JP4274895B2 - Container alignment device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a container alignment device provided in a liquid filling facility.

For example, most of the liquid filling equipment for filling liquids into containers such as glass bottles and plastic bottles are configured to sequentially fill predetermined liquids into containers that are continuously conveyed in a row. In some cases, a batch type is adopted in which the container transport path is short in terms of installation space. This batch type liquid filling equipment is configured to arrange a plurality of containers in parallel and fill a plurality of containers with liquid at a time, and the containers are transported in a row by a loading conveyor. A container alignment device is provided that holds a plurality of containers at once and places them on a conveyor for conveyance to a liquid filling machine (see, for example, Patent Document 1). And this container alignment device is arrange | positioned so that the container which hold | maintains the opening | mouth part of a container may be in the state which almost adjacent containers contact, for example at predetermined intervals.
JP 2002-226040 A

  According to the above-described conventional configuration, when the size of the container to be filled is changed, the position for holding the mouth portion naturally changes. Therefore, in the container alignment apparatus, at least the holding tool for holding the container is used. There has been a problem in that it is necessary to adjust the interval or to change the holder, and therefore, the adjustment work or the exchange work requires time and labor.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a container alignment device that can easily and quickly cope with changes in the size of a container.

In order to solve the above-described problem, a container alignment apparatus according to claim 1 of the present invention holds a plurality of containers carried in one row and aligns the containers by equally separating the containers from each other. A device,
A plurality of moving members provided on the supporting member arranged along the carrying-in direction of the container and movably arranged in the carrying-in direction, respectively, and provided with container holders;
A central moving member is fixed at the central position of the support member, and an equal moving means for moving the same number of moving members at equal intervals on the left and right sides of the central moving member is provided,
The equal moving means
A pair of rotary support shafts provided in the front-rear direction and in the vicinity of the horizontal axis at the left and right positions near the center of the support member, and the base end side are connected to the respective rotary support shafts and the distal end A pair of left and right oscillating arms arranged so that the portion side is located on the side of the rotation support shaft opposite to the connected base end side, the distal end side of each of these oscillating arms and the support member A plurality of connecting links for connecting the left and right moving member groups arranged in the same number on both the left and right sides, interlocking means for swinging the swing arms in opposite directions, and the one The linking means is configured to oscillate the connecting link at a predetermined angle, and
The length of each connecting link that connects each swing arm and each corresponding moving member group is set such that the distance between the moving members in each moving member group is equal when the swing arm swings. Set to be
The interlocking means is composed of a pair of spur gears fixed to the rotary support shafts and meshed with each other .

A container alignment device according to a second aspect of the present invention is configured to vary the length of each of the plurality of connecting links that connect each moving member group and the corresponding swing arm in the alignment device according to the first aspect. The moving arm is proportional to the length from the pivot axis to the connection center with the connecting link.
Furthermore, a container alignment device according to a third aspect of the present invention is the container alignment device according to the first or second aspect, wherein the swinging means is provided on one of the connecting links and an engagement member having a female thread portion and the engagement member. The rod-shaped screw member screwed into the female screw portion of the member, and a rotary drive machine that rotates the rod-shaped screw member.

  According to each of the above-described configurations, the holding tool for holding the container is provided on each moving member, and the uniform moving means that can equalize the distance between the moving members is provided. Even when the size of the liquid is changed, it can be moved easily and quickly according to the interval of the liquid filling port.

[Embodiment]
Hereinafter, the container alignment apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.
This container alignment apparatus is provided in a liquid filling facility, and this liquid filling facility holds a plurality of containers arranged in parallel at a time and transports them along a predetermined transport path. Predetermined operations such as air cleaning, liquid filling, stoppering, and cap tightening are sequentially performed and carried out continuously. In the following description, the name described in parentheses after the constituent member indicates a superordinate concept of the constituent member, and naturally, the superordinate concept is included in the description of the present embodiment. .

First, based on FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the structure of the whole liquid filling equipment is demonstrated roughly.
In this liquid filling equipment, a predetermined number of containers (11) that are carried in by the carry-in conveyor 11 and the carry-in conveyor 11 for carrying empty containers 1 continuously in a row into the carry-in part 3a of the carrying path 3 (see FIG. Here, the case of seven will be described) A container aligning device 13 for holding together and placing the container aligning device 13 on the container transporting device 12 provided in the transporting path 3 at a predetermined interval, and this container aligning A container cleaning device that cleans the inside of the container 1 by injecting clean air into the container 1 during the alignment / placement operation of the apparatus 13 (for example, a nozzle unit that injects air toward the inside of the upside-down container 1 14 a is composed of seven nozzle headers 14 b arranged, and seven containers (hereinafter referred to as necessary) that are aligned by the container alignment device 13 and placed on the transfer surface of the container transfer device 12. In response to the, A liquid filling device 15 for filling a liquid into 1), and a stopper device 16 for attaching a cap 2 'for stopper to the container group 1 filled with the liquid by the liquid filling device 15; A cap tightening device 17 for holding and tightening a lid cap 2 different from the cap 2 'at the mouth portion 1a of the container group 1 which does not require the cap cap 2' (a stopper device) 16 may be tightened by covering another cap 2 on the cap 2 ′ attached at 16), and the container group 1 to which the cap 2 is tightened by the cap winding and tightening device 17 is transferred to the unloading portion 3 b of the transport path 3. And a transfer device (for example, holding the necks of seven containers and moving them from the transfer device side onto the carry-out conveyor) 18. at least The container cleaning device 14, the container alignment device 13, the liquid filling device 15, capping unit 16, the cap seaming device 17 and transfer device 18, is supported by the support beam member 20a of the support frame 20.

  In the following description, the direction along the transport path 3 is referred to as the front-rear direction, the unloading portion 3b side is referred to as the front, and the container cleaning position (A), the container extends from the loading portion 3a side to the unloading portion 3b. Loading position (b), container placement position (c), container liquid filling position (d), container capping position (e), container cap tightening position (f) ), A transfer position (g) for transferring the container to the carry-out part 3b is provided in order.

  Further, in this liquid filling equipment, the containers 1 are continuously carried into the carry-in section 3a in one row in the width direction of the transport path 3, and provided on the liquid filling apparatus 15 side by the container aligning device 13. Corresponding to the seven liquid filling ports thus formed, they are spread at a predetermined interval and placed on the transport surface.

Next, the container alignment device 13 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the container aligning device 13 is arranged on both sides of the transport path 3 in the carry-in portion 3 a of the transport path 3, and guides in the transport direction (also in the front-rear direction) to the vertical position. A pair of left and right guide members 21 having grooves 21 a, a pair of left and right moving bodies 22 that are respectively guided by the guide grooves 21 a of both guide members 21 and can be reciprocated in the front-rear direction, and between these two moving bodies 22 A box body (box-shaped body) 24 having a rectangular shape in front view, which is connected to a rotary shaft body 23 provided so as to protrude from the respective moving bodies 22 in the left-right direction and is elongated in the left-right direction; Swing means (for example, an electric motor or the like) provided on each moving body 22 to swing the rotary shaft body 23, that is, the box body 24 back and forth at a predetermined angle around a horizontal axis in the left-right direction. 25), a support member 26 arranged in the left-right direction within the lower edge of the box body 24, and seven support members 26 arranged in the left-right direction, and a gripper ( An example of a holding tool, for example, a moving member 28 provided with a pair of left and right grip pieces 27a that can be moved toward and away from each other, and a moving member 28 that moves (separates) left and right at equal intervals. And moving means 29. Of the seven moving members 28, the central moving member 28C is fixed to the central position of the support member 26, and three moving member groups 28A, 28 are arranged on the left and right sides of the central moving member 28C. 28B is movably provided on each side.

The equal moving means 29 includes a pair of rotary support shafts 31 that are provided in the left and right positions slightly apart from the center position of the support member 26 and are rotatable around the horizontal axis, and the base end side thereof. A pair of left and right swing arms 32 (32A, 32B) connected to each rotation support shaft 31 and the movement corresponding to the distal end side opposite to the base ends of the swing arms 32A, 32B on the left and right. Three connecting links 33 provided over the member groups 28A and 28B, and a swinging means for swinging the swinging arm 32 connected to the moving member 28 at the left end, for example. 34 and the other oscillating arm in the opposite direction at the same angle as the one oscillating arm 32A oscillated by the oscillating means 34 provided between the two rotation support shafts 31, 31. Rotate 32B That interlocking means (also a interlocking mechanism) and a 35..

  The oscillating means 34 is provided on the one oscillating arm 32A side and has an engaging member 36 having a female screw portion (for example, a ball screw is used), and a screw on the female screw portion of the engaging member 36. The inserted rod-shaped screw member 37 and a rotary drive device that is attached to the end bracket 26a of the support member 26 and rotates the rod-shaped screw member 37 (for example, an electric motor, more specifically, a servo motor is used). 38.

The interlocking means 35 is constituted by a pair of spur gears 39, 39 fixed to the respective rotation support shafts 31 and meshed with each other.
Here, the relationship with the moving member 28 connected to the swing arm 32 via the connecting link 33 will be described. In the present embodiment, the moving member 28 is rotatably supported on the right side from the center position. The swing arm 32A, which can swing on the left side, is connected to the left moving member group 28A, is rotatably supported on the left side from the center position, and can swing on the right side. The swing arm 32B is connected to the right moving member group 28B. As described above, the swing arms 32A and 32B are arranged so as to intersect with each other because the central moving member 28C is fixedly arranged at the center position so as not to interfere with the left and right sides. This is to prevent the occupied space from spreading as much as possible .

  When the swing arms 32 swing left and right with respect to each other, the moving members 28 in the moving member groups 28A and 28B on both sides are equally spaced via the connecting link 33 according to the swing angle. It is made to spread.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 5, the length L1 of the three connecting links 33 that connect each of the moving member groups 28A and 28B and the corresponding swing arms 32A and 32B is the swing arms 32A and 32B. Is proportional to the length L2 from the pivot axis a to the connection center with the connecting link 33. In other words, when each connection point is indicated by a to g, the connection link 33 is arranged so that the three triangles S1 (abe), S2 (acf), and S3 (adg) have similar shapes to each other. Yes.

  In the above configuration, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the swinging arm 34 swings the swinging arm 32 at a predetermined angle by the swinging means 34, so that the loading conveyor 11 has been continuously loaded in a line. A holding position (shown in FIG. 6) that can hold the container 1 and an alignment position (shown in FIG. 5) corresponding to the liquid filling ports arranged at predetermined intervals on the liquid filling device 15 side after holding the container. It is made to approach and separate freely.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 6, a stopper for positioning the container 1 at the holding position shown in FIG. 40), which is made up of a retractable retractable rod and a contact plate attached to the tip of the retractable rod.

Hereinafter, the operation of the container alignment device 13 will be briefly described with reference to FIG.
As shown in FIGS. 7 (a) to 7 (b), each movement of the container aligning device 13 moves the containers 1 (of course, positioned by the stopper 40) carried into the carry-in section 3a in a row by the carry-in conveyor 11. After being held by the gripper 27 provided on the member 28, the box body 24 is reversed 180 degrees backward by the swinging means 25 while widening the interval between the grippers 27 by the swinging means 34, and upside down to the clean position (A). Position in the state. In this state, the container cleaning device 14 performs cleaning by injecting clean air into the container 1.

  When the container is cleaned, as shown in FIGS. 7C to 7D, the container 1 is reversed 180 degrees while being moved forward in an upside down state and returned to the original posture. 12 is placed on the end portion on the carry-in portion 3a side (the rear end portion of a guide member described later).

  When the container 1 is placed on the end portion, as shown in FIG. 7 (e), the gripper 27 is narrowed to the original interval and moved backward, and the container group already carried into the carry-in portion 3a. 1 is moved to the holding position. When the gripper 27 moves rearward, the grip pieces 27a are in an open state, so that the mouth portion 1a of the container 1 carried into the carry-in portion 3a can be passed from the outside.

  According to the configuration of the container alignment device 13 described above, the grippers 27 that hold the containers 1 are provided on the moving members 28 and the equal moving means 29 that can equalize the intervals between the moving members 28 is provided. Thus, even when the size of the container 1 continuously carried in is changed, the container 1 can be moved easily and quickly in accordance with the interval between the liquid filling ports in the liquid filling apparatus.

Next, the container transport device 12 will be described with reference to FIGS.
As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the container transport device 12 has a plate shape (or belt shape) that is arranged along the transport path 3 and wider than the width of the container group 1 arranged in parallel in seven rows. The guide member 41 and a transport device 42 that grips the container group placed on the guide member 41 from the front and rear and forcibly moves the container group from the carry-in portion 3a to the carry-out portion 3b to carry it. . Of course, the surface of the guide member 41 becomes the transport surface of the container 1.

  In this transporter 42, a container gripping device 43 (43A, 43B) that is disposed at the front and back of the container group 1 and that can contact the front and rear surfaces of each container 1 is disposed at predetermined intervals. A grip opening function that allows the first and second bar bodies 44 (44A, 44B) to approach and separate from each other to grip and open the container, and the gripped container group is moved to each operation position (c) to (g). And both of these functions are realized by a single rotary driving machine.

Hereinafter, the conveyance machine 42 that can realize both the functions will be described.
As shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, the transporter 42 is provided with bearings between the front ends and the rear ends of the side frames 45 disposed on both sides of the transport path 3, that is, on both sides of the guide member 41. A pair of front and rear first rotating shaft bodies 52 that are rotatably arranged via 51, and are externally fitted to the respective first rotating shaft bodies 52 so as to be rotatable and shorter than the first rotating shaft bodies 52. A pair of front and rear second rotating shaft bodies 53, first sprockets (first rotating wheel bodies) 54 provided at both ends of each of the first rotating shaft bodies 52, and both ends of each of the second rotating shaft bodies 53 And a second sprocket (second rotating wheel) 55 provided between the first sprockets 54 and 54, and the first sprockets 54 and 54 corresponding to the front and rear positions corresponding to each other. And connected to the front first bar body 44A. A first chain (first endless belt-like body) 56 and a second chain (first end) wound endlessly between the second sprockets 55 at the front and rear positions corresponding to each other and connected to the rear second bar body 44B. (2 endless belt-like body) 57 and a pair of belt wheels 62, 63 and a timing belt 64 while being driven to rotate in a predetermined direction via a pair of belt wheels 59, 60 and a timing belt 61 by an electric motor 58 which is a rotational driving machine. Via a pair of belt wheels 66, 67 and a timing belt 68. The first driving shaft 65 is linked to the first rotary shaft 52 via a pair of belt wheels 66, 67 and a timing belt 68. A first interlocking mechanism 71 having a second driving shaft 69 and rotating both the driving shafts 65 and 69 in the same direction, and in opposite directions (reverse directions). Together with the second interlock mechanism 72 for rotating is provided, switching means 73 to either one of both interlocking mechanism 71 in conjunction state (operating state) is provided.

  The first interlocking mechanism 71 includes belt wheels 74 and 75 provided on the drive shaft bodies 65 and 69, respectively, and a timing belt (belt) wound endlessly between the belt wheels 74 and 75. The second interlocking mechanism 72 is a pair of spur gears (not limited to spur gears) 77 that are respectively provided on the drive shaft bodies 65 and 69 and meshed with each other. , 78.

  Electromagnetic clutches 79 and 80 are provided between the second driving shaft 69 and the belt wheel 75 and the spur gear 78 provided at both ends thereof, respectively. Is turned on and off by a controller (not shown, but an example of a control means, for example, constituting a part of the function of a control device for controlling the entire liquid filling facility). For example, when the electromagnetic clutch 79 on the first interlocking mechanism 71 side is turned on (the electromagnetic clutch 80 on the second interlocking mechanism 72 side is turned off at this time), the first drive shaft 65 and the second drive are driven. The shaft 69 for rotation rotates in the same direction, and the second rotating shaft 53 is rotated in the same direction as the second drive shaft 69 via the belt wheels 66 and 67 and the timing belt 68, that is, the first drive shaft. It is rotated in the same direction as the body 65. The electromagnetic clutch 79, 80 and the controller constitute a switching means 73.

  As described above, when the first rotating shaft body 52 and the second rotating shaft body 53 are rotated in the same direction, the first bar body 44A and the second bar body 44B move forward in synchronization, and the container group 1 can be conveyed.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, when the electromagnetic clutch 80 on the second interlocking mechanism 72 side is turned on (at this time, the electromagnetic clutch 79 on the first interlocking mechanism 71 side is turned off), The first driving shaft 65 and the second driving shaft 69 rotate in opposite directions, and the second rotating shaft 53 is connected to the second driving shaft 69 via the belt wheels 66 and 67 and the timing belt 68. It is rotated in the opposite direction, that is, in the opposite direction to the first driving shaft 65.

  Thus, when the first rotating shaft body 52 and the second rotating shaft body 53 are rotated in opposite directions, the first bar body 44A and the second bar body 44B move so as to approach and separate from each other, and the container The group can be gripped and released (of course, the motor 58 is rotated forward and backward during the gripping / release operation). With this operation mechanism, even when the size of the container to be filled is changed, it can be easily handled by adjusting the approach amount of both the bar bodies 44A and 44B.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the contact tool 43 </ b> A provided on the first bar body 44 </ b> A has a pair of left and right inclined pressing pieces 46 that are bent at an acute angle, and the pressing portions 46 a are in contact with both sides of the front surface of the container 1. The abutment tool 43B provided on the second bar body 44B that abuts against the rear surface of the container 1 is formed in a C shape (groove-shaped cross-sectional shape) and has both tip portions. A pressing member 47 in which a circular contact portion 47a is formed is used. As the constituent material of the inclined pressing piece 46 and the pressing member 47, for example, a spring material is used. Note that the solid line in FIG. 12 shows the case corresponding to the large-diameter container 1, and the phantom line shows the case corresponding to the small-diameter container.

  Meanwhile, a liquid filling amount measuring device 81 for placing the container 1 and measuring the amount of the filled liquid is disposed at the liquid filling position (d) in the middle of the guide member 41. The guide member 41 in the portion is provided with an arrangement groove.

  As described above, the transporter 42 moves the first bar body 44A and the second bar body 44AB that can hold the container 1 from the front and the rear, and both the bar bodies 44 in the front-rear direction via the chains 56 and 57, respectively. The first rotating shaft body 52 and the second rotating shaft body 53, the first driving shaft body 65 that is rotationally driven by the electric motor 58, and the second driving shaft body that is linked to the first driving shaft body 65. 69, and the second driving shaft body 69 and the second rotating shaft body 53 are interlocked and connected, and between the first driving shaft body 65 and the second driving shaft body 69, both A first interlocking mechanism 71 that rotates the shafts 65 and 69 in the same direction, a second interlocking mechanism 72 that rotates the shafts 65 and 69 in opposite directions, and an electromagnetic for switching between the interlocking mechanisms 71 and 72. Clutch 79, 80 and control Thus, the container 1 can be gripped and opened and the container 1 can be transported by one electric motor 58. Therefore, for example, a container gripping device is separately provided in the container transporter. Compared to the conventional apparatus, the configuration can be simplified, that is, the manufacturing cost can be reduced. In addition, the container gripping device provided in the transporter normally performs the gripping / opening operation of the container by swinging a pair of gripping pieces arranged in a V-shape. In the case of adopting such a configuration, the apparatus becomes complicated, and compared with the case of using a pair of bar bodies 44 that can be approached and separated like the transport device 42 described in the present embodiment, the configuration is Since it is very simple, for example, the operation of cleaning the bar body provided with the container gripping device, that is, the abutting tool in the transport device can be performed very easily.

  By the way, in the above description, the first rotating shaft body 52 and the first driving shaft body 65 and the second rotating shaft body 53 and the second driving shaft body 69 are interlocked and connected. The shaft body 52 and the second driving shaft body 69 can be interlocked with each other, and the second rotating shaft body 53 and the first driving shaft body 65 can be linked together. Further, the first interlocking mechanism 71 is composed of a pair of belt wheels 74 and 75 and a timing belt 76, and the second interlocking mechanism 72 is composed of a pair of spur gears 77 and 78. For example, the first interlocking mechanism 71 is composed of a pair of flat gears. The second interlocking mechanism 72 can also be constituted by a pair of belt wheels and a timing belt by gears.

Next, the cap winding device 17 will be described with reference to FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 1, the cap winding device 17 includes a cap supply device 101 that supplies the cap 2 and a neck grip machine 102 that holds the mouth 1 a of the container 1 moved to the cap winding position (f). The cap winding that holds the cap 2 supplied by the cap supply machine 101 and covers the mouth 1a of the container 1 fixed at the cap winding position and rotates the cap 2 in a predetermined direction to tighten the cap 2 And a fastening machine 103. The cap winding machine 103 is configured to reciprocate between a cap supply position (h) and a cap winding position (f).

First, the cap feeder 101 will be described.
Here, since the cap 2 is supplied in the width direction of the transport path 3, the transport direction of the cap 2 (width direction of the transport path) is referred to as the front-rear direction.

  As shown in FIGS. 13 to 16, the cap supply machine 101 corresponds to the chuck body (seven liquid filling ports in the liquid filling apparatus) in the cap winding machine 103 arranged in parallel at predetermined intervals. Corresponding to the chuck main body corresponding to the later described) and one through a parts feeder 111, a transfer conveyor (for example, a belt conveyor is used) 112 and a guide chute 113. A pair of left and right support receiving plates 114 for supporting the caps 2 sequentially supplied from both sides, and front and rear rotating rollers (rotating wheel bodies) disposed between the two support receiving plates 114 and disposed at the front and rear ends. ) 115 (115A, 115B) and one of these two rotating rollers 115, for example, the front rotating roller 115A is connected to a pair of belt wheels 116 and An electric motor (rotary driving machine) 118 that is rotated via a timing belt 117, a conveying belt member 119 wound endlessly between the rotating rollers 115, and a surface of the conveying belt member 119 A cap moving tool (attachment consisting of a pair of left and right projections) that is provided at predetermined intervals and engages the side surface of the cap 2 to move (slide) the cap 2 placed on the support receiving plates 114. 120), a rotation amount detector (for example, an encoder is used) 121 for detecting the rotation amount of the front rotating roller 115A, and a detection amount from the rotation amount detector 121 are input to input the cap 2 A controller for controlling the electric motor 118 so that the center position coincides with the center position of the chuck body (not shown, but an example of the control means, for example, the entire liquid filling facility Is constructed from that constitutes a part of the functions of the control to the control device).

  Further, as shown in FIG. 17, the guide chute 112 includes a chute main body 122 and a shutter plate 124 provided at the tip end of the chute main body 122 and freely retracted into and out of the chute main body 122 by a cylinder device 123. A holding plate 126 for holding a plurality of caps 2 on and after the second (upper side) from the tip, which can be freely moved into and out of the chute main body 122 by a cylinder device 125 provided on the side of the chute main body 122; It is composed of

  In the above configuration, the two cylinder devices 123 and 125 are interlocked to move the cap 2 from the guide chute 113 between the front and rear cap moving members 120 provided on the support receiving plates 114 and the conveying belt member 119. You can guide them one by one.

The cap 2 supplied between the cap moving tools 120 is guided by the cap moving tool 120 and moved to a position corresponding to the chuck body.
By the way, as shown in FIGS. 18A and 18B, when the size of the cap 2 is changed (for example, from a large diameter to a small diameter), it is provided on the conveyor belt 119 by the controller. The stop position of the cap moving tool 120 is moved forward (adjusted by the difference S between the two radii), so that the center position of the cap 2 always matches the center position of the chuck body.

Next, the neck gripping machine 102 will be described based on FIGS. 13 and 19.
The neck gripping machine 102 is guided in a position corresponding to the cap winding position (f) and to the left and right support beam members 20a through a pair of front and rear guide means 131, and is also supported on the support beam member 20a side. The lifting / lowering member 133 (only one of them is shown in FIG. 19) 133 that is freely raised and lowered by the raising / lowering cylinder device 132 supported by the guide member 134, the guide rods 134 provided on the lifting member 133 in the front-rear direction, A semicircular engaging recess 135a that can be engaged with the mouth 1a of the container 1 from both sides is guided by the guide rod 134 of the elevating member 133 so that the left and right ends can move in the front-rear direction. A pair of front and rear gripping plates 135 formed at seven positions at a position where they are held, and a gripping cylinder device provided between the gripping plate members 135 and approaching and separating from each other 36 and, for example, an interlocking mechanism (not shown) for moving in synchronization with each other in the opposite direction when the gripping cylinder device 136 is disposed at the end portion between the gripping plate members 135 and is approached and separated by the gripping cylinder device 136. For example, a rack and pinion mechanism is used).

  The guide means 131 is erected at a front and rear position of a pair of front and rear guide cylinders 137 provided in the vertical direction on the support beam member 20a side and an elevating member 133, and an upper end side is moved in the vertical direction to the guide cylinders 137 The elevating member 133 includes a lower holding position at which the mouth portion 1a of the container 1 can be held by the elevating cylinder device 132 and the container conveying device 12. The container 1 is moved up and down between the upper retreat positions so as not to interfere with the container 1 during transport.

  In the above-described configuration, the container 1 is moved to the cap tightening position (f) by the container transport device 12 in a state where the elevating member 133 is raised to the retracted position and the both holding plate members 135 are separated from each other. Then, the gripping plate 135 is lowered to the gripping position by the lifting cylinder device 132, and then the gripping plate 135 is brought close to each other by the gripping cylinder device 136 to grip the mouth 1a of the container 1. . That is, the positions of the seven containers 1 are fixed simultaneously. Of course, when opening the mouth 1a of the container 1, an operation opposite to the above-described operation may be performed.

Next, the cap winder 103 will be described with reference to FIGS. 13 and 20 to 23.
The cap winder 103 is provided on a pair of left and right moving means 142 provided on a guide member 141 disposed on the left and right support beam members 20a so as to be movable in the front-rear direction, and the both moving means 142. A plate-like horizontal support member 144 provided in the left-right direction so as to be movable up and down via the right and left lifting means 143 and straddling the transport path 3, and is suspended downward from the horizontal support member 144 at predetermined intervals. Seven cylindrical support members 145 arranged corresponding to seven (7 rows) containers 1 and the upper shaft body portion 147 are rotatably supported around the vertical axis by the cylindrical support members 145. A chuck main body 146 having a cylindrical chuck portion 148 in which a lower end of the lower portion is opened and a bar-shaped pressing portion 149 for holding the cap is suspended from the upper surface of the center portion, and the horizontal support member 14 The chuck rotating means 150 provided on the side and rotating the chuck portion 148 of each chuck body 146 together, and one end side of each chuck body 148 in the horizontal plane via a vertical support pin (support shaft member) 151. Three cap pressing pieces 152 provided in a swingable manner, and a biasing member (for example, arranged in an arc shape) that is disposed in the chuck portion 148 and biases the cap pressing piece 152 outward. 153 and a horizontal support pin 154 provided in the tangential direction (tangential direction on the rotation radius of the chuck portion) on the upper portion of each cap pressing piece 152. A roller (rotating member) 155 and a rod-shaped pressing portion 149 in the chuck portion 148 are provided so as to be able to move up and down, and above the rollers 155. A cylindrical elevating member 156 that abuts the outer side portion and can apply an inward biasing force (in the direction of the rotational axis) to each roller 155, and the elevating member 156 and a lower portion of the rod-shaped pressing portion 149. Enclosed space formed between an elevating member (for example, a compression coil spring is used) 157 inserted between the elevating member 156 and an elevating member 156 and an inner surface of the chuck portion 148. Air supply means 159 for supplying compressed air (air pressure) to the portion 158 and lowering the elevating member 156 against the urging force of the urging member 157 is provided. The cap holding pieces 152 are arranged at equal intervals (120 degree intervals). As for the elevating member 156 shown in FIG. 20, the left sectional view shows the raised state, and the right sectional view shows the lowered state.

  Although not shown, the moving means 142 is, for example, a moving member that is movable in the front-rear direction on the guide rail, and a cylinder device that uses a rotational drive mechanism to move the moving member by a predetermined distance in the front-rear direction. Good).

  Further, as shown in FIG. 13, the elevating means 143 includes a guide member 161 provided across the moving means 142 side and the horizontal support member 144, and the moving means 142 side and the horizontal support member 144. The guide member 161 includes a guide cylinder 163 provided in a vertical direction on the moving member on the moving means 142 side, and an upper end portion fixed to the horizontal support member 144 side. The lower part is composed of a guide bar 164 which is guided by the guide cylinder 163 so as to be movable in the vertical direction.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 20, the air supply means 159 is rotatably fitted to the lower portion of the upper shaft body portion 147, is formed in the upper shaft body portion 147, and is formed in the sealed space portion 158. A fluid rotary joint 166 formed with a fluid supply hole 166a communicating with the other end of the communication hole 165 having one end opened, and an air supply pipe 167 connected to the fluid supply hole 166a of the fluid rotary joint 166. And an air compressor (not shown) for supplying compressed air to the air supply pipe 167.

  The elevating member 156 includes a cylindrical portion 156a that is fitted around the rod-shaped pressing portion 149, an annular flange portion 156b that protrudes from the outer periphery of the upper edge of the cylindrical portion 156a, and a downward direction from the annular flange portion 156b. A conical portion 156c that contacts the roller 155 that projects in a divergent shape is formed, and a space between the annular flange portion 156b and the chuck portion 148 is a sealed space portion 158.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 22, the chuck rotating means 150 is a follower attached to the upper end of an upper shaft body portion (rotating support shaft portion) 147 of the chuck main body 146 protruding from the upper surface of the horizontal support member 144. A roller member (driven wheel) 171, an electric motor (rotary driving machine) 173 provided on the horizontal support member 144 via a mounting base 172, and a driving roller member attached to the output shaft of the electric motor 173 (Driving wheel body) 174, an endless belt member 175 spanned (wound) between the roller members 171 and 174, and a belt member disposed between the roller members 171 and 174 And 175 guide roller members 176 for pressing the roller members 171 and 174.

  When the chuck rotating means 150 drives the electric motor 173 to rotate the driving roller member 171, the driven roller member 174 rotates through the belt member 175, and the chuck body 146 rotates in a predetermined direction. Although not shown, a torque regulating mechanism is provided in the cylindrical support member 145 in order to regulate the rotational torque applied to the upper shaft body portion 147.

  As for the shape of the inner peripheral surface 152a of the cap pressing piece 152, as shown in FIG. 21, an arc surface having a small curvature (for example, the curvature sequentially changes, for example, so that the cap 2 having a different outer diameter can be held). Are formed so that two types of arcuate surfaces are continuous).

Here, the tightening operation of the cap in the cap tightening device 17 will be described with reference to FIG.
In a state where compressed air is not supplied to the sealed space 158, the elevating member 156 is moved upward by the urging member 157, and the cap pressing pieces 152 are opened by the urging member 153 (see FIG. 20). (Refer to the left sectional view in the chuck portion 148).

  In this state, as shown in FIG. 23A, the cap tightening machine 103 is moved above the cap 2 supplied by the cap supply machine 101 by the moving means 142, and is then chucked by the lifting / lowering means 143. The main body 146 is lowered and the cap 2 is stored in the chuck portion 148.

  Next, as shown in FIGS. 23 (b) to 23 (c), the air supply means 159 supplies compressed air to the sealed space 158 to lower the elevating member 156. Then, the roller 155 is pushed inward, and the tip portion of each cap holding piece 152 is pushed inward to hold the cap 2. Next, the lifting means 143 lifts the chuck body 146 to a predetermined height, the moving means 142 moves the chuck body 146 to the cap winding position (f) (moves backward), and then the lifting means 143 lowers the chuck body 146. The chuck portion 148 is rotated in a predetermined direction by the electric motor 173.

  By these operations, the cap 2 is wound around the mouth 1a of each container 1 moved to the cap winding position (f) at a time. Of course, the mouth 1a is held and fixed by the neck gripper machine 102 of the container 1 moved to the cap winding position (f).

  When the cap 2 is tightened, the compressed air is extracted by the air supply means 159. Therefore, the cap pressing piece 153 spreads outward by the urging force of the urging member 153, and the cap 2 is opened. As shown in (d), the operation moves to the holding operation of the cap 2 again, and the same operation as described above is repeated.

  Thus, in the cap winder 103, in order to press the tip side of the three cap pressing pieces 152 inward, the roller 155 provided on the upper surface of the cap pressing piece 152 can be moved up and down. Since the abutting conical portion 156c of the elevating member 156 provided is pressed inward, for example, each cap pressing piece 152 is smoothly moved inward compared to the pressing by a sliding member. Therefore, the holding operation of the cap can be performed smoothly, and therefore the tightening operation of the cap 2 with respect to the container 1 can be reliably performed.

  The capping device 16 has a configuration similar to that of the cap tightening device 17, and as shown in FIG. 1, a cap supply device 181 having the same configuration as the cap supply device 101 in the cap tightening device 17 is provided. The cap push-in which holds the cap 3 supplied by the cap supply machine 181 and moves it to the mouth 1a of the container 1 conveyed to the stoppering position (e) and then pushes the cap 3 into the mouth 1a. Machine 182. The cap pusher 182 includes a chuck body that holds the cap 3 and a pair of left and right hook members (claws) that are swingably provided on the side of the chuck body and that can grip and open the mouth 1a of the container 1. Member), and an elevating means for lowering the chuck body and pushing the cap 3 into the mouth 1a while holding the container 1 with the hook member. The chuck body does not necessarily need to rotate the cap, and the chuck body lifting means only needs to have a function of moving the cap relative to the container and pushing it into the mouth 1a. .

Next, the liquid filling operation to the container in the entire liquid filling equipment will be schematically described.
First, seven containers 1 carried in a line by the carry-in conveyor 11 into the carry-in section 3a are simultaneously held by the grippers 27 provided on the moving members 28 of the container aligning device 13, and then the swinging means 34 is used. As a result, the gap between the grippers 27 is expanded 180 degrees backward by the swinging means 25 while being held at the container cleaning position (A) upside down. In this state, each container 1 is cleaned with clean air from the container cleaning device 14.

  When the cleaning is completed, the moving body 22 is moved forward while being moved upside down while being moved upside down, and the container group 1 is moved to the end of the guide member 41 of the container transporting device 12 on the side of the loading portion 3a. Placed on the part. At the time of this placement, it is placed on the guide member 41 between the pair of front and rear bar bodies 44 on the side of the conveyor 42.

  When the container group 1 is placed on the guide member 41, the gripper 27 is opened, the original opening interval and the rear container are moved, and the next container group 1 that has already been carried into the carry-in portion 3a. Return to the holding position.

  When the container group 1 is placed on the guide member 41, the pair of bar bodies 44 are brought close to each other by the operation of the electric motor 58 and the second interlocking mechanism 72 in the container transport device 12, and the container group is contacted by the contact tool 43. After 1 is held, it is switched to the first interlocking mechanism 71 side and transported forward.

  When the container group 1 is transported from the placement position (c) to the liquid filling position (d), the two bar bodies 44 are separated from each other by the second interlocking mechanism 72 and the container group 1 is opened. The reason why the container group 1 is opened is that the liquid filling amount measuring device 81 disposed in the middle of the guide member 41 measures the filling liquid amount at the liquid filling position (d).

Then, a predetermined amount of liquid is filled by the liquid filling device 15 at this liquid filling position (d).
When the liquid has been filled, it is held by both bar bodies 44 and conveyed to the stoppering position (e) and stopped. In addition, in this Embodiment, in order to demonstrate the case where a cap is tightened and covered with the cap winding device 17 without performing the plugging, the operation is not performed at the plugging position (e). As described above, the transportation is temporarily stopped at the stoppering position (e) because each container group 1 is intermittently transported and sequentially moves between the operation positions (a) to (g). It is.

  Next, when the container group 1 is transported to the cap winding position (f), the mouth 1a of each container 1 is first held and fixed by the pair of front and rear gripping plates 135 of the neck grip machine 102. At the same time, the chuck body 146 holding the cap 2 supplied in advance to the position corresponding to each container 1 by the cap feeder 101 is moved to the cap winding position (f) by the moving means 142 and the lifting means 143. The chuck 1148 of the chuck body 146 is rotated in a predetermined direction by the electric motor 173, and the cap 2 is fastened to the mouth 1a.

  When the tightening of the cap 2 is finished, the container 2 is conveyed to the transfer position (g), holds the container group 1 on the guide member 41 by the transfer device 18, and is placed on the carry-out conveyor 19 provided on the carry-out portion 3b side. Place.

  By the series of operations described above, the container group 1 that is continuously carried in one row is held seven by seven and is arranged side by side at a predetermined interval in accordance with the arrangement interval of the liquid filling ports on the liquid filling device 15 side. In this state, the liquid filling device 15, the stopper device 16, the cap winding device 17 and the transfer device 18 are moved in order, so that the liquid filling and the cap winding in the container 1 are performed in a relatively short conveyance path 3. So it can be done efficiently. Moreover, in the configuration of the container transport device 12 described above, the pair of front and rear bar bodies 44 driven by a single electric motor 58 are provided with a transport function and a grip opening function, so that a separate drive mechanism is used. Compared to a device that realizes both functions, an inexpensive configuration can be achieved.

Although not described in the present embodiment, a defective product take-out device for taking out a defective product is usually arranged between the cap winding position (f) and the transfer position (g).
By the way, in the said embodiment, although demonstrated that seven containers 1 were hold | maintained at once and conveyed in parallel, of course, it is not limited to seven pieces. Further, when the number of containers 1 to be held at one time is an even number such as eight, the containers are held in half on the left and right in the width direction of the transport path 3 and the moving members provided with all grippers are It is connected to the left and right swing arms and moved left and right.

  By the way, about the cylinder apparatus demonstrated in the said embodiment, the cylinder driven by a pneumatic cylinder or an electric motor (a servomotor etc. may be used) is used, for example.

It is a side view which shows schematic structure of the liquid filling equipment which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a top view which shows schematic structure of the liquid filling equipment. It is a perspective view which shows schematic structure of the container alignment apparatus in the liquid filling equipment. It is a perspective view which shows the principal part structure of the container alignment device. It is a schematic front view which shows the holding position of the container in the same container aligning apparatus. It is a schematic front view which shows the alignment position of the container in the container alignment apparatus. It is a schematic side view explaining the alignment operation of the container in the same container alignment apparatus. It is a schematic plan view which shows the container holding state of the container conveying apparatus in the liquid filling equipment. It is AA sectional drawing of FIG. It is a schematic plan view which shows the container open state of the container conveyance apparatus. It is BB sectional drawing of FIG. It is a principal part top view which shows the container holding state in the same container conveying apparatus. It is a schematic side view of the cap winding apparatus in the liquid filling equipment. It is a side view which shows schematic structure of the cap supply machine in the cap winding apparatus. It is a principal part top view of the same cap supply machine. It is CC arrow line view of FIG. It is DD arrow line view of FIG. It is a top view explaining the change operation | movement of the cap stop position in the same cap supply machine, (a) shows the case of a big cap, (b) shows the case of a small cap. It is a perspective view which shows the principal part structure of the neck grip machine in the same cap winding apparatus. It is principal part sectional drawing of the cap winding machine in the same cap winding apparatus. It is an EE arrow line view of FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the principal part structure of the same cap winding machine. It is explanatory drawing of the winding operation | movement in the same cap winding apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Container 1a Mouth part 2 Cap 3 Transport route 3a Carry-in part 3b Carry-out part 11 Carry-in conveyor 12 Container transport apparatus 13 Container alignment apparatus 14 Container cleaning apparatus 15 Liquid filling apparatus 16 Capping apparatus 17 Cap tightening apparatus 18 Transfer apparatus 19 Unloading conveyor 21 Guide member 22 Moving body 25 Oscillating means 26 Support member 27 Gripper 28 Moving member 29 Equal moving means 32 Oscillating arm 33 Linking link 34 Oscillating means 35 Interlocking means 36 Engaging member 37 Rod screw member 38 Rotation Driving machine 41 Guide member 42 Transporter 44 Bar body 52 First rotating shaft body 53 Second rotating shaft body 54 First sprocket 55 Second sprocket 56 First chain 57 Second chain 58 Electric motor 65 First driving shaft body 69 First 2 Driving shaft 71 First interlocking mechanism 72 Second interlocking mechanism 73 Switching means 1 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Cap supply machine 102 Neck grip machine 103 Cap winding machine 113 Guide chute 114 Support receiving plate 115 Rotating roller 118 Electric motor 119 Conveying belt 120 Cap transfer tool 121 Rotation amount detector 142 Moving means 143 Lifting means 144 Horizontal support member 146 Chuck body 147 Upper shaft body portion 148 Chuck portion 150 Chuck rotating means 152 Cap pressing piece 155 Roller 156 Lifting member 158 Sealed space portion 159 Air supply means

Claims (3)

A container alignment device that holds a plurality of containers carried in one row and aligns the containers by equally separating the intervals between the containers,
A plurality of moving members provided on the supporting member arranged along the carrying-in direction of the container and movably arranged in the carrying-in direction, respectively, and provided with container holders;
A central moving member is fixed at the central position of the support member, and an equal moving means for moving the same number of moving members at equal intervals on the left and right sides of the central moving member is provided,
The equal moving means
A pair of rotating support shafts provided in the left and right positions near the center of the support member so as to be rotatable in the front-rear direction and around the horizontal axis, and the base end side are connected to the respective rotation support shafts and the distal end A pair of left and right oscillating arms arranged so that the portion side is located on the side of the rotation support shaft opposite to the connected base end side, the distal end side of each of these oscillating arms and the support member A plurality of connecting links for connecting the left and right moving member groups arranged in the same number on both the left and right sides, interlocking means for swinging the swing arms in opposite directions, and the one The linking means is configured to oscillate the connecting link at a predetermined angle, and
The length of each connecting link that connects each swing arm and each corresponding moving member group is set so that the distance between the moving members in each moving member group is equal when the swing arm swings. Set to be
The container alignment apparatus is characterized in that the interlocking means is constituted by a pair of spur gears fixed to the rotary support shafts and meshed with each other .   The length of each of the plurality of connecting links connecting each moving member group and the corresponding swing arm is set to the length from the swing axis of the swing arm to the connection center with the connection link. 2. The container alignment apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the container alignment apparatus is proportional.   An oscillating means is provided on one coupling link and has an engaging member having a female screw portion, a rod-like screw member screwed into the female screw portion of the engaging member, and a rotation for rotating the rod-like screw member The container aligning device according to claim 1, wherein the container aligning device comprises a drive machine.

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