JPH04114826A - Container feeding device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To make it possible to fill containers easily in a rectangular shape case by a method wherein after aligning a number of containers in response to the length of one side of a case by a first aligning means, a number of containers in response to the length of the other side of the case are aligned by a second aligning means. CONSTITUTION:A first aligning means 3 has six guide paths 16... to guide ampoules 1..., and this guide path 16... consists of a long plate 13 and partitioning members 14... which are provided extending the longitudinal direction of the long plate 13, and the ampoules 1... which are guided by the guide paths 16... and carried while being pushed out in order by an ampoule filling machine are smoothly carried without falling. A second aligning means 5 has a width narrowing plate 28 and a support plate 27, and these plates 27, 28 vertically move by a support, width narrowing both plates elevating cylinder 55. Also, when both the plates 27, 28 move, the width narrowing plate 28 slightly moves toward the support plate 27 by a width narrowing plate driving cylinder 56. By this method, gaps between rows of the ampoules 1... are eliminated, and adjacent ampoules 1... are aligned under a condition in which the ampoules 1... are mutually in contact with.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a container supply device, and more particularly to an ampoule supply device for supplying medical ampoules in an array into a rectangular case.

Jubei Shikioh The medical ampoules mentioned above are sterilized after being manufactured to prevent bacteria from entering the ampoule.
After that, it needs to be shipped to a medical institution.

By the way, during the above-mentioned sterilization process, in order to improve processing capacity by processing a large number of ampoules at the same time, a method is used in -C in which multiple ampoules are filled into a case and sterilization is performed for each case. There is.

However, since the filling of the ampoules was done manually, there was a problem in that this process was time-consuming and reduced throughput.

The present invention has been made in view of the current situation, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a container feeding device that can improve throughput during ampoule filling.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a container supply device that supplies a plurality of containers in an array into a rectangular case. a first arranging means for arranging a corresponding number of containers; a first transporting means for transporting the containers while maintaining the aligned state of the containers arranged by the first arranging means; a second aligning means for sequentially moving the containers in a plurality of rows until the number corresponds to the length of the other side of the case, and aligning the containers so as to correspond to the length direction of the other side of the case; The present invention is characterized by comprising a second conveying means for conveying the containers to the case while maintaining the aligned state of the containers aligned by the aligning means.

With the above configuration, after the first arranging means arranges the number of containers according to the length of the case in one direction, the second arranging means arranges the number of containers according to the length of the case in the other direction. aligns. Therefore, it becomes possible to easily fill the container into the rectangular case.

Two examples of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 9. FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view of the container feeding device of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the case, FIG. 3 is a plan view of the case, and FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the first alignment means and the first conveyance means. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line V--' in FIG. 4, FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the partition plate and the guide plate, and FIG. Enlarged perspective view of the case, No. 8
The figure is a cross-sectional view taken along the line ■-■ in FIG. 4, FIG. 9 is an enlarged front view of the conveyance member, FIG. FIG. 13 is an enlarged perspective view of the second alignment means and second conveyance means, and FIGS. 14 and 15 are enlarged perspective views showing the state of transporting ampules by the second conveyance means. , FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing the ampoule reloading state, FIG. 17 is a block diagram of the container supply device, FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the ampoule, the support plate, and the width plate, and FIG. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a state when the last row of ampoules is transported to a slide table.

The container supply device of the present invention is used to fill a rectangular parallelepiped case 2 (shown in FIG. 2) with a plurality of ampoules in an array. The specific structure, as shown in FIG. 1, includes a first aligning means 3 for aligning the number of ampoules corresponding to the lateral length II of the case 2 (see FIG. 3), and a A first conveying means 4 conveys the ampoules while maintaining the aligned state of the ampoules aligned by the means 3, and the ampules conveyed by the first conveying means 4 are conveyed according to the length 12 of the case 2 in the contraction direction. a second aligning means 5 that sequentially moves the ampoules until the number of ampoules is equal to 1, and aligns the ampoules so as to correspond to the length i2 in the longitudinal direction of the case 2; and a second conveyance means 6 for conveying the ampoule in the direction of the case 2 while holding it.

Here, the case 2 is composed of a main body part 2a and a door 2b which is rotatably supported by the main body part 2a and forms an ampoule insertion opening when opened, as shown in FIG. A large number of holes 10 are formed in the outer wall of the main body 2a to allow the sterilizing liquid to flow into the case 2.

Further, the first aligning means 3 has six guide passages 16 for guiding ampults, as shown in FIG. The guide passage 16... is composed of a long plate 13 and a partition member 14 extending in the longitudinal direction of the long plate 13.
It is composed of. The width of the partition members 14 is set to 14 as shown in FIG. 5, while the distance between the partition members 14 is set to 13, and the distance r3 is set to 14. It is constructed to be slightly larger than the diameter of... As a result, the ampoules 1 and 1 are sequentially pushed out by an ampule filling machine (not disclosed) and are guided and conveyed to the guide passage 16.
・Or, it will be transported smoothly without falling over.

A tip of a comb-shaped guide plate 18 is inserted near the tip of the guide passage 16.
has a function of stopping the first ampoule 1 of the ampults at a predetermined position. A movable plate 20 is provided on the upper part of the kite plate 18 for conveying the guide plate 18 and a partition plate 17 to be described later to the first conveying means 4. Guide rods 101, 101, which are slidable with respect to the movable plate 20, are fixed.

Further, the guide plate 18 has a structure that can be moved up and down by a cylinder 51 for raising and lowering the guy F plate fixed to the movable plate 20.

As shown in FIG. 6, the distance from the guide plate 18! A comb-like partition plate 17 that can move forward and backward with respect to the guide passage 16 is provided at a portion separated by 5.5 mm. This partition plate 17 passes through the guide passage 16...
is gradually filled, and when the first ampult reaches the guide plate I8, it descends. Specifically, first guide rods 102, 102, which are slidable with respect to the support plate 04 that supports the partition plate 17, are fixed to the upper part of the partition plate 17. Second guide rods 103, 103 that are slidable with respect to the movable plate 20 are fixed. Further, the support plate 104 is configured to be movable up and down by a cylinder 55 for raising and lowering the partition plate fixed to the movable plate 20. The reason why the partition plate 17 has a two-stage structure for raising and lowering as described above is that if the partition plate is in the lowered position,
This is to prevent damage to the ampoule even if there is a Also, the above distance 2. is the case 2
The horizontal length of! The case 2 is configured so that the distance between the case 1 and the road is slightly shorter, so that the lateral length ρ of case 2
The ampoule corresponding to No. 1 will be located between the two plates 17 and 18. The moving plate 20 is connected to the guide passage 16.
... is supported by two rods 21 extending in the same direction as the movable plate transfer cylinder 52 (shown in FIG. 17).
(not shown in FIG. 4). When the movable plate transfer cylinder 52 operates, the ampult sandwiched between the plates 17 and 18...
will be sent into the storage section 23 of the conveyance member 22, which will be described later. In addition, at the lowered position of the partition plate 17,
An ampoule detection sensor 19 is arranged to detect the presence or absence of an ampoule.

The first conveying means 4 has a conveying member 22 that runs on a table 24, as shown in FIG. This conveying member 22 is connected to the partition members 105 . . . and the partition members 1 .
05..., and the partition plate 17 is provided between the partition members 105...
A storage section 23 is configured to store the ampoules conveyed while being sandwiched between the guide Fi18 and the guide Fi18. The storage portion 23 is normally arranged at a position facing the guide passages 16 and extends in the same direction as the guide passages 16. Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the width 16 of the partition members 105... is the width 1 of the partition members 14...
4, and the groove width 17 of the storage section 23 is the width i of the guide passage 16! , 3, and the groove length P, 8 of the storage portion 23... is equal to the distance P between the partition plate 17 and the guide plate 18, as shown in FIG. It is configured to be located between roads, etc. The support member 1
06... are formed so that their heights gradually increase in consideration of support strength, and their ends are supported by the elevating member 25a of the traveling table 25 and are fixed to the traveling table 25. The structure is such that the transport member can be moved up and down by a cylinder 53 for raising and lowering the transport member.

The traveling table 25 is supported by slide rails 26 that extend vertically from the storage section 23 to approximately the center of the table 24.

Also, the side walls 24a and 24 at the approximate center of the table 24 are
In a, ampults transported by the transport member 22 are shown.
A pusher 31 is provided for slightly moving the button toward the other side wall 24a, 24a.

This Bunonya 31... is the cylinder 58 for driving the engine
(not shown in FIG. 7), and, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, is arranged at a position facing the storage section 23 when the conveying member 22 moves. Furthermore, since the bushings 31 are provided alternately in each row, when the ampults are transported to a position facing the bushings 31 and the bushings 31 are activated, the buttons are moved as shown in Fig. 12. , ampults, etc. are staggered.

As shown in FIG. 13, the second alignment means 5 has a width plate 28 for conveying the ampults, and a support plate 27 for preventing the ampultes from falling down during conveyance of the ampules. Both of these plates 27 and 28 are configured to be moved up and down by a cylinder 55 for raising the support width plate. Further, when both plates 27 and 28 are moved, the width plate 28 is slightly moved in the direction of the support plate 27 by the width plate driving cylinder 56. As a result, the gap (approximately equivalent to the thickness of the partition plate 105) between the rows of ampults shown in FIG. 18 is eliminated, and the adjacent rows of ampults are aligned in contact with each other. The cylinder 55 for raising and lowering the support width plate is fixed to the traveling table 32,
This traveling table 32 is supported by slide rails 33, 33 extending in the longitudinal direction of the table 24 (the moving direction of both plates 27, 28). In addition, the traveling table 32
is a motor 30 (see Fig. 17) and a heald (not shown).
It is driven by a widening means consisting of. Furthermore, as shown in the 18th section, the distance N between the support plate 27 and the width board 28 is
to has a structure that can be changed depending on the size of the ampoule, etc.

The second conveyance means 6 has a slide tiple 34 for conveying the ampults conveyed by the two plates 27 and 28 to the transfer plate 107, as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 13, this slide tiple 34 is normally placed at a position where it comes into contact with the other end of the tiple 24.

Further, a guide plate 35 is provided on the slide table 34 at the above position, and this guide plate 35 is slidably attached to a slide rail 36 extending in the longitudinal direction Q of the table 24. This guide plate 3
When the ampules 5 are transported, they are pushed by the support plate 27 and gradually retreat, and as shown in FIG. The structure is such that it will not retreat any further. This prevents the ampoules from sliding off the slide table 34, and one case of the ampoules is placed on the slide table 34. Further, as shown in FIG. 15, above the slide table 34, an ampult...
An ampoule tipping prevention member 40 is provided to prevent the ampoule from tipping over. As shown in FIG. 15, the specific structure of the ampoule fall prevention member 40 includes slide rails 41, 41 extending in the moving direction of the slide table 34, and a moving member 42 that moves along the slide rails 41, 41.
Arms 43 are provided on the lower surface of the moving member 42 to hold the ampoule. These arms 43, 43 are support parts 43a-43a.
and rotating parts 43b-43b, rotating parts 43b and 4.
3b is driven by a rotating part driving cylinder 57. When the rotating parts 43b and 43b are in a hanging state due to being driven by the rotating part driving cylinder 57, the distance between the rotating parts 43b and 43b is equal to the length l of the case 2, and the distance between the parts, etc. The structure is as follows. The above replacement plate 107 is the 16th
As shown in the figure, the structure is such that the rear end side is slightly raised to the extent that the ampoule does not fall over, and as a result, the bottom plate 2C of the case 2 fits under the replacement plate 107, and the ampoule... Replacement is possible.

Incidentally, as shown in FIG. 1, the case 2 is transported in an empty state from the lower container hair 61 among the container hairs 60 and 61 provided on the downstream side of the second image transporting means 6, and then
The filled ampules are transported from the upper conveyor 60 to a sterilization tank (not shown).

Further, the cylinder 50 for lifting the partition plate, the cylinder 51 for lifting the kite plate, the cylinder 52 for moving the moving plate, the cylinder 53 for lifting the lifting member, the cylinder 54 for moving the traveling table, and the cylinder 54 for lifting the clamping width board. A cylinder 55, a cylinder 56 for driving the width board, a cylinder 57 for driving the rotating part, a cylinder 58 for driving the button, a cylinder 59 for transporting the slide table, a cylinder 60 for transporting the ampoule fall prevention member, and the motor 30. is controlled by a control section 110, as shown in FIG.

In the above configuration, the container feeding device of the present invention fills the case with the ampoule as follows.

First, a comb-like filling machine (not shown) is operated to send ampoules from the ends of the guide passages 16 toward the guy F plate 18. When the first ampoule [...] comes into contact with the guide plate 18, a rod advancement command signal is output from the control unit 110 to the cylinder 50 for lifting the partition plate, and the partition plate 17 is thereby lowered. It turns out. At this time, since the distance r5 (see Figure 6) between the guide plate 18 and the partition plate 17 is configured to be the length ff of the case 2, (see Figure 3) and the path, etc., the partition plate An ampoule 1 corresponding to the length direction of the case 2 is positioned between the guide plate 17 and the guide plate 18. Next, the partition plate 17
When it has completely lowered and its tip enters into the guide passage 16, the control unit 110 releases the movable plate transfer cylinder 52.
A rod advance command signal is output to the first moving plate 20.
The conveyance means moves in four directions. As a result, as shown in FIG. 7, the partition plate 17 and the guide plate 18 supported by the moving plate 20 move integrally to the storage section 23 of the conveying member 22. After that, the control unit 110 controls the partition plate lifting cylinder 50 and the guide plate lifting cylinder 51.
A lot withdrawal command signal is sent to the partition plate 17 and the kite plate 18, and the ends of the plates 17 and 18 are retracted from the grooves of the storage portions 23. In this case, the rising height of the kite board 18 will be higher than the lower end of the guide plate 35 or the upper end of the ampoule I to prevent the guide + anti-18 or ampoule 1 from falling down. do it like this.

Thereafter, a rod retraction command signal is sent from the control unit 110 to the movable plate transfer cylinder 52, whereby the partition plate 17 returns to its original position.

After that, the control unit 110 controls the cylinder 5 for lifting and lowering the guide plate.
A rod advancement command signal is sent to 1, which causes the guide plate 18 to descend and the tip of the guide plate 35 to move into the guide passage 1.
6..., so the guide passage 16... is partitioned off as in the original state.

On the other hand, after the partition plate 17 and the guide plate 18 are raised,
In parallel with the above operation, a loft advance command signal is output from the control unit 110 to the traveling table transfer cylinder 54. As a result, as shown in FIG.
moves along the slide rail 26, and as shown in FIG. Become. After this, a loft advance command signal is output from the control unit 110 to the bushing drive cylinder 58, and as shown in FIG. 12, the ampult... is alternately moved slightly toward the other side wall 24a. . As a result, the ampults are arranged in a staggered manner,
In the subsequent process, when the ampoules in each row of ampoules come into contact with each other, the aligned state of the ampoules is maintained, and a large number of ampoules per unit volume...
It becomes possible to place. Thereafter, a rod retraction command signal is sent from the control section 110 to the cylinder 58 for driving the bushing, and after the bushing 31 has retreated into the side walls 24a, 24a, the control section 110 sends a command signal to the cylinder 53 for raising and lowering the lifting member.
A lot exit command signal is sent to the elevating member 25a.
(B feeding member 22) rises. In addition, the height at which the conveying member 22 rises is to prevent the ampult and the conveying member 22 from coming into contact with each other and causing the ampult to fall down (the height increases until it becomes greater than the height of the ampult). A rod retraction command signal is output from the control unit 110 to the travel table transfer cylinder 54, and the conveyance member 22 moves until it is located on the virtual extension line of the guide path 16 (as shown in FIG. 10). After that, a rod advance command signal is sent from the control unit 110 to the ascending member ascending cylinder 53, the ascending/descending member 25a (conveying member 22) descends, and the discharging member 22 returns to its original state. It will be placed in position.

Next, a drive start command signal is sent from the control unit 110 to the motor 30, and as a result, as shown in FIG.
The traveling table 32 moves above the ampoule . . . where the bushing 31 is installed.

At this time, as shown in FIG. 18, the distance flo between the support plate 27 and the convergence plate 28 is approximately the distance between two rows of ampules. Next, a loft advance command signal is sent from the control unit 110 to the cylinder 55 for raising and lowering the support width plate, and as a result, two rows of ampults are arranged between the support plate 27 and the width plate 28. become. Thereafter, a re-drive command signal is sent from the control unit 110 to the motor 30, and both plates 27 and 28 are moved toward the slide table 34.

At this time, a loft advance command signal is output from the control unit 110 to the width board drive cylinder 56, and the distance between the support plate 27 and the width board 28 is shortened until the ampults come into contact with each other. After that, a rod retraction command signal is output from the control unit 110 to the support width plate lifting cylinder 55, and both plates 2
It will rise on July 28th.

By repeating such an operation a predetermined number of times, the ampults are sequentially conveyed to the upper surface of the slide table 34, but at this time, the guide plate 35 is pushed by the ampults and gradually retreats. When the ampult... reaches the end of the slide table 34, the guide plate 35
Since the ampults stop moving backward, it is possible to prevent the ampults from sliding off the slide table 34, and the ampults corresponding to one case are arranged in a line on the slide table 34. It turns out.

However, in the above case, when the last row of ampoules is transported, a gap will be created between the ampoules by the thickness of the support plate 27, as shown in FIG. Therefore, when the last ampoule row is delivered,
The support plate 27 moves back a little after rising, and then moves forward after further falling and presses the last ampoule row. As a result, there are no gaps between the rows of ampoules, and the ampoules are placed on the slide table 34 without any gaps.

In this way, when one ampoule case is loaded on the slide table 34, a loft advancement command signal is sent from the control unit 110 to the cylinder 65 for transferring the ampoule tipping prevention member, and the ampoule tipping prevention member 40 is located above the ampoule.

Thereafter, a rod retraction command signal is sent from the control unit 110 to the rotating part driving cylinder 57, and the rotating parts 43b of the arm 43 are placed in a hanging state.

By holding the ampoule between the rotating parts 43b and 4.3b in this manner, it is possible to prevent the ampoule from falling down during transport of the ampoule. After that, from the control unit 110, the slide chiffle transfer cylinder 5 is
A loft advancement command signal is sent to the ampoule tipping prevention member transfer cylinder 65 and the ampoule tipping prevention member transfer cylinder 65, thereby transferring the ampults from the slide table 34 onto the transfer plate 107 while maintaining the alignment of the ampults. It turns out. After that, from the control unit 110 to the rotating part driving cylinder 5
A loft advance command signal is sent to the rotating portion 43b.
The rotating parts 43b are opened so that the lower end of the ampoule 43b is higher than the upper end of the ampoule.

After that, from the control unit 110, the slide table transfer cylinder 59 and the ampoule fall prevention member transfer cylinder 65 are
Then, a rod retraction command signal is sent, and the slide table 36 and the ampoule tipping prevention member 40 are placed in their original positions.

Thereafter, the bottom plate 2C of the case 2, which has been conveyed empty from the lower container 61, enters the lower side of the transfer plate 107. Note that at this time, the door 2b of the case 2 is in an open state. Then, when the case 2 is pushed in sufficiently and the ampoule is positioned inside the case 2, the door 2b of the case 2 is closed. As a result, the aligned ampults are loaded into the case 2. Thereafter, the case 2 is transported to a sterilization tank (not shown) by the upper container 60.

Note that although an ampoule is used as the container in the above embodiment, the container is not limited to this.

Main Team 41 As explained above, according to the present invention, it is possible to improve the throughput when filling containers, so it is possible to dramatically improve productivity.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view of the container feeding device of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the case, FIG. 3 is a plan view of the case, and FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the first alignment means and the first conveyance means. Figure 5: A sectional view taken along the line V-V in Figure 4, Figure 6: An explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the partition plate and the guide plate, Figure 7 shows the means for transporting the ampoule to the first transport means. FIG. 8 is an enlarged perspective view of the case of conveyance, FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line ■--1 in FIG. 4, FIG. 9 is an enlarged front view of the conveyance member, and FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the moving state of the conveyance member. Figure, 1st
1 and 12 are plan views showing the operating state of the bushing,
FIG. 13 is an enlarged perspective view of the second alignment means and second conveyance means, FIGS. 14 and 15 are enlarged perspective views showing the state of conveyance of ampoules by the second conveyance means, and FIG. 16 is an enlarged perspective view of the ampules being transferred by the second conveyance means. An explanatory diagram showing the state, Fig. 17 is a diagram showing the control of the container supply device, Fig. 18 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the ampoule, the support plate, and the width plate, and Fig. 19 is an ampule in the last row. It is an explanatory view showing a state when conveying to a slide table. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Ampoule, 2... Case, 3... First alignment means, 4... First conveyance means, 5... Second alignment means,
6...Second transport means, 16...Guidance passage, 17...
・Partition plate, 18... Kite board, 22... Lead feeding member,
27 - Support plate, 28 - Width board, 34 - Slide table, 35 - Guide plate, 40 - Ampoule fall prevention member.

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) In a container supply device that supplies a plurality of containers in an aligned state into a rectangular case, a first aligning means for aligning a number of containers according to the length of one of the vertical and horizontal directions of the case; a first conveying means for conveying the containers while maintaining the aligned state of the containers arranged by the first aligning means; and a number of containers conveyed by the first conveying means according to the length of the other of the cases. a second aligning means for sequentially moving the containers in multiple rows until the containers are aligned in a manner that corresponds to the other length direction of the case; A container supply device comprising: a second conveying means for conveying the liquid to the case. (2) A container arrangement changing means is provided between the first conveying means and the second arranging means for alternately slightly moving one row of containers and arranging the containers in a staggered manner. container feeding device.