Sealing device

Abstract

To provide a seaming device capable of preventing lubricating oil from leaking from a machine inner case of a chuck unit to a seaming work space, capable of preventing the production of defective products contaminated by lubricating oil, and capable of maintaining a seaming size with good accuracy by excluding thermal stretching caused by heat generation. The seaming device is provided with: a chuck unit (320) that positions a lid placed on an upper portion of a can (C); and a flange joint unit that causes the lid to be seamed to the can, the chuck unit having: a spindle (325) fitted at a lower end portion with a chuck (321) that positions the lid; a bearing (326) that rotatably supports the spindle inside a machine body case and is lubricated by lubricating oil; and a non-contact oil seal mechanism that seals between the spindle and the machine body case at a position lower than the bearing.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a roll-sealing device, characterized by the structure of the main shaft of the chuck unit of the roll-sealing device for filling beverages and the like into aluminum cans, steel cans, etc. Background Technology

[0002] Previously, a roll-sealing device was known, comprising: a can-loading unit for loading cans filled with beverages, etc.; a chuck unit configured to be opposite the can-loading unit; and a roll-sealing roller for sealing the cap onto the can.

[0003] For example, as shown in Patent Document 1, a known sealing device includes: a sealing turntable (1) for performing the sealing process of cans and caps; a conveying conveyor (supply conveyor 7) for supplying cans before sealing to the sealing turntable; a cap conveying turntable (supply turntable 3) for supplying caps to a cap supply unit; an unloading turntable (discharge turntable 5) for removing the sealed cans from the sealing turntable; and an unloading conveyor (discharge conveyor 8) for further removing the cans from the unloading turntable to the outside.

[0004] The rolled edge joining turntable, unloading turntable and cover conveying turntable are respectively provided with recesses (fitting recesses 2, 4 and 6) on the outer periphery for conveying individual containers and covers.

[0005] The concave sections of the edge-joining turntable are provided with: a can-loading unit (elevator 17) for loading cans; a chuck unit (edge-joining chuck device 10) configured to be opposite the can-loading unit; and edge-joining rollers (18, 19) for rolling the cap onto the can.

[0006] Regarding this type of sealing device, gears and the like are used to make the speed of each turntable and each conveyor correspond to the timing. Gears, cam mechanisms and the like are used to make the movement of the can loading unit, chuck unit and edge-sealing unit located in each recess linked with the rotation of the edge-sealing turntable. In this way, the sealing can be performed continuously while the cans and caps are being transported at high speed.

[0007] Regarding the chuck unit, the spindle of the chuck, which positions the cover at its lower end, is designed to rotate freely using bearings. Furthermore, in recent years, with the increasing speed of sealing devices, the chuck also rotates at high speeds. Therefore, lubricating oil is used to lubricate rotating parts such as the bearings supporting the spindle to enable them to withstand high-speed rotation.

[0008] Furthermore, regarding known sealing devices, such as those shown in Patent Documents 2 and 3, if the lubricating oil supplied to the rotating actuator enters the sealing operation space where containers or caps are processed, the containers, caps, or their contents will be contaminated. Therefore, the rotating actuator is surrounded by an inner housing, and the used lubricating oil is stored at the bottom of the inner housing to prevent it from entering the sealing operation space. Between the inner housing and the rotating actuator, an unavoidable gap exists to allow the rotating actuator to rotate. Therefore, a contact-type oil seal made of V-shaped rubber or the like is provided between the inner housing and the rotating actuator to prevent lubricating oil from leaking from this gap.

[0009] However, the characteristics of contact-type oil seals that slide in contact with the rotating shaft still present the following problems: it is extremely difficult to completely seal the rotating part between the rotating part and the inner housing; during long-term continuous operation, deterioration will occur over time, causing the fitting gap to become an outflow path and resulting in lubricating oil leakage. If lubricating oil leaks into the sealing working space, the lubricating oil splashed by the centrifugal force caused by the rotation of the main shaft will contaminate the tank, resulting in a large number of defective products. Therefore, a solution has been proposed to collect, recover, and discharge the leaked lubricating oil.

[0010] In addition, the oil seal that slides in contact with the rotating shaft heats up, causing thermal stretching of the components that make up the chuck unit, which may have an adverse effect on the roll seal dimensions.

[0011] Existing technical documents

[0012] Patent documents

[0013] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 62-244537

[0014] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2003-137392

[0015] Patent Document 3: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2003-200910 Summary of the Invention

[0016] The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems and aims to provide a roll sealing device that can prevent lubricating oil from leaking from the inner housing of the chuck unit into the roll sealing working space, prevent the generation of defective products contaminated by lubricating oil, and eliminate thermal stretching caused by heat generation to maintain roll sealing dimensions with good accuracy.

[0017] The sealing device of the present invention comprises: a chuck unit for positioning a lid placed on the upper part of a can; and a crimping unit for sealing the lid onto the can, characterized in that,

[0018] The chuck unit includes: a spindle with a chuck for positioning the cover at its lower end; a bearing that rotatably supports the spindle within the housing and is lubricated by lubricating oil; and a non-contact oil seal mechanism that seals the spindle and the housing at a position lower than the bearing, thereby solving the aforementioned problem.

[0019] Invention Effects

[0020] According to the sealing apparatus of the present invention, a non-contact oil seal mechanism for sealing between the spindle and the housing is provided at a position lower than the bearing. Therefore, there is no sealing component that slides in contact with the rotating shaft. Thus, even at high speeds, the sealing process is not limited by the characteristics of contact oil seals and is not affected by deterioration over time. Lubricating oil leakage from the chuck unit's inner housing into the sealing work space is prevented, thus preventing the production of defective products contaminated with lubricating oil and achieving high productivity. Furthermore, since thermal stretching of the components constituting the chuck unit is avoided, the sealing dimensions can be maintained with good precision.

[0021] The oil seal mechanism according to the present invention has an umbrella-shaped slinger structure, which can easily use centrifugal force to make the lubricating oil that lubricates the bearing and flows downward flow in a return flow path communicating with the inner housing, thus reliably preventing the lubricating oil from leaking into the sealing operation space.

[0022] According to the present invention, the structure in which grooves extending radially in a straight line or in a curved manner are formed on the lower surface of the oil slinger ring can easily guide the lubricating oil flowing into the lower surface side of the oil slinger ring to the far outer side, and can suppress the leakage of lubricating oil from the fitting gap. Therefore, it can reliably prevent the lubricating oil from leaking into the sealing operation space.

[0023] According to the present invention, the structure having a return flow path that uses centrifugal force to circulate lubricating oil from the upper surface of the oil throwing ring toward the inner housing can easily use centrifugal force to return the lubricating oil to the inner housing, thus reliably preventing lubricating oil leakage into the sealing operation space.

[0024] According to the present invention, the structure having a discharge configuration that allows lubricating oil to flow toward the lower part of the inner housing when the sealing device stops can easily return the lubricating oil remaining in the bearing and flowing downward when the sealing device stops to the inner housing. Therefore, it can reliably prevent lubricating oil from leaking into the sealing working space.

[0025] According to the present invention, the structure having a liquid intrusion prevention component below the oil slinger can prevent the lubricating oil that lubricates the bearing and flows downward from leaking into the sealing working space, and can also prevent cleaning fluid, vapors of the contents of the tank, etc. from intruding into the inner housing from the sealing working space. Attached Figure Description

[0026] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the structure of a sealing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of the structure of a sealing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of the structure of the chuck unit of a sealing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0029] The present invention will now be described in detail.

[0030] like Figure 1 As shown, a sealing apparatus 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention includes: a sealing turntable 101 for performing a sealing process of can C and cap F; an infeed conveyor 102 for conveying can C to the sealing turntable 101 in a non-rotating state before sealing; a cap supply device 104 including a cap separation unit 210 for supplying cap F and a cap conveying turntable 250; an unloading turntable 107 for removing the sealed can CM from the sealing turntable 101; and an outfeed conveyor 108 for further removing can CM from the unloading turntable 107 to the outside.

[0031] The edge-jointing turntable 101, the unloading turntable 107, and the cover conveying turntable 250 are each provided with a recess P on their outer periphery for separately receiving and conveying the cans C, CM, and F. The conveying conveyor 102 is provided with accessories 103 that engage with the cans C for conveying.

[0032] The rotational speeds of the edge-joining turntable 101, the unloading turntable 107, and the cover conveying turntable 250, the moving speed of the accessory 103 in the conveyor 102, and the timing of the linkage between each recess P and accessory 103 are designed to be adjustable so that the cans C, CM, and cover F can be smoothly transferred between each turntable and conveyor.

[0033] like Figure 2As shown, the edge-sealing turntable 101 for the sealing process of can C and lid F includes, at each recess P: a can-mounting unit 350 for mounting and rotating can C; a chuck unit 320 positioned opposite the can-mounting unit 350 and having a chuck 321 for positioning the lid F mounted on the upper part of can C, and an ejector pad 322 that can move up and down within the chuck 321 to press the lid F mounted on the upper part of can C; and an edge-sealing unit 410 having edge-sealing rollers 451 and 452 for sealing the lid F to can C.

[0034] The hemming and joining turntable 101 is rotatably arranged around the central shaft 109 with the central axis X extending in the vertical direction. The hemming and joining turntable 101 is driven to rotate by the drive mechanism 151 of the hemming and joining turntable 101.

[0035] The cap separation unit 210, cap conveying turntable 250, and conveying conveyor 102 are mechanically driven by the drive mechanism 151 of the edge-joining turntable 101 via a transmission mechanism.

[0036] The chuck unit 320 is rotatably positioned around the can-loading unit at equal angular intervals, extending vertically about the central axis X. The outer surface gear 323 of the rotating shaft, which supports the chuck 321 at its lower end, meshes with the sun gear 324 supported on the central axis 109. The chuck unit 320 revolves around the central axis 109 and the central column due to their rotation, while the chuck 321 rotates on its own axis due to the meshing of the sun gear 324 and the outer surface gear 323.

[0037] The chuck 321 is configured to be fixed in the vertical direction but capable of rotation, such as... Figure 2 As shown on the right side of the central axis X, the can loading unit 350 is raised and the can loading unit 350 clamps the can C with the lid F using the ejector pad 322 and the can loading unit 350, while the lower outer peripheral surface of the chuck 321 engages with it, thereby centering the lid F.

[0038] The chuck unit 320 has a chuck spindle 325 with a chuck 321 mounted at its lower end for positioning the cover F. For example... Figure 3 As shown, the chuck spindles 325 are rotatably disposed at equal angular intervals within the through holes 327H on the outer periphery of the worktable 327, which rotates around the central axis X of the flanged engagement turntable 101. Each chuck spindle 325 rotates on its own axis and revolves around the worktable 327.

[0039] The bearing 326 is lubricated by lubricating oil. Furthermore, the sealing device 100 of this embodiment has a non-contact oil seal mechanism at a position lower than the bearing 326 for sealing between the chuck spindle 325 and the worktable 327, thereby sealing the space between the machine housing and the sealing operation space V of the tank C.

[0040] Regarding the oil seal mechanism, a metal annular umbrella-shaped oil slinger 311 is fitted onto the chuck spindle 325 below the bearing 326 on the outer periphery of the chuck spindle 325, rotating together with the chuck spindle 325. The umbrella-shaped oil slinger 311 is configured such that its upper end face is located at the lower part of the bearing 326, and its umbrella-shaped lower part extends radially outward and downward from the axial center of the chuck spindle 325.

[0041] At the position furthest from the central axis X of the crimping and joining turntable 101 at the through hole 327H of the worktable 327, one end (inlet) of the return flow path 329 penetrating inside the worktable 327 is opened, and the other end (outlet) of the return flow path 329 is connected to the inner housing. The return flow path 329 uses centrifugal force to circulate lubricating oil from the upper surface of the umbrella-shaped oil slinger 311 toward the inner housing. The return flow path 329 is formed to extend radially outward and upward toward the central axis X of the crimping and joining turntable 101. When the chuck spindle 325 rotates, the lubricating oil that has lubricated the bearing 326 flows downward and contacts the upper surface of the umbrella-shaped oil slinger 311. It moves radially outward on this surface, and the centrifugal force caused by the rotation of the worktable 327 (the revolution of the crimping and joining turntable 101) causes the lubricating oil to be splashed away radially outward toward the central axis X of the crimping and joining turntable 101 along the return flow path 329.

[0042] Furthermore, at the position closest to the central axis X of the crimping and joining turntable 101 in the through hole 327H of the worktable 327, a discharge flow path (discharge structure) 318 is formed, extending downward along the direction of the central axis 109 within the worktable 327 and communicating with the inner housing. When the crimping device 100 stops, lubricating oil can flow towards the lower part of the inner housing by naturally falling along the upper surface of the umbrella-shaped oil slinger 311. Preferably, on the lower surface (back side) of the umbrella-shaped oil slinger 311, grooves are formed extending radially in a straight line or in a curved pattern from the axis center side of the chuck spindle 325 towards the outer periphery. Multiple grooves are evenly separated in the circumferential direction. The curved grooves also include arc-shaped grooves and spiral (vortex) grooves.

[0043] Below the umbrella-shaped oil slinger ring 311, an annular component 312 is provided, fluid-tightly connected to the lower part of the through hole 327H of the worktable 327 by means of two O-rings 317, 317. The umbrella-shaped oil slinger ring 311 is labyrinthically fitted to cover the upper and side circumferential surfaces of the annular track portion 313, which is formed on the circumferential inner side of the annular component 312 and has an annular groove that protrudes upward and opens upward. Due to this structure, lubricating oil that lubricates the bearing 326 and is guided to the upper surface of the umbrella-shaped oil slinger ring 311 and slides down is blocked by the annular track portion 313 and prevented from flowing into the gap between the annular component 312 and the chuck spindle 325.

[0044] Furthermore, below the return flow path 329 within the worktable 327, at a position opposite to the outlet of the return flow path 316 that extends downwards and laterally through the annular track section 313, one end (inlet) of the safety device 315, which passes through the worktable 327, is opened, and the other end (outlet) of the safety device 315 communicates with the inner housing. The safety device 315 is configured to extend radially outwards and upwards toward the central axis X of the rolled edge engagement turntable 101. In the safety device 315, lubricating oil that does not flow into the return flow path 329 (without splashing) due to the centrifugal force caused by the rotation of the worktable 327, but remains in the annular component 312, returns to the inner housing due to centrifugal force.

[0045] The oil seal mechanism is configured to have an umbrella-shaped oil throwing ring 311, an annular component 312, and a cylindrical sleeve 330.

[0046] In addition, below the annular component 312, a cylindrical sleeve 330, which serves as an intrusion prevention component, is fitted into the chuck spindle 325 in a manner that rotates together with it. The cylindrical sleeve 330 has an edge 331 formed on its upper part that protrudes radially outward from the center of the chuck spindle 325 to seal it between itself and the annular component 312, and is fitted into the chuck spindle 325.

[0047] The edge-sealing unit 410 uses edge-sealing rollers 451 and 452 to perform double sealing. The edge-sealing rollers 451 and 452 are pivotally mounted at both ends of the edge-sealing rod 450, which fixes the central part to the lower end of the rotating roller swing shaft 132, in a rotatable manner.

[0048] In the double sealing process, after the first sealing is performed by rolling the curled portion of the cap F into the flange portion of the can C using the edge-joining roller 451, a second sealing is performed. In this second sealing, the seal is maintained by pressing / joining based on the tightening of the edge-joining roller 452.

[0049] The basic operation of the sealing device 100 constructed in the above manner will be explained.

[0050] Before the cap F is rolled up, the can C is engaged with the various accessories 103 of the conveyor 102 and transported, and the can C is moved toward the edge-joining turntable 101 which rotates by means of the drive mechanism 151 of the edge-joining turntable 101.

[0051] On the other hand, the caps F are cut out one by one by the cap separating unit 210 and transferred to the recesses P of the cap conveying turntable 250. The caps F are then moved toward the edge-joining turntable 101 (see reference) by the rotation of the cap conveying turntable 250. Figure 1 ).

[0052] The speed and timing of the conveyor 102 and the lid conveying turntable 250 are adjusted to correspond to the speed and timing of the edge-joining turntable 101, so that the centers of the can C and the lid F are aligned at the meeting point G. The can loading unit 350, whose rotation is controlled by a drive mechanism 151 powered by a drive source not shown, via appropriate gears, cam mechanisms, etc., rises to the meeting point G, thereby placing the lid F on the can C placed on the plate 360.

[0053] Then, the can-loading unit 350 rises further, and the ejector pad 322 in the chuck 321 presses the cover F. The chuck 321, whose rotation is controlled by the drive mechanism 151 through appropriate gears, cam mechanisms, etc., engages with the cover F to center the cover F. The plate 360, the chuck 321, and the ejector pad 322 clamp the can C with the cover F on it using a constant axial load required for sealing.

[0054] Furthermore, the crimping turntable 101 rotates further, reaching the clamped lid F and can C. Figure 1 Before the roll-sealing section E shown, plate 360 ​​and chuck 321 accelerate to the rotational speed required for roll-sealing.

[0055] During the process of passing through the sealing section E, the edge-joining rod 450, which is fixed at the lower end of the roller swing shaft 132 of the edge-joining unit 410, swings, so that the two edge-joining rollers 451 and 452, which are pivotally mounted at both ends for primary sealing and secondary sealing respectively, press against the flange of the can C and the cap F placed on it from the side toward the chuck 321 in sequence, thereby performing double sealing.

[0056] After the can CM is sealed, it is transferred from the edge-sealing turntable 101 to the unloading turntable 107, and then from the unloading turntable 107 to the transport conveyor 108, and then transported out to subsequent processes such as inspection and bundling.

[0057] Regarding the movable chuck unit 320 of the sealing device 100, the chuck spindle 325 revolves around the worktable 327 centered on the central axis X of the crimping engagement turntable 101, while simultaneously rotating due to the meshing of the sun gear 324 and the outer surface gear 323. Based on this revolution and rotation, and in cooperation with the chuck 321 and the crimping engagement rollers 451, 452, a sealing action is performed to seal the cap F onto the can C. At this time, lubricating oil flows downward while lubricating the bearing 326, guided from the upper surface of the umbrella-shaped oil slinger 311 toward the lower end. By means of the centrifugal force caused by the rotation of the chuck spindle 325 and the rotation of the worktable 327, it is flushed away along the return flow path 329 radially outward toward the central axis X of the crimping engagement turntable 101 and returns to the inner housing. Additionally, the lubricating oil that does not flow to the return flow path 329 and remains slightly on the annular component 312 is flushed away and returned to the inner housing by the centrifugal force caused by the rotation of the worktable 327, along the radially outer side of the safety device 315 toward the central axis X of the crimping and joining turntable 101. On the other hand, when the sealing device 100 stops, the lubricating oil that has lubricated the bearing 326 drips downward and is guided from the upper surface of the umbrella-shaped oil throwing ring 311 toward the lower end by natural drop, and then returns to the inner housing in the direction of the central axis 109 by natural drop and via the discharge flow path 318.

[0058] In addition, the cylindrical sleeve 330, which has an edge 331 formed as an intrusion prevention component, is used for protection so that cleaning fluid, steam, etc., when cleaning and sterilizing the roll sealing operation space V will not intrude into the through hole 327H from below the annular component 312 or mix into the lubricating oil.

[0059] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0060] 100… roll sealing device

[0061] 101… Rolled Edge Joining Turntable

[0062] 102… Loaded into conveyor

[0063] 103… accessories

[0064] 104… Cover supply device

[0065] 107…Uninstall the transfer station

[0066] 108…Transfer conveyor

[0067] 109…Central Axis

[0068] 132…roller swing shaft

[0069] 151… Drive mechanism

[0070] 210…Lid Separation Unit

[0071] 250… Cover transfer turntable

[0072] 311… Umbrella-shaped oil slinger ring

[0073] 312… Ring-shaped component

[0074] 313… Circular track section

[0075] 317…O-ring

[0076] 315…Safety Devices

[0077] 318…emission flow path

[0078] 320…Chuck Unit

[0079] 321…Chuck

[0080] 322…Top pad

[0081] 323…External surface gear

[0082] 324…Sun Gear

[0083] 325… Chuck Spindle

[0084] 326…bearing

[0085] 327…workbench

[0086] 327H… Through Hole

[0087] 329…Return Flow

[0088] 330… cylindrical sleeve

[0089] 331…edge

[0090] 350… Tank loading unit

[0091] 360…board

[0092] 410…Crimped Joint Unit

[0093] 450…rolled edge joint bar

[0094] 451… Edge Sealing Roller (One-Step Sealing)

[0095] 452… Edge Sealing Roller (Secondary Sealing)

[0096] C…can (before the lid is sealed)

[0097] F…cover

[0098] CM…can (after cap seal)

[0099] P…recess

[0100] E…Seal area

[0101] V…Sewing workspace

[0102] X…Central axis

Claims

1. A sealing device comprising a can and a cap sealing process, and a roll-up engagement turntable having a recess on its outer periphery, the recess comprising: a chuck unit for positioning a cap placed on the upper part of the can; and a roll-up engagement unit for sealing the cap to the can, characterized in that, The chuck unit includes: a spindle with a chuck at its lower end for positioning the cover; a bearing that rotatably supports the spindle within a through-hole of the worktable and is lubricated by lubricating oil; and a non-contact oil seal mechanism positioned below the bearing for sealing between the spindle and the worktable. The oil seal mechanism includes: an umbrella-shaped oil slinger located below the bearing. The oil seal mechanism has a return flow path that uses centrifugal force to circulate lubricating oil from the upper surface of the oil throwing ring towards the inner housing when the sealing device is in operation. The return flow path is configured to extend radially outward and upward toward the central axis of the rolled edge joining turntable. Below the oil-slinging ring, an annular component is provided so as to be internally connected to the lower part of the through hole of the worktable. A safety device is formed below the return flow path. This safety device uses centrifugal force to direct the lubricating oil remaining in the annular component that has not flowed into the return flow path towards the inner housing. The safety device is configured to extend radially outward above the central axis of the rolled edge joining turntable.

2. The sealing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, On the lower surface of the oil slinger ring, grooves are formed that extend radially from the center of the spindle toward the outer periphery in a straight line or in a curved pattern.

3. The sealing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The oil seal mechanism has a discharge structure that communicates with the inner housing of the machine and allows lubricating oil to flow towards the lower part of the inner housing when the sealing device stops. The discharge configuration is formed at the position of the through hole of the worktable closest to the central axis of the crimped joint turntable, extending downward within the worktable in the direction of the central axis of the crimped joint turntable.

4. The sealing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, Below the oil slinger ring surrounding the spindle, there is an intrusion prevention component extending in the vertical direction.

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