Chuck for capping machine

Abstract

Provided is a chuck for a capping machine that is difficult to produce scratches on a cap. A chuck (22) for a capping machine includes a plurality of chuck members (28), a force applying member (32) that applies an inward force to the chuck members (28), and an abutting portion (30B) that abuts against a top surface of a cap (C). A plurality of movable claws (28A) are provided on an inner surface of the chuck members (28). The movable claws (28A) include a front side surface (36A) that faces forward in a rotation direction of the chuck (22) and a rear side surface (36B) that is connected to the front side surface (36A) via a front end portion and faces backward in the rotation direction of the chuck. A plurality of protrusions (P) are formed on an outer peripheral surface of the cap (C), and the chuck (22) holds the cap (C) so as to rotate the chuck (22) with the movable claws (28A) positioned between the protrusions (P). The front side surface (36A) is engaged with the protrusions (P) to threadedly connect the cap (C) to a container (V). The inclination angle of the rear side surface (36B) is smaller than the inclination angle of the front side surface (36A) with respect to the outer peripheral surface of the cap (C).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a chuck for a capping machine used for threaded connection of a cap to a container. Background Technology

[0002] In a capping machine that threads a cap to the opening of a container, multiple chuck components that hold the outer circumference of the cap rotate and descend, causing the internal thread on the inner circumference of the cap to thread into the external thread on the outer circumference of the container opening. Multiple raised ribs are provided along the generatrix of the outer circumference of the cap, and multiple claws are provided on the inner side of the chuck components that engage with the raised ribs on the outer circumference of the cap. The multiple chuck components are subjected to inward forces by springs arranged along their outer circumferences, and the claws of the chuck components press against the outer circumference of the cap (see Patent Documents 1 and 2).

[0003] Existing technical documents

[0004] Patent documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: JP Patent No. 6350061

[0006] Patent Document 2: JP Patent No. 4175290 Summary of the Invention

[0007] (The problem the invention aims to solve)

[0008] However, in the configurations of Patent Documents 1 and 2, scratches sometimes occur on the outer peripheral surface of the cover between the ridges when rotating the chuck component.

[0009] The objective of this invention is to provide a capping machine chuck that is difficult to scratch on the cap.

[0010] (Technical solution used to solve the problem)

[0011] The first invention discloses a capping machine chuck comprising: a plurality of chuck components; a force-applying unit that applies force inward to the plurality of chuck components; and an abutment portion that abuts against the top surface of a cap. A plurality of claws are formed on the inner surface of the chuck components. Each claw has a front engagement surface and a rear engagement surface. The front engagement surface faces forward in the rotation direction of the chuck, and the rear engagement surface is connected to the front engagement surface via a front end portion and faces rearward in the rotation direction of the chuck. A plurality of protrusions are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the cap. The capping machine chuck holds the cap by positioning the claws between adjacent protrusions, and in this state, the chuck is rotated, causing the front engagement surface to engage with the protrusions opposite to the front engagement surface to thread the cap to a container. The inclination angle of the rear engagement surface relative to the outer peripheral surface of the cap is smaller than the inclination angle of the front engagement surface relative to the outer peripheral surface of the cap.

[0012] (Invention Effects)

[0013] According to the present invention, a capping machine chuck that is difficult to scratch on the cap can be provided. Attached Figure Description

[0014] Figure 1 This is a top view showing the configuration of a capping machine according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] Figure 2 This is a partial longitudinal sectional view of the outer periphery of the capping machine, showing the structure of the capping machine.

[0016] Figure 3 This is a top view of the internal structure of the chuck in the first embodiment, viewed from above.

[0017] Figure 4 The chuck of the first embodiment Figure 3 AA sectional view.

[0018] Figure 5 This is a top view of the internal structure of the chuck in the first embodiment, viewed from below.

[0019] Figure 6 This is an enlarged top view of the existing example's movable claw, viewed from below.

[0020] Figure 7 This is an enlarged top view of the movable claw in the first embodiment, viewed from below.

[0021] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram showing the movement of the movable and fixed claws in a time sequence, viewed from below, as the chuck is rotated to thread the lid onto the container.

[0022] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram showing the movement of the movable claw and the fixed claw of the first embodiment in a time sequence, viewed from below, when the chuck is rotated to thread the lid to the container.

[0023] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram showing the movement of the movable and fixed claws in a time sequence, as observed from below when the chuck is rotated to thread the lid onto the container.

[0024] Figure 11 The diagram shows a comparison of the starting positions of scratches in the existing example, the first embodiment, and the modified example.

[0025] Figure 12 This is a top view of the internal structure of the chuck in the second embodiment, viewed from above.

[0026] Figure 13It is the chuck of the second embodiment. Figure 12 AA sectional view.

[0027] Figure 14 This is a top view of the internal structure of the chuck in the second embodiment, viewed from below. Detailed Implementation

[0028] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 This is a top view showing the configuration of the capping machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Additionally, Figure 2 This is a partial longitudinal sectional view of the outer periphery of the capping machine, showing the structure of the capping machine.

[0029] The capping machine 10 in this embodiment is a capping machine that threadedly connects the cap C to the opening of the container V. Capping is performed at the capping machine wheel 12. At the cap receiving position P1 of the capping machine wheel 12, a cap plate 14 is arranged adjacent to it, supplying the cap C to the capping machine wheel 12. The cap C has an internal thread on its inner circumferential surface and multiple raised strips along its generatrix arranged at certain intervals on its outer circumferential surface. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the cap C is supplied from the cap groove 14A to the cap plate 14.

[0030] At the capping roller 12, adjacent to the container receiving position P2 downstream of the cap receiving position P1, an inlet roller 16 is arranged. A container V with external threads formed at its opening is supplied from the inlet roller 16 to the capping roller 12. During the conveying of the cap C and container V along the outer circumference at the capping roller 12, capping is performed by threading the cap C to the opening Vm of the container V. At the container discharge position P3, which is downstream of the container receiving position P2 and upstream of the cap receiving position P1, the capped container V is handed over to the outlet roller 18. Furthermore, the capping roller 12, cap plate 14, inlet roller 16, and outlet roller 18 are driven to rotate synchronously by a control unit (not shown).

[0031] In this embodiment, such as Figure 2 As shown, the neck of the container V is held by neck grippers 20 arranged at intervals along the outer periphery of the lower rotating body 12A of the capping machine wheel 12. The neck grippers 20 are opened and closed by a pair of gripper swing shafts 20A using a conventional gripper opening and closing mechanism 20B that utilizes a cam mechanism, actuator, etc.

[0032] Above the container V held by the neck gripper 20, chucks 22 are respectively arranged to hold the cap C. The chucks 22 are located at the lower end of the main shaft (rotation shaft) 24. The main shaft 24 corresponds to each neck gripper 20 and is arranged at certain intervals along the outer periphery of the upper rotating body 12B of the capping machine wheel 12. It is held in a position that allows free rotation and free lifting relative to the upper rotating body 12B. The upper end of the main shaft 24 is connected to a servo motor 24M for rotating the chucks. It can not only rotate but also be lifted and lowered using a lifting mechanism 24A, which uses a cam or the like, as is known in the art. Furthermore, the lower rotating body 12A and the upper rotating body 12B rotate integrally with the capping machine wheel 12.

[0033] Figure 3 This is a top view of the internal structure of the chuck 22. Figure 4 It's a cassette 22. Figure 3 AA sectional view. Additionally... Figure 5 This is a top view of the internal structure of the chuck 22 from below.

[0034] The chuck 22 of this embodiment includes three fixing members 26 and three chuck members 28. The fixing members 26 and the chuck members 28 are arranged alternately in the circumferential direction. As will be described later, a plurality of fixing claws 26A are provided on the inner side of the fixing members 26, which engage with the protrusions provided on the outer peripheral surface of the cover C, and a plurality of movable claws 28A are provided on the inner side of the chuck members 28, which engage with the protrusions and the outer peripheral surface of the cover C.

[0035] The fixing member 26 and the chuck member 28 are arranged along the lower outer periphery of the base member 30. The fixing member 26 is installed in a state where it is fixed to the base member 30 by mounting bolts 26B. The chuck member 28 is mounted to the base member 30 so as to be freely rocked via a horizontally arranged rocking shaft 28B. In addition, the rocking shaft 28B is supported on the base member 30 via a pair of rocking shaft mounting parts 31. Furthermore, the rocking range of the chuck member 28 can be adjusted by adjusting bolts 28C mounted on the base member 30. In addition, the base member 30 is mounted to the lower end of the spindle 24 using mounting bolts 30A.

[0036] A force-applying member 32, such as a coil spring, is arranged around the outer periphery of the fixing member 26 and the chuck member 28 to apply force inward to each chuck member 28, which is sway-free. As a result, when the main shaft 24 descends at the cover receiving position P1 and the cover C is inserted into the chuck 22 from below, the chuck member 28 expands outward against the force of the force-applying member 32, and the movable claw 28A firmly engages with the outer periphery of the cover C. Furthermore, the top surface of the cover C inserted into the chuck 22 abuts against the abutment portion 30B located at the center of the lower end face of the base member 30.

[0037] Next, refer to Figures 6-9 The structure and effects of the movable claw 28A in this embodiment will be explained. Furthermore, Figure 6 This is an enlarged top view of the movable claw in the existing example, viewed from below. Figure 7 This is an enlarged top view of the movable claw 28A in this embodiment, viewed from below. Additionally, Figure 8 , Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram showing, from below, the movement of the movable and fixed claws in both the conventional example and this embodiment, in a time sequence, as the chuck is rotated to thread the cover C to the container V. Furthermore, in Figure 8 , Figure 9 In the middle, the side of the cover C is schematically unfolded in a straight line.

[0038] Figure 6 In the existing example shown, the movable jaw 34A disposed on the chuck member 34 is formed in a left-right symmetrical manner. On the other hand, as... Figure 7 As shown, the movable claw 28A provided in the chuck member 28 of this embodiment is not symmetrical from left to right. That is, among the sides (flanks) forming the claw, the angle of the front side (front engaging surface) 36A located in front of the chuck rotation direction relative to the outer peripheral surface of the cover is larger than the angle of the rear side (rear engaging surface) 36B located on the opposite side across the front end of the claw relative to the outer peripheral surface of the cover. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the configuration of the fixing member 26 and the fixing claw 26A is the same as in the conventional example; for example, the fixing claw 26A is configured to be symmetrical from left to right.

[0039] like Figure 6 , Figure 7 As shown, the fixing claws 26A of the fixing member 26 are located between the protrusions P of the cover C, and the front ends of the fixing claws 26A are fixed in a position that does not contact the outer peripheral surface of the cover C (the arc-shaped pad portion L between the protrusions). On the other hand, the chuck members 28 and 34 are swung inward by the force-applying member 32 until the front ends of the movable claws 28A and 34A are embedded in the pad portion L of the cover C. That is, when the cover is removed from the cover plate 14, if the cover C engages with the chuck 22 as the chuck 22 descends, the chuck member 28 pushes outward against the force of the force-applying member 32, while the cover C engages with the chuck 22, and the front ends of the movable claws 28A and 34A are embedded in the pad portion L of the cover C. In other words, the chuck member 28 has the function of holding the cover C, while the fixing member 26 does not hold the cover C. The fixing claw 26A of the fixing member 26 only has the function of transmitting the fastening torque generated by the servo motor 24M to the convex strip P.

[0040] Figure 8(a), (b), and (c) show the state in time sequence up to the engagement of the fixed claw 26A and the movable claw 34A with the protrusion P of the cover when the chuck is rotated and the cover C is threaded to the opening Vm of the container V.

[0041] The cover C, which has multiple protrusions P along its generatrix, has a slightly wider diameter on its side facing downwards (towards the opening) (the cover C is generally shaped like a frustum of a cone). When the chuck descends and rotates while the cover C is inserted into the chuck, the front end of the movable jaw 34A, for example... Figure 8 As shown in (a), it abuts against the top surface of the protrusion P. At this time, the retaining claw 26A is a small distance away from the top surface of the protrusion P but does not contact it. As the chuck rotates and descends, as... Figure 8 As shown in (b), while the rear side of the movable claw 34A contacts the protrusion P, the front end of the movable claw 34A engages with the pad portion L. At this time, the movable claw 34A moves while in contact with the protrusion P, but the front end of the fixed claw 26A is a small distance away from the pad portion L and does not contact it. Furthermore, based on the posture of the cover C on the cover plate 14 and the chuck 22, there is also the following situation: when the front ends of the fixed claw 26A and the movable claw 34A are respectively located at positions corresponding to the pad portion L (between the protrusion P), the cover C is engaged with the chuck 22. In this case, the movable claw 34A does not contact the protrusion P but contacts the pad portion L.

[0042] The front end of the movable claw 34A, which engages with the pad portion L of the cover C, is slightly embedded in the pad portion L. As the chuck rotates, as... Figure 8 As shown in (c), the front sides of the movable claw 34A and the fixed claw 26A move along the pad portion L until they abut against the protrusion P of the cover C, which is in the rotation direction. At this time, scratches S are formed on the pad portion L of the cover C, along the path of movement of the movable claw 34A.

[0043] Figure 9 (a), (b), and (c) are examples of chucks using the movable jaw 28A of the chuck 22 of this embodiment, replacing the conventional chuck which utilizes a bilaterally symmetrical movable jaw 34A. Figure 8 The diagrams corresponding to (a), (b), and (c). For example... Figure 9 As shown in (a) to (c), when using the movable claw 28A of this embodiment, a scratch S is formed on the pad portion L along the path that the movable claw 28A moves until the front side surface 36A of the movable claw 28A engages with the ridge P in the rotational direction. However, in the movable claw 28A of this embodiment, the inclination of the rear side surface 36B relative to the pad portion L is smaller than that of the front side surface 36A (the length of the rear side surface 36B is longer than that of the front side surface 36A). Therefore, the position where the front end of the movable claw 28A engages with the pad portion L is further away from the ridge P than in the conventional example, and the scratch S is smaller.

[0044] As described above, according to the first embodiment, by providing asymmetrical movable claws on the chuck component, a chuck for a capping machine can be provided that makes it difficult to generate scratches on the pad portion of the cap.

[0045] Figure 10 Is with Figure 8 , Figure 9 The corresponding diagram shows the structure and effect of the movable claw in the modified example. For example... Figure 10 As shown, the movable claw 38 in the modified example has a trapezoidal cross-sectional shape, and the movable claw 38 has a flat front end surface 38B connecting the front side surface 38A and the rear side surface 38C. Furthermore, similar to the first embodiment, the angle of the rear side surface 38C relative to the pad portion L is gentler than the angle of the front side surface 38A relative to the pad portion L. The scratch S formed on the pad portion L is formed by the corner formed by the front side surface 38A and the front end surface 38B. Therefore, by the length of the front end surface 38B, the position where the scratch S occurs is separated from the protrusion P that contacts the rear side surface 38C, and its insertion into the pad portion L becomes smaller. Thus, in the modified example, the length and size of the scratch S can be made shorter.

[0046] Figure 11 The diagram shows a comparison of the positions where scratches S begin to form in the existing example, the first embodiment, and the modified example. Figure 11 (a) shows the starting position S1 of the scratch S caused by the movable claw 34A in the existing example. Figure 11 (b) shows the starting position S2 of the scratch S caused by the movable claw 28A of the first embodiment. Figure 11 (c) shows the starting position S3 of the scratch S caused by the movable claw 38 in the modified example. Figure 11 In the example shown, the length of the scratch S decreases in this order.

[0047] Next, refer to Figure 12 , Figure 13 , Figure 14 The configuration of the chuck in the second embodiment will be explained. Figure 12 , Figure 13 , Figure 14 These are respectively the first embodiment. Figure 3 , Figure 4 , Figure 5 The corresponding diagram.

[0048] The chuck 22 of the first embodiment is configured to include a fixing member 26 having a fixing claw 26A and a chuck member 28 having a movable claw 28A, while the chuck 40 of the second embodiment is configured solely by the chuck member 28 having the movable claw 28A. That is, as Figure 12 , Figure 14As shown, regarding the chuck 40 of the second embodiment, for example, three chuck members 28 are arranged in a ring shape, and the force-applying member 32 applies force from the periphery inward. Each chuck member 28 can rotate about the pivot shaft 28B to hold the outer peripheral surface of the cover C inserted into the chuck 40, and the movable claw 28A provided on the inner side of the chuck member 28 engages with the protrusion P and the pad portion L of the cover C.

[0049] Furthermore, since there is no fixing member 26, the chuck member 28 of the second embodiment has a longer circumferential length than the chuck member 28 of the first embodiment, but the basic structure is the same as that of the first embodiment.

[0050] As described above, the chuck in the second embodiment also achieves the same effect as in the first embodiment.

[0051] (Label Explanation)

[0052] 10 Capping Machine

[0053] 12 Capping Machine Wheels

[0054] 12A Lower Rotating Body

[0055] 12B Upper Rotating Body

[0056] 14. Cover plate

[0057] 16 Entrance Wheels

[0058] 18 Export Vessels

[0059] 20 Neck clamps

[0060] 22, 40 chuck

[0061] 24 Spindle

[0062] 24A Lifting Mechanism

[0063] 24M servo motor

[0064] 26 Fixed components

[0065] 26A Fixing Claw

[0066] 28 Chuck components

[0067] 28A Movable Claw

[0068] 30B Abutment Section

[0069] 32. Force-applying components (force-applying units)

[0070] 36A, 38A Front side (front engaging surface)

[0071] 36B, 38C Rear side (rear mating surface)

[0072] C Cover

[0073] L pad section

[0074] P-shaped convex bar

[0075] P1 Cover Receiving Position

[0076] P2 Container Receiving Location

[0077] P3 Container Discharge Location

[0078] S scratches

[0079] V container

[0080] Vm (mouth).

Claims

1. A chuck for a capping machine, characterized by the chuck for the capping machine is configured to have: a plurality of chuck members; a force applying unit that applies an inward force to the plurality of chuck members; a fixed member that is alternately arranged with the plurality of chuck members in the circumferential direction, and has a plurality of fixed claws that engage with a plurality of ribs provided on an outer peripheral surface of a cap on an inner side of the fixed member; and an abutting portion that abuts against a top surface of the cap, a plurality of movable claws are formed on an inner surface of the chuck member, and the movable claws are configured to have a front engagement surface that faces a front of a rotation direction of the chuck and a rear engagement surface that is connected to the front engagement surface via a front end portion and faces a rear of the rotation direction of the chuck, the chuck for the capping machine holds the cap with the movable claws positioned between adjacent ribs, and rotates the chuck in this state to engage the front engagement surface with a rib that faces the front engagement surface to threadedly connect the cap to a container, an inclination angle of the rear engagement surface with respect to the outer peripheral surface of the cap is smaller than an inclination angle of the front engagement surface with respect to the outer peripheral surface of the cap, when the cap is engaged with the chuck for the capping machine, the fixed claws of the fixed member are positioned between the ribs of the cap, and front ends of the fixed claws are fixed at positions that do not contact the outer peripheral surface between the ribs of the cap, on the other hand, the chuck members are inwardly deflected to positions where the front ends of the movable claws are embedded in the outer peripheral surface between the ribs of the cap.

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