Container component supply device

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to provide a container component supply device that has good workability during disassembly and cleaning and can suppress the generation of wear powder of container components. The container component supply device includes a container component separation unit that supplies container components each having a flange at the periphery one by one to recesses of a container component transfer turntable. The container component separation unit has a plurality of cutout portions, and one of the plurality of cutout portions is constituted by a cutout groove that is integrally provided on the outer periphery above the container component transfer turntable and engages with the flange of the container component.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a container component supply device including a container component separation unit configured to supply, one by one, container components each having a flange at its periphery, to a recess of a container component transfer turntable. Background Art

[0002] As an example of a container component supply device configured to supply, one by one, container components each having a flange at its periphery, to a recess of a container component transfer turntable, a lid supply device included in a seaming device for seaming a lid onto a can can be cited.

[0003] Conventionally, a seaming device is known, which includes: a can placement unit configured to place a can filled with a beverage or the like; a chuck unit provided to face the can placement unit; and seaming rollers configured to seam a lid onto the can.

[0004] For example, as shown in Patent Document 1, a known seaming device includes: a seaming turntable (1) configured to perform a seaming process on a can and a lid; a loading conveyor (supply conveyor 7) configured to supply a can before seaming to the seaming turntable; a lid transfer turntable (supply turntable 3) of a lid supply unit configured to supply a lid; an unloading turntable (discharge turntable 5) configured to unload a seamed can from the seaming turntable; and an unloading conveyor (discharge conveyor 8) configured to further unload the can from the unloading turntable to the outside.

[0005] In the seaming turntable, the unloading turntable, and the lid transfer turntable, recesses (fitting recesses 2, 4, 6) configured to separately accommodate a can and a lid at its outer peripheral portion and perform transfer are provided, respectively.

[0006] In each recess of the seaming turntable, a can placement unit (elevator 17) configured to place a can, a chuck unit (seaming chuck device 10) provided to face the can placement unit, and seaming rollers (18, 19) configured to seam a lid onto the can are provided.

[0007] Regarding such a configured seaming device, the speeds and timings of the respective turntables and conveyors are made to correspond to each other by using gears or the like, and the operations of the can placement unit, the chuck unit, and the seaming unit disposed in each recess are made to be linked with the rotation of the seaming turntable by using gears, a cam mechanism, or the like, whereby seaming can be continuously performed while transferring high-speed conveyed cans and lids.

[0008] As a lid supply device of the seaming device, conventionally, as Figure 5 and Figure 6As shown, a three-screw type (three lid cutting-out roller type) structure is used. The three-screw type lid supply device has the following structure: a plurality of lids F, F,... are conveyed downward in a stacked state within a vertically extending passage. In order to separate the lids at the lower end of the lids F, F,..., the edge of the lowermost lid Fa is engaged with the cutting-out grooves 521, 521, 521. These cutting-out grooves 521, 521, 521 are formed on the outer peripheries of three lid cutting-out rollers 520, 520, 520 that are arranged to rotate around a vertical rotation axis and are equally spaced in the circumferential direction. Moreover, stoppers 522, 522, 522 are used to stop the cutting-out of the other lids F, F,... so that the lids are separated one by one. The three lid cutting-out rollers 520, 520, 520 are rotated simultaneously by the vertical rotation axis via gears 525, 525, 525 and an internal gear 526 that connects these gears, and the lowermost Fa is sent out to the recess of the lid transfer turntable 550 while maintaining a horizontal posture along the cutting-out grooves 521, 521, 521 of each lid cutting-out roller 520, 520, 520 (refer to Patent Document 2).

[0009] However, this three-screw type lid supply device has the following problems: Since the structure including three lid cutting-out rollers is complex, the cost is high. In addition, during disassembly and cleaning, due to the heavy overall weight, the workability is poor.

[0010] In addition, as another lid supply device, a single-screw type (single lid cutting-out type) structure has also been proposed. As Figure 7 and Figure 8 shown, the single-screw type lid supply device has the following structure: lids F, F,... are conveyed downward in a stacked state within an inclinedly extending passage. In order to separate the lids at the lower end of the lids F, F,..., the edge of the lowermost lid Fa is engaged with the cutting-out groove 621 of one lid cutting-out roller 620 that is arranged to rotate around a vertical rotation axis. Moreover, a stopper 622 is used to stop the cutting-out of the other lids F, F,... so that the lids are separated one by one. Then, the lid is displaced from an inclined state to a horizontal state by the cutting-out groove 621 and sent out to the recess of the horizontal lid transfer turntable 650.

[0011] However, regarding this single-screw type lid supply device, since the conveyance based on the lid transfer turntable 650 starts in a state where the curled portions of the lowermost lid Fa overlap, a large pressing force of the weight of the lids F, F,... stacked and conveyed in large quantities is borne by the curled portions, and the lid Fa is damaged or wears to generate wear powder and mixes into the product. Therefore, it is not ideal in terms of the quality and hygiene of the product.

[0012] Prior Art Documents

[0013] Patent Documents

[0014] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 62-244537

[0015] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-324795 Summary of the Invention

[0016] The present invention solves the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a container component supply device having good workability during disassembly and cleaning and capable of suppressing the generation of wear powder of the container components.

[0017] The container component supply device of the present invention includes a container component separation unit that supplies one by one container components having a flange at the periphery to the recesses of a container component transfer turntable.

[0018] The container component separation unit has a plurality of cutout portions, and one of the plurality of cutout portions is constituted by a cutout groove integrally provided on the outer periphery above the container component transfer turntable and engaging with the flange of the container component, thereby solving the above problems.

[0019] Advantages of the Invention

[0020] According to the container component supply device of the present invention, at least one of the plurality of cutout portions is constituted by a cutout groove integrally provided on the outer periphery above the container component transfer turntable and engaging with the container component. Thus, it is not necessary to arrange a plurality of cutout rollers around the container component separation unit, so that the structure can be simplified compared with the prior art, and good workability can be obtained during disassembly and cleaning. In addition, since there is a cutout groove on the container component transfer turntable side, compared with a single-screw type container component supply device, it is possible to suppress: the situation where the flange of the container component is damaged when the container component is cut out, and the situation where wear powder of the container component is generated.

[0021] According to the present invention, one cutout portion is a structure of a cutout groove provided on a cutout roller and engaging with a lid. Therefore, as long as only one cutout roller is arranged in addition to the container component transfer turntable, the structure can be simplified.

[0022] According to the structure of the present invention, the container components conveyed downward are placed on the recesses of the container component transfer turntable while maintaining a substantially parallel posture. Thus, the lowermost container component can be reliably separated and transferred to the recesses of the container component transfer turntable in a state where the flanges formed on the periphery of the container components do not overlap. Therefore, it is possible to further suppress: the situation where the flange of the container component is damaged, and the situation where wear powder of the container component is generated. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0023] Figure 1It is a schematic diagram showing an example of the structure of a seaming device equipped with a container component supply device (cap supply device) according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 2 It is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the structure of a seaming device equipped with a container component supply device (cap supply device) according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 3 It shows Figure 2 A perspective view showing an example of the structure of the cap supply device.

[0026] Figure 4 It shows Figure 3 A perspective view showing an example of the cut-out groove and the cap cutting roller of the cap supply device.

[0027] Figure 5 It is a top view of an existing three-screw type cap supply device.

[0028] Figure 6 It is Figure 5 A partial front cross-sectional view of the cap supply device shown.

[0029] Figure 7 It is a top view of an existing single-screw type cap supply device.

[0030] Figure 8 It is Figure 7 A partial front cross-sectional view of the cap supply device shown. Detailed Embodiments

[0031] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail.

[0032] As an example of a device having a container component supply device (cap supply device) according to an embodiment of the present invention, a seaming device for seaming a cap on a can can be cited.

[0033] As Figure 1 shown, the seaming device 100 includes: a seaming turntable 101 that performs the seaming process of the can C and the cap F; a loading conveyor 102 that conveys and supplies the can C before seaming to the seaming turntable 101 in a non-rotating state; a cap supply device (container component supply device) 104 that includes a cap separation unit (container component separation unit) 210 for supplying the cap F and a cap transfer turntable (container component transfer turntable) 250; an unloading turntable 107 that unloads the seamed can CM from the seaming turntable 101; and an unloading conveyor 108 that further unloads the can CM from the unloading turntable 107 to the outside.

[0034] At the seaming turntable 101, the unloading turntable 107, and the lid transfer turntable 250, recesses P for separately accommodating the cans C, the cans CM, and the lids F and carrying them are provided on the outer peripheral portions, respectively. At the loading conveyor 102, fittings 103 for engaging with the cans C and carrying them are provided.

[0035] The rotational speeds of the seaming turntable 101, the unloading turntable 107, and the lid transfer turntable 250, the moving speed of the fittings 103 of the loading conveyor 102, and the interlocking timing of the respective recesses P and the fittings 103 are designed to be adjustable so that the cans C, the cans CM, and the lids F can be smoothly transferred between the turntables and the conveyor.

[0036] As Figure 2 shown, the seaming turntable 101 for performing the seaming process of the can C and the lid F has, in each recess P, a can placement unit 350 for placing and rotating the can C; a chuck unit 320 provided opposite to the can placement unit 350 and having a chuck 321 for positioning the lid F placed on the upper part of the can C and an ejector pad 322 movably fitted up and down within the chuck 321 for pressing the lid F placed on the upper part of the can C; and a seaming unit 410 having seaming rollers 451, 452 for seaming the lid F onto the can C.

[0037] The seaming turntable 101 is rotatably arranged around the central axis 109 in a state where the central axis X extends in the vertical direction, and the seaming turntable 101 is driven to rotate by a drive mechanism 151 of the seaming turntable 101.

[0038] The lid separation unit 210, the lid transfer turntable 250, and the loading conveyor 102 are mechanically driven by the drive mechanism 151 of the seaming turntable 101 via a transmission mechanism.

[0039] The chuck unit 320 is rotatably arranged opposite to the can placement unit at equal angular intervals around the central axis 109 in a state where the central axis X extends in the vertical direction. An external surface gear 323 on the outer surface of the rotating shaft supporting the chuck 321 at the lower end meshes with a sun gear 324 supported by the central axis 109. The chuck unit 320 revolves due to the rotation of the central axis 109 and the central column. In addition, the chuck 321 rotates due to the meshing of the sun gear 324 and the external surface gear 323.

[0040] The chuck 321 is arranged to be fixed and rotatable in the vertical direction. As Figure 2 shown on the right side of the central axis X, the can placement unit 350 is raised, and the can C with the lid F placed thereon is clamped by the ejector pad 322 and the can placement unit 350. At the same time, the lower end outer peripheral surface of the chuck 321 is fitted thereto, thereby centering the lid F.

[0041] The seaming unit 410 performs double seaming using seaming rollers 451 and 452, which are pivotally mounted at both ends of a seaming lever 450 that rotatably pivots the central part to the lower end of a roller swing shaft 132 that revolves around the center.

[0042] In the double seaming process, after the first seaming where the curled part of the lid F is rolled into the flange part of the can C using the seaming roller 451, the second seaming is performed. In this second seaming, crimping / joining is carried out by tightening based on the seaming roller 452 to maintain the seal.

[0043] As Figure 3 shown, the lid supply device 104 has: a lid separation unit (container part separation unit) 210 that cuts out one by one the lids F, F,... stacked in the vertical direction through a passage 215 (refer to Figure 2 ); and a lid transfer turntable 250 that has a recess P for transferring the cut-out lid F onto the can C.

[0044] The lid transfer turntable 250 rotates clockwise when viewed from above ( Figure 3 the direction indicated by arrow B in

[0045] As Figure 4 shown, the lid separation unit 210 has two cutting parts. In addition, Figure 4 is a perspective view seen from the direction of arrow A in Figure 3 . To facilitate understanding of the structure of the lid supply device 104, the passage 215, etc. are omitted, and only the lowermost lid Fa is shown for the lids F, F,....

[0046] One cutting part is constituted by a cutting groove 251, which is integrally formed on the outer periphery above the lid transfer turntable 250, extends in a spiral shape along the trajectory of the edge of the lowermost lid Fa, and engages with the edge of the lowermost lid Fa. The lower end of the cutting groove 251 corresponds to the position of the recess P of the lid transfer turntable 250. At the upper end of the cutting groove 251, a separation cutter 252 is provided, which is used to cut off the lowermost lid Fa from the lid F stacked directly above it and guide only the lowermost lid Fa into the cutting groove 251. The separation cutter 252 can be constituted by a protruding part of the upper end wall of the cutting groove 251. Additionally, as Figure 3 and Figure 4 shown, it can also be constituted by the periphery of a plate 250b that is provided on the main body 250a of the lid transfer turntable 250 where the cutting groove 251 is formed by screw fastening or the like.

[0047] The cutting groove 251 and the separation cutter 252 are respectively provided in the same number corresponding to the number of recesses P of the lid transfer turntable 250 (Figure 1 There are 12 in the middle).

[0048] Another cutting-out part is provided at the cover cutting-out roller 220 which rotates about a rotation axis extending substantially vertically at the lower ends of the covers F, F,... stacked in the passage 215.

[0049] The cover cutting-out roller 220 rotates in the clockwise direction ( Figure 3 the direction indicated by the arrow C in the middle) when viewed from above. As the rotation speed, preferably, the peripheral speed of the cover cutting-out roller 220 is set to be close to or the same as the peripheral speed of the transfer turntable 250.

[0050] On the outer periphery of the cover cutting-out roller 220, there is a cutting-out groove 221 which extends spirally along the locus of the edge of the lowermost cover Fa conveyed while describing an arc and engages with the edge of the lowermost cover Fa. The cutting-out groove 221 constitutes another cutting-out part. At the upper end of the cutting-out groove 221, there is a separating tool 222 which is used to cut off the lowermost cover Fa from the cover F stacked directly above it and guide only the lowermost cover Fa into the cutting-out groove 221. The separating tool 222 can be constituted by a protruding part of the upper end wall of the cutting-out groove 221. In addition, as Figure 3 and Figure 4 shown, it can also be constituted by the periphery of a plate 220b provided on the roller main body 220a of the cover cutting-out roller 220 formed with the cutting-out groove 221 by means of screw fastening or the like. The separating tool 222 is arranged at the same height (in the horizontal plane) as the separating tool 252 of the cover transfer turntable 250.

[0051] The spiral inclination angles and lengths of the cutting-out grooves 221 and 251 constituting each cutting-out part are set to be the same, and the lengths of the cutting-out grooves 221 and 251 are set to be lengths based on the interval between the recesses P, that is, the interval for conveying the cover F.

[0052] In addition, the number of cutting-out parts is not limited to 2, and can also be 3 or more. For example, when the number of cutting-out parts is 3, it can be configured such that the cover F is cut out by the cutting-out grooves 221 of the two cover cutting-out rollers 220 and the cutting-out groove 251 of one cover transfer turntable 250.

[0053] In addition, regarding Figure 3 and Figure 4 the cover cutting-out roller 220 shown, each cover cutting-out roller 220 has two cutting-out grooves 221, but it can also have one, or can also have a structure with three or more cutting-out grooves.

[0054] The basic operation of the seaming device 100 configured in the above manner will be described.

[0055] The can C before seaming the lid F is engaged with each fitting 103 of the loading conveyor 102 and conveyed, and the can C is directed toward the seaming turret 101 that rotates by means of the drive mechanism 151 of the seaming turret 101.

[0056] On the other hand, the lids F are cut out one by one by the lid separating unit 210 and transferred to the respective recesses P of the lid conveying turret 250, and the lid F is directed toward the seaming turret 101 by the rotation of the lid conveying turret 250 (see Figure 1 ).

[0057] The speeds and timings of the loading conveyor 102 and the lid conveying turret 250 are adjusted corresponding to the speed and timing of the seaming turret 101 so that the centers of the can C and the lid F coincide at the meeting point G, and the can placing unit 350 whose rotation is controlled by means of an appropriate gear, cam mechanism, etc. from the drive mechanism 151 to which power is applied by a drive source (not shown) is raised to the meeting point G, whereby the lid F is placed on the can C placed on the plate 360.

[0058] Then, the can placing unit 350 is further raised, the ejector pad 322 in the chuck 321 presses the lid F, the chuck 321 whose rotation is controlled by means of an appropriate gear, cam mechanism, etc. from the drive mechanism 151 is engaged with the lid F to center the lid F, and the plate 360, the chuck 321, and the ejector pad 322 clamp the can C on which the lid F is placed with a constant axial load required for seaming.

[0059] Moreover, the seaming turret 101 further rotates, and before the clamped lid F and can C reach the Figure 1 shown seaming section E, the plate 360 and the chuck 321 are accelerated to the rotational speed required for seaming.

[0060] During the process of passing through the seaming section E, the seaming lever 450 fixed to the lower end of the roller swing shaft 132 of the seaming unit 410 is swung so that the two seaming rollers 451 and 452 for first-stage seaming and second-stage seaming pivotally mounted rotatably at both ends press against the flange of the can C and the lid F placed thereon from the side in sequence, thereby performing double seaming.

[0061] The seamed can CM is transferred from the seaming turret 101 to the unloading turret 107, and further transferred from the unloading turret 107 to the unloading conveyor 108, and is carried out to subsequent processes such as inspection and bundling.

[0062] Regarding the lid supply device 104, the rotational power of the lid transfer turntable 250 and the lid cutting roller 220 can be transmitted and the rotation can be controlled as needed from the drive mechanism 151 of the seaming turntable 101 by means of a known power transmission mechanism such as a suitable gear, belt, chain, cam, etc. The rotation can also be controlled by transmitting the rotational power using a drive source different from the drive source that applies power to the drive mechanism 151.

[0063] The basic operation of the lid supply device 104 is as follows.

[0064] Regarding the lids F, F,... stacked in the vertical direction in a substantially horizontal posture through the passage 215 extending substantially vertically, as Figure 4 shown, along with the rotation of the lid transfer turntable 250 in the direction of arrow B and the rotation of the lid cutting roller 220 in the direction of arrow C, one end edge of the lowermost lid Fa engages with the separating tool 252 of the cutting groove 251 of the lid transfer turntable 250, and the other end edge on the opposite side of the one end edge engages with the separating tool 222 of the cutting groove 221 of the lid cutting roller 220. The lid transfer turntable 250 and the lid cutting roller 220 are driven to rotate synchronously. Thus, the separating tools 222 and 252 stop cutting out the lids F, F,... other than the lowermost lid Fa, and guide the lid Fa to the cutting groove 251 of the lid transfer turntable 250 and the cutting groove 221 of the lid transfer turntable 220. The lid Fa guided to the cutting groove 251 and the cutting groove 221 descends to the recess P of the lid transfer turntable 250 while maintaining a substantially horizontal posture along the cutting groove 251 and the cutting groove 221 and is sent out. In this way, the stacked lids F are sequentially supplied one by one to the recess P of the lid transfer turntable 250 starting from the lowermost lid Fa.

[0065] Regarding the lid supply device 104 as described above, since it is not necessary to arrange a plurality of lid cutting rollers around the lid separating unit 210, the structure can be simplified compared with the prior art. Thus, good workability such as being able to be easily disassembled during cleaning and being able to be cleaned without disassembly can be obtained. In addition, when only one lid cutting roller 220 is arranged in addition to the lid transfer turntable 250, the structure can be simplified and the manufacturing cost can be reduced. Further, since the cutting groove 251 is provided on the lid transfer turntable 250 side and the lid Fa conveyed downward is placed on the recess P of the lid transfer turntable 250 while maintaining a posture substantially parallel to the stacked lids F, F,... even when one or fewer lid cutting rollers 220 are provided, compared with a single-screw type lid supply device, it is possible to suppress: the case where the flange of the lid F is damaged when the lid F is cut out, and the case where wear powder of the lid F is generated.

[0066] The above has described the embodiments of the present invention in detail. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various design changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention described in the claims.

[0067] For example, the container member is not limited to the lid F crimped to the can C, and any container member having a flange at the periphery is acceptable. As a container member having a flange at the periphery, for example, a cup-shaped container having a curled portion at the periphery can be cited. In this case, the cup-shaped container is guided to the recess of the container member transfer turntable while maintaining the curled portion at the periphery in a substantially horizontal posture.

[0068] In addition, the material of the container member is not limited to metal, and it can also be plastic, paper, wood, etc.

[0069] Description of Reference Numerals

[0070] 100... Seaming device

[0071] 101... Double-seaming turntable

[0072] 102... Loading conveyor

[0073] 103... Fitting

[0074] 104... Lid supply device

[0075] 107... Unloading turntable

[0076] 108... Unloading conveyor

[0077] 109... Central axis

[0078] 132... Roller swing axis

[0079] 151... Driving mechanism

[0080] 210... Lid separation unit

[0081] 215... Passage

[0082] 220... Lid cutting-out roller

[0083] 220a... Roller main body

[0084] 220b... Plate

[0085] 221... Cutting-out groove

[0086] 222... Separation cutter

[0087] 250... Lid transfer turntable

[0088] 250a... Main body

[0089] 250b... Plate

[0090] 251…Cutting groove

[0091] 251…Separation tool

[0092] 320…Chuck unit

[0093] 321…Chuck

[0094] 322…Ejecting pad

[0095] 323…Outer surface gear

[0096] 324…Sun gear

[0097] 350…Tank placement unit

[0098] 360…Plate

[0099] 410…Double-seaming unit

[0100] 450…Double-seaming rod

[0101] 451…Double-seaming roller (first seaming)

[0102] 452…Double-seaming roller (second seaming)

[0103] 520…Cover cutting roller

[0104] 521…Cutting groove

[0105] 522…Stopper

[0106] 525…Gear

[0107] 526…Internal gear

[0108] 550…Cover conveying turntable

[0109] 620…Cover cutting roller

[0110] 621…Cutting groove

[0111] 622…Stopper

[0112] 650…Cover conveying turntable

[0113] C…Tank (before cover seaming)

[0114] F, Fa…Cover

[0115] CM…Tank (after cover seaming)

[0116] P…Recess

[0117] E…Seaming section

[0118] X…Central axis

Claims

1. A container component supply device includes a container component separation unit that supplies, one by one, a plurality of container components stacked in the vertical direction in a horizontal posture and having flanges at their peripheries to a recess of a container component transfer turntable, characterized in that the container component separation unit has two cutting portions, one of the two cutting portions is constituted by a cutting groove integrally provided on the upper outer periphery of the container component transfer turntable and engaging with the flange of the container component, and the other of the two cutting portions is constituted by a cutting groove provided on the outer periphery of a cutting roller and engaging with the flange of the container component. The cutting roller is disposed radially outside the container component transfer turntable and faces the container component transfer turntable.

2. The container component supply device according to claim 1, characterized in that the container components are conveyed downward in a state where a plurality of the container components are stacked in the vertical direction, and the container components conveyed downward are placed on the recess of the container component transfer turntable while maintaining a substantially horizontal posture.

3. The container component supply device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the container component is a lid crimped to a can.

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