JP6584107B2 - Container supply device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a container supply device that supplies a plurality of containers to each of a plurality of storage portions formed on an upper surface of a pallet.

  Conventionally, a manufacturing apparatus that intermittently manufactures a plurality of capsules as a unit is known. For example, an apparatus for manufacturing a capsule-containing product (capsule) described in Patent Document 1 is supplied by fitting a capsule to each of 50 capsule holding portions formed on the upper surface of a capsule conveying pallet (main pallet). Each capsule is filled with cosmetic powder. And this manufacturing apparatus has sealed the cosmetic powder to each capsule by sticking the cover material made from an aluminum film to the opening of each capsule. In other words, this manufacturing apparatus manufactures 50 capsules as a unit intermittently for each pallet for capsule transport.

  In this manufacturing apparatus, as a preparatory work before filling the capsule with cosmetic powder, first, a plurality of capsule holding portions formed on the upper surface of the auxiliary pallet (dummy pallet) are manually provided by the operator. Capsules are fitted and supplied. Next, the manufacturing apparatus sucks the plurality of capsules supplied to the auxiliary pallet and holds them by the suction head, and then transfers them to the capsule transporting pallet. And the manufacturing apparatus has filled the powder for cosmetics into the capsule transferred to the pallet for capsule conveyance.

JP-A-6-191593

However, since the manufacturing apparatus described in Patent Document 1 supplies a plurality of capsules to the auxiliary pallet by an operator's manual operation, there is a problem that manufacturing efficiency is lowered.
Moreover, since the manufacturing apparatus described in Patent Document 1 grips the capsule with an operator's hand, the capsule is soiled or deformed, resulting in a decrease in yield and thus a decrease in manufacturing efficiency. There is a problem of end up.

  The objective of this invention is providing the container supply apparatus which can supply a several container automatically to a pallet and can improve manufacturing efficiency.

A container supply device according to the present invention is a container supply device that supplies a plurality of containers to each of a plurality of storage portions formed on the upper surface of a pallet, and includes a first region and a second region provided adjacent to each other. A container supply placement table for placing a pallet in each of the first region and the second region, a pallet carrying means for carrying the pallet into the first region, and a first region. A pallet delivery means for delivering the pallet to the second area, a pallet carry-out means for carrying out the pallet arranged in the second area, and a container supply arrangement table, and holding a plurality of containers holding means for includes a pallet vibration means for vibrating the pallet which is arranged in the arrangement table for container supply, and a container supply control means for controlling the whole of the container feeder, pallet vibrational means, arranged for container supply First and vibration state to vibrate the placed palette, and a second vibration state for vibrating the first pallet disposed weakly container supply for placing stand than the vibration state, the control vessel feeding When the pallet is carried into the first area by the pallet carrying means and when the pallet is sent to the second area by the pallet sending means, the means holds the plurality of containers held by the holding means on the upper surface of the pallet. When the plurality of containers are supplied to each of the plurality of accommodating portions formed on the top surface of the pallet and the pallet is vibrated by the pallet vibration means , the plurality of pieces held by the holding means When the container is dropped toward the upper surface of the pallet and the plurality of containers held by the holding means are dropped toward the upper surface of the pallet, the pallet vibration means is in the first vibration state. Wherein the switching Rukoto La second oscillation state.

According to such a configuration, the container supply control means holds the pallet when the pallet carrying means carries the pallet into the first area and when the pallet sending means sends the pallet to the second area. After dropping the plurality of containers held by the means toward the upper surface of the pallet, the pallet disposed in the second region can be carried out by the pallet carrying means. Therefore, since the container supply device can drop a plurality of containers twice on the upper surface of the same pallet, a plurality of containers in the pallet receiving portion are compared with the case where the plurality of containers are dropped once on the upper surface of the pallet. The container can be easily entered.
Further, since the container supply device drops the plurality of containers held by the holding means toward the upper surface of the pallet when the pallet vibrating means vibrates the pallet, the plurality of containers dropped on the upper surface of the pallet Will enter into each housing part of the pallet while rolling by the vibration of the pallet. Therefore, the container supply device can make it easier for a plurality of containers to enter the accommodating portion of the pallet.
Further, the container supply device switches the pallet vibration means from the first vibration state to the second vibration state when dropping the plurality of containers held by the holding means toward the upper surface of the pallet. It is possible to make it difficult for a plurality of containers that have already entered the housing portion to fall off.

  In the present invention, a storage unit that is provided below the holding unit, stores a plurality of containers, a container transfer unit that holds the plurality of containers stored in the storage unit, and holds the holding unit, and a holding unit Drop means for dropping a plurality of containers that are not accommodated in the pallet accommodating portion among the plurality of containers dropped toward the upper surface of the pallet to the storage means, and the container supply control means is a container transporter. After holding the plurality of containers on the holding means by the means, the plurality of containers held on the holding means are dropped toward the upper surface of the pallet, and the plurality of containers are dropped on the storage means by the dropping means It is preferable to circulate and reuse a plurality of containers.

  According to such a configuration, the container supply device includes the storage unit, the container transport unit, the holding unit, and the dropping unit, and since the plurality of containers are circulated and reused, the container supply device has dropped on the upper surface of the pallet. Among the plurality of containers, the container that has not entered the pallet housing part repeatedly falls onto the top surface of the pallet, and eventually enters the pallet housing part. Therefore, the container supply apparatus can automatically supply a plurality of containers to the pallet, and can improve manufacturing efficiency.

  In this invention, it is preferable that a container conveyance means is provided with the conveyor for holding | maintenance which hold | maintains to a holding means by mounting and conveying a some container in a conveyance path.

  According to such a structure, the container conveyance means can adjust the quantity of the several container hold | maintained at a holding means by adjusting the movement amount of the conveyance path of a holding conveyor. Therefore, the container supply device can simplify the configuration of the container conveying means.

  In the present invention, the holding conveyor preferably has a predetermined area entrance for introducing a plurality of containers.

  According to such a configuration, since the holding conveyor can make the conveyance amount of the plurality of containers per unit time constant, the amount of the plurality of containers to be held by the holding unit can be reliably adjusted. .

  In the present invention, the holding means includes a first holding means for dropping the plurality of containers toward the upper surface of the pallet arranged in the first area, and an upper surface of the pallet arranged in the second area. It is preferable to provide the 2nd holding means to make it fall toward.

  According to such a configuration, since the holding means includes the first holding means and the second holding means, it is possible to make it easier for the plurality of containers to enter the pallet accommodating portion.

  In the present invention, the first container is switched between the first path for holding the plurality of containers by the first holding means and the second path for holding the plurality of containers by the second holding means. It is preferable to provide a sorting unit that distributes and holds the first holding unit and the second holding unit.

  According to such a configuration, the container supply device switches the first path and the second path, thereby distributing the plurality of containers to the first holding means and the second holding means and holding them. Therefore, it is possible to share a path for transporting a plurality of containers from the storage means to the distribution means. Therefore, the container supply device can simplify the configuration of the container conveying means.

In the present invention, a storage unit that is provided below the holding unit, stores a plurality of containers, a container transfer unit that holds the plurality of containers stored in the storage unit, and holds the holding unit, and a holding unit Drop means for dropping a plurality of containers that are not accommodated in the pallet accommodating portion among the plurality of containers dropped toward the upper surface of the pallet to the storage means, and the container supply control means is a container transporter. After holding the plurality of containers on the holding means by the means, the plurality of containers held on the holding means are dropped toward the upper surface of the pallet, and the plurality of containers are dropped on the storage means by the dropping means , reused by circulating a plurality of containers, the pallet vibrations means, a third vibration state of vibrating the second pallet positioned weakly container supply for placing stand than the vibration state The dropping means discharges air to the storage means side along the upper surface of the pallet, thereby dropping the plurality of containers onto the storage means, and the container supply control means stores the plurality of containers by the dropping means. It is preferable to switch the pallet vibration means from the second vibration state to the third vibration state when dropping the pallet.

  According to such a configuration, the container supply device switches the pallet vibration means from the second vibration state to the third vibration state when the plurality of containers are dropped onto the storage means by the dropping means. A plurality of containers that have already entered the section can be made difficult to drop off.

  In this invention, it is preferable that the accommodating part of a pallet is provided with the expansion part which expands as it goes to the upper surface side of a pallet.

  According to such a structure, since the accommodating part of a pallet is provided with the expansion part, it can make a some container easier to enter.

The perspective view which shows the capsule which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention Diagram showing capsule manufacturing equipment Top view of main pallet used for main conveyor Diagram showing main conveyor Top view and cross-sectional view of dummy pallet used in container supply device Side view of a container supply device that supplies a plurality of containers to a dummy pallet Side view enlarging the vicinity of the container supply hopper A further enlarged view of the container supply hopper The figure which shows the relationship between the accommodating part of a dummy pallet, and a guide member Side view showing container storage tank and container transport means The schematic diagram which shows the state which looked at the periphery of the container supply arrangement | positioning stand of a container supply apparatus from upper direction Enlarged view showing the periphery of the upstream pallet conveyor Enlarged view showing the periphery of the downstream pallet conveyor Functional block diagram showing schematic configuration of container supply device The figure which shows the state which has thrown in several containers inside the bucket The figure which shows the state which raised the bucket The figure which shows the state which rotated the guide member to the container holding position The figure which shows the state which moved the main-body part of the hopper for container supply along the rail member Schematic diagram showing the state where the dummy pallet is transported from the unloading standby position of the dummy pallet The schematic diagram which shows the state which pulled out the dummy pallet from the 2nd arrangement | positioning stand The schematic diagram which shows the state which sent the dummy pallet to the 2nd arrangement | positioning stand The schematic diagram which shows the state which pushed the dummy pallet toward the 1st arrangement | positioning stand The figure which shows the flowchart of the container conveyance supply process performed with a container supply apparatus. The figure which shows the flowchart of the pallet conveyance process performed with a container supply apparatus. Top view and side view of container transfer device Top view and side view of circulating pallet conveyor Top view of container cleaning device Schematic diagram showing the positional relationship between the main pallet and drop-off prevention means Top view of filling device Side view of filling device Cross-sectional schematic diagram of metering and filling mechanism and filling hopper The figure which shows the state which closed the shutter of the measurement unit. The figure which shows the state which has filled the measuring hole of the measuring plate with the granular material The figure which shows the state which has filled the granular material in the container Schematic diagram showing the filling check device Side view of film supply device, film die cutting device, and film transfer device Top view of film supply device, film die cutting device, and film transfer device The figure which shows the film cut with the film die-cutting device Sectional view showing the main part of the suction head Side view of sealing device Side view of film separator Enlarged sectional view showing the through hole of the bending plate Top view of film separator Schematic diagram showing the shape of the transfer head of the capsule transfer mechanism Side view of scrap discharging device Perspective view showing the appearance of the scrap holder Top view of capsule sorting device Perspective view showing capsule and case Top view of case conveyor Side view of capsule sorting device Functional block diagram showing schematic configuration of capsule sorting device The figure which shows the flowchart of a capsule sorting process The figure which shows the state which made the case stand still between each stopper The figure which shows the state determined with the 1st accommodation determination part having accommodated the capsule in the case The figure which shows the state which is carrying out the 1st case with a case conveyance conveyor The figure which shows the state which determined with the 2nd accommodation determination part having accommodated the capsule in the case The figure which shows the state which is carrying out the 2nd case with a case conveyance conveyor.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
The capsule manufacturing apparatus of the present embodiment manufactures a capsule in which the granular material is sealed in the container by filling the container with the granular material as the contents and attaching a film-like lid material to the opening of the container. It is a device to do. First, the capsule will be described.
In the present embodiment, the capsule manufacturing apparatus fills the container with powder particles, but may be configured to fill the container with other contents such as powder or liquid.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a capsule according to an embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 1, the capsule C includes a container C1 filled with the granular material P, and a film-like lid member C2 that seals the granular material P by being attached to the opening of the container C1. ing.
The container C1 is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape, and has a body C11 having a hexagonal cross section formed so as to be slightly reduced in diameter from the top toward the bottom, and a flange C12 formed at the top. ing.
The lid member C2 has a hexagonal base C21 that covers the opening of the container C1 and rectangular ears C22 formed on each of two opposing sides of the base C21.

  In the present embodiment, the container C1 has the body C11 having a hexagonal cross section, but may have a body having another cross sectional shape such as a square cross section. Moreover, although the container C1 has the flange C12, it does not need to have this. Furthermore, the lid member C2 has two rectangular ears C22, but may have one, three or more ears, or may not have ears. . In short, in the present invention, the container and the lid member may have any shape.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a capsule manufacturing apparatus. Specifically, FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the capsule manufacturing apparatus 1 as viewed from vertically above. In FIG. 2, a description is given assuming that the vertically upward direction is the + Z-axis direction, and two axes orthogonal to the Z-axis are the X and Y axes. The same applies to the following drawings.
As shown in FIG. 2, the capsule manufacturing apparatus 1 includes a main conveyor 2 that transports a plurality of containers C1 by transporting a main pallet MP containing a plurality of containers C1 in a predetermined direction (+ X-axis direction). ing.

The capsule manufacturing apparatus 1 includes a container supply device 3, a container transfer device 4, a container cleaning device 5, a filling device 6, a filling check device 7, a film supply device 8, and a film die cutting device 9. , A film transfer device 10, a seal device 11, a film separation device 12, a scrap discharge device 13, and a capsule sorting device 14, and these devices are directed from the upstream side to the downstream side of the main conveyor 2. It is arranged.
In addition, the main conveyor 2 and each apparatus 3-14 are accommodated in the inside of the area | region sealed with the flame | frame FL in which the glass plate was inserted. The operator can perform maintenance of the main conveyor 2 and each of the devices 3 to 14 by opening the doors disposed in the vicinity of the main conveyor 2 and each of the devices 3 to 14, respectively.

The container supply device 3 supplies a plurality of containers C1 to a dummy pallet DP formed in a shape substantially similar to that of the main pallet MP. The dummy pallet DP will be described in detail later (see FIG. 5).
The container transfer device 4 transfers a plurality of containers C1 supplied to the dummy pallet DP by the container supply device 3 and stores them in the main pallet MP. The main pallet MP transferred with a plurality of containers C1 by the container transfer device 4 is conveyed by the main conveyor 2.

The container cleaning device 5 removes foreign matters such as dust adhering to the container C1 by cleaning the container C1 accommodated in the main pallet MP conveyed by the main conveyor 2.
The filling device 6 fills the powder P in the container C1 from which foreign matter has been removed by the container cleaning device 5.
The filling check device 7 confirms whether or not the powder P is filled in the container C1 accommodated in the main pallet MP conveyed by the main conveyor 2.

The film supply device 8 supplies a film for cutting out the cover material C <b> 2 to the film die cutting device 9.
The film die cutting device 9 forms a perforation for cutting out the cover material C2 in the film supplied by the film supply device 8, and cuts the film into a size corresponding to the main pallet MP.
The film transfer device 10 transfers the film cut by the film die cutting device 9 to the main pallet MP that has been conveyed by the main conveyor 2. At this time, the film transfer device 10 transfers the film so that the position of the lid member C2 formed on the film matches the position of the opening of the container C1 accommodated in the main pallet MP.

The sealing device 11 seals and bonds the lid C2 formed on the film transferred to the main pallet MP by the film transfer device 10 and the opening of the container C1 accommodated in the main pallet MP. The powder P is sealed in the capsule C.
The film separating device 12 seals and bonds the lid C2 formed on the film and the opening of the container C1 accommodated in the main pallet MP with the sealing device 11, and then separates the lid C2 from the film. .

The scrap discharge device 13 collects and discharges the remaining film (scrap) after the cover material C2 is separated by the film separation device 12 from the main pallet MP.
The capsule sorting device 14 takes out the capsules C after the lid material C2 is separated by the film separating device 12 from the main pallet MP, sorts them into a predetermined number, and stores them in a case.
Hereafter, each apparatus which comprises the manufacturing apparatus 1 of a capsule is demonstrated in order.

[Main conveyor]
FIG. 3 is a top view of a main pallet used for the main conveyor.
The main conveyor 2 conveys the plurality of containers C1 by conveying the main pallet MP containing the plurality of containers C1 in a predetermined direction (+ X-axis direction). First, the main pallet MP used for the main conveyor 2 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 3, the main pallet MP is a metal pallet formed in a rectangular plate shape. The main pallet MP is formed through the upper and lower surfaces, and has a plurality of hexagonal-shaped storage portions MP1 for inserting and storing the containers C1 from the upper surface side. In other words, the accommodating part MP1 is a hole formed in the same cross-sectional shape as the body C11 of the container C1, and can accommodate one container C1 inside.

Specifically, the main pallet MP has 10 accommodating portions MP1 arranged at equal intervals along the longitudinal direction (row direction) and 5 at equal intervals along the short direction (column direction). The accommodating parts MP1 are arranged. In other words, the main pallet MP has 50 accommodating portions MP1 in a lattice point shape.
In the present embodiment, the main pallet MP has 50 accommodating portions MP1 in a lattice point shape, but may have two or more accommodating portions different from 50. Moreover, in this embodiment, although the accommodating part is arranged in the shape of a lattice point, it does not need to be arranged in the shape of a lattice point, and the arrangement method may not have regularity.

Here, the outer diameter of the body C11 of the container C1 is formed to be slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the housing portion MP1. Further, the outer diameter of the flange C12 of the container C1 is formed to be slightly larger than the inner diameter of the accommodating portion MP1.
Therefore, when the container C1 is accommodated inside the accommodating part MP1 of the main pallet MP, the flange C12 protrudes outside the accommodating part MP1, and the body C11 is accommodated inside the accommodating part MP1. In other words, the container C1 is accommodated in the accommodating portion MP1 so that the top portion is positioned on the vertically upper side and the bottom portion is positioned on the vertically lower side, and the container C1 has an opposite posture. Thus, it is not accommodated in accommodating part MP1.
As described above, the container C1 is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape and has the body C11 having a hexagonal cross section formed so as to be slightly reduced in diameter from the top toward the bottom. It is easy to enter the accommodating part MP1.

  Further, the main pallet MP is formed at each of the end portions in the longitudinal direction, and is provided with two columnar pins MP2 projecting upward, and at each of the end portions on the lower left side in FIG. 3 and the upper right side in FIG. It has two through holes MP3 having a circular cross section formed through the upper and lower surfaces. These parts will be described in detail later.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the main conveyor. Specifically, FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the main conveyor 2 viewed from the vertically upper side.
As shown in FIG. 4, the main conveyor 2 conveys a main pallet MP containing a plurality of containers C1 in a predetermined direction (+ X axis direction), thereby conveying a plurality of containers C1 and a forward path conveyor 21. The main pallet MP is disposed upstream of the forward conveyor 21 by being transported in a direction opposite to the predetermined direction (−X axis direction) while being disposed in parallel with the conveyor 21 and collecting a plurality of containers C1. And a return path conveyor 22 for conveying to the side.

  The forward conveyor 21 is provided so as to be rotatable about the Y axis, and is provided with a plurality of rollers 21A provided so as to be in contact with both ends in the longitudinal direction of the main pallet MP, and a motor 21B for rotating each roller 21A. It has. The forward conveyor 21 conveys the main pallet MP placed on each roller 21A in the + X-axis direction by rotating each roller 21A with a motor 21B.

  The return path conveyor 22 is provided so as to be rotatable about the Y axis, and includes a plurality of rollers 22A provided so as to abut on both ends in the longitudinal direction of the main pallet MP, and a motor 22B for rotating each roller 22A. It has. The return path conveyor 22 conveys the main pallet MP placed on each roller 22A in the −X-axis direction by rotating each roller 22A with a motor 22B.

  The return path conveyor 22 is provided in the middle of conveying the main pallet MP, and includes a pallet cleaning mechanism 22C for cleaning the main pallet MP. The pallet cleaning mechanism 22C includes a pallet cleaning suction machine 22C1 (only the pallet cleaning suction machine 22C1 on the upper vertical side) provided at two locations on the vertical upper side and the lower vertical side of the main pallet MP so as to sandwich the main pallet MP. Are attached to the inside of each pallet cleaning suction machine 22C1 and are rotated by a motor (not shown) to rub the powder P and foreign matter adhering to the upper and lower surfaces of the main pallet MP. A brush (not shown) for dropping is provided. Then, the pallet cleaning mechanism 22C scrapes off the granular material P, foreign matters, etc. adhering to the upper and lower surfaces of the main pallet MP conveyed by the return path conveyor 22 with a brush, and sends them to each pallet cleaning suction machine 22C1. The main pallet MP is cleaned by suction and removal.

  In addition, the main conveyor 2 is configured to return the main pallet MP, which has been transported to the upstream side of the forward conveyor 21 by the backward conveyor 22, and the forward delivery mechanism 23 that sends the main pallet MP to the forward conveyor 21. A return path delivery mechanism 24 that feeds the main pallet MP conveyed to the upstream side of the conveyor 22 to the return path conveyor 22 is provided.

  The forward delivery mechanism 23 is provided so as to be rotatable around the X axis, and contacts a plurality of rollers 23A provided so as to contact the center of the main pallet MP, and a side surface on the + Y axis direction side of the main pallet MP. It includes a delivery plate 23B that is in contact with it and a moving mechanism 23C that moves the delivery plate 23B along the Y-axis direction. The forward path delivery mechanism 23 sends the main pallet MP placed on each roller 23A to the forward path conveyor 21 by moving the delivery plate 23B in the -Y-axis direction by the moving mechanism 23C.

  The return path delivery mechanism 24 is provided so as to be rotatable around the X-axis, and is provided with a plurality of rollers 24A provided so as to be in contact with the central portion of the main pallet MP, and a side surface on the −Y-axis direction side of the main pallet MP. A feeding plate 24B that abuts and a moving mechanism 24C that moves the sending plate 24B along the Y-axis direction are provided. The return path delivery mechanism 24 sends the main pallet MP placed on each roller 24A to the return path conveyor 22 by moving the delivery plate 24B in the + Y-axis direction by the moving mechanism 24C.

  Therefore, the main conveyor 2 transports the main pallet MP in the + X-axis direction by the forward path conveyor 21, then sends it to the backward path conveyor 22 by the backward path delivery mechanism 24, and in the −X-axis direction by the backward path conveyor 22. After being transported, it is sent again to the outbound conveyor 21 by the outbound delivery mechanism 23, so that the main pallet MP is circulated so as to rotate around the Z axis.

[Container supply device]
FIG. 5 is a top view and a cross-sectional view of a dummy pallet used in the container supply device. Specifically, FIG. 5A is a top view of the dummy pallet DP, and FIG. 5B is an AA cross-sectional view of the center of the dummy pallet DP cut along the longitudinal direction.
The container supply device 3 is a device that supplies a plurality of containers C1 to the dummy pallet DP. First, the dummy pallet DP used for the container supply device 3 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 5, the dummy pallet DP includes a resin base DPB formed in a rectangular plate shape with four corners chamfered, and a stainless steel plate DPL attached by screwing to the upper surface of the base DPB. Have. The upper surface of the plate DPL is subjected to surface treatment for smoothing the surface. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the upper surface of the dummy pallet DP is subjected to a surface treatment for smoothing the surface.

Here, as the surface treatment for smoothing the surface, for example, Nidax (registered trademark) treatment can be adopted, but other treatments are adopted as long as the surface treatment is for smoothing the surface. May be.
In the present embodiment, the upper surface of the dummy pallet DP is subjected to a surface treatment for smoothing the surface, but the surface treatment may not be performed.

  The base DPB is formed so as to penetrate the upper and lower surfaces, and has a plurality of hexagonal housing parts DP1 for inserting and housing the container C1 from the upper surface side. In other words, the accommodating portion DP1 is a hole formed in the same cross-sectional shape as the body C11 of the container C1, and can accommodate one container C1 inside.

Specifically, the base DPB has ten accommodating portions DP1 arranged at equal intervals along the longitudinal direction (row direction), and five at equal intervals along the short direction (column direction). The accommodating portions DP1 are arranged. In other words, the base DPB has 50 accommodating portions DP1 in a lattice point shape.
In the present embodiment, the base DPB has 50 accommodating portions DP1 in a lattice point shape. However, the base DPB only needs to have two or more accommodating portions different from 50. Moreover, in this embodiment, although the accommodating part is arranged in the shape of a lattice point, it does not need to be arranged in the shape of a lattice point, and the arrangement method may not have regularity.

Here, the outer diameter of the body C11 of the container C1 is formed slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the housing portion DP1. Further, the outer diameter of the flange C12 of the container C1 is formed to be slightly larger than the inner diameter of the housing portion DP1.
Therefore, when the container C1 is accommodated inside the accommodating portion DP1 of the base DPB, the flange C12 protrudes outside the accommodating portion DP1, and the body C11 is accommodated inside the accommodating portion DP1. In other words, the container C1 is accommodated in the accommodating portion DP1 so that the top portion is positioned on the vertically upper side and the bottom portion is positioned on the vertically lower side so that the container C1 is positioned in the accommodating portion DP1. Thus, it is not accommodated in accommodating part DP1.
Further, as described above, the container C1 is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape, and has the body C11 having a hexagonal cross section formed so as to be slightly reduced in diameter from the top toward the bottom. It is easy to enter the housing portion DP1.

The plate DPL has a through-hole DP2 having a circular cross section formed at a position corresponding to the housing portion DP1 of the base DPB. Each through hole DP2 is formed so as to increase in diameter from the lower surface side to the upper surface side of the dummy pallet DP.
Accordingly, the housing portion DP1 of the dummy pallet DP includes the through hole DP2, and the through hole DP2 functions as an expanding portion that expands toward the upper surface side of the dummy pallet DP.
In the present embodiment, the housing portion DP1 of the dummy pallet DP includes a through hole DP2, and the through hole DP2 is formed so as to increase in diameter from the lower surface side to the upper surface side of the dummy pallet DP. However, it does not need to be formed so as to expand the diameter.

  Further, the dummy pallet DP is formed at each of the end portions in the longitudinal direction, and has two through-holes DP3 having a circular cross section passing through the upper and lower surfaces of the base DPB and the plate DPL. These parts will be described in detail later.

FIG. 6 is a side view of a container supply device that supplies a plurality of containers to a dummy pallet. Specifically, FIG. 6 is a view of the container supply device 3 viewed from the −Y axis direction side.
The container supply device 3 supplies a plurality of containers C1 to each of the plurality of accommodating portions DP1 formed on the upper surface of the dummy pallet DP. As shown in FIG. 6, the container supply device 3 includes a container supply arrangement table 31 for arranging the dummy pallet DP, and a pallet that vibrates the dummy pallet DP by vibrating the container supply arrangement table 31. A small electromagnetic feeder 32 as a vibrating means and a container supply hopper 33 (a holding means for holding a plurality of containers C1 as well as disposed above the container supply placement table 31 (position of the dummy pallet DP). 33A, 33B).

In addition, the container supply device 3 is provided below the container supply hopper 33, and includes a container storage tank 34 as a storage means for storing a plurality of containers C1, and a plurality of containers C1 stored in the container storage tank 34. A container conveying means 35 is provided which is held by the container supply hopper 33 by being conveyed.
In the present embodiment, the small electromagnetic feeder 32 is employed as the pallet vibration means, but a vibration generator of another method different from the electromagnetic method may be employed. In short, in the present invention, the pallet vibrating means only needs to vibrate the dummy pallet.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged side view of the vicinity of the container supply hopper. Specifically, FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the container supply hopper 33 from the −Y axis direction side.
As shown in FIG. 7, the container supply arrangement table 31 is inclined so as to descend toward the container storage tank 34 side (left side of the paper), and the two dummy pallets DP are arranged along the short direction. The first placement table 31A is provided adjacent to the first placement table 31A on the upper side of the first placement table 31A, and is inclined so as to descend toward the container storage tank 34 side (the left side of the page). And a second placement table 31B for placing two dummy pallets DP along the short direction.

Specifically, each dummy pallet DP is arranged on the first arrangement table 31A and the second arrangement table 31B with the front and back direction of the paper as the long direction and the horizontal direction of the paper as the short direction. Accordingly, the container supply arrangement table 31 includes the first arrangement table 31A (first region) and the second arrangement table 31B (second region) provided adjacent to each other, and the first arrangement table 31A (first region) is provided. A dummy pallet DP is arranged on each of the table 31A and the second arrangement table 31B.
In the present embodiment, the first arrangement table 31A and the second arrangement table 31B are configured to arrange two dummy pallets DP, but to arrange one dummy pallet DP. It may be configured, and may be configured to arrange a plurality of three or more dummy pallets DP.

  The small electromagnetic feeder 32 is disposed below the first placement table 31A, and the second placement of the small electromagnetic feeder 32A for vibrating the two dummy pallets DP disposed on the first placement table 31A. A small electromagnetic feeder 32B that vibrates the two dummy pallets DP arranged on the second arrangement table 31B is provided below the table 31B.

  The container supply hopper 33 includes a container supply hopper 33A (first holding means) for dropping the plurality of containers C1 toward the dummy pallet DP disposed on the first arrangement table 31A, and the plurality of containers C1. The container supply hopper 33B (second holding means) that drops toward the dummy pallet DP arranged on the second arrangement table 31B and the short side direction of the dummy pallet DP arranged on the container supply arrangement table 31. And a rail member 33 </ b> C that is inclined and disposed above the container supply arrangement table 31 in the same manner as the inclination of the container supply arrangement table 31.

  In the present embodiment, the container supply device 3 includes two container supply hoppers 33, a container supply hopper 33A and a container supply hopper 33B. On the other hand, the container supply apparatus may include one container supply hopper or may include three or more container supply hoppers. In short, the container supply device may be disposed above the container supply arrangement table and may include holding means for holding a plurality of containers.

  The rail members 33C are provided on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the dummy pallet DP (not shown). The rail member 33C is attached to the lower end portion (left end portion on the paper surface) and pallet sending means 33C1 for sending two dummy pallets DP arranged on the first arrangement table 31A to the second arrangement table 31B. And a compressor 33C2 that is attached to the upper end portion (right end portion on the paper surface) and that discharges air to the container storage tank 34 side along the upper surface of the dummy pallet DP disposed on the container supply placement base 31. .

FIG. 8 is a further enlarged view of the container supply hopper.
As shown in FIG. 8, the container supply hopper 33 includes a slider 331 provided so as to be movable forward and backward along the rail member 33 </ b> C, a main body 332 that is attached to the slider 331, and holds a plurality of containers C <b> 1. And a guide member 333 attached to the portion 332.

The slider 331 includes a wheel (not shown) that rolls on the upper surface of the rail member 33C, and moves along the rail member 33C by rotating the wheel by a driving force of a motor (not shown) provided therein. The main body portion 332 moves along the rail member 33C as the slider 331 moves. Therefore, the rail member 33C and the slider 331 function as container supply moving means of the present invention that moves the container supply hoppers 33A and 33B along a predetermined direction (short direction of the dummy pallet DP).
In the present embodiment, the container supply device 3 includes the container supply moving means, but may not include this.

The main body portion 332 includes a hopper conveyor 332A that forms the bottom surface and a cover 332B that forms three side surfaces excluding the right side surface of the main body portion 332, and is in a space formed by the hopper conveyor 332A and the cover 332B. A plurality of containers C1 are held.
The hopper conveyor 332 </ b> A moves the conveyance path from the upstream side (left side on the paper surface) to the downstream side (right side on the paper surface) of the main body portion 332 by the driving force of the motor 332 </ b> A <b> 1 attached to the main body portion 332. Accordingly, the plurality of containers C1 accommodated in the main body portion 332 move from the upstream side of the main body portion 332 toward the downstream side.
Here, since the cover 332B does not constitute the downstream side surface of the main body portion 332, when the transport path of the hopper conveyor 332A is moved from the upstream side to the downstream side of the main body portion 332, the plurality of containers C1 are Then, after being conveyed by the hopper conveyor 332A, it falls from the downstream side of the main body portion 332.

The guide member 333 is attached to the main body 332 so as to be rotatable about an axis in the front and back direction of the paper surface, and is rotated by a driving force of a cylinder (not shown) provided in the main body 332. Specifically, the guide member 333 has one of two positions: a container holding position where the tip is positioned upward (two-dot chain line in the figure) and a guide position where the tip is positioned below (solid line in the figure). Rotate to stop.
In the present embodiment, the container supply hopper 33 includes the guide member 333, but may not include the guide member 333. In short, in the present invention, the holding means only needs to be able to drop a plurality of containers toward the upper surface of the dummy pallet.

In the container holding position, the guide member 333 is inclined so as to rise toward the tip side, so that a bottomed cylindrical space is formed by cooperating with the hopper conveyor 332A and the cover 332B. The container C1 is prevented from dropping from the lower end side of the main body portion 332. In other words, in a state where the guide member 333 is rotated to the container holding position and stopped, the guide member 333 constitutes the downstream side surface of the main body portion 332.
At the guide position, the guide member 333 is inclined so as to descend toward the front end side, and thus the plurality of containers C1 are slid on the upper surface of the guide member 333 after being transported by the hopper conveyor 332A. It falls from the downstream side of the part 332.

  In the present embodiment, the guide member 333 rotates and stops at one of two positions: a container holding position with the tip positioned upward and a guide position with the tip positioned downward. Although it is comprised so that it can do, it does not need to be comprised so that it can rotate. In this case, the guide member 333 may be fixed at the guide position.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the relationship between the dummy pallet housing portion and the guide member. Specifically, FIG. 9A is a view of the dummy pallet DP and the guide member 333 as viewed from above, and FIG. 9B is a guide member along the horizontal direction of FIG. 9A. It is a figure which shows the cross section which cut | disconnected 333. FIG. FIG. 9A is a view showing a state in which the guide member 333 is rotated to the guide position and stopped.
As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the guide member 333 is formed in a rail shape that is inclined so as to descend from the base end portion attached to the main body portion 332 toward the tip end portion on the dummy pallet DP side. Each rail portion 333A is provided, and each rail portion 333A is integrally formed as one member.

  Each rail portion 333A is provided so as to correspond to ten accommodating portions DP1 arranged at equal intervals along the longitudinal direction of the dummy pallet DP. Each rail portion 333A has a V-shaped groove portion 333A1 that slides and guides the container C1 toward the center of each accommodating portion DP1 of the dummy pallet DP. Specifically, each rail portion 333A is provided along a direction parallel to the short direction of the dummy pallet DP, and the groove portion 333A1 has its deepest portion positioned vertically above the center of the housing portion DP1. (The chain line in the figure). Therefore, the guide member 333 guides the container C1 to drop toward the center of the housing portion DP1 of the dummy pallet DP.

  In this embodiment, the guide member 333 is formed in a rail shape that is inclined so as to descend from the base end portion attached to the main body portion 332 toward the tip end portion on the dummy pallet DP side, and the dummy pallet. Although it has V-shaped groove part 333A1 which slides and guides container C1 toward the center of each accommodating part DP1 of DP, for example, it may be formed in other shapes such as a tunnel shape. In short, in the present invention, the guide member may be guided so as to drop the container toward the center of the housing portion of the dummy pallet.

  Each rail portion 333A is provided so as to protrude from the tip on the dummy pallet DP side along the direction in which the container C1 is guided, and includes a pair of protruding pieces 333A2 provided on both sides of the groove portion 333A1. The distance between the pair of protruding pieces 333A2 becomes wider toward the tip on the dummy pallet DP side. And the space | interval of the front-end | tip is wider than the outer diameter of the trunk | drum C11 of the container C1, and is narrower than the outer diameter of the flange C12 of the container C1.

In the present embodiment, the distance between the pair of protruding pieces 333A2 increases toward the front end on the dummy pallet DP side, but may be a constant distance from the base end to the front end.
Moreover, in this embodiment, although the guide member 333 is provided with a pair of protrusion pieces 333A2, it does not need to be provided with this.

FIG. 10 is a side view showing the container storage tank and the container transport means. Specifically, FIG. 10 is a view of the container storage tank 34 and the container transport means 35 as viewed from the −Y axis direction side.
As shown in FIG. 10, the container storage tank 34 is dropped onto the upper surface of the dummy pallet DP by a storage cover 341 that covers an opening formed on the vertically upper side for introducing the container C1 and a container supply hopper 33. Among the plurality of containers C1, a recovery port 342 for recovering a plurality of containers C1 that have not been accommodated in the accommodating portion DP1 of the dummy pallet DP, and a lower part of the recovery port 342 are formed and stored therein. And a carry-out port 343 for carrying out the container C1.

The container transport means 35 is provided on the right side of the container storage tank 34 and also has a bucket mechanism 351 for holding the container supply hopper 33 by transporting a plurality of containers C1 stored in the container storage tank 34, and a container A belt conveyor 352 that conveys a plurality of containers C1 from the storage tank 34 to the bucket mechanism 351 is provided.
In this embodiment, the container transport means 35 includes the bucket mechanism 351 and the belt conveyor 352, but may have a different configuration. In short, in the present invention, the container transport unit only needs to be able to be held by the holding unit by transporting a plurality of containers stored in the storage unit.

The bucket mechanism 351 includes a bucket 351A, an elevator 351B, a holding conveyor 351C, and a sorting unit 351D.
The bucket 351A is formed in a bottomed rectangular tube shape having a bottom surface portion 351A1 configured to be openable and closable while being inclined so as to descend toward the container storage tank 34 side. The bucket 351 </ b> A closes the bottom surface portion 351 </ b> A <b> 1 to store a plurality of containers C <b> 1 therein, and opens the bottom surface to deliver the plurality of containers C <b> 1 stored therein. Here, FIG. 10 shows a state where the bottom surface portion 351A1 of the bucket 351A is opened.

  The elevator 351B raises and lowers the bucket 351A along the vertical vertical direction, so that the height position of the container storage tank 34 (specifically, the opening above the bucket 351A above the upper surface of the conveyance path of the belt conveyor 352 is opened). It moves back and forth between the lower position) and the height position of the container supply hopper 33. Here, FIG. 10 shows a state in which the bucket 351A is raised to the height position of the container supply hopper 33 by the elevator 351B.

The holding conveyor 351C places a plurality of containers C1 delivered by the bucket 351A on the conveyance path 351C1, and moves the conveyance path 351C1 from the upstream side (right side on the paper surface) to the downstream side (left side on the paper surface) by the motor 351C2. The container supply hopper 33 holds the container C1 by moving the container C1. Specifically, the plurality of containers C1 placed on the transport path 351C1 fall toward the container supply hopper 33 from the downstream side of the holding conveyor 351C.
In this embodiment, the bucket mechanism 351 includes a holding conveyor 351C, and the holding conveyor 351C is held by the container supply hopper 33 by conveying a plurality of containers C1. On the other hand, the bucket mechanism 351 may be held in the container supply hopper 33 by another mechanism such as pushing out a plurality of containers C1.

The holding conveyor 351C includes a rectangular plate-like gate 351C3 provided at a predetermined interval on the vertically upper side of the transport path 351C1. The gate 351C3 is disposed over the entire width of the transport path 351C1. In other words, the holding conveyor 351C has an entrance having a predetermined area for introducing the plurality of containers C1.
In the present embodiment, the holding conveyor 351C includes the rectangular plate-shaped gate 351C3, but may not include this.

The gate 351C3 is attached to the holding conveyor 351C by inserting a pin 351C4 along the Y-axis direction at the upper end portion thereof, so that the gate 351C3 can swing around the Y-axis. Therefore, the gate 351C3 can swing its lower end when the plurality of containers C1 pass.
In this embodiment, the gate 351C3 is attached to the holding conveyor 351C so that the lower ends thereof can be swung when the plurality of containers C1 pass, but the lower ends can be swung. It may not be attached.

  The distribution means 351D is provided so as to be able to project and retract along the X-axis direction, and the plurality of containers C1 that have dropped from the downstream side of the holding conveyor 351C toward the container supply hopper 33 are supplied to the container supply hopper 33A or The containers are distributed and held in the container supply hopper 33B. Specifically, the distribution means 351D projects to the container supply hopper 33A side (solid line in the figure), thereby a first path for holding the plurality of containers C1 in the container supply hopper 33B, and the container supply By immersing into the hopper 33B side (two-dot chain line in the figure), the container has a second path for holding the containers C1 in the container supply hopper 33A, and the first path and the second path are switched. Thus, the plurality of containers C1 are distributed and held in the container supply hopper 33A or the container supply hopper 33B.

  In the present embodiment, the bucket mechanism 351 includes a sorting unit 351D, and the sorting unit 351D switches the plurality of containers C1 to the container supply hopper 33A by switching between the first path and the second path. Alternatively, they are distributed and held in the container supply hopper 33B. On the other hand, for example, the distribution means divides the plurality of containers C1 that have dropped from the downstream side of the holding conveyor 351C toward the container supply hopper 33 into half of the container supply hopper 33A or the container supply. Other mechanisms such as sorting and holding the hopper 33B at the same time may be employed. In short, the distribution means only needs to distribute and hold a plurality of containers to the first holding means and the second holding means.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the periphery of the container supply placement table of the container supply device is viewed from above. Specifically, FIG. 11 is a diagram schematically illustrating a state in which the periphery of the container supply arrangement table of the container supply device is viewed from the + Z-axis direction side.
Further, as shown in FIG. 11, the container supply device 3 includes pallet conveying means 36 that carries the dummy pallet DP into and out of the container supply arrangement table 31. The pallet conveying means 36 is arranged on the upstream pallet conveyor 361 and the pusher 362 arranged on the + Y axis direction side of the container supply arrangement table 31 and on the −Y axis direction side of the container supply arrangement table 31. A puller 363 and a downstream pallet conveyor 364, and a circulation pallet conveyor 365 disposed on the + X axis direction side of the container supply arrangement table 31 are provided.

The upstream pallet conveyor 361 conveys the dummy pallet DP to the loading standby position W1 of the dummy pallet DP provided adjacent to the container supply placement table 31 on the + Y axis direction side.
The pusher 362 pushes the dummy pallet DP conveyed to the carry-in standby position W1 of the dummy pallet DP by the upstream pallet conveyor 361 toward the container supply placement table 31.
The puller 363 pulls out the two dummy pallets DP arranged on the second arrangement table 31B to the unloading standby position W2 of the dummy palette DP provided on the −Y axis direction side adjacent to the container supply arrangement table 31. .

The downstream pallet conveyor 364 conveys the dummy pallet DP from the unloading standby position W2 of the dummy pallet DP.
The circulation pallet conveyor 365 circulates the dummy pallet DP by conveying the dummy pallet DP that has arrived at the end point position of the downstream pallet conveyor 364 to the start point position of the upstream pallet conveyor 361.

  The pallet conveying means 36 may have a configuration different from the above-described configuration including the upstream pallet conveyor 361, the pusher 362, the puller 363, the downstream pallet conveyor 364, and the circulation pallet conveyor 365. . For example, the pallet conveying means may carry the dummy pallet into and out of the dummy pallet placement position manually by the operator. In short, in the present invention, the pallet conveying means only needs to be able to carry in / out the dummy pallet placement position.

FIG. 12 is an enlarged view showing the periphery of the upstream pallet conveyor. Specifically, FIG. 12A is a view of the periphery of the upstream pallet conveyor 361 viewed from the + Z axis direction side, and FIG. 12B is the + Y axis direction side of the periphery of the upstream pallet conveyor 361. It is the figure seen from.
As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the upstream pallet conveyor 361 includes a conveyance path 361A that moves toward the loading standby position W1 of the dummy pallet DP (to the right in the drawing), and a movement direction of the conveyance path 361A. A pair of guide rails 361B provided in parallel and provided on both sides of the conveyance path 361A are provided. The interval between the pair of guide rails 361B is set slightly longer than the length of the dummy pallet DP in the longitudinal direction. Here, at the carry-in standby position W1 of the dummy pallet DP, the conveyance path 361A is inclined in the same manner as the container supply arrangement table 31 (see FIG. 12B).

  As shown in FIG. 12, the pusher 362 includes a contact portion 362A that contacts the side surface of the dummy pallet DP, and an advance / retreat mechanism 362B that advances and retracts the contact portion 362A along the Y-axis direction. The pusher 362 moves the contact portion 362A toward the −Y-axis direction side by the advance / retreat mechanism 362B, so that the dummy pallet DP transported to the standby waiting position W1 of the dummy pallet DP by the upstream pallet conveyor 361. Is pushed out toward the first arrangement table 31A.

FIG. 13 is an enlarged view showing the periphery of the downstream pallet conveyor. Specifically, FIG. 13A is a view of the periphery of the downstream pallet conveyor 364 viewed from the + Z axis direction side, and FIG. 13B is the view of the periphery of the downstream pallet conveyor 364 in the −Y axis direction. It is the figure seen from the side.
As shown in FIG. 13, the puller 363 includes a pin 363 </ b> A that is inserted into the through hole DP <b> 3 formed on the −Y axis direction side among the two through holes DP <b> 3 (see FIG. 5) formed in the dummy pallet DP, And an advancing / retracting mechanism 363B for advancing and retracting the pin 363A along the Y-axis direction. In the puller 363, after the pin 363A is advanced toward the + Y axis direction side by the advance / retreat mechanism 363B, the pin 363A is inserted into the through hole DP3 of the dummy pallet DP, and the pin 363A is moved to the −Y axis direction side by the advance / retreat mechanism 363B. By moving backward, the two dummy pallets DP arranged on the second arrangement table 31B are pulled out to the unloading standby position W2 of the dummy pallet DP.

  As shown in FIGS. 11 and 13, the downstream pallet conveyor 364 includes a conveyance path 364 </ b> A that moves from the dummy pallet DP unloading standby position W <b> 2 toward the right side of the sheet, and a pull-out position of the dummy pallet DP at the puller 363. A pusher 364B that pushes the dummy pallet DP pulled out to W2 toward the transport path 364A, and a pair of guide rails 364C that are provided in parallel with the moving direction of the transport path 364A and provided on both sides of the transport path 364A. ing. The distance between the pair of guide rails 364C is set slightly longer than the length of the dummy pallet DP in the longitudinal direction. Here, at the carry-out standby position W2 of the dummy pallet DP, the conveyance path 364A is inclined in the same manner as the container supply arrangement table 31 (see the following figure).

Further, as shown in FIG. 13, the downstream pallet conveyor 364 switches the state of the dummy pallet DP carrying standby position W2 between the inclined state and the horizontal state similar to the container supply arrangement table 31. A mechanism 364D is provided.
The switching mechanism 364D includes a pedestal 364D1 having a carry-out standby position W2 for the dummy pallet DP, and a pedestal support portion 364D2 that supports the pedestal 364D1 so as to be rotatable about the Y axis. This switching mechanism 364D tilts the state of the dummy pallet DP carry-out standby position W2 in the same manner as the container supply placement table 31 by rotating the base 364D1 around the Y axis by the driving force of a motor (not shown). Switch between the normal state and the horizontal state.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the circulating pallet conveyor 365 is placed with the dummy pallet DP and moved toward the + Y-axis direction, thereby moving the starting pallet conveyor 361 from the end point position of the downstream pallet conveyor 364. A transport path 365A that transports the plate 365B, a plate 365B that contacts the side surface on the + X-axis direction side of the dummy pallet DP that has arrived at the end position of the transport path 365A, and an advance / retreat mechanism 365C that moves the plate 365B back and forth along the X-axis direction. I have. The circulating pallet conveyor 365 feeds the dummy pallet DP that has arrived at the start position of the upstream pallet conveyor 361 to the upstream pallet conveyor 361 by causing the plate 365B to advance in the −X axis direction by the advance / retreat mechanism 365C.

FIG. 14 is a functional block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the container supply device.
Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 14, the container supply device 3 includes a container supply control means 37 for controlling the entire container supply device 3.
The container supply control means 37 is constituted by a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a memory, and the like, and executes information processing according to a predetermined program stored in the memory. The container supply control unit 37 includes a container transport unit 371, a container supply unit 372, and a pallet transport unit 373.

The container transport unit 371 includes a container input unit 371A, an input stop unit 371B, and a container moving unit 371C, and controls the container transport unit 35 to transport a plurality of containers C1 stored in the container storage tank 34. To hold the container supply hopper 33.
Hereinafter, the function of each part 371A-371C which comprises the container conveyance part 371 is demonstrated in detail.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a state in which a plurality of containers are put into the bucket.
As shown in FIG. 15, the container loading part 371A closes the bottom surface part 351A1 of the bucket 351A after moving the bucket 351A to the height position of the container storage tank 34 (downward arrow in the figure). Then, the container loading unit 371A causes the belt conveyor 352 to start moving the conveyance path (right arrow in the figure), thereby loading the plurality of containers C1 conveyed by the belt conveyor 352 into the bucket 351A.
Here, since the belt conveyor 352 has an inlet of a predetermined area for introducing the plurality of containers C1 stored in the container storage tank 34 (the outlet 343 of the container storage tank 34), the belt conveyor 352 is charged into the bucket 351A. The amount of the container C1 per unit time can be made constant.

  The input stop unit 371B causes the belt conveyor 352 to stop moving the conveyance path when a predetermined time has elapsed after the belt conveyor 352 starts moving the conveyance path. In other words, the charging stop unit 371B stops the movement of the conveyance path by the belt conveyor 352 to the bucket 351A of the plurality of containers C1 when a predetermined amount of the plurality of containers C1 is charged inside the bucket 351A. Stops charging.

  In the present embodiment, the input stopping unit 371B causes the belt conveyor 352 to stop moving the conveyance path when a predetermined time has elapsed after the belt conveyor 352 starts moving the conveyance path. The charging of the plurality of containers C1 into the bucket 351A was stopped. On the other hand, for example, the charging stop unit detects that the plurality of containers C1 have contacted the floor of the bucket 351A with a sensor, and then when the predetermined time has elapsed, By stopping the movement, the charging of the plurality of containers C1 into the bucket 351A may be stopped. Further, for example, the charging stop unit measures the weights of the plurality of containers charged into the bucket, and when the predetermined weight is reached, causes the belt conveyor 352 to stop moving the conveyance path, thereby causing the plurality of containers C1 to stop. May be stopped. In short, in the present invention, when a plurality of containers of a certain amount are charged inside the bucket, the loading stop unit stops the loading of the plurality of containers into the bucket by causing the belt conveyor to stop moving the conveyance path. do it.

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a state where the bucket is raised.
After stopping the charging of the plurality of containers C1 into the bucket 351A by the charging stop section 371B, the container moving section 371C moves the bucket 351A to the height position of the container supply hopper 33 by the elevator 351B as shown in FIG. (Upward arrow in the figure).

Then, as shown in FIG. 10, the container moving unit 371C opens the bottom surface portion 351A1 of the bucket 351A to place the plurality of containers C1 stored in the bucket 351A on the conveyance path 351C1 of the holding conveyor 351C. .
Further, the container moving unit 371C drives the motor 351C2 to move the transport path 351C1 from the upstream side toward the downstream side to transport the plurality of containers C1 and to project and retract the sorting unit 351D. The plurality of containers C1 are distributed and held in the container supply hopper 33A or the container supply hopper 33B.

Here, since the holding conveyor 351C includes an inlet (gate 351C3) having a predetermined area for introducing the plurality of containers C1, the amount of the container C1 per unit time falling on the container supply hopper 33 is made constant. be able to.
In addition, since the gate 351C3 is disposed so that the lower ends thereof can be swung when the plurality of containers C1 pass, the deformation of the plurality of containers C1 can be suppressed.

  Specifically, the container moving unit 371C projects the sorting unit 351D to the container supply hopper 33A side and switches to the first path, whereby a plurality of units placed on the conveyance path 351C1 of the holding conveyor 351C are placed. About half of the container C1 is held in the container supply hopper 33B. After that, the container moving unit 371C immerses the distribution unit 351D on the container supply hopper 33B side and switches to the second path, so that the plurality of containers C1 placed on the conveyance path 351C1 of the holding conveyor 351C is placed. The remaining half is held in the container supply hopper 33A.

  In this way, the container transport unit 371 controls the container transport means 35 to transport the plurality of containers C1 stored in the container storage tank 34, thereby holding the container supply hopper 33. In the present embodiment, the container transport means 35 holds a plurality of containers C1 in a certain amount in the container supply hopper 33.

As shown in FIG. 14, the container supply unit 372 includes a hopper drive unit 372A, a pallet vibration unit 372B, and an air discharge unit 372C, and controls the small electromagnetic feeder 32 and the container supply hopper 33 to control the dummy pallet DP. A plurality of containers C1 are supplied to each of the plurality of accommodating portions DP1 formed on the upper surface of the container.
Hereinafter, the function of each part 372A-372C which comprises the container supply part 372 is demonstrated in detail.

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the guide member is rotated to the container holding position.
As shown in FIG. 17, the hopper driving unit 372A rotates the guide member 333 from the guide position to the container holding position (upward arrow in the figure), thereby causing the container supply hopper 33 from the downstream side of the holding conveyor 351C. A plurality of containers C <b> 1 that have dropped toward the container are held in the container supply hopper 33.
Then, as shown in FIG. 7, the hopper driving unit 372A rotates the guide member 333 from the container holding position to the guide position, and moves the conveyance path of the hopper conveyor 332A (see FIG. 8) from the upper end side of the main body 332. Move toward the lower end. As a result, the plurality of containers C <b> 1 slide on the upper surface of the guide member 333 and drop from the lower end side of the main body portion 332.

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the main body of the container supply hopper is moved along the rail member.
Further, as shown in FIG. 18, the hopper driving unit 372A moves the slider 331 along the rail member 33C when the plurality of containers C1 are dropped from the lower end side of the main body 332, thereby causing the main body 332 is moved to the container storage tank 34 side along the rail member 33C.
Here, since the rail member 33C is arranged in parallel with the short direction of the dummy pallet DP arranged on the container supply arrangement table 31, the dummy pallet DP is formed in the main body portion by the rail member 33C and the slider 331. It has a plurality of accommodating portions DP1 formed so as to be aligned along a direction (predetermined direction) in which 332 is moved.
The hopper driving unit 372A causes the plurality of containers C1 held by the main body 332 to drop toward the upper surface of the dummy pallet DP when the main body 332 is moved by the rail member 33C and the slider 331. Yes.

The pallet vibration unit 372B is configured to vibrate the container supply placement table 31 with the small electromagnetic feeder 32 when the plurality of containers C1 are dropped from the lower end side of the main body 332 by the hopper driving unit 372A. The pallet DP is vibrated.
Accordingly, when the dummy pallet DP is vibrated by the small electromagnetic feeder 32, the container supply unit 372 drops the plurality of containers C1 held by the container supply hopper 33 toward the upper surface of the dummy pallet DP.

Here, the small electromagnetic feeder 32 is arranged on the container supply arrangement table 31 in a first vibration state in which the dummy pallet DP arranged on the container supply arrangement table 31 is vibrated and weaker than the first vibration state. And a second vibration state in which the dummy pallet DP is vibrated.
The pallet vibration unit 372B moves the small electromagnetic feeder 32 from the first vibration state to the second state when the plurality of containers C1 held by the container supply hopper 33 are dropped toward the upper surface of the dummy pallet DP. Switch to vibration state. In other words, the pallet vibration unit 372B weakens the vibration of the small electromagnetic feeder 32 when the plurality of containers C1 held by the container supply hopper 33 are dropped toward the upper surface of the dummy pallet DP.

  In the present embodiment, the small electromagnetic feeder 32 has a first vibration state and a second vibration state that causes the dummy pallet DP disposed on the container supply placement base 31 to vibrate, which is weaker than the first vibration state. The pallet vibration unit 372B moves the small electromagnetic feeder 32 from the first vibration state to the first vibration state when the plurality of containers C1 held by the container supply hopper 33 are dropped toward the upper surface of the dummy pallet DP. Although it switched to the vibration state of 2, it does not need to switch in this way.

The plurality of containers C1 dropped on the upper surface of the dummy pallet DP by the container supply unit 372 will enter each housing part DP1 of the dummy pallet DP while rolling by the vibration of the dummy pallet DP.
On the other hand, since the container supply arrangement table 31 is inclined so as to descend toward the container storage tank 34 side, a plurality of containers dropped onto the upper surface of the dummy pallet DP by the container supply unit 372. Among the C1, a plurality of containers C1 that are not accommodated in the accommodating part DP1 of the dummy pallet DP will freely fall into the container storage tank 34. Accordingly, in the present embodiment, the container supply placement table 31 drops the plurality of containers C1 to the container storage tank 34 by inclining the dummy pallet DP so as to descend toward the container storage tank 34 side. Functions as a means.

  The air discharge part 372C causes the compressor 33C2 to discharge air after dropping a plurality of containers C1 from the lower end side of the main body part 332 by the hopper driving part 372A. According to this, among the plurality of containers C1 dropped on the upper surface of the dummy pallet DP by the container supply unit 372, the plurality of containers C1 that are not accommodated in the accommodation part DP1 of the dummy pallet DP are blown off and stored in the container. It will fall into the tank 34. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the compressor 33C2 functions as a dropping unit that causes the plurality of containers C1 to drop into the container storage tank 34 by discharging air toward the container storage tank 34 along the upper surface of the dummy pallet DP.

Here, the small electromagnetic feeder 32 has a third vibration state in which the dummy pallet DP disposed on the container supply placement base 31 is vibrated weaker than in the second vibration state.
And the pallet vibration part 372B switches the small electromagnetic feeder 32 from a 2nd vibration state to a 3rd vibration state, when dropping the some container C1 to the container storage tank 34 with the compressor 33C2. In other words, the pallet vibration unit 372B further weakens the vibration of the small electromagnetic feeder 32 when the plurality of containers C1 are dropped into the container storage tank 34 by the compressor 33C2.

  In the present embodiment, the small electromagnetic feeder 32 has a second vibration state and a third vibration state that causes the dummy pallet DP that is weaker than the second vibration state and disposed on the container supply placement base 31 to vibrate. The pallet vibration unit 372B switches the small electromagnetic feeder 32 from the second vibration state to the third vibration state when the plurality of containers C1 are dropped into the container storage tank 34 by the compressor 33C2. It is not necessary to switch in this way.

  In the present embodiment, the container supply placement table 31 for dropping the plurality of containers C1 into the container storage tank 34 by tilting the dummy pallet DP so as to descend toward the container storage tank 34 side, and the dummy A compressor 33C2 that drops a plurality of containers C1 into the container storage tank 34 by discharging air toward the container storage tank 34 along the upper surface of the pallet DP is employed as the dropping means. It may be adopted. The dropping means may drop the plurality of containers onto the storage means, for example, by vibrating a dummy pallet. In short, in the present invention, the dropping means causes the storage means to drop a plurality of containers that are not accommodated in the dummy pallet accommodating portion among the plurality of containers that are dropped toward the upper surface of the dummy pallet by the holding means. If you can.

As described above, the container supply control means 37 holds the plurality of containers C1 in the container supply hopper 33 by the container transport means 35, and then sets the plurality of containers C1 held in the container supply hopper 33 to the dummy pallet. The plurality of containers C1 are circulated and reused by dropping toward the upper surface of the DP and dropping the plurality of containers C1 into the container storage tank 34 by the dropping means.
Further, as described above, since the container transport means 35 holds the container supply hopper 33 with a certain amount of the plurality of containers C1, the container supply hopper 33 is used in one cycle of circulating the plurality of containers C1. A fixed amount of a plurality of containers C1 is held.
In the present embodiment, the container transport means 35 holds the container supply hopper 33 with a fixed amount of the plurality of containers C1 in one cycle of circulating the plurality of containers C1, but the fixed amount of the plurality of containers C1. The container C1 may not be held.

As shown in FIG. 14, the pallet transport unit 373 includes a pallet unloading unit 373A, a pallet unloading unit 373B, a pallet delivery unit 373C, a pallet push-out unit 373D, and a pallet carry-in unit 373E. By carrying the dummy pallet DP under control, the dummy pallet DP is carried into and out of the container supply placement table 31.
Hereinafter, functions of the respective units 373A to 373E constituting the pallet transport unit 373 will be described in detail.

FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the dummy pallet is conveyed from the dummy pallet unloading standby position.
When the dummy pallet DP is disposed at the unloading standby position W2 of the dummy pallet DP, the pallet unloading unit 373A pushes the dummy pallet DP toward the transport path 364A by the pusher 364B as shown in FIG. Two dummy pallets DP are placed on the conveyance path 364A. When the dummy pallet DP is placed on the transport path 364A of the downstream pallet conveyor 364, the pallet unloading unit 373A transports the dummy pallet DP to the downstream pallet conveyor 364 (right arrow in the figure).
The downstream pallet conveyor 364 guides the dummy pallet DP with the guide rail 364C, so that the short side direction of the dummy pallet DP and the moving direction of the transport path 364A are parallel to each other. Transport.

  Thereafter, when the dummy pallet DP is disposed at the end point position of the downstream pallet conveyor 364, the pallet unloading unit 373A conveys the dummy pallet DP to the start point position of the upstream pallet conveyor 361 by the circulation pallet conveyor 365, and When the dummy pallet DP is disposed at the start position of the side pallet conveyor 361, the dummy pallet DP is sent out toward the upstream pallet conveyor 361 by the plate 365B.

FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the dummy pallet is pulled out from the second arrangement table.
As shown in FIG. 20, the pallet drawer portion 373B pulls out the two dummy pallets DP arranged on the second arrangement table 31B by the puller 363, thereby bringing the dummy pallet DP to the unloading standby position W2 of the dummy pallet DP. Place. Therefore, the puller 363 and the downstream pallet conveyor 364 function as a pallet unloading means for unloading the pallet disposed in the second region.
In this embodiment, the puller 363 and the downstream pallet conveyor 364 are employed as the pallet unloading means, but other configurations may be employed. In short, the pallet unloading means only needs to be able to unload the pallet arranged in the second area.

FIG. 21 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the dummy pallet is sent to the second arrangement table.
As shown in FIG. 21, the pallet sending unit 373C sends two dummy pallets DP arranged on the first arrangement table 31A to the second arrangement table 31B by the pallet sending means 33C1.
Specifically, the pallet sending means 33C1 includes a plate that contacts the side surface on the −X axis direction side of the dummy pallet DP arranged on the first arrangement table 31A, and moves the plate toward the + X axis direction side. By doing so, the two dummy pallets DP arranged on the first arrangement table 31A are sent to the second arrangement table 31B.

  In this embodiment, the pallet sending means 33C1 adopts a configuration in which the two dummy pallets DP arranged on the first arrangement table 31A are sent to the second arrangement table 31B by moving the plate. However, other configurations may be adopted. In short, the pallet sending means only needs to be able to send the pallet arranged in the first area to the second area.

FIG. 22 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the dummy pallet is pushed out toward the first placement table.
As shown in FIG. 22, the pallet pusher 373D pushes the two dummy pallets DP conveyed by the upstream pallet conveyor 361 to the carry-in standby position W1 toward the first placement table 31A by the pusher 362. Thus, the two dummy pallets DP are arranged on the first arrangement table 31A. Therefore, the upstream pallet conveyor 361 and the pusher 362 function as a pallet carrying means for carrying the pallet into the first region.
In this embodiment, the upstream pallet conveyor 361 and the pusher 362 are employed as the pallet carrying means, but other configurations may be employed. In short, the pallet carrying means only needs to be able to carry the pallet into the first area.

When the dummy pallet DP is placed on the transport path 361A of the upstream pallet conveyor 361 by the circulation pallet conveyor 365, the pallet carry-in section 373E places the dummy pallet DP on the upstream pallet conveyor 361 as shown in FIG. The dummy pallet DP is conveyed to the loading standby position W1.
The upstream pallet conveyor 361 guides the dummy pallet DP with the guide rail 361B, so that the short side direction of the dummy pallet DP and the moving direction of the transport path 361A are parallel to each other. Transport.

FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating a flowchart of the container transport and supply process executed by the container supply device.
When the container supply device 3 supplies a plurality of containers C1 to the dummy pallet DP, the container supply control means 37 follows steps S1 to S4 as shown in FIG. 23 according to a predetermined program stored in the memory. Execute.
Hereinafter, the details of steps S1 to S4 will be described with reference to the drawings described above.

First, as shown in FIG. 15, the container loading unit 371A moves the bucket 351A to the height position of the container storage tank 34, and then closes the bottom surface portion 351A1 of the bucket 351A. Then, the container loading unit 371A causes the belt conveyor 352 to start moving the conveyance path (right arrow in the figure), thereby loading a plurality of containers C1 conveyed by the belt conveyor 352 into the bucket 351A ( S1: Container loading step).
Next, the input stopping unit 371B causes the belt conveyor 352 to stop the movement of the conveyance path when a predetermined time has elapsed after the belt conveyor 352 starts the movement of the conveyance path. Is stopped to the bucket 351A (S2: input stop step).

  After stopping the charging of the plurality of containers C1 into the bucket 351A by the charging stop section 371B, the container moving section 371C moves the bucket 351A to the height position of the container supply hopper 33 by the elevator 351B as shown in FIG. To rise. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 10, the container moving unit 371C places the plurality of containers C1 stored in the bucket 351A on the conveyance path 351C1 of the holding conveyor 351C by opening the bottom surface 351A1 of the bucket 351A. .

Further, the container moving unit 371C drives the motor 351C2 to move the transport path 351C1 from the upstream side toward the downstream side to transport the plurality of containers C1 and to project and retract the sorting unit 351D. The plurality of containers C1 are distributed and held in the container supply hopper 33A or the container supply hopper 33B (S3: container movement step).
At this time, as shown in FIG. 17, the hopper driving unit 372A rotates the guide member 333 from the guide position to the container holding position (upward arrow in the figure), thereby supplying the container from the downstream side of the holding conveyor 351C. The plurality of containers C <b> 1 that have dropped toward the hopper 33 for use are held by the hopper 33 for supply of containers.

Next, as shown in FIG. 7, the hopper driving unit 372A rotates the guide member 333 from the container holding position to the guide position, and the hopper conveyor 332A (see FIG. 8) moves the conveyance path to the upper end side of the main body 332. Move toward the lower end side. Accordingly, the plurality of containers C1 slide on the upper surface of the guide member 333 and drop from the lower end side of the main body 332 (S4: container supply step).
Then, as shown in FIG. 18, the hopper driving unit 372A moves the slider 331 along the rail member 33C while dropping the plurality of containers C1 from the lower end side of the main body 332, thereby 332 is moved to the container storage tank 34 side along the rail member 33C.

Note that, as described above, the pallet vibrating unit 372B uses the small electromagnetic feeder 32 to place the container supply arrangement table 31 when the plurality of containers C1 are dropped from the lower end side of the main body unit 332 by the hopper driving unit 372A. , The dummy pallet DP is vibrated. Here, the pallet vibration unit 372B moves the small electromagnetic feeder 32 from the first vibration state to the second state when the plurality of containers C1 held by the container supply hopper 33 are dropped toward the upper surface of the dummy pallet DP. Switch to the vibration state.
Further, as described above, the air discharge unit 372C causes the compressor 33C2 to discharge air after dropping a plurality of containers C1 from the lower end side of the main body unit 332 by the hopper driving unit 372A. Here, the pallet vibration unit 372B switches the small electromagnetic feeder 32 from the second vibration state to the third vibration state when the plurality of containers C1 are dropped into the container storage tank 34 by the compressor 33C2.

Finally, the hopper driving unit 372A stops the movement of the transport path of the hopper conveyor 332A and moves the slider 331 along the rail member 33C, thereby moving the main body 332 along the rail member 33C to the bucket mechanism 351 side. Move to to restore.
Thereafter, the container supply control means 37 repeats Steps S1 to S4 by executing Step S1 described above again, and supplies a plurality of containers C1 to the dummy pallet DP by the container supply device 3.

FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating a flowchart of a pallet transport process executed by the container supply device.
When the dummy pallet DP is transported by the pallet transporting means 36 to carry in / out the container supply placement table 31, the container supply control means 37 follows the predetermined program stored in the memory. As shown in FIG. 24, steps S11 to S15 are executed.
Hereinafter, details of steps S11 to S15 will be described with reference to the above-described drawings.

First, when the dummy pallet DP is disposed at the unloading standby position W2 of the dummy pallet DP, the pallet unloading unit 373A pushes the dummy pallet DP toward the transport path 364A by the pusher 364B as shown in FIG. Thus, two dummy pallets DP are placed on the transport path 364A. Thereafter, the pallet unloading section 373A moves the pusher 364B away from the transport path 364A and returns it to the original state.
When the dummy pallet DP is placed on the transport path 364A of the downstream pallet conveyor 364, the pallet unloading unit 373A transports the dummy pallet DP to the downstream pallet conveyor 364 (S11: pallet unloading step).

Next, as shown in FIG. 20, the pallet drawer 373 </ b> B pulls out the two dummy pallets DP arranged on the second arrangement table 31 </ b> B by the puller 363, thereby bringing the dummy pallet DP into the unloading standby position W <b> 2. A dummy pallet DP is arranged (S12: pallet drawing step). Thereafter, the pallet drawer 373B moves the puller 363 away from the second arrangement table 31B and returns it to the original position.
Next, as shown in FIG. 21, the pallet sending section 373C sends the two dummy pallets DP arranged on the first arrangement table 31A to the second arrangement table 31B by the pallet sending means 33C1 (S13). : Pallet sending step). Thereafter, the pallet sending unit 373C moves the pallet sending means 33C1 to the first placement table 31A side and returns it to the original position.

Next, as shown in FIG. 22, the pallet pusher 373D moves the two dummy pallets DP transported to the loading standby position W1 by the upstream pallet conveyor 361 toward the first placement table 31A by the pusher 362. By pushing out, two dummy pallets DP are arranged on the first arrangement table 31A (S14: pallet extruding step). Thereafter, the pallet pusher 373D moves the pusher 362 away from the first placement base 31A and returns it to the original position.
Then, when the dummy pallet DP is placed on the transport path 361A of the upstream pallet conveyor 361, the pallet carry-in unit 373E places the dummy pallet DP on standby position W1 on the upstream pallet conveyor 361 as shown in FIG. The dummy pallet DP is transported until (S15: pallet loading step).

  Thereafter, the container supply control means 37 repeats Steps S11 to S15 by executing Step S11 described above again, and the pallet conveying means 36 conveys the dummy pallet DP.

Here, steps S11 to S15 are executed in parallel with steps S1 to S4 described above.
Specifically, steps S11 to S15 are executed at the timing after executing the container supply step S4 and before executing the container movement step S3 of the next cycle.
Therefore, the container supply control means 37 has two dummy pallets DP arranged on the first arrangement table 31A by the pusher 362 and 2 arranged on the first arrangement table 31A by the pallet sending means 33C1. The top surface of the dummy pallet DP is dropped by dropping the plurality of containers C1 held by the container supply hopper 33 toward the top surface of the dummy pallet DP when the dummy pallets DP are sent to the second arrangement table 31B. A plurality of containers C1 are supplied to each of the plurality of accommodating portions DP1 formed in the above.

  The container supply control means 37 stops the repetition of steps S1 to S4 and steps S11 to S15 described above when a stop button (not shown) provided in the container supply device 3 is pressed. Further, the container supply control means 37 sets the container supply hopper 33, the container transfer means 35, and the pallet transfer means 36 in the initial state when a reset button (not shown) provided in the container supply device 3 is pressed. Return to.

Moreover, in this embodiment, although the container supply apparatus 3 was equipped with the small electromagnetic feeder 32 as a pallet vibration means to vibrate the dummy pallet DP, it does not need to be equipped with this.
Moreover, in this embodiment, the container supply apparatus 3 is provided with the container storage tank 34, the container conveyance means 35, and the dropping means, and after holding | maintaining the several container C1 in the container supply hopper 33, it is for container supply. The plurality of containers C1 held by the hopper 33 are dropped toward the upper surface of the dummy pallet DP, and the plurality of containers C1 are dropped into the container storage tank 34 by the dropping means, thereby circulating the plurality of containers C1. Although it was reused, it does not have to be reused.

[Container transfer device]
FIG. 25 is a top view and a side view of the container transfer device. Specifically, FIG. 25A is a view of the container transfer device 4 viewed from the + Z-axis direction side, and FIG. 25B is a view of the container transfer device 4 viewed from the −Y-axis direction side. FIG.
The container transfer device 4 transfers a plurality of containers C1 supplied to the dummy pallet DP by the container supply device 3 and stores them in the main pallet MP. The main pallet MP transferred with a plurality of containers C1 by the container transfer device 4 is conveyed by the main conveyor 2 as described above.

  As shown in FIG. 25, the container transfer device 4 includes a container transfer head 41 for transferring a plurality of containers C1 supplied to the dummy pallet DP by the container supply device 3 to the main pallet MP, and the container transfer head. A vertical movement mechanism 42 that moves the mounting head 41 in the vertical vertical direction and a horizontal movement mechanism 43 that moves the vertical movement mechanism 42 in the horizontal direction are provided. Accordingly, in the present embodiment, the vertical movement mechanism 42 and the horizontal movement mechanism 43 function as a container transfer movement mechanism that moves the container transfer head 41.

The container transfer head 41 is provided so as to correspond to each of the plurality of containers C1 supplied to the dummy pallet DP by the container supply device 3, and a plurality of suction cups that suck and hold the plurality of containers C1. 41A.
The horizontal movement mechanism 43 moves between the vertical upper side of the container supply device 3 and the vertical upper side of the main conveyor 2 by moving the vertical movement mechanism 42 in the horizontal direction.

FIG. 26 is a top view and a side view of the circulating pallet conveyor. Specifically, FIG. 26A is a view of the circulating pallet conveyor 365 viewed from the + Z-axis direction side, and FIG. 26B is a view of the circulating pallet conveyor 365 viewed from the + X-axis direction side. .
As shown in FIG. 26, the circulating pallet conveyor 365 is provided at the start position of the upstream pallet conveyor 361 as well as the conveyance path 365A, the plate 365B, and the advance / retreat mechanism 365C described above, and is used for a dummy for arranging the dummy pallet DP. An arrangement table 365D is provided.
The dummy placement table 365D includes two pins 365D1 to be inserted into through holes DP3 (see FIG. 5) respectively formed at the longitudinal ends of the dummy pallet DP, and a cylinder 365D2 for moving the pins 365D1 up and down. ing.
Hereinafter, the function of the container transfer device 4 will be described in detail.

First, the container transfer device 4 is positioned vertically above the dummy placement table 365D by moving the container transfer head 41 by the horizontal movement mechanism 43.
Here, the container supply device 3 moves the transport path 365A of the circulating pallet conveyor 365 to dispose the dummy pallet DP on the dummy disposition table 365D, and then lifts each pin 365D1 with the cylinder 365D2 to raise the dummy pallet. By inserting the DP into each through hole DP3, the dummy pallet DP is raised and positioned.
Therefore, in the present embodiment, the dummy placement table 365D has a plurality of pins 365D1 provided so as to be freely inserted into and removed from the plurality of holes (through holes DP3) of the dummy pallet DP, and each pin 365D1 is disposed on the dummy pallet. The dummy pallet DP is positioned by being inserted into each through hole DP3 of the DP.

  In this embodiment, the dummy placement table 365D is positioned by raising the dummy pallet DP by raising the two pins 365D1 in the cylinder 365D2 and inserting them into the two through holes DP3 of the dummy pallet DP. However, the dummy pallet may be raised and positioned by raising three or more pins and inserting them into three or more holes of the dummy pallet. Further, the dummy placement table 365D may be positioned without raising the dummy pallet DP, and the dummy pallet DP may be positioned by adopting another mechanism such as a clamping mechanism for stopping the dummy pallet DP. Good.

Next, the container transfer device 4 lowers the container transfer head 41 by the vertical movement mechanism 42 and then causes the container transfer head 41 to start sucking the plurality of containers C1, thereby enabling the dummy pallet DP. A plurality of containers C1 accommodated in the container are sucked and held.
And the container transfer apparatus 4 removes the some container C1 accommodated in the dummy pallet DP from the dummy pallet DP by raising the container transfer head 41 by the vertical moving mechanism 42.
Here, the container supply device 3 sends out the dummy pallet DP arranged on the dummy arrangement table 365D to the upstream pallet conveyor 361 by advancing the plate 365B in the −X axis direction by the advance / retreat mechanism 365C.

Next, the container transfer device 4 moves the container transfer head 41 by the horizontal movement mechanism 43 so as to be positioned vertically above the end point position (see FIG. 4) of the return path conveyor 22 of the main conveyor 2. .
Here, the main conveyor 2 arranges the main pallet MP at the end point position of the return path conveyor 22, and then raises two pins (not shown) by a cylinder (not shown) to each through hole MP3 of the main pallet MP. (See FIG. 3), the main pallet MP is raised and positioned in the same manner as the dummy placement table 365D.
Therefore, in this embodiment, the main conveyor 2 has a plurality of pins provided so as to be freely inserted into and removed from a plurality of holes (through holes MP3) of the main pallet MP, and each pin passes through the main pallet MP. The main pallet MP is positioned by being inserted into the holes MP3.

  In the present embodiment, the main conveyor 2 raises and positions the main pallet MP by raising two pins in the cylinder and inserting them into the two through holes MP3 of the main pallet MP. The main pallet may be raised and positioned by raising three or more pins and inserting them into three or more holes in the main pallet. Further, the main conveyor 2 may be positioned without raising the main pallet MP, and the main pallet MP may be positioned by adopting another mechanism such as a clamping mechanism for stopping the main pallet MP.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the end positions of the dummy placement table 365D and the return path conveyor 22 are the container transfer in which the dummy pallet DP and the main pallet MP are arranged side by side along the short direction of the dummy pallet DP and the main pallet MP. It functions as a placement table. The vertical movement mechanism 42 and the horizontal movement mechanism 43 move the container transfer head 41 along the short direction of the dummy pallet DP and the main pallet MP.

  Next, the container transfer device 4 lowers the container transfer head 41 by the vertical movement mechanism 42 to store the lower ends of the plurality of containers C1 in the respective storage portions MP1 of the main pallet MP, thereby transferring the containers. By stopping and releasing the suction of the plurality of containers C1 by the mounting head 41, the plurality of containers C1 are dropped, and the plurality of containers C1 are accommodated and transferred to the main pallet MP.

  Here, as described above, the container C1 has a cylindrical body with a hexagonal cross section that is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape and has a diameter that is slightly reduced from the top toward the bottom. Therefore, it is formed so that the diameter is reduced from the upper end side toward the lower end side. Further, the size of the accommodating portion DP1 of the dummy pallet DP is set to be larger than the size of the accommodating portion MP1 of the main pallet MP. Therefore, the container transfer device 4 is easily accommodated when the lower end portion of the container C1 is accommodated in the accommodating portion MP1 of the main pallet MP.

In addition, in this embodiment, although the container C1 is formed so that it may reduce in diameter as it goes to the lower end part side from an upper end part side, it may be formed in the shape different from this.
In the present embodiment, the size of the accommodating portion DP1 of the dummy pallet DP is set to be larger than the size of the accommodating portion MP1 of the main pallet MP. The same may be sufficient and it may be smaller than the magnitude | size of accommodating part MP1 of main pallet MP.

  Thereafter, the container transfer device 4 raises the container transfer head 41 by the vertical movement mechanism 42 and then moves the container transfer head 41 by the horizontal movement mechanism 43, whereby the dummy placement table 365 </ b> D. Position it vertically above and restore it.

[Container cleaning device]
FIG. 27 is a top view of the container cleaning device. Specifically, FIG. 27 is a view of the forward path delivery mechanism 23 of the main conveyor 2 as viewed from the + Z-axis direction side.
As shown in FIG. 27, the container cleaning device 5 includes a drop prevention means 51 disposed vertically above the plurality of rollers 23A of the forward path delivery mechanism 23 in the main conveyor 2, and a plurality of containers accommodated in the main pallet MP. The cleaning means 52 for cleaning the container C1, the container cleaning detecting means 53 for detecting the presence or absence of the plurality of containers C1 cleaned by the cleaning means 52, and the static electricity of the plurality of containers C1 accommodated in the main pallet MP. Static electricity removing means 54 for removing.
In this embodiment, the container cleaning device 5 includes the container cleaning detection unit 53 and the static electricity removal unit 54, but may not include these.

FIG. 28 is a schematic diagram showing the positional relationship between the main pallet and the drop-off preventing means.
As shown in FIG. 28, the drop-off preventing means 51 includes six rail portions 51A that extend along the direction (−Y axis direction) in which the main pallet MP is sent to the forward path conveyor 21 by the forward path delivery mechanism 23. ing. Each rail portion 51A is disposed at a position slightly spaced vertically upward from the upper end of the container C1 accommodated in the accommodating portion MP1 of the main pallet MP, and has a predetermined length along the short direction of the main pallet MP. They are arranged at intervals. The interval between the rail portions 51A is set to be substantially the same as the interval between the openings of the container C1. In other words, the drop prevention means 51 prevents the drop of the plurality of containers C1 by pressing the opening edges of the plurality of containers C1 accommodated in the main pallet MP.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, the outbound delivery mechanism 23 functions as a container cleaning moving mechanism that moves the main pallet MP relative to the cleaning means 52 by moving the main pallet MP. Further, the drop-off prevention means 51 presses each of the accommodating portions MP1 of the main pallet MP along the longitudinal direction (row direction), and the main pallet MP is relatively moved with respect to the cleaning means 52 by the forward delivery mechanism 23. It is formed in a rail shape extending along the moving direction (Y-axis direction).

  In the present embodiment, the container cleaning moving mechanism moves the main pallet MP relative to the cleaning means 52 by moving the main pallet MP, but by moving the cleaning means, The pallet may be moved relative to the cleaning means, or the pallet may be moved relative to the cleaning means by moving both the pallet and the cleaning means. In short, the container cleaning moving mechanism only needs to move the pallet relative to the cleaning unit by moving at least one of the pallet and the cleaning unit.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the drop-off preventing means 51 presses each of the accommodating parts MP1 of the main pallet MP along the longitudinal direction (row direction), and the main pallet MP is moved to the cleaning means 52 by the outgoing path delivery mechanism 23. Although it is formed in a rail shape extending along the direction of relative movement (Y-axis direction), it may be formed in a shape different from this. For example, the drop-off prevention means may be formed in a plate shape having a plurality of holes for pressing the opening edges of the plurality of containers accommodated in the pallet. In short, the drop-off prevention means only needs to prevent the drop-out of the plurality of containers by pressing the opening edges of the plurality of containers accommodated in the pallet.

  The cleaning means 52 is disposed between the rail portions 51A, and thereby has five nozzles 52A for blowing air to each of the plurality of containers C1 whose opening edges are pressed by the drop prevention means 51. And a container cleaning suction device 52B for suctioning a plurality of containers C1 whose opening edges are held down by the drop-off prevention means 51 by being disposed so as to cover each rail portion 51A. The cleaning means 52 cleans the plurality of containers C1 whose opening edges are pressed by the dropout prevention means 51.

  The container cleaning detection means 53 is provided along the short direction of the main pallet MP, and includes five sensors 53A that detect the presence or absence of the container C1 cleaned by the cleaning means 52. Each sensor 53A is arranged vertically above the container C1 accommodated in the accommodating part MP1 of the main pallet MP, and is arranged at a position corresponding to each row of containers C1 accommodated in the accommodating part MP1 of the main pallet MP. It is installed. In the present embodiment, each sensor 53A employs a transmissive laser sensor.

  As shown in FIG. 27, the static electricity removing means 54 is arranged vertically above the main pallet MP sent to the forward path conveyor 21 by the forward path delivery mechanism 23, and a plurality of static electricity removing means 54 are accommodated in the main pallet MP. The static electricity in the container C1 is removed. In the present embodiment, the static eliminator 54 employs a blower type static eliminator.

[Filling equipment]
FIG. 29 is a top view of the filling device. FIG. 30 is a side view of the filling device. Specifically, FIG. 29 is a view of the filling device 6 viewed from the + Z-axis direction side, and FIG. 30 is a view of the filling device 6 viewed from the −Y-axis direction side.
29 and 30, the filling device 6 includes a metering and filling mechanism 61 provided on the downstream side of the main conveyor 2, a filling hopper 62 provided on the upstream side of the main conveyor 2, and a filling hopper. An advancing / retreating mechanism 63 that swings 62 by advancing and retreating along the conveying direction of the main conveyor 2 and two filling suction machines 64 provided on both sides in the advancing / retreating direction of the filling hopper 62 are provided. The filling device 6 fills the container P1 from which foreign matter has been removed by the container cleaning device 5 with the powder P.

FIG. 31 is a schematic sectional view of a metering and filling mechanism and a filling hopper. Specifically, FIG. 31 is a schematic view showing a cross section of the metering and filling mechanism 61 and the filling hopper 62 along the XZ plane.
Further, as shown in FIG. 31, the filling device 6 is provided on the vertically lower side of the metering and filling mechanism 61 and includes a positioning mechanism 65 that positions the main pallet MP at a predetermined position of the main conveyor 2.

  The metering and filling mechanism 61 is disposed above the main pallet MP, the metering unit 66 is disposed above the metering unit 66, and the extrusion unit 67 is disposed adjacent to the filling hopper 62. And.

  The weighing unit 66 is a rectangular plate-like weighing plate 661 fixed below the push-out unit 67, and a rectangular plate-like shutter 662 that is attached below the weighing plate 661 and slides by the driving force of a motor (not shown). And a rectangular plate-like guide plate 663 attached below the shutter 662.

The measuring plate 661 has a plurality of measuring holes 661A formed so as to correspond to each of the accommodating portions MP1 of the main pallet MP.
The shutter 662 is slidably attached along a direction (Y-axis direction) orthogonal to the conveying direction of the forward conveyor 21 of the main conveyor 2. The shutter 662 has through-holes 662A formed so as to correspond to the respective measurement holes 661A of the measurement plate 661. The inner diameter of the through hole 662A is larger than the inner diameter of the measuring hole 661A of the measuring plate 661.
The guide plate 663 has through holes 663A formed so as to correspond to the respective measurement holes 661A of the measurement plate 661. The inner diameter of the through hole 663A is substantially the same as the through hole 662A of the shutter 662.

  Therefore, the weighing unit 66 is configured by overlapping the weighing plate 661, the shutter 662, and the guide plate 663. In addition, the weighing unit 66 slides the shutter 662 to open and close the shutter 662, thereby switching between a state in which the respective measurement holes 661A are in communication with the through holes 662A and 663A and a state in which the measurement holes are not in communication. be able to.

  The push-out unit 67 includes a lift plate 671 provided so as to be movable up and down with respect to the measurement plate 661, and a plurality of push pins 672 provided in the lift plate 671 so as to correspond to the measurement holes 661A of the measurement plate 661, respectively. And an extrusion cylinder 673 for raising and lowering the elevating plate 671. In the push-out unit 67, the push-out plate 671 is lowered by the push-out cylinder 673, whereby each push-out pin 672 can be lowered to a position penetrating each measurement hole 661A of the measurement unit 66.

  As shown in FIGS. 29 to 31, the filling hopper 62 is slidably mounted on the upper surface of the measuring plate 661 and has a rectangular tubular storage tank 621 for storing the powder P therein, It is arranged on the vertical upper side of the storage tank 621 and is disposed on the vertical upper side of the bottomed cylindrical charging tank 622 having an opening for charging the granular material P on the vertical upper side and the filling hopper 62. And a filling cover 623 provided. 29 and 30, the filling cover 623 is not shown.

The charging tank 622 has a bottomed rectangular tube-shaped lower tube 622A formed on the vertically lower side, and an upper tube 622B formed on the vertically upper side of the lower tube 622A and having an opening upward. The charging tank 622 is made of an acrylic resin and is transparent so that the granular material P charged therein can be visually recognized.
The lower cylinder 622A has a plurality of circular holes 622A1 on the bottom surface. Each hole 622A1 has a cylindrical protrusion 622A2 that protrudes toward the inside of the storage tank 621 (see FIGS. 29 and 31).

Specifically, the lower cylinder 622A has five holes 622A1 arranged at equal intervals along the longitudinal direction, and two holes 622A1 arranged at equal intervals along the short direction. Yes. In other words, the lower cylinder 622A has ten holes 622A1 in a lattice point shape.
Therefore, in this embodiment, the charging tank 622 communicates with the ten holes 622A1 formed on the bottom surface and the holes 622A1, and the cylindrical protrusion 622A2 that protrudes toward the inside of the storage tank 621. have.

  In the present embodiment, the lower cylinder 622A has ten hole portions 622A1 in a lattice point shape, but may have a number of holes different from ten. In short, the charging tank only needs to have at least one hole formed in the bottom surface. Further, in the present embodiment, the holes are arranged in the form of lattice points. However, the holes may not be arranged in the form of lattice points, and the arrangement thereof may not have regularity. Further, in the present embodiment, the charging tank 622 has a protrusion 622A2, and the protrusion 622A2 is formed in a cylindrical shape. On the other hand, the charging tank may not have a protrusion, and the protrusion may be formed in a cylindrical shape having another cross-sectional shape such as a rectangular tube shape.

The upper cylinder 622B is formed to become wider in the transport direction (X-axis direction) of the forward conveyor 21 of the main conveyor 2 as it goes vertically upward.
Here, as described above, the filling device 6 includes the advance / retreat mechanism 63 that swings the filling hopper 62 by advancing and retreating along the conveyance direction of the main conveyor 2, so that the opening of the filling hopper 62 is It forms so that it may become wide in the peristaltic direction of the filling hopper 62 as it goes vertically upward.

In the present embodiment, the opening of the filling hopper 62 is formed so as to become wider in the peristaltic direction of the filling hopper 62 as it goes vertically upward. Good.
In the present embodiment, the filling hopper 62 is configured by stacking two tanks, a storage tank 621 and a charging tank 622, and the charging tank 622 has a hole 622A1 and a protrusion 622A2. On the other hand, the filling hopper may be composed of one tank, and may not have a hole and a protrusion. In short, the filling hopper only needs to be able to store the powder particles inside.

As shown in FIG. 31, the filling cover 623 is disposed so as to cover the opening of the upper cylinder 622B. The filling cover 623 is provided at a position that is always in communication with the opening of the filling hopper 62 when the filling hopper 62 is swung by the advance / retreat mechanism 63, and is provided with an inlet 623 </ b> A through which the granular material P is introduced. ing.
In the present embodiment, the filling cover 623 is a glass plate fitted in the frame FL (see FIG. 2) described above. The insertion port 623A has a lid (not shown) for closing the opening. The operator can put the granular material P into the filling hopper 62 through the charging port 623A by removing the lid.

29 and 30, the advancing / retracting mechanism 63 supports the base 631 on which the filling hopper 62 and the extrusion unit 67 are placed, the base 631 slidably supported, and along the conveyance direction of the main conveyor 2. The base 631 is advanced and retracted along the rail 632 by a driving force of a motor (not shown).
Therefore, the advance / retreat mechanism 63 advances and retracts the base 631 along the rail 632, thereby causing the filling hopper 62 and the extrusion unit 67 placed on the base 631 to advance and retract along the transport direction of the main conveyor 2.

The filling suction machine 64 is provided on both sides (+ X-axis direction side and −X-axis direction side) of the filling hopper 62 and the extrusion unit 67 in the forward and backward directions, and the granular material P leaked to the upper surface of the measuring plate 661. Aspirate.
In the present embodiment, the filling device 6 includes two filling suction machines 64, but may include one filling suction machine, and may include three or more multiple suction suction machines. It may be. Further, the filling device may not include a filling suction machine.

As shown in FIG. 31, the positioning mechanism 65 includes two pins 651 to be inserted into each through hole MP3 (see FIG. 3) formed in the main pallet MP, and a cylinder for moving up and down the plate supporting each pin 651. 652. Further, the positioning mechanism 65 is provided so as to be able to project and retract along the vertical direction, and protrudes upward in the vertical direction, so that the positioning mechanism 65 is provided on the side surface on the conveyance direction side of the main pallet MP conveyed by the main conveyor 2. A stopper ST1 (see FIG. 4) is provided that comes into contact with and stops the main pallet MP.
Hereinafter, the function of the filling device 6 will be described in detail with the state of the filling device 6 shown in FIG. 31 as an initial state.

  First, the filling device 6 lowers the pin 651 by the cylinder 652 and raises the lifting plate 671 by the pushing cylinder 673 to raise the plurality of pushing pins 672 to an initial state. Further, in this initial state, the filling device 6 moves the push-out unit 67 vertically above the measurement hole 661A of the measurement plate 661 by moving the base 631 back and forth by the advance / retreat mechanism 63.

FIG. 32 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the shutter of the weighing unit is closed.
Next, when the main pallet MP is detected by a photoelectric sensor (not shown) disposed on the side of the main conveyor 2, the filling device 6 causes the stopper ST1 to protrude vertically upward. Then, when the main pallet MP conveyed by the main conveyor 2 comes into contact with the stopper ST1 and is arranged vertically above the positioning mechanism 65, the filling device 6 is pinned by a cylinder 652, as shown in FIG. The main pallet MP is raised and positioned by raising the 651 and inserting it into each of the through holes MP3 of the main pallet MP (upward arrow in the figure). Accordingly, the openings of the plurality of containers C1 accommodated in the main pallet MP are close to the through hole 663A of the guide plate 663.

Next, the filling device 6 switches the measurement holes 661A and the through holes 662A and 663A to not communicate with each other by sliding the shutter 662 and closing the shutter 662. Here, the concave space partitioned by each measuring hole 661A and the shutter 662 corresponds to the internal volume of the powder P to be filled in the capsule C.
Thereafter, the filling device 6 moves the base 631 by the advance / retreat mechanism 63 to move the filling hopper 62 vertically above the measurement hole 661A of the measurement plate 661 (right arrow in the figure). As a result, the granular material P stored in the storage tank 621 of the charging hopper 62 is filled in the measuring hole 661A of the measuring plate 661. Specifically, the filling device 6 drops the granular material P from the storage tank 621 and fills the measuring hole 661A as the filled portion.

Therefore, the granular material P stored in the storage tank 621 is reduced by filling the measuring hole 661A. And the storage tank 621 stores the granular material P inside when the granular material P thrown into the charging tank 622 falls through hole part 622A1 and protrusion part 622A2. Here, the horizontal position where the granular material P charged into the charging tank 622 falls into the storage tank 621 is different from the horizontal position of the measuring hole 661A. In other words, the horizontal position at which the granular material charged into the charging tank falls into the storage tank is different from the horizontal position at which the granular material is filled into the filled portion in the storage tank.
In this embodiment, the horizontal position at which the granular material charged into the charging tank falls into the storage tank is different from the horizontal position at which the granular material is filled into the filled portion in the storage tank, but the same. It may be a position.

FIG. 33 is a diagram illustrating a state in which powder particles are filled in the measurement holes of the measurement plate.
Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 33, the filling device 6 moves the push-out unit 67 again vertically above the measuring hole 661A of the measuring plate 661 by moving the base 631 back and forth with the advance / retreat mechanism 63 (leftward in the figure). Arrow). As a result, the granular material P filled in the measuring hole 661A of the measuring plate 661 is scraped off at the lower end of the storage tank 621 of the filling hopper 62. A certain amount of the granular material P can be filled into the concave space partitioned by.
Here, the filling device 6 causes the respective suction units 64 to suck the granular material P leaked without being filled into the respective measurement holes 661A when the granular material P is dropped from the filling hopper 62 (see FIG. 29 and FIG. 30).

  Thus, the advancing / retreating mechanism 63 functions as a swinging means for swinging the filling hopper 62 along the horizontal direction, and when the powder P is dropped from the storage tank 621 and filled into the measurement hole 661A, the filling hopper 62 is moved.

FIG. 34 is a diagram showing a state in which a container is filled with powder particles.
Next, as shown in FIG. 34, the filling device 6 switches the state in which each measuring hole 661A and each through-hole 662A, 663A are in communication with each other by sliding the shutter 662 to open the shutter 662. As a result, the powder P filled in the measurement hole 661A of the measurement plate 661 drops and fills the plurality of containers C1 accommodated in the main pallet MP.
Further, the filling device 6 lowers the elevating plate 671 by the extrusion cylinder 673 so that the granular material P filled in the measurement holes 661A of the measurement plate 661 by the plurality of extrusion pins 672 is accommodated in the main pallet MP. Extruded into a plurality of containers C1 (downward arrow in the figure).

  In the present embodiment, the filling device 6 extrudes the granular material P filled in the measurement hole 661A of the measurement plate 661 with a plurality of extrusion pins 672. On the other hand, for example, when the particle size of the granular material P is large, the filling device 6 may drop and fill the granular material P into the plurality of containers C1 only by opening and closing the shutter 662. . In addition, for example, when the particle size of the granular material P is small, the filling device 6 makes it easy to drop the granular material P into the plurality of containers C1 by vibrating the plurality of extrusion pins 672. May be.

  Thereafter, the filling device 6 causes the main conveyor 2 to transport the main pallet MP by lowering the pin 651 by the cylinder 652 and immersing the stopper ST1 vertically downward. Next, the filling device 6 raises the lifting plate 671 by the pushing cylinder 673 to raise the plurality of pushing pins 672 to be in the initial state again.

[Filling check device]
FIG. 35 is a schematic diagram showing a filling check device. Specifically, FIG. 35 is a schematic view of the filling check device 7 as viewed from the + X-axis direction side.
As shown in FIG. 35, the filling check device 7 includes a CCD camera 71 that images the upper surface of the main pallet MP conveyed by the main conveyor 2.

  The filling check device 7 has a mechanism similar to the positioning mechanism 65 of the filling device 6 described above. Specifically, the filling check device 7 moves up and down two pins (not shown) inserted into each through hole MP3 (see FIG. 3) formed in the main pallet MP and a plate supporting each pin. A cylinder (not shown). Further, the filling check device 7 is provided so as to be able to project and retract along the vertical direction, and protrudes upward in the vertical direction, whereby the side surface on the conveyance direction side of the main pallet MP conveyed by the main conveyor 2. Is provided with a stopper (not shown) for resting the main pallet MP.

  The filling check device 7 causes the stopper to protrude vertically upward when the main pallet MP is detected by a photoelectric sensor (not shown) disposed on the side of the main conveyor 2. Then, when the main pallet MP conveyed by the main conveyor 2 comes into contact with the stopper and is disposed vertically below the CCD camera 71, the filling check device 7 raises the pin by the cylinder and moves the main pallet MP The main pallet MP is raised and positioned by being inserted into each of the through holes MP3.

Then, the filling check device 7 causes the CCD camera 71 to image the upper surface of the main pallet MP, and applies predetermined processing to the image captured by the CCD camera 71, thereby causing the container C1 accommodated in the main pallet MP to powder. It is confirmed whether or not the granules P are filled.
Thereafter, the filling check device 7 causes the main conveyor 2 to convey the main pallet MP by lowering the pin by the cylinder and immersing the stopper vertically downward.

[Film supply device]
FIG. 36 is a side view of the film supply device, the film die cutting device, and the film transfer device. FIG. 37 is a top view of the film supply device, the film die cutting device, and the film transfer device. Specifically, FIG. 36 is a view of the film supply device 8, the film die cutting device 9, and the film transfer device 10 as viewed from the −X axis direction, and FIG. 37 is the film supply device from the + Z axis direction. 8 is a view of the film die cutting device 9 and the film transfer device 10 as viewed.
36 and 37 are also referred to in the description of the film die cutting device 9 and the film transfer device 10 described later.

36 and 37, the film supply device 8 includes a holder 81 for holding a sheet roll SR in which a sheet-like film (aluminum film) SR1 is wound around a paper tube, and a film SR1 drawn from the sheet roll SR. And a plurality of guide rollers 82 for guiding by turning around. The film supply device 8 supplies a film SR1 for cutting out the cover material C2 to the film die cutting device 9.
Each guide roller 82 is sequentially arranged from the holder 81 toward the film die cutting device 9 to guide the film SR1. Specifically, the film SR1 of the sheet roll SR held by the holder 81 is supplied to the film die cutting device 9 by being guided in the order of guide rollers 821 to 826.

  As shown in FIGS. 36 and 37, the film die cutting device 9 includes a film base 91 on which the film SR1 supplied by the film supply device 8 is placed, and a press head 92 provided vertically above the film base 91. , An elevator 93 that raises and lowers the press head 92 and an air hand 94 that draws the film SR1 supplied by the film supply device 8 from the film supply device 8.

FIG. 38 is a view showing a film cut by a film die cutting apparatus.
As shown in FIG. 38, the film die cutting device 9 forms a perforation SR11 for cutting the cover material C2 in the film SR1 supplied by the film supply device 8. Further, the film die cutting device 9 forms punch holes SR12 at positions corresponding to the two pins MP2 respectively formed at the longitudinal end portions of the main pallet MP. Then, the film die cutting device 9 cuts the cut line SR13 along the short direction of the film SR1 to cut it into a size corresponding to the main pallet MP.

  The press head 92 includes a die-cutting blade that forms a perforation SR11, a punch that forms a punch hole SR12, and a cutter that cuts a cut line SR13 (not shown). As shown in FIGS. By pressing the film SR1 placed on the table 91, a perforation SR11 and a punch hole SR12 are formed in the film SR1, and the film SR1 is cut into a size corresponding to the main pallet MP.

The elevator 93 presses the press head 92 against the film SR1 placed on the film base 91 by lowering the press head 92.
The air hand 94 is provided on both sides of the film SR1 in the short direction (X-axis direction), and a pair of sandwiching portions 941 that sandwich the film SR1 and each sandwiching portion 941 are disposed along the longitudinal direction of the film SR1. And a moving mechanism 942 for moving on the rail.
Hereinafter, the function of the film die cutting apparatus 9 will be described in detail.

  First, the film die cutting device 9 holds the film SR1 supplied by the film supply device 8 between the pair of holding portions 941 of the air hand 94, and then moves each holding portion 941 in the longitudinal direction of the film SR1 by the moving mechanism 942. By moving it along, the film SR1 is pulled out and placed on the film base 91. Specifically, the film die cutting device 9 extracts the length of one main pallet MP (the length in the longitudinal direction of the main pallet MP).

  Here, the moving mechanism 942 moves each clamping part 941 at a predetermined speed to a position before the end point. Thereafter, the moving mechanism 942 moves each clamping portion 941 to the end point at a speed slower than the speed to the position before the end point. In other words, the moving mechanism 942 moves each clamping part 941 at a lower speed than before in the vicinity of the end point. Accordingly, the moving mechanism 942 can easily align the film SR1 and the film base 91.

  Next, the film die cutting device 9 presses the press head 92 against the film SR <b> 1 placed on the film base 91 by lowering the press head 92 with the elevator 93. Thereby, the film die cutting apparatus 9 forms the perforation SR11 and the punch hole SR12 in the film SR1, and cuts the cut line SR13 of the film SR1.

  Here, the film SR1 drawn from the film base 91 by the pair of sandwiching portions 941 of the air hand 94 is cut into a length corresponding to one sheet of the main pallet MP by cutting the cut line SR13. (Hereinafter, the film SR1 processed in this state is referred to as a cut film CF). Note that the cut film CF already has the perforation SR11 and the punch hole SR12 formed in the previous step.

  Then, the film die cutting device 9 releases the film SR1 to the pair of sandwiching portions 941 of the air hand 94 and raises the press head 92 by the elevator 93, and then moves each sandwiching portion 941 of the film SR1 by the moving mechanism 942. The film is moved back to the vicinity of the film base 91 along the longitudinal direction.

[Film transfer equipment]
As shown in FIGS. 36 and 37, the film transfer apparatus 10 includes a suction head 101 that sucks and holds the film (cut film CF) cut by the film die cutting apparatus 9, and the suction head 101 in the vertical direction. And a moving mechanism 102 that moves in the horizontal direction.

FIG. 39 is a cross-sectional view showing a main part of the suction head. Specifically, FIG. 39 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the suction head 101 cut along the YZ plane.
As shown in FIG. 39, the suction head 101 is inserted into a hole 101 </ b> A provided at a position corresponding to two pins MP <b> 2 respectively formed at the longitudinal ends of the main pallet MP, and the hole 101 </ b> A. At the same time, a protrusion 101B that protrudes from the surface that sucks the cut film CF and a spring 101C that is housed in the hole 101A and biases the protrusion 101B vertically downward are provided.
The protrusion 101B has a length that allows its tip to sink into the surface of the suction head 101 that sucks the cut film CF by being pushed toward the hole 101A against the biasing force of the spring 101C. Is set.
Hereinafter, the function of the film transfer apparatus 10 will be described in detail.

  First, the film transfer device 10 moves the suction head 101 by the moving mechanism 102 so as to be positioned above the cut film CF, lowers the suction head 101, and then starts the suction to start suction. Hold film CF. At this time, since the protruding portion 101B is inserted into each punch hole SR12 formed in the cut film CF, the suction head 101 can hold the cut film CF in a predetermined position.

Next, the film transfer apparatus 10 moves the suction head 101 by the moving mechanism 102 and positions it vertically above the main pallet MP that has been conveyed by the main conveyor 2.
Here, the film transfer apparatus 10 has a mechanism similar to the positioning mechanism 65 of the filling apparatus 6 described above. Specifically, the film transfer apparatus 10 moves up and down two pins (not shown) to be inserted into each through hole MP3 (see FIG. 3) formed in the main pallet MP and a plate supporting each pin. And a cylinder (not shown). Further, the film transfer device 10 is provided so as to be able to project and retract along the vertical direction, and by projecting toward the upper side in the vertical direction, the film transfer device 10 on the transport direction side of the main pallet MP transported by the main conveyor 2 is provided. A stopper ST2 (see FIG. 4) is provided that comes into contact with the side surface and stops the main pallet MP.

  The film transfer device 10 causes the stopper ST2 to protrude vertically upward when the main pallet MP is detected by a photoelectric sensor (not shown) disposed on the side of the main conveyor 2. Then, when the main pallet MP conveyed by the main conveyor 2 abuts against the stopper ST2 and is disposed vertically below the suction head 101, the film transfer device 10 raises the pin by the cylinder to raise the main pallet. The main pallet MP is raised and positioned by being inserted into each of the through holes MP3 of the MP.

  And the film transfer apparatus 10 makes the protrusion part 101B contact | abut to each pin MP2 of the main pallet MP by dropping the suction head 101. FIG. Thereafter, the film transfer device 10 further lowers the suction head 101 by the moving mechanism 102 (downward arrow in the figure), thereby pushing each pin MP2 of the main pallet MP into the hole 101A.

Next, in a state where the cut film CF and the main pallet MP are brought close to each other, the film transfer apparatus 10 stops the suction by the suction head 101 and releases the cut film CF. As a result, the film transfer device 10 transfers the cut film CF to the main pallet MP that has been conveyed by the main conveyor 2.
Thereafter, the film transfer device 10 causes the main conveyor 2 to transport the main pallet MP by lowering the pin by the cylinder and immersing the stopper ST2 vertically downward.
Therefore, the film transfer apparatus 10 transfers the cut film CF so that the position of the lid C2 formed on the cut film CF and the position of the opening of the container C1 accommodated in the main pallet MP are matched. be able to.

[Seal device]
FIG. 40 is a side view of the sealing device. Specifically, FIG. 40 is a view of the sealing device 11 as viewed from the + X-axis direction side.
As shown in FIG. 40, the sealing device 11 includes a lid C2 formed on the cut film CF transferred to the main pallet MP by the film transfer device 10 and an opening of the container C1 accommodated in the main pallet MP. A sealing mechanism 111 that seals and bonds the parts, and a push-up mechanism 112 that positions the main pallet MP at a predetermined position of the main conveyor 2 and pushes up the container C1 accommodated in the accommodating part MP1 of the main pallet MP, The granular material P is sealed in the capsule C.
In FIG. 40, the illustration of the pins MP2 and the cut film CF of the main pallet MP is omitted to simplify the drawing.

The sealing mechanism 111 includes a sealing head 111A having a hot plate 111A1 whose lower surface is kept at a high temperature so as to seal and bond the lid C2 to the opening of the container C1, and a fluororesin sheet covering the lower surface of the hot plate 111A1. 111B and an elevator 111C that raises and lowers the seal head 111A.
The sheet 111 </ b> B includes a pair of reels 111 </ b> B <b> 1 that wind up both ends of the sheet 111 </ b> B, and a part that covers the lower surface of the hot plate 111 </ b> A <b> 1 can be renewed by winding the sheet 111 </ b> B from one reel 111 </ b> B <b> 1 to the other reel 111 </ b> B <b> 1.
The elevator 111C includes a slide shaft 111C1 that slidably supports the seal head 111A along the vertical vertical direction, and an air cylinder 111C2 that slides the seal head 111A along the slide shaft 111C1 to move up and down.

The push-up mechanism 112 is provided corresponding to each of the two pins 112A to be inserted into each through hole MP3 formed in the main pallet MP and the accommodating part MP1 of the main pallet MP, and is provided in the accommodating part MP1 of the main pallet MP. On the other hand, by inserting from the lower surface side, a plurality of rod-like bodies 112B that abut against the container C1 accommodated in the accommodating portion MP1 of the main pallet MP and push up the plates 112A and the plates supporting the rod-like bodies 112B. And a cylinder 112C that moves up and down. Further, the push-up mechanism 112 is provided so as to be able to project and retract along the vertical direction, and protrudes upward in the vertical direction, so that the push-up mechanism 112 is provided on the side surface on the transport direction side of the main pallet MP transported by the main conveyor 2. A stopper ST3 (see FIG. 4) is provided that abuts and stops the main pallet MP.
Hereinafter, the function of the sealing device 11 will be described in detail.

First, the sealing device 11 lowers each pin 112A and each rod-like body 112B by the cylinder 112C. And the sealing apparatus 11 raises the seal head 111A with the elevator 111C, and makes it an initial state.
Next, when the main pallet MP is detected by a photoelectric sensor (not shown) disposed on the side of the main conveyor 2, the sealing device 11 causes the stopper ST3 to protrude upward in the vertical direction. Then, when the main pallet MP conveyed by the main conveyor 2 comes into contact with the stopper ST3 and is arranged vertically above the push-up mechanism 112, the sealing device 11 raises each pin 112A by the cylinder 112C. By inserting into each through hole MP3 of the pallet MP, the main pallet MP is raised and positioned, and the rods 112B are raised to push up the containers C1 accommodated in the accommodating portions MP1 of the main pallet MP. .

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the push-up mechanism 112 is provided on the lower side of the main pallet MP, and the seal that pushes up the container C1 by inserting the rod-like body 112B from the lower surface side into the housing portion MP1 of the main pallet MP. It functions as a lifting mechanism.
In the present embodiment, the push-up mechanism 112 has a plurality of pins 112A provided so as to be freely inserted into and removed from a plurality of holes (through holes MP3) of the main pallet MP. The main pallet MP is positioned by being inserted into each of the through holes MP3.

  In this embodiment, the push-up mechanism 112 raises and positions the main pallet MP by raising the two pins 112A by the cylinder 112C and inserting them into the two through holes MP3 of the main pallet MP. However, the main pallet may be raised and positioned by raising three or more pins and inserting them into three or more holes in the main pallet. Further, the push-up mechanism 112 may be positioned without raising the main pallet MP, and the main pallet MP may be positioned by adopting another mechanism such as a clamping mechanism that stops the main pallet MP.

  Here, as described above, each pin MP2 of the main pallet MP is inserted into each punch hole SR12 formed in the cut film CF, so that the movement of the cut film CF can be restricted. In other words, in the present embodiment, each pin MP2 of the main pallet MP functions as a sealing restriction mechanism that restricts the movement of the cut film CF placed on the main pallet MP.

  In the present embodiment, the sealing device 11 employs each pin MP2 of the main pallet MP as a sealing regulating mechanism. However, for example, a frame body that presses the peripheral edge of the cut film CF toward the main pallet MP. May be adopted as a sealing regulating mechanism. In short, the sealing restricting mechanism only needs to be able to restrict the movement of the film placed on the pallet, and may be provided in at least one of the pallet and the sealing device. Moreover, in this embodiment, although the sealing apparatus 11 is provided with the control mechanism for sealing, it does not need to be provided with this.

  Next, the sealing device 11 causes the opening of the container C1 and the hot plate 111A1 to closely contact each other via the lid member C2 by lowering the seal head 111A with the elevator 111C. Thus, the sealing device 11 seals and bonds the lid material C2 to the opening of the container C1. Specifically, the sealing device 11 seals the lid C2 at the opening of the container C1 by melting the heat-meltable adhesive applied to the lower surface of the cut film CF at the high temperature of the hot plate 111A1. And glue.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, the sealing device 11 pushes up the container C1 by the push-up mechanism 112 and then lowers the hot plate 111A1 by the seal mechanism 111, thereby sealing the lid C2 to the opening of the container C1. Are attached.

  After that, the seal device 11 causes the main conveyor 2 to transport the main pallet MP by lowering the pin 112A and the rod-like body 112B with the cylinder 112C and immersing the stopper ST3 in the vertically downward direction. Next, the sealing device 11 raises the seal head 111A with the elevator 111C to return to the initial state.

[Film separator]
FIG. 41 is a side view of the film separating apparatus. Specifically, FIG. 41 is a view of the film separating apparatus 12 as viewed from the + X-axis direction side.
As shown in FIG. 41, the film separating apparatus 12 has a film separating mechanism 121 that separates the cover material C2 sealed by the sealing apparatus 11 from the cut film CF, and a capsule C by sucking and holding the capsule C. And a capsule transfer mechanism 122 that transfers the sample from the main pallet MP to the capsule sorting device 14.
In FIG. 41, the illustration of the pins MP2 and the cut film CF of the main pallet MP is omitted to simplify the drawing.

The film separation mechanism 121 is provided on the vertical upper side of the main pallet MP conveyed by the main conveyor 2, a folding plate 121 </ b> A (see FIG. 4) that bends the ear part C <b> 22 of the cover material C <b> 2, and the main conveyor 2. A main pallet MP is positioned at a predetermined position, and a push-up mechanism 121B that pushes up the capsule C accommodated in the accommodating part MP1 of the main pallet MP and separates the cover material C2 from the cut film CF is provided.
The bending plate 121A has a plurality of through holes 121A1 formed so as to correspond to the capsules C accommodated in the main pallet MP.

FIG. 42 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the through hole of the bending plate. Specifically, FIG. 42 is an enlarged cross-sectional view in which the through hole 121A1 of the bending plate 121A is cut along the YZ plane.
The through hole 121A1 of the bending plate 121A is formed in a hexagonal shape similar to the opening of the container C1. Further, as shown in FIG. 42, the through-hole 121A1 has an inclined portion 121A2 that increases in diameter toward the capsule C side, and has an inner diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the opening of the container C1. Yes.

  As shown in FIG. 41, the push-up mechanism 121B is provided corresponding to each of the two pins 121B1 to be inserted into each through hole MP3 formed in the main pallet MP and the accommodating portion MP1 of the main pallet MP. By inserting the container MP1 of the pallet MP from the lower surface side, a plurality of rod-shaped bodies 121B2 that push up against the container C1 accommodated in the container MP1 of the main pallet MP, the pins 121B1, and the rod-shaped bodies 121B2 And a cylinder 121B3 for raising and lowering the plate supporting the cylinder. Further, the push-up mechanism 121B is provided so as to be able to project and retract along the vertical direction, and protrudes upward in the vertical direction, so that the push-up mechanism 121B is formed on the side surface on the conveyance direction side of the main pallet MP conveyed by the main conveyor 2. A stopper ST4 (see FIG. 4) is provided which comes into contact with and stops the main pallet MP.

FIG. 43 is a top view of the film separating apparatus. Specifically, FIG. 43 is a view of the film separating apparatus 12 as viewed from the + Z-axis direction side.
As shown in FIGS. 41 and 43, the capsule transfer mechanism 122 is provided so as to correspond to each of the capsules C accommodated in the main pallet MP, and on the main pallet MP conveyed by the main conveyor 2. A plurality of suction cups 122A for sucking and holding the accommodated capsule C, a plurality of transfer heads 122B for supporting the plurality of suction cups 122A, and a plurality of transfer heads 122B along the longitudinal direction of the main pallet MP. A head holding mechanism 122C that holds the head holding mechanism 122C so as to be separable from each other, a vertical movement mechanism 122D that moves the head holding mechanism 122C in the vertical direction, and a vertical movement of the main conveyor 2 by moving the head holding mechanism 122C in the horizontal direction, Horizontal movement mechanism 1 that travels vertically above capsule sorting device 14 And a 2E.

FIG. 44 is a schematic diagram showing the shape of the transfer head of the capsule transfer mechanism. Specifically, FIG. 44 is a diagram of the plurality of transfer heads 122B as viewed from the + Z-axis direction side.
As shown in FIG. 44, the plurality of transfer heads 122B are provided so as to correspond to the capsules C accommodated in the main pallet MP, and are accommodated in the main pallet MP conveyed by the main conveyor 2. Among the capsules C, the three transfer heads 122B1 to 122B3 that support the suction cups 122A for sucking and holding the 16 capsules C and the suction cups 122A for sucking and holding the two capsules C are supported. One transfer head 122B4 is provided.

Then, as shown in FIG. 44A, the plurality of transfer heads 122B are brought close to each other by the head holding mechanism 122C, whereby the positions of the plurality of suction cups 122A of the capsule C accommodated in the main pallet MP are stored. It can correspond to each.
Further, as shown in FIG. 44 (B), the plurality of transfer heads 122B are separated from each other by a head holding mechanism 122C (see the arrow in the figure), so that 50 capsules C can be divided into 16 groups, Divided into two groups and transferred to the capsule sorting apparatus 14.
Hereinafter, the function of the film separating apparatus 12 will be described in detail.

  First, the film separating apparatus 12 lowers the pin 121B1 with the cylinder 121B3. The film separating apparatus 12 moves the plurality of transfer heads 122B close to each other by the head holding mechanism 122C and moves the head holding mechanism 122C in the vertical direction of the bending plate 121A by moving it horizontally by the horizontal movement mechanism 122E. Move upward to make it the initial state.

  Next, the film separating apparatus 12 causes the stopper ST4 to protrude upward in the vertical direction when the main pallet MP is detected by a photoelectric sensor (not shown) disposed on the side of the main conveyor 2. Then, when the main pallet MP conveyed by the main conveyor 2 comes into contact with the stopper ST4 and is arranged vertically above the push-up mechanism 121B, the film separating device 12 raises the pin 121B1 by the cylinder 121B3 and moves the main pallet MP upward. By inserting into each through hole MP3 of the pallet MP, the main pallet MP is raised and positioned, and the rod-shaped body 121B2 is raised to push up the capsule C housed in the housing part MP1 of the main pallet MP.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the push-up mechanism 121B has a plurality of pins 121B1 that are detachably provided in a plurality of holes (through holes MP3) of the main pallet MP, and each pin 121B1 is connected to the main pallet MP. The main pallet MP is positioned by being inserted into each of the through holes MP3.

  In the present embodiment, the push-up mechanism 121B raises and positions the main pallet MP by raising the two pins 121B1 in the cylinder 121B3 and inserting them into the two through holes MP3 of the main pallet MP. However, the main pallet may be raised and positioned by raising three or more pins and inserting them into three or more holes in the main pallet. Further, the push-up mechanism 121B may be positioned without raising the main pallet MP, and the main pallet MP may be positioned by adopting another mechanism such as a holding mechanism that stops the main pallet MP.

Further, the film separating apparatus 12 pushes up each capsule C by the push-up mechanism 121B and simultaneously starts suction to each suction cup 122A, thereby allowing the plurality of transfer heads 122B to pass through the through holes 121A1 of the folding plate 121A. Hold each capsule C. Thereby, the film separating apparatus 12 separates the cover material C2 sealed by the sealing apparatus 11 from the cut film CF.
Therefore, in the present embodiment, the push-up mechanism 121B is provided on the lower side of the main pallet MP, and pushes up the container C1 by inserting the rod-shaped body 121B2 from the lower surface side into the housing part MP1 of the main pallet MP. It functions as a lifting mechanism for separating the cover material C2 from the cut film CF.

In the present embodiment, the folding plate 121A is provided on the upper side of the main pallet MP, and a separation regulation that regulates the rise of the cut film CF by pressing a portion different from the cover material C2 of the cut film CF. Acts as a mechanism.
In this embodiment, the separation regulating mechanism employs the bending plate 121A, but a mechanism different from this may be employed. For example, the separation regulating mechanism may regulate the rising of the film by pressing the four corners of the film. In short, the separation regulating mechanism is provided on the upper side of the pallet, and only needs to be able to regulate the rise of the film by pressing a portion different from the film lid.

Further, in the present embodiment, the transfer head 122B is provided above the bending plate 121A, and sucks and holds the capsule C pushed up by the push-up mechanism 121B, so that the capsule C is taken from the main pallet MP. It functions as a pulling mechanism that pulls up.
In the present embodiment, the transfer head 122B is provided above the bending plate 121A, but may be provided at a position different from this. In other words, the transfer head 122B holds each capsule C through the through-hole 121A1 of the bending plate 121A by pushing up each capsule C by the push-up mechanism 121B and simultaneously starting suction by each suction cup 122A. However, it is not necessary to start suction to each suction cup 122A at the same time as each capsule C is pushed up by the push-up mechanism 121B.

Here, since the through hole 121A1 of the bending plate 121A has an inclined portion 121A2 whose diameter increases toward the capsule C side, each capsule C has an ear portion C22 of the lid member C2 at the inclined portion 121A2. Is passed through the through hole 121A1 of the bending plate 121A.
Therefore, in this embodiment, the bending plate 121A has a through hole 121A1 that bends the lid member C2 along the capsule C by allowing the capsule C pulled up by the transfer head 122B to pass therethrough.
In the present embodiment, the folding plate 121A has the through hole 121A1 that bends the lid member C2 along the capsule C, but may not have such a through hole 121A1.

Next, the film separating apparatus 12 moves the head holding mechanism 122C vertically upward by the vertical movement mechanism 122D, and then moves the head holding mechanism 122C vertically above the capsule sorting apparatus 14 by the horizontal movement mechanism 122E.
Then, the film separating apparatus 12 isolates the plurality of transfer heads 122B from each other by the head holding mechanism 122C, and moves the head holding mechanism 122C vertically downward by the vertical movement mechanism 122D. By stopping the suction, each capsule C is released and transferred to the capsule sorting device 14.

  Thereafter, the film separating apparatus 12 causes the main conveyor 2 to convey the main pallet MP by lowering the pins 121B1 and the rod-shaped body 121B2 by the cylinder 121B3 and immersing the stopper ST4 downward in the vertical direction. Next, the film separating apparatus 12 moves the head holding mechanism 122C vertically upward by the vertical movement mechanism 122D, and then moves the head holding mechanism 122C vertically above the bending plate 121A by the horizontal movement mechanism 122E. Set to the initial state.

[Scrap discharge device]
FIG. 45 is a side view of the scrap discharging apparatus. Specifically, FIG. 45 is a view of the scrap discharging device 13 as viewed from the −Y axis direction side.
As shown in FIG. 45, the scrap discharging device 13 includes an adsorption plate 131 that adsorbs the scrap SC (see FIG. 38) after the lid material C2 sealed by the sealing device 11 is separated from the cut film CF, and an adsorption plate. A moving mechanism 132 that moves 131 in a vertical direction and a horizontal direction, and a scrap holding base 133 that holds the scrap SC sucked by the suction plate 131 are provided.

The suction plate 131 has four suction pads 131A attached so as to correspond to the four corners of the scrap SC.
The moving mechanism 132 moves between the lift cylinder 132A that moves the suction plate 131 in the vertical direction and the vertical upper side of the main conveyor 2 and the vertical upper side of the scrap holding table 133 by moving the suction plate 131 in the horizontal direction. Rodless cylinder 132B. In addition, illustration of the main conveyor 2 is abbreviate | omitted in FIG.

FIG. 46 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the scrap holding table.
As shown in FIG. 46, the scrap holding table 133 includes two poles 133A that protrude upward in the vertical direction. The scrap holding table 133 holds the scrap SC by inserting each pole 133A into the hole SC1 formed in the scrap SC sucked by the suction plate 131.
Hereinafter, the function of the scrap discharging apparatus 13 will be described in detail.

First, the scrap discharging device 13 moves the suction plate 131 vertically above the main conveyor 2 by moving it in the horizontal direction by the moving mechanism 132 to obtain an initial state.
Here, after the main conveyor 2 is disposed vertically below the suction plate 131, two pins (not shown) are raised by a cylinder (not shown) and inserted into each of the through holes MP3 of the main pallet MP. As a result, the main pallet MP is raised and positioned.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, the main conveyor 2 has a plurality of pins provided so as to be freely inserted into and removed from a plurality of holes (through holes MP3) of the main pallet MP, and each pin passes through the main pallet MP. The main pallet MP is positioned by being inserted into each of the holes MP3.

  In the present embodiment, the main conveyor 2 raises and positions the main pallet MP by raising two pins in the cylinder and inserting them into the two through holes MP3 of the main pallet MP. The main pallet may be raised and positioned by raising three or more pins and inserting them into three or more holes in the main pallet. Further, the main conveyor 2 may be positioned without raising the main pallet MP, and the main pallet MP may be positioned by adopting another mechanism such as a clamping mechanism for stopping the main pallet MP.

  Next, the scrap discharge device 13 moves the suction plate 131 vertically downward by the moving mechanism 132, thereby positioning the suction plate 131 in the vicinity of the cut film CF and suctioning the suction pad 131A of the suction plate 131. By starting, the scrap SC after the lid member C2 is separated from the cut film CF is held. Then, the scrap discharge device 13 moves the suction plate 131 vertically upward by the moving mechanism 132 to separate the scrap SC held by the suction plate 131 from the main pallet MP, and then moves the scrap mechanism 131 to the moving mechanism 132. By moving the suction plate 131 in the horizontal direction, the suction plate 131 is moved vertically above the scrap holding table 133.

Next, the scrap discharging device 13 stops the suction to the suction pad 131 </ b> A of the suction plate 131, thereby releasing the scrap SC after separating the cover material C <b> 2 from the cut film CF and holding the scrap SC on the scrap holding table 133.
Thereafter, the scrap discharging device 13 causes the main conveyor 2 to transport the main pallet MP by lowering the pin with a cylinder. Next, the scrap discharging device 13 moves the suction plate 131 vertically above the main conveyor 2 by moving it in the horizontal direction by the moving mechanism 132 to make it the initial state again.

[Capsule sorting equipment]
FIG. 47 is a top view of the capsule sorting apparatus. Specifically, FIG. 47 is a view of the capsule sorting device 14 as seen from the + Z-axis direction side.
As shown in FIG. 47, the capsule sorting device 14 divides the capsule C transferred by the film separating device 12 and conveys it, and the capsule dividing conveyor 141 on the downstream side (under the plane of paper) And a capsule shooter 143 provided between the capsule dividing conveyor 141 and the case transporting conveyor 142, and a case transporting conveyor 142 for transporting the case CS for storing the capsules C. The capsule sorting device 14 sorts the capsules C transferred by the film separating device 12 into a predetermined number and stores them in a case CS. Specifically, the capsule sorting device 14 sorts the capsules C into 32 pieces and stores them in the case CS.

FIG. 48 is a perspective view showing a capsule and a case.
As shown in FIG. 48, the case CS has a storage portion CS1 formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape having an elliptical cross section, an elliptical lid portion CS2 that closes the opening of the storage portion CS1, and the storage portion CS1. And a hinge portion CS3 for connecting the lid portion CS2 so as to be freely opened and closed. As described above, the case CS is formed to have a size that can accommodate the 32 capsules C and close the lid CS2.

As shown in FIG. 47, the capsule dividing conveyor 141 places the capsule C and conveys the capsule C along a predetermined conveying direction (downward in the drawing), along the conveying direction. It includes five guide rails 141B1 to 141B5 provided and a photoelectric sensor 141C provided on the downstream side of the conveyance path 141A.
The guide rails 141B1 to 141B4 hold the 16 capsules C held by the transfer heads 122B1 to 122B3 when the plurality of transfer heads 122B are separated from each other by the head holding mechanism 122C of the film separating apparatus 12. It is provided so as to have a width that can be placed on the conveyance path 141A.
Further, the guide rail 141B5 has two pieces held by the transfer head 122B4 when the plurality of transfer heads 122B are separated from each other by the head holding mechanism 122C of the film separating apparatus 12 with respect to the guide rail 141B4. The capsule C is provided to have a width that allows the capsule C to be placed on the transport path 141A.

Therefore, the capsule dividing conveyor 141 is divided into 16 groups and 2 groups by dividing 50 capsules C corresponding to one main pallet MP by the guide rails 141B1 to 141B5. Can be transported. In other words, in the present embodiment, the capsule dividing conveyor 141 divides one unit of capsule C (50 capsules C corresponding to one sheet of the main pallet MP), thereby dividing the first group (16 pieces). ) And a second transport unit that transports the first group separately into a second group (two groups) having a different number.
Note that the number of capsules C per unit, the number of capsules in the first group and the second group, and the number of capsules C stored in the case CS may be different from those in the present embodiment.

The head holding mechanism 122C of the film separating apparatus 12 has a plurality of parts (transfer heads 122B1 to 122B4) configured to be close to and away from each other, and holds one unit of capsule C by bringing the plurality of parts close to each other. At the same time, by separating a plurality of parts and dividing one unit of capsules C into a plurality of groups and releasing them, it functions as a sorting holding mechanism for sorting one unit of capsules C into a predetermined number.
In other words, in the present embodiment, the capsule sorting device 14 includes the capsule transfer mechanism 122 of the film separating device 12.

  The photoelectric sensor 141C detects 50 capsules C corresponding to one sheet of the main pallet MP by detecting the capsules C in the first row among the capsules C transferred by the film separating apparatus 12. It is detected whether or not it has been transported. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the photoelectric sensor 141C functions as a capsule detection unit that detects whether or not one unit of the capsule C has been conveyed.

FIG. 49 is a top view of the case transport conveyor. Specifically, FIG. 49 is a view of the case transport conveyor 142 as seen from the + Z-axis direction side.
As shown in FIGS. 47 and 49, the case transporting conveyor 142 is provided with the case CS placed thereon and by dividing a transport path for transporting the case CS along a predetermined transporting direction (right direction in the drawing). The first lane 144 and the second lane 145, and the guide rail 146 that is provided on the upstream side of the case conveyor 142 and divides the first lane 144 and the second lane 145 are provided.

The case transporting conveyor 142 includes five stoppers 147 provided on the downstream side thereof, four pushers 148A provided between the stoppers 147, and the upstream side of the case transporting conveyor 142 among the pushers 148A. And three pushers 148B provided corresponding to the three pushers 148A.
Here, the case transporting conveyor 142 is disposed vertically below the capsule dividing conveyor 141 at a predetermined interval, and transports the case CS along a direction orthogonal to the transporting direction of the capsule dividing conveyor 141. It is arranged.

Each stopper 147 is attached to the case conveying conveyor 142 so as to protrude and retract with respect to the first lane 144. Since each stopper 147 protrudes from the first lane 144 and comes into contact with the case CS being transported by the case transport conveyor 142, the first lane 144 is against the movement of the transport path of the case transport conveyor 142. The case CS can be stopped at a predetermined position. In addition, the stoppers 147 are not brought into contact with the case CS being transported by the case transporting conveyor 142 by being immersed in the first lane 144, so that the case is moved along with the movement of the transport path of the case transporting conveyor 142. CS can be transported.
In this embodiment, the stopper 147 provided on the most upstream side of the case transport conveyor 142 is a stopper 147A, the stopper 147 provided on the most downstream side of the case transport conveyor 142 is a stopper 147C, and the other stoppers 147 Will be described as a stopper 147B.

Each pusher 148 </ b> A is attached to the case transport conveyor 142 so as to protrude and retract with respect to the case transport conveyor 142. Specifically, each pusher 148A causes the case CS, which is stationary by the four stoppers 147 (stoppers 147B, 147C) provided on the downstream side of the case transport conveyor 142 among the stoppers 147, to the second lane. It is provided at a position where it can be pushed out toward 145.
In the present embodiment, three pushers 148A provided on the upstream side of the case transport conveyor 142 will be described as pushers 148A1, and the pushers 148A provided on the downstream side of the case transport conveyor 142 will be described as pushers 148A2.

  Each pusher 148 </ b> B is attached to the case transport conveyor 142 so as to protrude and retract with respect to the case transport conveyor 142. Specifically, each pusher 148 </ b> B is provided corresponding to each pusher 148 </ b> A <b> 1, and can hold the case CS placed on the conveyance path of the case conveyance conveyor 142 by cooperating with each pusher 148 </ b> A <b> 1. It is provided at a position where it can be made. In other words, the pusher 148A1 and the pusher 148B are configured to be movable back and forth along the holding direction of the case CS.

For example, the capsule sorting device 14 can sandwich the case CS placed in the first lane 144 by immersing the pusher 148A1 into the case transporting conveyor 142 and projecting the pusher 148B.
Further, for example, the capsule sorting device 14 holds the case CS placed in the first lane 144, and then causes the pusher 148A1 to protrude from the case transporting conveyor 142 and the pusher 148B to be immersed therein, thereby causing the first The case CS placed on the lane 144 can be transferred to the second lane 145. Thereafter, the capsule sorting device 14 can cause the case transport conveyor 142 to transport the case CS by immersing the pusher 148A1 in the case transport conveyor 142.

  In this embodiment, the case transport conveyor 142 is provided with each stopper 147 that stops at a predetermined position in the first lane 144. For example, the case transport conveyor 142 may stop the transport path of the case transport conveyor 142 or the like. The case CS may be stopped at a predetermined position by a method.

FIG. 50 is a side view of the capsule sorting apparatus. Specifically, FIG. 50 is a diagram of the capsule sorting device 14 as seen from the −Y axis direction side.
As shown in FIGS. 47 and 50, the capsule shooter 143 is attached to the capsule dividing conveyor 141 so as to incline vertically downward toward the distal end side. The capsule shooter 143 includes guide portions 143A provided corresponding to the respective groups conveyed by the capsule dividing conveyor 141 (see FIG. 47).

  Each guide portion 143A corresponds to the three guide portions 143A1 provided corresponding to each of the first group conveyed by the capsule dividing conveyor 141 and the second group conveyed by the capsule dividing conveyor 141. And one guide portion 143A2 provided.

Each guide portion 143A1 is a rectangular tube-shaped member formed such that the cross-sectional area decreases from the proximal end toward the distal end. Each guide portion 143A1 is set so that the opening area at the tip thereof is smaller than the opening area of the case CS in order to insert the capsule C into the opening of the storage portion CS1 of the case CS placed on the case transporting conveyor 142. ing.
As shown in FIGS. 47 and 49, each guide portion 143 </ b> A <b> 1 is disposed adjacently along the conveyance direction of the case conveyance conveyor 142, and is stopped at each stopper 147 </ b> B of the case conveyance conveyor 142. The three cases CS are disposed at positions corresponding to the three cases CS. In addition, the tip of each guide portion 143A1 and the opening of the case CS are arranged with an interval smaller than the size of the capsule C.

The guide portion 143A2 is a rectangular tube-like member formed so as to have the same cross-sectional area from the base end to the tip end. Each guide portion 143A2 has an opening area from the base end to the tip end smaller than the opening area of the case CS in order to insert the capsule C into the opening of the storage portion CS1 of the case CS placed on the case transporting conveyor 142. Is set to
Each guide portion 143A2 is disposed at a position corresponding to the case CS stopped by the stopper 147C of the case transporting conveyor 142. In addition, the tip of each guide portion 143A2 and the opening of the case CS are arranged with an interval smaller than the size of the capsule C.

  In the present embodiment, the tip of each guide portion 143A and the opening of the case CS are arranged with an interval smaller than the size of the capsule C, but are arranged with an interval larger than this. It may be.

Therefore, the first group conveyed by the capsule dividing conveyor 141 falls while sliding on the capsule shooter 143, and passes through the tip of each guide portion 143A1 set to an opening area smaller than the opening area of the case CS. Then, it is dropped and stored in the case CS placed on the transport path of the case transport conveyor 142.
Further, the second group conveyed by the capsule dividing conveyor 141 falls while sliding on the capsule shooter 143, and passes through the tip of the guide portion 143A2 set to an opening area smaller than the opening area of the case CS. It is dropped and stored in the case CS placed on the conveyance path of the case conveyance conveyor 142.

Thus, in this embodiment, the capsule shooter 143 functions as a guide unit that guides each group conveyed by the capsule dividing conveyor 141 to the case CS conveyed by the case conveying conveyor 142.
In this embodiment, the capsule sorting device 14 includes the capsule shooter 143, but the guide means may have a different configuration. In short, the guiding means may be provided between the divided conveying means and the case conveying conveyor, and only needs to be able to guide each group conveyed by the divided conveying means to the case conveyed by the case conveying conveyor. Further, the sorting apparatus may not include the guiding means.

FIG. 51 is a functional block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the capsule sorting apparatus.
As shown in FIG. 51, the capsule sorting device 14 includes sorting control means 149 for controlling the entire capsule sorting device 14 in addition to the capsule dividing conveyor 141, the case transporting conveyor 142, and the capsule shooter 143 described above. .
The sorting control unit 149 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a memory, and the like, and executes information processing according to a predetermined program stored in the memory. The sorting control unit 149 includes a first storage determination unit 149A, a second storage determination unit 149B, a carry-out execution unit 149C, and a vibration execution unit 149D.
In this embodiment, the capsule sorting device 14 includes the sorting control unit 149, but may not include this. In short, the sorting device only needs to have a sorting holding mechanism.

Whether or not the first storage determination unit 149A stores 32 capsules C in the case CS (hereinafter referred to as the first case CS10) that is stopped at a predetermined position in the first lane 144 by each stopper 147B. Determine. Specifically, the first storage determination unit 149A counts the number of times that the photoelectric sensor 141C detects that one unit (50 pieces) of capsules C has been conveyed, and determines whether or not the number is two times. Thus, it is determined whether or not 32 capsules C are accommodated in the case CS.
The second storage determination unit 149B determines whether or not 32 capsules C are stored in a case CS (hereinafter referred to as a second case CS20) that is stopped at a predetermined position in the first lane 144 by the stopper 147C. judge. Specifically, the second storage determination unit 149B counts the number of times that the photoelectric sensor 141C detects that one unit (50) of capsules C has been conveyed, and determines whether or not the number is 16 times. Thus, it is determined whether or not 32 capsules C are accommodated in the case CS.

  In the present embodiment, the first storage determination unit 149A and the second storage determination unit 149B count the number of times that the photoelectric sensor 141C detects that one unit (50) of capsules C has been conveyed, Although it is determined whether or not 32 capsules C are stored in the case CS, for example, the capsules 32 and 32 capsules can be stored in the case CS by other methods such as measuring the total weight of the capsule C and the case CS. It may be determined whether or not C is stored. In short, the first storage determination unit and the second storage determination unit need only be able to determine whether or not a predetermined number of capsules are stored in the case transported by the case transport conveyor.

  The carry-out execution unit 149C causes the first lane 144 to cooperate with the pusher 148A1 and the pusher 148B when the first storage determination unit 149A determines that 32 capsules C are stored in the first case CS10. The first case CS10 placed on the second lane 145 is transferred. When the second storage determining unit 149B determines that 32 capsules C are stored in the second case CS20, the unloading execution unit 149C mounts the pusher 148A2 on the first lane 144. The placed second case CS20 is transferred to the second lane 145.

The vibration executing unit 149D vibrates the first case CS10 by causing the pusher 148A1 and the pusher 148B to project and retract when detecting that the photoelectric sensor 141C has conveyed one unit (50 pieces) of the capsule C. .
Hereinafter, the function of the capsule sorting device 14 will be described in detail.

FIG. 52 is a flowchart of the capsule sorting process.
When the capsule sorting device 14 sorts the capsules C into a predetermined number and stores them in the case CS, the sorting control unit 149 performs steps according to a predetermined program stored in the memory, as shown in FIG. S21 to S26 are executed.
Details of steps S21 to S26 will be described below with reference to the drawings.

First, the sorting control unit 149 causes the pushers 148A and 148B to be immersed in the case transport conveyor 142 and the stopper 147 to be immersed in the first lane 144 to be in an initial state.
Then, as shown in FIG. 49, the sorting control means 149 causes the stoppers 147 to protrude from the first lane 144, thereby causing the plurality of cases CS carried in via the first lane 144 to be in the first lane. 144 is stopped at a predetermined position. Specifically, the sorting control unit 149 sequentially protrudes from a stopper 147C provided on the most downstream side of the case transporting conveyor 142 to a stopper 147A provided on the most upstream side of the case transporting conveyor 142. The case CS is stationary between the stoppers 147.
Therefore, in the present embodiment, the first lane 144 places a plurality of cases CS that store the groups sorted by the capsule transfer mechanism 122, and also places the plurality of cases CS along a predetermined transport direction. It functions as a carry-in route that is moved and carried.

FIG. 53 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the case is stationary between the stoppers.
Further, as shown in FIG. 53, the sorting control means 149 causes the pushers 148B to protrude with respect to the case transporting conveyor 142 after the case CS is stationary between the stoppers 147, so that the first lane The case CS placed on 144 is sandwiched.

  Thereafter, each group transported by the capsule dividing conveyor 141 falls while sliding on the capsule shooter 143, and is guided to the guide portion 143A and dropped into the first case CS10 placed on the first lane 144. Stored. Specifically, the first group conveyed by the capsule dividing conveyor 141 falls while sliding on the capsule shooter 143, and is guided to the guide portion 143A1 and placed on the first lane 144. 1 case CS10 is dropped and stored. The second group conveyed by the capsule dividing conveyor 141 falls while sliding on the capsule shooter 143, and is guided to the guide portion 143A2 and placed on the second case CS20 placed on the first lane 144. Dropped and stored.

  Next, the first storage determination unit 149A determines whether or not 32 capsules C are stored in the first case CS10 (S21: first storage determination step). In other words, the first storage determination unit 149A determines whether or not the first case CS10 that stores the first group can be carried out.

FIG. 54 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the first storage determining unit determines that the capsule is stored in the case.
When the carry-out execution unit 149C determines that the first storage determination unit 149A has stored 32 capsules C in the first case CS10, as illustrated in FIG. The first case CS10 placed on the first lane 144 is transferred to the second lane 145 by projecting the pusher 148B.

FIG. 55 is a diagram showing a state where the first case is being carried out by the case transport conveyor.
Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 55, the sorting control means 149 carries out the first case CS10 via the second lane 145 by immersing the pusher 148A1 into the case transporting conveyor 142 (S22: second). 1 case unloading execution step). In other words, the carry-out execution unit 149C transports one unit of capsule C twice on the capsule dividing conveyor 141 (transports 16 first groups twice and transfers 32 capsules C to the first The first case CS10 is carried out via the second lane (when stored in the case CS10). Also, the carry-out execution unit 149C carries out the first case CS10 through the second lane 145 and then immerses the stopper 147 into the first lane 144, thereby bringing the first case CS into a predetermined position in the first lane 144. 1 case CS10 is newly stopped.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the second lane 145 places the plurality of cases CS carried in via the first lane 144 and moves the plurality of cases CS along a predetermined conveyance direction to carry them out. Functions as a carry-out path.
In the present embodiment, the first lane 144 and the second lane 145 move the plurality of cases CS along the same transport direction, but may move the plurality of cases along different transport directions. Good.

In the present embodiment, the pusher 148A1 and the pusher 148B sandwich the first case CS10 placed on the first lane 144 and function as a sandwiching means for transferring to the second lane 145.
In this embodiment, the capsule sorting device 14 transfers the case CS to the pushers 148A1 and 148B. However, for example, the case CS is transferred by another configuration such as holding the case by an air hand or the like. You may make it make it.

  Next, the second storage determination unit 149B determines whether or not 32 capsules C are stored in the second case CS20 (S23: second storage determination step). In other words, the second storage determination unit 149B determines whether or not the second case CS20 that stores the second group can be carried out.

FIG. 56 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the second storage determining unit determines that the capsule is stored in the case.
When the carry-out execution unit 149C determines that the second storage determination unit 149B has stored 32 capsules C in the second case CS20, as shown in FIG. The second case CS20 placed on the first lane 144 is transferred to the second lane 145.

FIG. 57 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the second case is being carried out by the case transport conveyor.
Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 57, the sorting control means 149 carries out the second case CS20 via the second lane 145 (S24: second case carry-out execution step). In other words, the carry-out execution unit 149C transports one unit of capsule C 16 times on the capsule dividing conveyor 141 (transports two second groups 16 times and transfers 32 capsules C to the second The second case CS20 is carried out via the second lane (when stored in the case CS20). Also, the carry-out execution unit 149C carries out the second case CS20 through the second lane 145 and then immerses the stopper 147 into the first lane 144, thereby bringing the second case CS20 into a predetermined position in the first lane 144. The second case CS20 is newly stopped.

  As described above, the carry-out execution unit 149C carries out the first case CS10 containing the first group when carrying one unit of capsule C twice on the capsule dividing conveyor 141, so that the second When carrying out the second case CS20 containing the first group, the first case CS10 containing the first group is carried out at the same time.

  When it is determined in the second storage determination step S23 that the 32 capsules C are not stored in the second case CS20, or after executing the second case unloading execution step S24, the vibration execution unit 149D It is determined whether or not the sensor 141C has detected that one unit (50 pieces) of the capsule C has been conveyed (S25: capsule detection step). When the vibration execution unit 149D determines that the photoelectric sensor 141C has detected that one unit (50 pieces) of the capsule C has been conveyed, the vibration execution unit 149D causes the pusher 148A1 and the pusher 148B to protrude and retract, thereby The case CS10 is vibrated (S26: vibration execution step). In other words, the vibration executing unit 149D transports one unit of the capsule C by the capsule dividing conveyor 141, and each time it is stored in the first case CS10, the first squeezed by the pusher 148A1 and the pusher 148B. The case CS10 is vibrated (see FIG. 53).

In the present embodiment, the vibration execution unit 149D vibrates only the first case CS10. However, the second case CS20 may vibrate, and the first case CS10 and the second case CS20 may be vibrated. Both may be vibrated.
In the present embodiment, the vibration execution unit 149D is sandwiched between the pusher 148A1 and the pusher 148B when it is determined that the photoelectric sensor 141C has detected that one unit (50) of capsules C has been conveyed. The first case CS10 was vibrated. On the other hand, the vibration execution unit may vibrate the case when different from this.

Thereafter, the sorting control unit 149 repeatedly executes steps S21 to S26, thereby repeatedly executing steps S21 to S26, and sorts the capsules C into a predetermined number and stores them in the case CS.
The sorting control unit 149 stops repeating the above-described steps S21 to S26 when a stop button (not shown) provided in the capsule sorting device 14 is pressed. The sorting control unit 149 returns the stopper 147 and the pushers 148A and 148B to the initial state when a reset button (not shown) provided in the capsule sorting device 14 is pressed.

According to the present embodiment as described above, the following operations and effects can be achieved.
(1) When the dummy pallet DP is carried into the first arrangement table 31A by the upstream pallet conveyor 361 and the pusher 362, and the container supply control means 37 receives the second pallet DP by the pallet sending means 33C1. When the plurality of containers C1 held by the container supply hopper 33 are dropped toward the upper surface of the dummy pallet DP when delivered to the arrangement table 31B, the second arrangement is performed by the puller 363 and the downstream pallet conveyor 364. The dummy pallet DP arranged on the table 31B can be carried out. Therefore, since the container supply device 3 can drop the plurality of containers C1 twice on the upper surface of the same dummy pallet DP, compared to the case where the plurality of containers C1 are dropped once on the upper surface of the dummy pallet DP. A plurality of containers C1 can be easily entered into the housing part DP1 of the dummy pallet DP.

(2) The container supply device 3 includes the container storage tank 34, the container transport means 35, the container supply hopper 33, and the dropping means, and circulates and reuses the plurality of containers C1, so that the dummy pallet DP Among the plurality of containers C1 that have fallen on the upper surface, the container C1 that has not entered the dummy pallet DP housing part DP1 repeatedly falls on the upper surface of the dummy pallet DP, and eventually falls into the housing part DP1 of the dummy pallet DP. It will go in. Therefore, the container supply device 3 can automatically supply the plurality of containers C1 to the dummy pallet DP, and can improve the manufacturing efficiency.

(3) Since the container conveying means 35 includes the holding conveyor 351C that holds the containers C1 on the conveying path 351C1 and holds them in the container supply hopper 33, the conveying path of the holding conveyor 351C is provided. By adjusting the amount of movement of 351C1, the amount of the plurality of containers C1 held by the container supply hopper 33 can be adjusted. Therefore, the container supply device 3 can simplify the configuration of the container transport means 35.
(4) Since the holding conveyor 351C has an entrance with a predetermined area for introducing the plurality of containers C1, the conveyance amount of the plurality of containers C1 per unit time can be made constant. Therefore, the holding conveyor 351 </ b> C can reliably adjust the amount of the plurality of containers C <b> 1 held by the container supply hopper 33.

(5) Since the container supply hopper 33 includes the container supply hopper 33A and the container supply hopper 33B, the plurality of containers C1 can further easily enter the housing portion DP1 of the dummy pallet DP.
(6) The container supply device 3 includes a distribution unit 351D that distributes and holds the plurality of containers C1 to the container supply hopper 33A and the container supply hopper 33B by switching between the first path and the second path. Therefore, it is possible to share a path for transporting the plurality of containers C1 from the container storage tank 34 to the distribution means 351D. Therefore, the container supply device 3 can simplify the configuration of the container transport means 35.

(7) When the dummy pallet DP is vibrated by the small electromagnetic feeder 32, the container supply device 3 drops the plurality of containers C1 held by the container supply hopper 33 toward the upper surface of the dummy pallet DP. Therefore, the plurality of containers C1 that have fallen on the upper surface of the dummy pallet DP enter each housing portion DP1 of the dummy pallet DP while rolling by the vibration of the dummy pallet DP. Therefore, the container supply device 3 can make it easier for the plurality of containers C1 to enter the housing portion DP1 of the dummy pallet DP.

(8) The container supply device 3 moves the small electromagnetic feeder 32 from the first vibration state to the second state when the plurality of containers C1 held by the container supply hopper 33 are dropped toward the upper surface of the dummy pallet DP. Therefore, the plurality of containers C1 that have already entered the housing part DP1 of the dummy pallet DP can be made difficult to drop off.
(9) Since the container supply device 3 switches the small electromagnetic feeder 32 from the second vibration state to the third vibration state when the compressor 33C2 drops the plurality of containers C1 into the container storage tank 34, the dummy pallet DP The plurality of containers C1 that have already entered the housing portion DP1 can be made difficult to drop off.
(10) The housing portion DP1 of the dummy pallet DP includes a through hole DP2, and since the through hole DP2 is expanded toward the upper surface side of the dummy pallet DP, the plurality of containers C1 are further easily entered. be able to.

(11) The container transfer device 4 stores the lower ends of the plurality of containers C1 in the respective storage portions MP1 of the main pallet MP, and causes the container transfer head 41 to release the plurality of containers C1 to thereby store the plurality of containers. Since C1 is dropped and accommodated in the main pallet MP, the container C1 can be prevented from coming into contact with the accommodating portion MP1 of the main pallet MP. Therefore, the container transfer device 4 can suppress the deformation of the container C1, and can improve the manufacturing efficiency.
(12) Since each of the plurality of containers C1 is formed so as to reduce in diameter as it goes from the upper end side toward the lower end side, the container transfer device 4 uses the lower ends of the plurality of containers C1 as the main pallet. When it accommodates in each accommodating part MP1 of MP, it becomes easy to accommodate. Therefore, the container transfer device 4 can further suppress the container C1 from coming into contact with the housing part MP1 of the main pallet MP.

(13) Since the horizontal movement mechanism 43 moves the container transfer head 41 along the short direction of the dummy pallet DP and the main pallet MP, the horizontal movement mechanism 43 moves the container transfer head 41 to the length of the dummy pallet DP and the main pallet MP. Compared with the case of moving along the direction, the moving distance can be shortened, and the space required for installing the container transfer device 4 can be reduced.

(14) The end positions of the dummy placement table 365D and the return path conveyor 22 are determined by positioning the dummy pallet DP and the main pallet MP by inserting a plurality of pins into the plurality of holes of the dummy pallet DP and the main pallet MP, respectively. Therefore, the dummy pallet DP and the main pallet MP can be reliably positioned.
(15) The end positions of the dummy placement table 365D and the return path conveyor 22 are raised by inserting the plurality of pins into the plurality of holes of the dummy pallet DP and the main pallet MP, respectively. Therefore, the dummy pallet DP and the main pallet MP are supported only by a plurality of pins. Therefore, the dummy pallet DP and the main pallet MP can be reliably positioned at the end points of the dummy placement table 365D and the return path conveyor 22.

(16) Since the size of the accommodating portion DP1 of the dummy pallet DP is larger than the size of the accommodating portion MP1 of the main pallet MP, the plurality of accommodating portions DP1 formed on the upper surface of the dummy pallet DP by the container supply device 3 When a plurality of containers C1 are fitted and supplied to each, it can be easily supplied. Therefore, the capsule manufacturing apparatus 1 can improve the manufacturing efficiency.

(17) The container cleaning device 5 includes the drop prevention means 51 for preventing the drop of the plurality of containers C1, and cleans the plurality of containers C1 whose opening edges are held by the drop prevention means 51. Foreign substances can be reliably removed without dropping the accommodated container C1.
(18) Since the container cleaning device 5 blows air to the plurality of containers C1 with the nozzle 52A and sucks the plurality of containers C1 with the container cleaning suction device 52B, by blowing air with the nozzle 52A, Foreign matter such as dust adhering to the container C1 can be removed, and these foreign matter can be sucked by the container cleaning suction device 52B. Therefore, the container cleaning device 5 can reliably remove foreign substances without dropping the container C1 accommodated in the main pallet MP.

(19) Since the container cleaning device 5 cleans the plurality of containers C1 accommodated in the main pallet MP by moving the main pallet MP relative to the cleaning means 52, it is accommodated in the main pallet MP. The size of the cleaning means 52 can be reduced as compared with the case where all of the plurality of containers C1 are simultaneously cleaned.
(20) Since the forward path delivery mechanism 23 moves the main pallet MP relative to the cleaning means 52 by moving the main pallet MP, the position of the cleaning means 52 can be fixed. Therefore, the container cleaning device 5 can simplify the configuration of the container cleaning moving mechanism as compared with the case where the position of the main pallet MP is fixed.

(21) The drop-off prevention means 51 is formed in a rail shape extending along the direction in which the main pallet MP is moved relative to the cleaning means 52 in the forward path delivery mechanism 23. Therefore, the main pallet MP The opening edges of the plurality of containers C1 accommodated in the main pallet MP can be efficiently suppressed without individually pressing the plurality of containers C1 accommodated in the main pallet MP.
(22) The drop-off prevention means 51 is formed in a rail shape extending along the direction in which the main pallet MP is moved relative to the cleaning means 52 in the forward path delivery mechanism 23. Can clean the plurality of containers C1 accommodated in the main pallet MP without being obstructed by the dropout prevention means 51.

(23) The container cleaning device 5 includes a container cleaning detection unit 53 that detects the presence or absence of the plurality of containers C1 cleaned by the cleaning unit 52, and the plurality of containers C1 cleaned by the cleaning unit 52 are removed. Since the presence or absence can be confirmed, it is possible to reliably prevent the plurality of containers C1 housed in the main pallet MP from dropping off.
(24) The container cleaning device 5 includes static electricity removing means 54 for removing static electricity from the plurality of containers C1 accommodated in the main pallet MP, and can remove static electricity from the plurality of containers C1 accommodated in the main pallet MP. Since it can do, it can suppress that foreign materials, such as dust, adhere to a plurality of containers C1 cleaned by cleaning means 52 again.

(25) The charging port 623A of the filling cover 623 is provided at a position that always communicates with the opening of the filling hopper 62 when the filling hopper 62 is swung by the advance / retreat mechanism 63. Without stopping the peristaltic movement, the powder P can be put into the filling hopper 62 through the filling port 623A of the filling cover 623.
(26) Since the opening of the filling hopper 62 is formed so as to become wider in the peristaltic direction of the filling hopper 62 as it goes vertically upward, the filling device 6 uses the advancing / retracting mechanism 63 to each measuring hole 661A. Thus, the filling hopper 62 can be swung larger than the width of the region where there is. Therefore, the filling device 6 can improve design freedom.

(27) The filling device 6 can suck the granular material P leaked without being filled into each measuring hole 661A when the granular material P is dropped from the filling hopper 62 with the filling suction device 64. Since it can do, it can suppress that the granular material P accumulates in the circumference | surroundings of each measurement hole 661A.
(28) The storage tank 621 stores the powder P inside when the powder P put into the charging tank 622 falls through the hole 622A1, and therefore fills each measuring hole 661A. The reduced granular material P is always replenished to the storage tank 621 when the granular material P charged into the charging tank 622 falls through the hole 622A1. Therefore, since the filling device 6 can always make the bulk of the powder P stored in the storage tank 621 constant, the filling pressure of the powder P can be made constant, and a certain amount of The granular material P can be filled in each measurement hole 661A.

(29) The sealing device 11 can stretch the lid of the lid C2 formed on the cut film CF by pushing up the container C1 by the push-up mechanism 112 against the dead weight of the cut film CF. Thereafter, the sealing device 11 lowers the hot plate 111A1 with the sealing mechanism 111 to seal and bond the lid C2 to the opening of the container C1, so that the lid of the lid C2 is stretched to open the opening of the container C1. The part can be sealed.
(30) Since the main pallet MP is provided with each pin MP2, the sealing device 11 moves the push-up mechanism 112 against the pins MP2 that regulate the movement of the cut film CF placed on the main pallet MP. By pushing up the container C1, the lid of the cover material C2 formed on the cut film CF can be extended. Accordingly, the sealing device 11 can further seal the lid of the container C1 by further extending the lid of the lid C2.

(31) Since the sealing device 11 positions the main pallet MP by inserting the plurality of pins 112A into the plurality of through holes MP3 of the main pallet MP, respectively, the main pallet MP can be reliably positioned.
(32) Since the sealing device 11 raises the main pallet MP by inserting the plurality of pins 112A into the plurality of through holes MP3 of the main pallet MP, respectively, the main pallet MP is supported only by the plurality of pins 112A. . Therefore, the sealing device 11 can reliably position the main pallet MP.

(33) The main pallet MP is formed so as to penetrate the upper and lower surfaces, and includes a housing part MP1 for inserting and housing the container C1 from the upper surface side, and the film separating apparatus 12 regulates the rise of the cut film CF. Since the folding plate 121A and the push-up mechanism 121B that pushes up the container C1 and separates the lid C2 from the cut film CF are provided, the structure of the main pallet MP can be simplified, and the lid C2 is separated from the cut film CF. can do.

(34) The film separating apparatus 12 can cooperate with the push-up mechanism 121B that pushes up the container C1 to separate the lid C2 from the cut film CF and the transfer head 122B that pulls up the container C1 from the main pallet MP. The lid material C2 can be reliably separated from the cut film CF.
(35) The film separating apparatus 12 pushes up the container C1 by the push-up mechanism 121B to separate the lid C2 from the cut film CF, and moves along the container C1 in the process of pulling up the container C1 from the main pallet MP by the transfer head 122B. Since the lid member C2 can be bent, the manufacturing efficiency can be improved.

(36) The capsule transfer mechanism 122 holds a unit of capsule C by bringing a plurality of parts close to each other, isolates the part and releases the unit of capsules C into a plurality of groups and releases them. One unit of capsule C can be sorted into a predetermined number. Therefore, the capsule sorting device 14 can efficiently sort the capsules C without relying on manpower even when a number different from one unit is collectively stored in the case CS.
(37) The capsule sorting device 14 transfers the first case CS10 to the pusher 148A1 and the pusher 148B without stopping the movement of the first lane 144 and the second lane 145, and thereby via the second lane 145. Since the first case CS10 can be carried out, the structure of the first lane 144 and the second lane 145 can be simplified.

(38) Since the first lane 144 and the second lane 145 move the plurality of cases CS along the same transport direction, the first lane 144 and the second lane 145 can be used as a common transport path. Therefore, the capsule sorting device 14 can simplify the configuration of the carry-in path and the carry-out path.
(39) The pusher 148A1 and the pusher 148B are configured to be able to advance and retract along the holding direction of the case CS, so that the case CS is held by holding the case CS and moving forward and backward along the holding direction of the case CS. Can be vibrated. Therefore, since the capsule sorting apparatus 14 can level the plurality of capsules C stored in the case CS, the plurality of capsules C can be efficiently stored in the case CS.

(40) When the first storage determination unit 149A determines that the predetermined number of capsules C are stored in the first case CS10, the capsule sorting device 14 stores the first case CS10 that stores the first group. A carry-out execution unit that carries out the second case CS20 that stores the second group when the second storage determination unit 149B determines that a predetermined number of capsules C have been stored in the second case CS20. Since 149C is provided, the first case CS10 that stores the first group and the second case CS20 that stores the second group can be carried out independently. Therefore, the capsule sorting device 14 can carry out the case CS storing the predetermined number of capsules C prior to the case CS not storing the predetermined number of capsules C yet.

[Modification of Embodiment]
Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and modifications, improvements, and the like within a scope in which the object of the present invention can be achieved are included in the present invention.
For example, in the above-described embodiment, the container supply device 3 is used in the capsule manufacturing device 1 that intermittently manufactures a plurality of capsules C as a unit, but may be used in other manufacturing devices. .

  As mentioned above, this invention can be utilized suitably for the container supply apparatus which supplies a some container to each of the some accommodating part formed in the upper surface of a pallet.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Capsule manufacturing apparatus 2 Main conveyor 3 Container supply apparatus 4 Container transfer apparatus 5 Container cleaning apparatus 6 Filling apparatus 7 Fill check apparatus 8 Film supply apparatus 9 Film die cutting apparatus 10 Film transfer apparatus 11 Seal apparatus 12 Film separation apparatus 13 Scrap Discharge device 14 Capsule sorting device 31 Container supply arrangement table 31A First arrangement table (first region)
31B 2nd arrangement stand (2nd field)
32 Small electromagnetic feeder (pallet vibration means)
33 Container hopper (holding means)
33A Container supply hopper (first holding means)
33B Container supply hopper (second holding means)
33C1 Pallet delivery means 33C2 Compressor (dropping means)
34 Container storage tank (storage means)
35 Container transport means 36 Pallet transport means 37 Container supply control means 41 Container transfer head 42 Vertical movement mechanism (container transfer movement mechanism)
43 Horizontal movement mechanism (movement mechanism for container transfer)
51 Dropping prevention means 52 Cleaning means 52A Nozzle 52B Container cleaning suction machine 53 Container cleaning detection means 54 Static electricity removal means 61 Weighing and filling mechanism 62 Filling hopper 63 Advance / Retreat mechanism (swing means)
64 Filling suction device 65 Positioning mechanism 111 Sealing mechanism 112 Push-up mechanism 112A Pin 112B Rod-shaped body 121 Film separation mechanism 121A Bending plate 121A1 Through-hole 121B Push-up mechanism 121B1 Pin 121B2 Rod-shaped body 122 Capsule transfer mechanism 122B Transfer head (holding for sorting) mechanism)
141 Capsule division conveyor 142 Case transport conveyor 143 Capsule shooter 144 First lane (loading path)
145 Second lane (unloading route)
148A pusher 148A1 pusher (clamping means)
148A2 pusher 148B pusher (clamping means)
149 Sorting control means 149A First storage determination section 149B Second storage determination section 149C Unloading execution section 149D Vibration execution section 351C Holding conveyor 351D Sorting section 361 Upstream pallet conveyor (pallet loading section)
362 pusher (pallet loading means)
363 Puller (pallet unloading means)
364 Downstream pallet conveyor (pallet unloading means)
365D dummy placement table (container transfer placement table)
621 Storage tank 622 Input tank 622A1 Hole 623A Input port C Capsule C1 Container C2 Cover material CF Cut film CS Case DP Dummy pallet DP1 Storage part MP Main pallet MP1 Storage part MP2 Pin (Seal regulation mechanism)
MP3 through hole

Claims (8)

A container supply device that supplies a plurality of containers to each of a plurality of storage portions formed on the upper surface of the pallet,
A container supply placement table having a first region and a second region provided adjacent to each other, and placing the pallet in each of the first region and the second region;
Pallet carrying means for carrying the pallet into the first region;
Pallet sending means for sending the pallet arranged in the first area to the second area;
Pallet unloading means for unloading the pallet disposed in the second region;
A holding means disposed above the container supply arrangement table and holding the plurality of containers;
Pallet vibration means for vibrating the pallet arranged on the container supply arrangement table;
A container supply control means for controlling the entire container supply device,
The pallet vibration means is
A first vibration state for vibrating the pallet disposed on the container supply placement table;
A second vibration state that vibrates the pallet disposed on the container supply placement table weaker than the first vibration state;
The container supply control means holds the pallet when the pallet carrying means carries the pallet into the first area and when the pallet sending means sends the pallet to the second area. said plurality of containers held in means by falling towards the upper surface of the pallet, supplying a plurality of containers on each of a plurality of accommodating portions formed on the upper surface of the pallet at the pallet vibrating means When the pallet is being vibrated, the plurality of containers held by the holding means are dropped toward the top surface of the pallet, and the plurality of containers held by the holding means are directed toward the top surface of the pallet. container supply device comprising a switching Rukoto the second oscillation state of said pallet vibrating means from said first oscillation mode while it is dropped Te. In the container supply apparatus according to claim 1,
A storage unit that is provided below the holding unit and stores the plurality of containers;
Container transporting means for holding the holding means by transporting the plurality of containers stored in the storage means;
Among the plurality of containers dropped toward the upper surface of the pallet by the holding means, the drop means for dropping the plurality of containers that were not accommodated in the pallet accommodating portion to the storage means,
The container supply control means causes the container conveying means to hold the plurality of containers on the holding means, and then drops the plurality of containers held on the holding means toward the upper surface of the pallet. The container supply device, wherein the plurality of containers are circulated and reused by dropping the plurality of containers onto the storage means by the dropping means. In the container supply device according to claim 2,
The container conveying means includes
A container supply apparatus comprising: a holding conveyor that holds the plurality of containers on a transfer path and holds the containers by the holding means. In the container supply device according to claim 3,
The container supply device, wherein the holding conveyor has an inlet having a predetermined area for introducing the plurality of containers. In the container supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The holding means is
First holding means for dropping the plurality of containers toward an upper surface of the pallet disposed in the first region;
And a second holding means for dropping the plurality of containers toward the upper surface of the pallet disposed in the second region. In the container supply device according to claim 5,
By switching between a first path for holding the plurality of containers in the first holding means and a second path for holding the plurality of containers in the second holding means, the plurality of containers are A container supply apparatus comprising: a distribution unit that distributes and holds the first holding unit and the second holding unit. In the container supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 ,
A storage unit that is provided below the holding unit and stores the plurality of containers;
Container transporting means for holding the holding means by transporting the plurality of containers stored in the storage means;
Among the plurality of containers dropped toward the upper surface of the pallet by the holding means, the drop means for dropping the plurality of containers that were not accommodated in the pallet accommodating portion to the storage means,
The container supply control means causes the container conveying means to hold the plurality of containers on the holding means, and then drops the plurality of containers held on the holding means toward the upper surface of the pallet. , By dropping the plurality of containers to the storage means by the dropping means, circulate and reuse the plurality of containers,
The pallet vibration means is
A third vibration state that vibrates the pallet disposed on the container supply placement table weaker than the second vibration state;
The dropping means causes the plurality of containers to drop to the storage means by discharging air to the storage means side along the upper surface of the pallet,
The container supply control means switches the pallet vibration means from the second vibration state to the third vibration state when dropping the plurality of containers onto the storage means by the dropping means. Container supply device. In the container supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 7 ,
The container supply device, wherein the pallet housing portion includes an expanding portion that expands toward the upper surface side of the pallet.

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