US 12,246,920 B2
Tray transport apparatus and transfer system
Shuichi Komuro, Kumamoto (JP); and Yoichi Hirasawa, Kumamoto (JP)
Assigned to HIRATA CORPORATION, Kumamoto (JP)
Filed by HIRATA CORPORATION, Kumamoto (JP)
Filed on Jul. 16, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/773,843.
Application 18/773,843 is a continuation of application No. PCT/JP2022/010335, filed on Mar. 9, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2024/0367909 A1, Nov. 7, 2024
Int. Cl. B65G 1/14 (2006.01); B65G 35/06 (2006.01); B65G 57/30 (2006.01); B65G 60/00 (2006.01)
CPC B65G 1/14 (2013.01) [B65G 35/06 (2013.01); B65G 57/303 (2013.01); B65G 60/00 (2013.01)] 21 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
2. A tray transport apparatus comprising:
a reception portion configured to receive a container configured to accommodate a stack formed by stacking a plurality of trays;
an accommodation portion configured to accommodate the stack, the accommodation portion being disposed above the reception portion;
a transfer unit configured to lift the stack from the container to separate the stack from the container and transfer the stack to the accommodation portion; and
a transport unit configured to unload a tray located at a lowermost portion of the stack accommodated in the accommodation portion,
wherein
the accommodation portion includes a plurality of first guide members extending in an up-down direction, the plurality of first guide members being configured to define an accommodation position of the stack,
the container includes a plurality of second guide members extending in the up-down direction, and
the stack is lifted by the transfer unit while being guided by the plurality of first guide members and the plurality of second guide members.
 
3. A tray transport apparatus comprising:
a reception portion configured to receive a container configured to accommodate a stack formed by stacking a plurality of trays;
an accommodation portion configured to accommodate the stack, the accommodation portion being disposed above the reception portion;
a transfer unit configured to lift the stack from the container to separate the stack from the container and transfer the stack to the accommodation portion;
a transport unit configured to unload a tray located at a lowermost portion of the stack accommodated in the accommodation portion;
a relay unit configured to relay transport of the tray between the transport unit and an external tray transport mechanism having a transport height different from a transport height of the transport unit; and
a lifting unit configured to lift and lower the relay unit between the transport height of the transport unit and the transport height of the external tray transport mechanism.
 
14. A tray transport apparatus comprising:
a reception portion configured to receive a container;
an accommodation portion disposed above the reception portion, the accommodation portion being configured to accommodate a stack formed by stacking a plurality of trays;
a transport unit configured to transport a tray to be added to a lowermost portion of the stack; and
a transfer unit configured to transfer the stack to the container received by the reception portion by lowering the stack accommodated in the accommodation portion.
 
10. A transfer system comprising:
a work transfer apparatus configured to transfer a work from a first tray to a second tray;
a work supply apparatus configured to supply the first tray supporting the work to the work transfer apparatus; and
a tray supply apparatus configured to supply the second tray to the work transfer apparatus,
wherein
the work supply apparatus includes:
a first reception portion configured to receive a first container configured to accommodate a first stack of a plurality of the first trays;
a first accommodation portion disposed above the first reception portion, the first accommodation portion being configured to accommodate the first stack;
a first transfer unit configured to lift the first stack from the first container to separate the first stack from the first container and transfer the first stack to the first accommodation portion; and
a first transport unit configured to unload the first tray located at a lowermost portion of the first stack accommodated in the first accommodation portion.