JP2011051761A - Positional dislocation adjusting device in tie-in device of ptp sheet - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a positional dislocation adjusting device in a tie-in device of a PTP sheet, which improves working efficiency, by easily coping with various kinds of PTP sheets. <P>SOLUTION: This positional dislocation adjusting device includes an upper carrying passage 34 for carrying the PTP sheet 1 downward in a pocket 2a, a lower carrying passage 35 for carrying the PTP sheet 1 upward in the pocket and a confluent part for tying-in the PTP sheets carried in the respective carrying passages on the downstream side of these upper carrying passage and lower carrying passage. The PTP sheets of the upper carrying passage and the lower carrying passage are simultaneously carried by the same push-sending finger 15 up to the confluent part. The confluent part is provided with a PTP sheet sending device 40 having a sending claw 41 arranged protrusibly-retreatably to the lower carrying passage, moving quicker than the verocity of the push-sending finger in the same direction as the carrying direction of the PTP sheet and sending out the PTP sheet by passing the push-sending finger ahead in the middle of its movement. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  In the present invention, two PTP sheets of PTP (Press Through Pack) sheets that are conveyed side by side one by one are overlapped with each other in a PTP sheet tying device that overlaps with the pocket portions facing each other. The present invention relates to a misalignment adjusting device that adjusts the relative misalignment of a PTP sheet.

  As is well known, the PTP sheet is a packaging form in which the contents are pushed out from the container (pocket part) side to break the upper lid and the contents are taken out. It is often used for packaging tablets and capsules in pharmaceutical packaging. Is called. And the PTP sheet which concerns is marketed in the state by which the packaging process was normally carried out in the state (article assembly) which laminated | stacked two or more. When stacking the PTP sheets, the two PTP sheets may be overlapped with the surfaces provided with the pocket portions facing each other and the positions of the pocket portions being shifted from each other. Thereby, the pocket part of the other PTP sheet enters the space between the pocket parts of one PTP sheet, thereby suppressing the height of the entire article assembly formed by stacking a plurality of PTP sheets. it can.

  As one form of the apparatus for superposing two PTP sheets in this way, the PTP sheets being conveyed in the same posture continuously at a predetermined interval are reversed while rotating every other sheet, and the two PTP sheets are There is a PTP sheet conveying apparatus that can be overlapped with the positions of pocket portions being shifted from each other.

  As an apparatus for shifting the positions of the pocket portions to each other, there is an invention disclosed in Patent Document 1. The device (PTP sheet tying device) disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes an upper guide and a lower guide arranged in parallel so as to overlap vertically on the carry-out side, and a PTP sheet positioned on both guides. And a finger for pushing. A PTP sheet with the pocket portion down is located on the upper guide, and a PTP sheet with the pocket portion up is located on the lower guide.

  The finger is attached to an endless chain provided on the lower side of the lower guide, and moves with the rotation of the endless chain. The upper end position of the finger protrudes above the upper guide. As a result, the PTP sheet positioned between the same front and rear fingers in each of the upper guide and the lower guide is fed while the rear end edges thereof are in contact with the same finger on the rear side. As a result, the upper and lower PTP sheets are conveyed together.

  At this time, the relative positions of the upper and lower PTP sheets in the front-rear direction can be shifted by making the portions of the fingers that come in contact with the PTP sheet forward and backward differ. Thereby, after that, the PTP sheet which was carried out from both guides and overlapped can be held together in a state where the pocket portions are shifted in the front-rear direction.

Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 63-17124

  In the deviation adjusting device of the PTP sheet tying device shown in Patent Document 1, the amount of deviation of the PTP sheet tying is uniquely specified due to the dimensional shape of the fingers used. Therefore, in order to make the amount of deviation different when tying PTP sheets of different dimensions, it is necessary to replace the finger with a dimension and shape corresponding to it. For this reason, there is a problem that not only the replacement work becomes complicated, but also the management of preparing and storing fingers for such replacement in advance becomes complicated and lacks versatility. Moreover, even if the PTP sheet has the same size and shape, when the state of the warp changes, the appropriate amount of deviation changes strictly. However, the method of Patent Document 1 cannot be flexibly handled.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention includes (1) an upper conveyance path in which the PTP sheet is conveyed with the pocket portion facing downward, a lower conveyance path in which the PTP sheet is conveyed with the pocket portion facing upward, A merging section for tying the PTP sheets conveyed along the respective conveyance paths on the downstream side of the upper conveyance path and the lower conveyance path, and the PTP sheets of the upper conveyance path and the lower conveyance path Are simultaneously conveyed by the same attachment (pushing finger 15 of the embodiment), and the merging portion is provided so as to be able to appear and retract with respect to either the upper conveyance path or the lower conveyance path, and the PTP sheet In the same direction as the transport direction, and moves faster than the speed of the attachment. In the course of the movement, the PTP sheet is fed over the attachment. The PTP sheet feeding means having to feed pawl provided.

  Thereby, the PTP sheet conveyed on one conveyance path can be positioned relatively forward with respect to the other PTP sheet by being pushed out by the feeding claw. The PTP sheet that moves on the upper conveyance path and the lower conveyance path before causing such a positional shift may be conveyed simultaneously with the same attachment, and the amount of displacement is, for example, attachment and PTP sheet feeding means Since the amount to be sent out can be changed by changing the phase (timing) and the relative position, even when the dimensional shape of the PTP sheet is changed, it can be flexibly handled without replacing the attachment. In addition, after causing such a positional shift, the pocket portions will be embraced in a state of facing each other, and after embracing, one pocket portion enters between the other pocket portions and is integrated. Therefore, for example, even if the same attachment as that described above is used to contact and push only one PTP sheet as it is, it can be conveyed while being held together. Of course, after tying, it may be transported by another transport means.

  (2) The merging portion may be provided with a slope that is continuous with the conveyance path and approaches the other side in at least one of the upper conveyance path or the lower conveyance path. If it does in that way, the PTP sheet which shifted relatively back and forth can approach gradually and can be entangled.

  (3) The merging portion is provided with an uphill slope continuous with the lower conveyance path, and a discharge passage having the same height as the upper conveyance path is provided on the downstream side of the slope. A space may be provided between the tip and the carry-out passage. The PTP sheet that has moved up the slope hits the PTP sheet that has passed through the space and moved along the upper conveyance path, and is entangled.

  (4) A guide member that suppresses upward lifting of the PTP sheet may be provided above the space. The PTP sheet that has moved up the slope is applied with a force in the direction of pushing up the PTP sheet that has moved along the upper conveyance path, but at that time it hits the guide member and can be lifted upwards more than necessary to prevent the conveyance posture from collapsing. .

  (5) The length of the space may be adjustable. In the embodiment, the upper transport path itself moves forward and backward as a whole, but only the tip of the upper transport path may move forward and backward to adjust the length of the space.

  (6) It is preferable that the feeding claw has a looped locus. In this way, the PTP sheet can be sent out with smooth movement regardless of whether the conveyance speed is fast or slow. In addition, it may be reciprocating by a cylinder or the like instead of the loop shape, and various other mechanisms can be used. Moreover, it becomes possible to cope with high speed operation.

  Since the amount of deviation can be adjusted steplessly, various types of PTP sheets can be easily handled, the time required for replacement of the setup can be shortened, and the working efficiency can be improved. Furthermore, since the amount of deviation can be adjusted steplessly, even a curled PTP sheet can be securely tangled by fine adjustment. Furthermore, since the shift is adjusted by the feeding means that moves in the same direction as the PTP sheet conveyance direction, damage to the PTP sheet can be reduced.

It is a front view which shows the suitable one form of the joining apparatus of the PTP sheet | seat in which this invention is used. It is a figure which shows an example of a PTP sheet. It is a figure which shows a path | route switching mechanism. It is a top view explaining the rotation function before and behind a PTP sheet. It is a figure explaining the upside down function of a PTP sheet. It is a front view which shows suitable one Embodiment of the position shift adjustment apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a figure explaining the effect | action.

  FIG. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of a PTP sheet tying device in which the present invention is used. The tying device 10 includes a transport device 11 that transports the PTP sheet 1 at predetermined intervals. As shown in FIG. 2, the PTP sheet 1 is formed with a plurality of pocket portions 2a on the sheet surface of the plastic sheet 2, and the tablets 3 and the like are stored in the pocket portions 2a and the sheet surface is made of a sheet material such as an aluminum foil. 4 is an airtightly sealed structure. Then, as shown in FIG. 2 (c), one of the two paired PTP sheets is reversed while being rotated 180 degrees, and the two PTP sheets 1 are overlapped with the positions of the pocket portions 2a being shifted from each other. Can be matched. Further, as shown in FIG. 2A, by providing a pocket portion non-formation region 5 on one end side in the longitudinal direction of the PTP sheet 1, the pair of PTP sheets 1 are rotated 180 degrees to form pockets. When overlapped with the portion 2a facing, the respective pocket portion unformed regions 5 are located on the opposite side, so that the peripheral edges of the superimposed PTP sheet groups substantially coincide. This pocket part non-formation region 5 is used for printing, engraving or the like of the model number of the tablet 3 or a trade name (trademark). Needless to say, the pocket portion non-formation region 5 may be omitted. In this case, when the PTP sheets 1 are stacked as shown in FIG. 2D, the peripheral positions of the sheets are shifted.

  The transport device 11 includes a first transport path 12 that continuously transports the PTP sheet 1 back and forth at predetermined intervals with the pocket portion 2a facing up. In order from the upstream side, the first transport path 12 includes a first path 12a for transporting the PTP sheet 1 horizontally at the upper position, a second path 12b having a downward slope following the first path 12a, and a first path 12a. And a third passage 12c for horizontally conveying the PTP sheet 1 at a lower position following the two passages 12b. The PTP sheet 1 on each of the passages 12 a to 12 c is moved forward by receiving a conveying force from the push finger 15. The pushing fingers 15 are attached to the endless chain (not shown) at regular intervals, and revolve around the rotation of the endless chain. The push finger 15 has an upper end located above the first passage 12a and a lower end located below the third passage 12c. Thereby, the feeding finger 15 can push the PTP sheet 1 located at any position of the first to third passages 12a to 12c. Therefore, the PTP sheet 1 positioned on the first passage 12a receives a forward conveying force with the movement of the push finger 15 when the push finger 15 hits the edge on the rear side in the traveling direction, and the first passage 12a → The second passage 12b is conveyed while sequentially moving on the third passage 12c.

  The transport apparatus 11 includes a second transport path 13 above the third passage 12c. The second transport path 13 is arranged on the upstream side, the crossing path 13a set to be substantially the same height as the first path 12a of the first transport path 12, and the upstream side disposed on the downstream side of the crossing path 13a. And a passage 13b. The ascending passage 13b as a whole has an uphill (upwardly inclined shape that gradually increases toward the downstream side) conveying surface. The upstream end of the upward passage 13b is close to, in contact with, or partially overlaps with the downstream end of the crossing passage 13a, and the PTP sheet 1 conveyed on the crossing passage 13a can be smoothly and straightened as it is. Move up.

  The PTP sheet 1 conveyed on the first path 12a is sent to either the second path 12b or the second conveyance path 13 (crossover path 13a) by the conveyance path switching mechanism including the shutter 14. The shutter 14 has an upper end surface located substantially on the same plane as the first passage 12a, and reciprocates linearly along the transport direction of the PTP sheet 1 as shown in FIG. This reciprocating linear movement can be operated at high speed, for example, by applying the output of the drive motor to the oscillating drive and utilizing the output shaft of the oscillating drive that reciprocally rotates. Of course, the drive motor itself may be rotated forward or backward, and various other drive sources / power conversion mechanisms can be used.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the shutter 14 is closed so as to cover the open state where the downstream end portion 14a is positioned below the first passage 12a and the second passage 12b. Take a state. When the shutter 14 is in the closed state, the leading end portion 14a of the shutter 14 crosses the passage 13a. As a result, the PTP sheet 1 that moves on the first passage 12a in the open state moves down along the second passage 12b and reaches the third passage 12c. In the closed state, the PTP sheet 1 moves to the third passage 12c. Since the road leading to 12b is blocked, it travels on the tip 14a of the shutter 14 and is guided onto the crossing passage 13a. Therefore, the conveyance path is switched in accordance with the switching between the open state and the closed state of the shutter 14. Since such switching is a reciprocating linear motion, it can be performed at high speed. Further, the path is switched alternately one by one with respect to the PTP sheet 1 conveyed forward and backward.

  The distance between the upstream end of the second transport path 13 and the third path 12 c is adjusted to be wider than the height of the PTP sheet 1. As a result, the PTP sheet 1 that has reached the third path 12c from the first path 12a through the second path 12b advances on the third path 12c as it is without contacting the second transport path 13 located above. Can move.

  The conveying force for the PTP sheet 1 on the second conveying path 13 is applied from the push finger 15 on the crossing path 13a, and from the yagler conveyor 16 disposed above the upward path 13b. In other words, the first passage 12a to the crossing passage 13a are conveyed by the same pushing finger 15. And since the conveyance surface becomes high gradually ascending passage 13b, the conveyance force by push finger 15 disappears on the way, and after that receives the conveyance force from yagura conveyor 16, and moves.

  The yagler conveyor 16 has an endless chain 18 that is an endless pulling means spanned by a pair of front and rear sprockets 17 and a plurality of operations that are attached to the endless chain 18 at equal intervals with respect to the entire circumference. A rod 19 and a holding member 20 and a pushing member 21 attached to the tip of the operating rod 19 are provided. Each actuating rod 19 is disposed in a plane parallel to the rotational surface of the endless chain 18 and revolves following the rotational movement of the endless chain 18, but can move in a direction orthogonal to the rotational trajectory of the endless chain 18. ing. Further, the yagler conveyor 16 is provided with a loop-shaped guide passage (cam) 22 in a plane parallel to the endless chain 18, and the base end of the operating rod 19 in the guide passage (the side opposite to the side on which the restraining member 20 is attached). The cam floor 23 attached to is linked. Thereby, the operating rod 19 moves along the trajectory of the guide passage 22. That is, the position of the tip of the operating rod 19 (pushing member 21 etc.) moves along a locus indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. Specifically, the actuating rod 19 also rises in synchronization with the rise of the conveying surface of the ascending passage 13b, and slightly lowers on the horizontal rotation guide passage 25 arranged continuously on the downstream side of the ascending passage 13b. Take a trajectory that translates in position.

  The arrangement pitch of the actuating rods 19 is set to be twice the arrangement pitch of the pushing fingers 15, and each actuating rod 19 (pushing member 21) moves synchronously at the same position (slightly rearward) of the pushing fingers 15. To be controlled. As a result, the PTP sheet 1 conveyed by the pushing finker 15 from every other crossing path 13a to the entrance side of the ascending path 13b receives the conveying force from the pushing member 21 and is transferred to the conveying surface of the ascending path 13b. Move forward while ascending along. Of course, the arrangement pitch of the actuating rods 19 is not limited to the double pitch as in this embodiment, and various settings are possible.

  The restraining member 20 is made of a material having a relatively large frictional resistance such as silicon-based or urethane-based rubber, and is in a non-contact state with the PTP sheet 1 moving through the upward passage 13b. Then, as described above, since it is slightly lowered, the restraining member 20 comes into contact with the PTP sheet 1 (pocket portion 2a) and restrains the PTP sheet 1 against the rotation guide passage 25 with a predetermined pressure. The predetermined pressure at which the restraining member 20 restrains the PTP sheet 1 is the warp of the PTP sheet 1 (the PTP sheet 1 is integrated by thermally bonding the plastic sheet 2 and the sheet material 4; Therefore, the PTP sheet 1 is less likely to be damaged.

  Since the rotation guide passage 25 is made of a material having a relatively low frictional resistance, such as an ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene solijoule, the PTP sheet 1 held down by the holding member 20 at a predetermined pressure is Following the forward movement, it moves while sliding on the conveyance surface of the rotation guide passage 25.

  The actuating rod 19 is capable of rotating, guided by a first guide portion 26a provided above the rotation guide passage 25 and rotated 180 degrees, and guided by a second guide portion 26b and rotated 180 degrees. As a result, as shown in FIG. 4, the holding member 20 and the pushing member 21 provided at the tip of the operating rod 19 rotate 180 degrees on the rotation guide passage 25. Along with this, the PTP sheet 1 held at a predetermined pressure by the holding member 20 is also rotated 180 degrees and reversed front and back. Further, the posture is initially reversed from the posture in contact with the rear side edge portion in the traveling direction of the PTP sheet 1 and is brought into contact with the front side edge portion in the traveling direction of the PTP sheet 1. In addition, since the PTP sheet 1 is already restrained by the restraining member 20 on the rotation guide passage 25, it can be moved following the movement of the restraining member 20, so that the pushing member 21 is on the front side of the PTP sheet 1. There is no problem in the conveyance of the PTP sheet 1 even if it is located in the position. Further, in order to smoothly guide the rotation of the pushing member 21, the lower left and right ends of the pushing member 21 are convex portions 21a projecting downward, and the convex portions 21a have a predetermined locus provided on the rotation guide passage 25. By rotating along the guide groove 25a entering the guide groove 25a, the rotation of 180 degrees is performed smoothly. In addition, since the rotation is in a horizontal plane, the processing related to continuous conveyance can be performed without intermittent operation, so that high-speed processing is possible.

  The distal end portion 25b on the downstream side of the rotation guide passage 25 projects in a bifurcated shape, and the PTP sheet 1 is conveyed while being pressed by the restraining member 20 to the position of the bifurcated distal end portion 25b. A transfer device 30 is disposed below the distal end portion 25b. The transfer device 30 has an arm 31 that rotates forward and backward (oscillates) within a predetermined angle range with a predetermined position below as a center of rotation, and an adsorption that rotates forward about a rotating shaft 32 that is linked to the vicinity of the upper end of the arm 31. Nozzle 33. As shown in FIG. 5A, the suction nozzle 33 rotates clockwise from the suction posture in which the suction surface 33a of the suction nozzle 33 faces upward (see FIGS. 5B and 5C). As shown in (d), the suction surface 33a is brought into a carry-out posture facing downward. After that, it continues to rotate in the same direction and returns to the original suction posture. Here, this clockwise rotation is assumed to be forward rotation. Further, the arm 31 also rotates in accordance with this rotation. Specifically, the upper end of the arm 31 reciprocally rotates between a position immediately below the tip 25b of the rotation guide passage 25 and a position that rotates clockwise from that position to the downstream side indicated by the solid line in FIG. Moving.

  Then, when the upper end of the arm 31 comes to a position closest to the lower end of the tip 25b, the suction nozzle 33 is controlled to be in the suction posture as shown in FIG. 5A, and the suction surface 33a of the suction nozzle 33 is controlled. Contact the PTP sheet 1. Since the valve is opened and suction of the suction nozzle 33 is started, the PTP sheet 1 can be sucked and held on the suction surface 33a by such contact. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, three suction nozzles 33 are provided in a horizontal row, and the PTP sheet 1 can be firmly sucked at three points.

  While holding the state where the suction nozzle 33 sucks the PTP sheet 1, the suction nozzle 33 rotates as shown in FIGS. 5A to 5D while rotating the arm 31 clockwise in FIG. Then, the suction nozzle 33 shifts to a discharge posture in which the suction nozzle 33 faces downward. As a result, the PTP sheet 1 comes to have the pocket portion 2a facing downward, and is turned upside down and moved forward from the position of the tip portion 25b by a predetermined distance along the transport direction.

  In this state, when the suction valve is closed and suction is stopped, the suction to the PTP sheet 1 by the suction nozzle 33 is released, and the PTP sheet 1 moves away from the suction nozzle 33 and moves downward as shown in FIG. Fall. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, above the lower conveyance path 34 that is a downstream section of the third passage 12 c (a region downstream from the position overlapping the tip 25 b of the rotation guide passage 25). In addition, an upper conveyance path 35 is provided. The lower conveyance path 34 can be said to be a part of one conveyance device continuously with the third passage 12c. Then, the PTP sheet 1 dropped from the suction nozzle 33 is supplied onto the upper conveyance path 35.

  The upper conveyance path 35 is disposed in parallel so as to overlap the lower conveyance path 34 with a predetermined distance, and the height position thereof is substantially the same as that of the first path 12a. Thereby, the upper end of the pushing finger 15 protrudes upward from the conveying surface of the upper conveying path 35, and the PTP sheet 1 dropped and supplied onto the upper conveying path 35 can also be pushed and conveyed. Of course, the push finger 15 also pushes and conveys the PTP sheet 1 on the lower conveyance path 34 continuous with the third path 12c from the third path 12c. Then, the conveyance of the PTP sheet 1 on both the passages 34 and 35 moves forward in response to the conveyance force from the push finger 15 that contacts the rear edge of the PTP sheet 1 in the traveling direction. Even if the PTP sheet 1 supplied to the upper conveyance path 35 is supplied to any position between the front and rear push fingers 15, it remains at that position until it contacts the rear push finger 15. After the contact, it moves forward together with the pushing finger 15. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 5 (e), when the PTP sheet 1 is positioned between the same pushing fingers 15 in the lower conveying path 34 and the upper conveying path 35, the rear pushing fingers 15 Two PTP sheets 1 are conveyed together. At this time, the PTP sheets 1 on the lower conveyance path 34 and the upper conveyance path 35 conveyed by the same push finger 15 are in a state where the rear end edges are aligned and are conveyed in a state where they are overlapped vertically. Therefore, by carrying out from this lower conveyance path 34 and the upper conveyance path 35, the upper and lower PTP sheets 1 overlap with the pocket portions 2a facing each other. A detailed configuration will be described later.

  In this embodiment, after the suction nozzle 33 sucks the PTP sheet 1, the arm 31 is also rotated and moved forward in the traveling direction until it is turned upside down. Even if it moves, it can be dropped and supplied between the following push fingers. In other words, in this embodiment, every other PTP sheet 1 conveyed through the first path 12a by the conveyance path switching mechanism is switched between the second path 12b side and the second conveyance path 13 side, so the second path 12b. Furthermore, every other PTP sheet 1 traveling on the lower conveyance path 34 from the third passage 12c is conveyed between the push fingers 15, and the PTP sheet 1 conveyed by the empty push fingers 15 is transferred to the second conveyance path 15. 13, the front and rear are rotated 180 degrees in the middle of the conveyance, and the upper and lower sides are reversed by the transfer device 30 and then supplied to the upper conveyance path 35. At this time, the next one is conveyed in the first path 12 a. The supplied PTP sheet 1 is dropped and supplied before the push finger 15 that conveys the PTP sheet 1.

  In addition, there is a time difference from when the suction valve is turned off until it actually peels off. By rotating the arm 31 and moving the PTP sheet 1 forward, the PTP sheet 1 can be reliably supplied between the fingers. Further, the timing of closing the suction valve is controlled by advance angle control and at an appropriate timing according to the conveyance speed.

  The transfer device 30 rotates the arm 31 in a reverse direction at a predetermined timing after the PTP sheet 1 falls from the suction nozzle 35 that has changed to the discharge posture, and the upper end of the arm 31 is below the tip 25b. In addition to returning to the nearest position, the suction nozzle 35 is further rotated forward to return to the suction posture shown in FIG. 5A to prepare for the next transfer of the PTP sheet. In addition, the predetermined timing after the PTP sheet 1 falls is actually performed by time control or the like.

  In the embodiment described above, the lower surface of the restraining member 20 is a flat surface and comes into contact with the pocket portion 2a to restrain the PTP sheet 1. However, the shape of contact with the PTP sheet 1 on the lower surface of the restraining member 20 May be formed into an irregular shape having an appropriate shape (for example, a convex portion having a cross shape on the plane), and may be held in contact with an unformed region of the pocket portion 2a of the plastic sheet 2 of the PTP sheet 1. Furthermore, it does not suppress in that way, but, for example, an engaging portion (for example, a convex portion having a cross-shaped flat surface) that can contact the side surface of the pocket portion 2a is provided, and the engaging portion is a space between the pocket portions. The engaging portion hits the side surface of the pocket portion 2a as the actuating rod 19 moves forward and is conveyed forward, or the engaging portion also rotates as the actuating rod 19 rotates (time point). The PTP sheet 1 may be rotated by hooking on 2a. By adopting a planar shape such as a cross shape, the PTP sheet 1 is not displaced during rotation (the center of rotation is not shifted), and can be stably conveyed before and after the rotation.

  In the embodiment described above, the transport path of the PTP sheet 1 is switched in accordance with the opening and closing of the shutter, but it is of course possible to switch the transport path other than the shutter switching system. Even in the case where the PTP sheet is used, the PTP sheet that has passed through the shutter is distributed upward as in the above embodiment, but may be distributed downward.

  6 and 7 show a preferred embodiment of a positional deviation adjusting device according to the present invention. This position deviation adjusting device is incorporated on the carry-out side of the PTP sheet tying device described above. Of course, the tying device to which the present invention is applied is not limited to the one described above, and may be realized by replacing the present invention with the device of Patent Document 1, and various other configurations may be used. .

  As described above, the PTP sheet 1 conveyed on the rotation guide passage 25 is reversed in the vertical direction by the transfer device 30 and transferred to the upper transfer path 35 with the pocket portion 2a in the lower state. The upper conveying path 35 is disposed so as to overlap the upper side of the lower conveying path 34 that conveys the PTP sheet 1 with the pocket portion 2a in an upper position with a predetermined distance between the upper conveying path 34 and 35. The PTP sheet 1 can be conveyed by the same pushing finger 15.

  In the present embodiment, the front surface of the push finger 15, that is, the surface that contacts the PTP sheet 1 on the lower transport path 34 and the upper transport path 35 is a vertical surface. Thereby, the upper and lower PTP sheets 1 conveyed by the same push finger 15 are respectively conveyed on the lower conveyance path 34 and the upper conveyance path 35 in a state where the rear end positions thereof coincide with each other.

  On the downstream side of the lower conveyance path 34, an uphill slope 36 whose path gradually rises as it goes backward in the traveling direction, and a horizontal unloading path 37 following the slope 36 are continuously provided. The height position of the carry-out passage 37 is set to the same position as the upper conveyance path 35. The push finger 15 is set so as to move to the carry-out passage 37. As a result, the conveyance surfaces of the lower conveyance path 34, the slope 36, and the carry-out passage 37 are continuous, so that the PTP sheet 1 on the lower conveyance path 34 is conveyed to the carry-out path 37 by the push finger 15.

  A predetermined space is formed between the tip 35 a of the upper conveyance path 35 and the carry-out passage 37. Thereby, the upper part of the slope 36 is opened, and the PTP sheet 1 that has moved upward along the slope 36 passes through the opening part and reaches the carry-out passage 37. At this time, by contacting the PTP sheet 1 that has moved along the upper conveyance path 45 and pushing it up, the PTP sheet 1 can be held together while facing the pocket portion.

  Further, an upper guide 38 is provided in a predetermined region above the upper conveyance path 35 and the carry-out path 37 including above the opening portion. The upper guide 38 lifts the PTP sheet 1 that has risen along the slope 36 and the PTP sheet 1 that has moved along the upper conveyance path 35 lifted by the raised PTP sheet 1 more than necessary. Suppress.

  In addition, a PTP sheet feeding device 40 that increases the moving speed of the PTP sheet 1 that moves on the lower conveying path 34 (slope 36) is provided in a region below the tip 35a of the upper conveying path 35. The PTP sheet feeding device 40 includes a feeding claw 41 that can contact the trailing edge of the PTP sheet 1 on the lower conveyance path 34 and a drive mechanism that drives the feeding claw 41 along a predetermined locus. This drive mechanism includes an operating rod 42 connected to the lower end of the feed pawl 41, a first connecting base 43 attached to the lower end of the operating rod 42, and a second connecting base provided at an intermediate point of the operating rod 42. 44. The connection point 43a of the first connection base 43 is circularly moved along a small circular locus indicated by reference numeral S1 in the figure by a desired power transmission means (including a drive source) such as a link mechanism and a cam mechanism (not shown). The connection point 44a of the second connection base 44 performs a circular motion along a large circular locus indicated by reference numeral S2 in the drawing by a link mechanism (not shown).

  That is, the lower S1 trajectory controls the movement of the feed claw 41 in the vertical direction, and the upper S2 trajectory controls the movement of the feed claw 41 in the front-rear direction. In either case, the radius of the circular trajectory controls the amount of movement, and the rotational speed controls the moving speed of the feed claw 41. Therefore, the drive system to be moved along these trajectories is performed in synchronization with the movement of the push finger 15.

  The operating rod 42 is supported by a predetermined drive system at the two connecting points 43a and 44a, and is operated along the trajectories S1 and S2 at the two points. Therefore, the operating rod 42 is connected to the upper end of the operating rod 42. The feed claw 41 is gradually moved forward and upward from the position (reference position) indicated by the two-dot chain line on the left side in FIG. 6 to reach the uppermost position as indicated by the solid line, and then gradually moved downward when further moved forward. To do. Thereafter, although not shown in the drawing, the feeding claw 41 moves backward while moving downward and reaches the lowest point, and then further moves backward while moving upward and returns to the position of the two-dot chain line on the left side shown in the drawing. That is, the feed claw 41 (upper part) moves along a loop-shaped locus.

  The forward movement speed of the feed claw 41 is faster than the movement speed of the push finger 15. Furthermore, since the feed claw 41 moves up and down as well as moving forward and backward as described above, the upper end of the feed claw 41 is located below the transport surface of the lower transport path 34 when positioned at the reference position. The feed claw 41 located at the uppermost position protrudes upward from the conveyance surface of the lower conveyance path 34. Further, the feed claw 41 is controlled so as to pass the push finger 15 during the forward movement. Specifically, the upper end of the feed claw 41 protrudes above the transport surface of the lower transport path 34 on the rear side of the push finger 15, and then passes over the push finger 15 so as to be transported on the lower transport path 34. The sheet 1 initially receives a conveying force from the pushing finger 15 and then receives a conveying force by the feeding claw 41. Since the feeding claw 41 moves faster than the pushing finger 15, the PTP sheet 1 on the lower conveyance path 34 that receives the feeding force by the feeding claw 41 is pushed forward from the pushing finger. Become. Therefore, the PTP sheet 1 moving in the lower conveyance path 34 is sent out to a position relatively shifted forward from the upper PTP sheet 1 conveyed by the push finger 15, and the slope 36 is moved in this state. I will go up.

  Next, the function will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 7A, when the feed claw 41 is located at the reference position, the upper end of the feed claw 41 is located below the transport surface of the lower transport path 34. The upper and lower PTP sheets 1 transported at the same time are in a state where there is a position in the front-rear direction.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 7B, when the feed claw 41 reaches the uppermost position, the feed claw 41 is overtaken by the front claw 41 and positioned on the front side. Projects above the transport surface. As a result, the PTP sheet 1 on the lower conveyance path 34 is fed forward by the feed claw 41 that travels faster than the push finger 15, is located forward of the PTP sheet 1 that moves on the upper conveyance path 35, and the upper and lower PTPs The position of the seat 1 is relatively shifted in the front-rear direction. And the PTP sheet 1 sent out previously in this state goes up the slope 36 as it is. The conveying force for ascending the slope 36 is also received from the feed claw 41 at least partway, so that it moves upward while moving forward as described above.

  Then, the PTP sheet 1 that has moved up along the slope 36 in this way comes into contact with and entangled with the PTP sheet 1 that moves on the upper conveyance path 35. At this time, the entangled PTP sheets are relatively shifted by a predetermined distance back and forth due to the action of the feed claw 41, so that the pocket portion 2a is also shifted back and forth and enters between the other pocket portions. Can do.

  The upper and lower PTP sheets 1 entangled in this way reach the carry-out passage 37. At this time, as shown in FIG. 7C, for example, the feeding claw 41 is lowered at the upper end and positioned below the conveyance surface of the PTP sheet 1, and the conveyance force from the feeding claw 41 to the PTP sheet 1 is Canceled. In addition, the PTP sheet 1 that has moved along the upper conveyance path 35 receives the conveyance force of the pushing finger 15 that has been pushed even when it reaches the carry-out path 37 and is conveyed as it is. Further, the lower PTP sheet 1 shifted forward and backward by a predetermined pitch is not in contact with the push finger 15 but is fitted to each other via the upper PTP sheet and the pocket portion 2a. And move forward (receiving the conveying force from the push finger 15 via the PTP sheet on the upper side).

  The PTP sheet feeding device 40 can change the amount to be fed out by changing the phase (timing) and setting the relative position with the pushing finger 15. In addition, the amount of movement of the feed claw 41 in the vertical direction can be adjusted by adjusting the diameter of the locus S1, and the distance of movement in the front-rear direction of the feed claw 41 can be adjusted by adjusting the diameter of the locus S2. it can. Further, the movement locus of the feed claw 41 can be changed only by shifting the relative positional relationship between the locuses S1 and S2. Therefore, when the dimensional shape (outside dimension / pocket portion) or the like of the PTP sheet 1 is changed, it is possible to cope with the same feeding claw 41 and the PTP sheet feeding device 40 by performing such adjustment.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the PTP sheet feeding device 40 is provided below the lower conveyance path 34, and the PTP sheet 1 is lifted up the slope 36 following the lower conveyance path 34 to tie the upper and lower PTP sheets together. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and conversely, a PTP sheet feeding device may be provided above the upper conveying path 35 to feed the upper PTP sheet and be positioned relatively forward. .

  In the above-described embodiment, the slope 36 is an uphill and is provided continuously with the lower conveyance path 34, but may be a downhill that is continuous with the upper conveyance path 35. The installation location of the slope and the installation location of the PTP sheet feeding device can be taken in either case.

  In addition, as a tying device in which the misalignment adjusting device of the present invention is incorporated, for example, the following devices can be used. Of course, it can be applied to other tying devices.

  (1) A first conveying unit that conveys a PTP sheet at regular intervals, a second conveying unit disposed above the first conveying unit, and one PTP sheet conveyed by the first conveying unit The path switching means for switching to the second transport means and the PTP sheet transported on the second transport means are slid on the transport surface and moved forward while rotating within the transport surface. Direction rotating means for changing the direction, and reversing supply means for reversing the PTP sheet whose front and rear directions have been rotated and supplying the PTP sheet above the PTP sheet conveyed by the first conveying means. I did it. The inversion supply means corresponds to the transfer device 30 in the embodiment. Since the direction is changed by rotating the PTP sheet while it is slid and moved on the conveyance surface of the second conveyance path without picking up, it is possible to cope with continuous conveyance and high-speed operation that are not intermittently driven.

  (2) In the state where the direction rotating means is a pressing member made of a material having a frictional resistance larger than the frictional resistance of the conveying surface, and the PTP sheet is pressed toward the conveying surface by the suppressing member, It is preferable to include a mechanism that rotates the holding member in the conveyance direction of the PTP sheet and rotates 180 degrees. The material having a large frictional resistance can be composed of, for example, silicon-based or urethane-based rubber. In particular, a rubber system is preferable because it has elasticity, and even if the PTP sheet is suppressed, damage to the PTP sheet (such as collapse of the pocket portion) can be suppressed. When the PTP sheet is held down by the holding member, the frictional resistance is large, so that the PTP sheet can be moved with the movement of the holding member. Therefore, if the suppressing member rotates, the PTP sheet also rotates, and if the suppressing member moves forward, the PTP sheet also moves forward, so that reliable and smooth rotation can be performed. The mechanism for rotating the restraining member 180 degrees while moving in the transport direction is realized by the yagler conveyor 16 that moves (revolves and rotates) the operating rod 19 along a predetermined locus, the rotation guide passage 25 that guides the movement, and the like. .

  (3) The area | region rotated by the said direction rotation means among the said conveyance surfaces is good to be comprised with the material of low friction resistance. As the material of low friction resistance, for example, ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene, polyacetal, tetrafluoroethylene, or the like can be used.

  (4) On the premise of the above invention (2) or (3), the conveying path of the second conveying means is an uphill that gradually rises upstream, and has a horizontal plane following the uphill, The rotation by the direction rotating means is performed in the horizontal plane area, and the conveying force applied to the PTP sheet in the second conveying means is at least in contact with the trailing edge in the traveling direction of the PTP sheet in the uphill area. It is good to carry out with the pushing member which urges, and to carry out with the restraining member, while the restraining member in the horizontal surface is restraining the PTP sheet. The uphill corresponds to the up passage 13b of the embodiment. As shown in the embodiment, the presence of another form of passage on the further upstream side of the uphill (upward passage 13b) is not hindered. That is, it is not necessary that the uphill is in the most upstream part (inlet side / inlet side) in the second conveying means, and it is sufficient if the uphill is present before reaching the horizontal plane for rotating the PTP sheet. The pushing member and the holding member may be integrally connected as in the embodiment, or may be separately formed. Further, although the PTP sheet is conveyed by the pushing member in the uphill region, it is not hindered to be conveyed thereafter.

  (5) On the premise of the invention of the above (4), the pushing member and the restraining member are integrally connected to a support member that circulates along a loop-shaped guide path, revolves together with the support member, In a section in which the pushing member is transported with respect to the PTP sheet, the restraining member is separated from the PTP sheet 1, and the restraining member is moved closer to the PTP sheet at a predetermined position on the horizontal plane so that the PTP sheet is moved. It is good to suppress it. The support member corresponds to the actuating rod 19 in the embodiment. It is preferable that the pushing member and the restraining member are integrally connected as in the embodiment because the drive system can be shared, and the configuration and control are simplified. Further, when the PTP sheet is rotated 180 degrees, the pushing member is positioned on the front side of the PTP sheet, and it becomes impossible to apply a conveying force to the PTP sheet. Since the PTP sheet can be conveyed by moving forward, there is no problem.

  (6) On the premise of the invention of the above (5), the push member is provided with a claw portion at a tip on the conveyance path side, and at least the PTP sheet is rotated on the conveyance surface of the second conveyance means. Then, a guide groove into which the claw portion is inserted is provided, and the guide groove may correspond to a movement locus of the claw portion of the pushing member that rotates together with the holding member. A claw part respond | corresponds to the convex part 21a in embodiment. Since the claw portion moves along the guide groove, the pushing member can be smoothly rotated.

  (7) The transport path of the first transport means includes a first passage on the upstream side, a second passage composed of a downhill continuing to the first passage, and a third passage continuing to the second passage, The path switching means includes a closed position that protrudes from the front end side of the first passage to the downstream side to prevent the movement of the PTP sheet to the second passage, and a second position that does not protrude from the front end of the first passage. A shutter that reciprocates linearly with an open position that allows movement of the PTP sheet to the second position, and when the shutter is in the closed position, the PTP sheet on the first passage passes through the shutter and the second transport. It should be moved to the means. Since the shutter is opened and closed by linear motion, it can be performed at high speed, and the path switching can correspond to high-speed operation and continuous conveyance.

  (8) A fourth passage (upper conveyance path) is provided at a position upstream of the third passage on the downstream side, and the reverse supply unit holds a PTP sheet located at a downstream end of the second conveyance unit, The held PTP sheet is reversed, moved forward in the traveling direction, and supplied onto the fourth passage. The first conveying means is a finger conveyor, and the feeding finger of the finger conveyor is It is preferable that the PTP sheet on the third passage and the PTP sheet on the fourth passage can be simultaneously conveyed. When the inverted PTP sheet is supplied onto the fourth passage, it is moved forward, so that it can be reliably supplied between predetermined fingers even if the transport speed of the PTP sheet (moving speed of the pushing finger) is high. In addition, the PTP sheet supplied to the fourth passage eventually hits the subsequent pushing finger and starts to be transported again, so that the supply can be performed relatively roughly. In addition, the PTP sheet conveyed through the third path of the first conveying means and the PTP sheet on the fourth path using the same feeding finger can be used to align the rear ends of both PTP sheets.

1 PTP sheet 11 transport device 12 first transport path (first transport means)
12a 1st channel | path 12b 2nd channel | path 12c 3rd channel | path 13 2nd conveyance path (2nd conveyance means)
13a Crossing passage 13b Ascending passage 15 Pushing finger 19 Actuating rod (supporting member)
20 Holding member 21 Pushing member 22 Guide path (loop-shaped guide path)
25 rotation guide passage 25a guide groove 30 transfer device 34 lower conveyance path 35 upper conveyance path 40 PTP sheet feeding device 41 feeding claw

Claims (6)

An upper conveyance path through which the PTP sheet is conveyed with the pocket portion facing downward;
A lower conveyance path through which the PTP sheet is conveyed with the pocket portion facing upward;
A merging section for tying the PTP sheets conveyed through the respective conveyance paths on the downstream side of the upper conveyance path and the lower conveyance path,
The PTP sheets of the upper transport path and the lower transport path are transported simultaneously by the same attachment up to the junction.
The merging portion is provided so as to be capable of appearing and retracting with respect to either the upper conveyance path or the lower conveyance path, and moves in the same direction as the conveyance direction of the PTP sheet and faster than the speed of the attachment. A misalignment adjusting device in a PTP sheet tying device, comprising a PTP sheet feeding means having a feeding claw for feeding the PTP sheet over the attachment during the movement.   2. The PTP sheet tying device according to claim 1, wherein a slope is provided in at least one of the upper conveyance path and the lower conveyance path in the merging portion so as to be continuous with the conveyance path. Misalignment adjusting device. The merging portion is provided with an uphill slope continuously to the lower conveyance path, and a discharge passage having the same height as the upper conveyance path is provided on the downstream side of the slope.
The position deviation adjusting device in the PTP sheet tying device according to claim 1, wherein a space is provided between a front end of the upper conveyance path and the carry-out passage.   4. The position deviation adjusting device in the PTP sheet tying device according to claim 3, wherein a guide member that suppresses upward lifting of the PTP sheet is provided above the space.   The positional deviation adjusting device in the PTP sheet tying device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the length of the space is adjustable.   The positional deviation adjusting device in the PTP sheet tying device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the feeding claw takes a loop-like locus.

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