JP2738438B2 - Straw applicator - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Industrial application field) The present invention relates to a straw applicator, and in particular, to a flexible package (hereinafter simply referred to as a package) such as paper or plastic used for containers of beverages such as milk. )
The present invention relates to a straw applicator for attaching a straw to a side surface of a straw.

(Prior Art) Generally, drinking milk in a package requires a straw. When purchasing this type of milk, you may forget to get a straw, in which case you will not be able to drink the milk without opening the mouth of the package. Therefore, a straw is attached to the package as shown in FIG. This is preferable because the straw is not forgotten.

By the way, in many cases, the straw is attached to the package by using an adhesive. However, it is not desirable in terms of cost to perform this manually, and automation is required. The automation is to prepare a straw band in which a number of straws are continuous in a strip shape (see FIG. 8), cut the straw band into each straw, apply an adhesive to a package, and bond the separated straw to the package. An apparatus for performing each step is used.

Here, as a known device for performing the above-mentioned, for example, a drum that rotates with a straw band around it, a cutting blade that cuts the straw band by injecting a blade into a concave portion of the drum surface, An arm that holds the separated straw and presses it against the side of the package is provided.The blade is reciprocated while rotating the drum to cut the straw band, and the cut straw is held in the package. A series of operations such as mounting are performed. In such an apparatus, the point is to adjust the timing of cutting and holding. That is, the optimal timing for the blade to enter is when the blade and the concave portion of the drum face each other, and the optimal timing for holding is when the separated straw coincides with the tip of the arm.

Conventionally, as a device configuration capable of satisfying the above-mentioned optimal timing, for example, any of mechanical (a) transmission, (b)
A combination of a clutch device and (c) a brake device is known. In this type of device, the rotational torque generated by the drive source is increased or decreased by (a), disconnected / connected by (b), and, if necessary, braked by (c) to perform desired timing control. ing.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) However, since such a conventional device includes mechanical power transmission means such as a transmission, a clutch and a brake, the device becomes complicated. ii) In the operation of the power transmission means, a slight operation delay is unavoidable, and the control response is not sufficient. For example, even if an operation input is applied to change the gear ratio, the gear actually does not shift. It changes after a considerable time has elapsed, during which time a control delay occurs.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to enable speed change, power transmission / disconnection, connection and braking to be performed freely without using mechanical power transmission means.

(Means for Solving the Problems) In order to achieve the above object, a straw applicator according to the present invention has a straw holding recess formed at equal intervals in a circumferential direction, and a cutting applicator formed between the straw holding recesses. A clamp having a concave portion and rotatable to wind up the straw band, and a clamp piece holding a straw cut from the straw band at the cutting concave portion of the drum and loosely fitted into the straw holding concave portion. A straw applicator comprising: an arm for attaching the straw to one surface of the package being conveyed by moving the straw from the straw holding recess to a predetermined position by means of a piece, and driving means for driving the drum and the arm. An apparatus, wherein the driving means supports the arm portion reciprocally slidably and rotatably at a base end side. A crank mechanism for cranking the distal end side of the arm so that the clamp piece draws a substantially elliptical locus, and driving the crank mechanism and the drum to move the clamp piece so as to draw a substantially elliptical locus And a stepping motor having a permanent magnet for rotating the drum by an interval of the straw holding recess in accordance with the movement of the clamp piece.

(Operation) In the present invention, the driving means for driving the drum and the arm unit supports the arm unit reciprocally slidably and rotatably on the base end side, and moves the arm unit such that the clamp piece draws a substantially elliptical locus. Since the crank mechanism for performing the crank movement is provided, the straw is securely attached to one surface of the package being conveyed by the clamp piece that moves a part of the substantially elliptical locus. Further, this driving means drives the crank mechanism and the drum around which the straw band is wound,
For example, PM type with permanent magnet (Permanent Magnet Typ
e) and an HB type (Hybrid Type) stepping motor.

Here, the stepping motor has a peculiar rotation characteristic such that the rotation angle is proportional to the number of pulses and the rotation speed is proportional to the pulse frequency. It has a feature that the maximum stationary torque (Holding Torque) is large. Therefore, a drive source including a stepping motor of this type can: I) change the rotation speed with high accuracy and responsiveness only by controlling the power supply frequency; and II) allow the stepping motor itself to function as a clutch. , III) Since the shaft holding force is large, there is no need to provide a separate brake, etc., so that it is possible to change the speed, disconnect / connect Braking can be performed freely.

(Example) Hereinafter, description will be made based on the drawings of the present invention.

1 to 9 are views showing an embodiment of a straw applicator according to the present invention.

First, the configuration will be described. FIG. 1 is a front view of the straw applicator device. In the figure, 1 is a gantry, 2 is a mechanism provided on the gantry 1, 3 is a reel, and a straw band 4 is wound around the reel 3. Here, the straw band 4 is formed by laminating two long films and arranging a number of straws at equal intervals between the films. (See FIG. 8). In addition, 5 is a control box, 6 is a power supply source, and the power supply source 6 includes a power supply, a negative pressure air source, and a pressurized air source. Reference numeral 7 denotes a hot melt applicator. The hot melt applicator 7 supplies an adhesive (a so-called hot melt) that changes from a solid to a liquid when heated.

Reference numeral 8 denotes a drive source (drive means). The drive source 8 includes a PM type (Permanent Magnet Type) or an HB type (Hybrid Typ).
e) a permanent magnet type stepping motor is used, and the driving force generated by the driving source 8 is transmitted through the belts 8a and 8b.
Has been transmitted to.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the mechanism section 2, which has a hot melt gun 9 and a straw applicator section 10. Reference numeral 11 denotes a conveyor for transporting a package of milk or the like, and the conveyor 11 moves in a direction indicated by an arrow (a) at a substantially constant speed. Reference numeral 12 denotes a hot-melt sensor that detects the rear end of the package to detect the hot-melt injection position, and reference numeral 13 denotes a straw-bonding sensor that detects the rear end of the package to detect the straw-bonding position.

The hot melt gun 9 opens a nozzle in accordance with a predetermined injection command signal and injects a liquid hot melt. At least two nozzles are provided, and the arrangement angle of the nozzles (the line connecting the two nozzles and the package Is set appropriately in accordance with the angle of attachment of the straw to the package.

The straw applicator unit 10 includes a straw supply unit 14, a cutting unit 15, and an arm unit 16. The straw supply unit 14 includes a drum 17 that rotates in a certain direction by receiving a driving force from the driving source 8, and a pressing plate. 18 and 19. FIG. 3 is an external view of the drum 17, in which the drum 17 is attached to the shaft 20,
The first drum 21 and the second drum 22 are assembled by fitting a first drum 21 and a second drum 22 having the same shape.
22 is separated by an interval L. The first drum 21 and the second drum 22 are formed with straw holding recesses 23 that are continuous at equal intervals in the circumferential direction, and a gap between the straw holding recess 23 and the straw holding recess 23 is formed. , A cutting recess 24 deeper than the straw holding recess 23.
Are formed. A straw band 4 drawn from the reel 3 (see FIG. 1) is wound around a half circumference of the drum 17 having such a structure, and the straw band 4 is reciprocated in accordance with a predetermined cutting command signal. Each straw is separated by 15 blades 25.

The arm section 16 includes an arm body 26 and one end of the arm body 26.
The arm body 26 has a clamp piece 28 and an angle of the clamp piece 28 between a first angle and a second angle (see FIG. 8). An air-driven rotary actuator 29 to be changed, a template 30 for setting a first angle and a second angle, and a shaft hole 31 are provided. The shaft hole 31 has a pin set at one end of a crank 32 (crank mechanism). The other end of the crank 32 is fixed to a driving shaft 34 that rotates by receiving the driving force from the driving source 8 described above. The shaft 27 is slidably supported by a rotatable bearing 35.

That is, when the driving shaft 34 rotates, the shaft hole 31 makes a revolving motion along a circular locus shown in FIG.
As a result of the reciprocating motion of the 27 in the bearing 35, the clamp piece 28 attached to the tip of the arm body 26 moves while drawing a circular trajectory close to an ellipse shown in FIG.

Now, let the straw be held at the point A of the circulation trajectory,
If it is made to adhere to the package at the point B, the straw can be surely adhered. This is because the trajectory near point B is slightly coincident with the traveling direction of the package, and the straw can be continuously pressed against the package for the coincident time. In addition, this is because a movement that rotates the straw incidentally occurs as the pressing continues. That is, when considering the joining of the straw and the package by hand, it is necessary to use both the operation of pressing the straw for a certain time and the operation of slightly rotating the straw in order to enhance the adhesive effect. According to the above, this manual movement can be mechanically reproduced.

4 to 6 are views showing a specific configuration of the arm portion 16, FIG. 4 is a partial sectional front view thereof, FIG. 5 is a partial sectional top view thereof, and FIG. 6 is a rear view thereof. In these figures, the arm portion 16, pressurized air negative pressure air P ₁ and 2 lines P _2, P ₃ is supplied as required. P ₁ is a clamp piece through a communication passage 35 formed inside the arm body 26.
Acting on the openings 36 of the 28, a suction force is generated in the openings 36 to hold a straw, for example.

P ₂ and P ₃ are introduced into a rotary actuator 29, and the rotary actuator 29 rotates in forward and reverse directions by selectively introducing P ₂ and P ₃ , and moves the clamp piece 28 in the (d) direction or (e). ). The rotation of the clamp piece 28 is regulated at a predetermined angle by the template 30. That is, the maximum rotation angle in the (d) direction (corresponding to the first angle) is the angle θ _{1 of the} template 30.
Corresponds to, and (e) (corresponding to the second angle) maximum rotation angle of the direction each of which is regulated to correspond to the angle theta ₂ of the template 30. Therefore, by appropriately changing θ ₁ and θ ₂ of the template 30, the clamp piece
28 angles (especially, the maximum value of the rotation angle in the (e) direction, that is, the second angle) can be freely set. Moreover, since the template 30 is detachably attached, it can be a template 30 to prepare a plurality corresponds well flexibility to changes in the product by setting the theta ₂ for each package type are effective Is obtained.

FIG. 7 is an electric and power system diagram. In the figure, reference numeral 38 denotes a sensor group. The sensor group 38 includes the above-described hot melt sensor 12 and the straw bonding sensor 13 and an angle sensor 40 for detecting a rotation angle of the driving source 8.
And two arm angle sensors 41 and 42. One arm angle sensor 41, of the rotation angle of the driving shaft 34, detects the appropriate two angles that supplies a negative pressure P ₁ on the clamp piece 28 and the blocking, the appropriate angle is preferably clamped piece 28 Is given immediately before point A in FIG. 2 and slightly after point B. The other arm angle sensor 42 detects two appropriate angles for supplying P ₂ and P ₃ to the rotary actuator 29 among the rotation angles of the driving shaft 34, and the appropriate angle is determined as shown in FIG. It is given at least at the point just before reaching point A and after point A. Reference numeral 43 denotes a cutting sensor. The cutting sensor 43 detects that the blade 25 of the cutting unit 15 has been pulled out of the cutting recess 24 of the drum 17.

Each sensing signal from the sensor group 38 is sent to the control unit.
Input to the control unit 44, the control unit 44 executes a predetermined sequence according to these sensing signals.
This sequence procedure is stored, for example, in the form of software, and a part of the procedure can be selected from different modes for each package type and conveyor type. It can be set freely based on a command from teaching means 45.

On the other hand, from the control unit 44, the injection command signal Si, the motor drive pulse signal Mp, the suction command signal Sa, the cut command signal
Sc and a clamp piece rotation command signal Se are output, and these signals are respectively supplied to the hot melt gun 9, the drive source 8 and the valve 47 for disconnecting / connecting the negative pressure from the negative pressure source 46, and the pressurizing source
Valve 4 for switching pressurized air from 48 to two systems, P ₂ and P ₃
9, also applied to the valve 50 to switch to P _4, P _5.

 Next, the operation will be described.

Initial Operation The straw band 4 wound around the reel 3 is pulled out, the straw at the tip of the straw band 4 is loosely fitted into the straw holding recess 23 of the drum 17 and the drum 17 is slightly rotated, and a predetermined amount of straw band 4 Is wound on a drum. Then, when the apparatus starts and the drum 17 starts rotating, this drum
The straw band 4 is wound around 17 and the reciprocating blade 25
A cut is made in the straw band 4 to separate each straw. One straw that has advanced to the position of the clamp piece 28 of the arm body 26 is held by the suction force of the clamp piece 28, and the arm body 26 stops while the clamp piece 28 holds the straw.

Hot melt spraying When the package is conveyed by the conveyor 11 and detected by the hot melt sensor 12, hot melt is sprayed from the hot melt gun 9 and sprayed on the package.

Straw bonding operation When the package after hot-melt spraying is further advanced by the conveyor 11, it is detected by the straw bonding sensor 13 and the arm body 26 resumes the movement from the stop position. This movement is performed along a substantially elliptical circulating trajectory, and the straw held by the clamp piece 28 is pressed against the side surface of the package (that is, the hot melt spraying surface) near point B of the trajectory.

The pressing operation is performed slightly continuously. This is because a part of the circulation trajectory (around point B) substantially coincides with the traveling direction of the package. However, in order to further ensure the adhesion of the straw by pressing, it is necessary to match the moving speed of the straw with the traveling speed of the package. Control request. In this embodiment, since the stepping motor is used as the drive source 8, I ') the above-mentioned control request (change of the number of revolutions) can be sufficiently satisfied, and the electric shifting function can be secured.

II ') Further, by using the stepping motor as the drive source 8, for example, the straw band 4 can be wound around the drum 17 in the initial operation without any support. This is because the drive source 8 has a clutch function. By turning off the power to the drive source 8, the rotation of the drum 17 is free and the straw band 4 can be easily wound. Yes (clutch mechanism).

III ') Further, when cutting the straw, the drum 1
It is necessary to temporarily stop the rotation of 7, but in this case, the position during cutting can be reliably held with a large static torque (brake function).

(Effect) According to the present invention, as means for driving the drum and the arm portion, the arm portion is reciprocally slidably and rotatably supported on the base end side so that the clamp piece draws a substantially elliptical locus. Provide a crank mechanism to crank the
A clamp piece that moves a part of the approximately elliptical locus securely attaches the straw to one surface of the package being transported, and furthermore, drives the crank mechanism and the drum around which the straw band is wound by stepping. By using a motor, disconnection and connection of power transmission, speed change, and braking can be freely performed without using power transmission means, that is, transmissions, clutches and brakes, so as to optimize the timing of holding and mounting straws. It can be carried out.

[Brief description of the drawings]

1 to 9 are views showing one embodiment of a straw applicator device according to the present invention, wherein FIG. 1 is a front view thereof, FIG. 2 is a layout view of a mechanism thereof, and FIG. External view,
FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional front view of the arm, FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional top view of the arm, FIG. 6 is a rear view of the arm, FIG. FIG. 8 is a view showing the straw, and FIG. 9 is a view showing a state where the straw is bonded to the package. 8: Drive source (stepping motor), 16: Arm, 17: Drum, 23: Straw holding recess, 24: Cutting recess, 32: Crank (crank mechanism).

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing from the front page (72) Takashi Kaneko, Inventor 1-108 Takahanacho, Omiya City, Saitama (72) Inventor Masayuki Okamoto 2-16-1208, Higashi Owada, Ichikawa City, Chiba Prefecture (72) Inventor Hirotoshi Fukushima Chiba 2-81-9, 3-105 Higashi Hatsuishi, Nagareyama City, Prefecture (56) References JP-A-61-69528 (JP, A) JP-A-58-216530 (JP, A)

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A straw band having a straw holding recess (23) formed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction and a cutting recess (24) formed between the straw holding recesses (23). A drum (17) rotatable to be wound up; and a clamp piece (28) holding a straw cut from the straw band at the cutting recess (24) of the drum (17) and loosely fitted into the straw holding recess (23). An arm (16) for moving the straw from the straw holding recess (23) to a predetermined position by the clamp piece (28) and attaching the straw to one surface of the package being conveyed by bonding; (17) and a drive means for driving the arm portion (16), wherein the drive means supports the arm portion reciprocally slidably and rotatably on a base end side. In particular, a crank mechanism (32) for cranking the distal end side of the arm so that the clamp piece (28) draws a substantially elliptical locus; and driving the crank mechanism (32) and the drum (17) The clamp piece (28) is moved so as to follow a substantially elliptical locus, and the drum (17) is rotated by an interval of the straw holding recess (23) in accordance with the movement of the clamp piece (28). And a stepping motor (8) having a permanent magnet.