process;
A clamping member that receives an egg in cooperation with the slide, and has a clamping surface that forms a reverse-shaped side surface in cooperation with the sliding surface of the slide;
A support member that rotatably supports the clamping member in a direction in which the clamping surface approaches the slide, and moves in a direction away from the slide;
A force applying member that applies a force that rotates in the rotation direction of the clamping member,
The force applying member is a drop assist mechanism, which is a weight body or an elastic body.

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