Sealing device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a crimping device that eliminates the need for high-pressure lubricant supply from the outside, suppresses lubricant leakage, and achieves sufficient flow rate, thereby achieving sufficient lubrication and heat dissipation performance even when used at low speeds and high loads. A lubricant pump mechanism is provided within crimping rollers (451) and (452) for transferring lubricant oil between a lubricant passage (454) of a crimping roller pin (453) and a bearing (458).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a seaming device including a seaming roller for sealing a lid to a can. Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a seaming device including a seaming roller for sealing a lid to a can filled with a beverage or the like.

[0003] The following structure is known, comprising: a crimping roller pin having a lubricant passage formed therein extending in the up-down direction; a side circumferential wall having a crimping portion formed on the side circumferential surface and being arranged to rotate relative to the crimping roller pin by means of a bearing; and a bottom wall which closes the bottom of the side circumferential wall and is opposite to the opening of the lubricant passage of the crimping roller pin, so that the bearing is lubricated by the lubricant supplied from the lubricant passage in order to allow the crimping roller to rotate smoothly.

[0004] Lubrication of the bearings also requires dissipation of generated heat, so sufficient flow of the lubricant is required. Typically, the lubricant is pressurized and supplied to allow it to flow. However, if the lubricant pressure and flow rate increase, the lubricant may leak from the seal.

[0005] In addition, an external lubricant supply mechanism capable of ensuring the required pressure and flow rate is required.

[0006] In the example disclosed in Patent Document 1, the bearing space is kept pressurized and lubricant is sprayed in a mist form. Furthermore, the rotation of the sealing roller is utilized as a pump to forcibly discharge lubricant from the bearing space of the sealing roller to the outside of the sealing roller, thereby forming a circulation path that constantly circulates the lubricant within the bearing space. On the other hand, if the lubricant pressure and flow rate increase, there is a risk of lubricant leakage from the seal. In the example disclosed in Patent Document 2, a seal ring and its lubrication device are proposed that simultaneously prevent lubricant leakage and receive lubricant, thereby improving lubrication.

[0007] Therefore, in the example shown in Patent Document 3, it is constructed in the following manner to form a closed circuit: the lubricant supply passage 23 (lubricant passage) in the hemming roller pin 12 is connected to the space 37 below the bearing 24 of the hemming rollers 8 and 9 provided in the hemming roller pin 12, and the space 38 above the bearing 24 is connected to the above-mentioned lubricant supply passage 23 by means of a return passage 39, and the lubricant in the lubricant supply passage 23 (lubricant passage) sealed in the hemming roller pins 12 and 12 is caused to flow outward and toward the bearing 24 by centrifugal force. After lubricating the bearing 24, the lubricant is returned to the oil supply passage 23 (lubricant passage) via the space 38 and the return passage 39 and is transported to the space 37 again, and the lubricant is circulated in the same manner as above by centrifugal force.

[0008] Therefore, an external lubricant supply mechanism can be omitted, and leakage of the lubricant can be suppressed.

[0009] Prior art literature

[0010] Patent Literature

[0011] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-090118

[0012] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-182927

[0013] Patent Document 3: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-170996 Summary of the Invention

[0014] However, this known seaming device has the following problems: since the lubricant flows solely by centrifugal force, a sufficient flow rate cannot be achieved, and sufficient lubrication performance and heat dissipation performance cannot be achieved during low-speed and high-load use.

[0015] The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems and aims to provide a crimping device that does not require high-pressure lubricant supply from the outside, can suppress lubricant leakage, and can achieve sufficient flow rate, thereby achieving sufficient lubrication performance and heat dissipation performance even when used at low speed and high load.

[0016] The sealing device involved in the present invention has a crimping roller for sealing the lid on the can, and the crimping roller has: a crimping roller pin, which has a lubricant passage extending in the up-down direction formed therein; a side wall, which has a crimping portion formed on the side surface and is arranged to rotate relative to the crimping roller pin with the aid of a bearing; and a bottom wall, which closes the bottom of the side wall and is opposite to the opening of the lubricant passage of the crimping roller pin, and the crimping roller has: a lubricant pump mechanism for transferring lubricating oil between the lubricant passage of the crimping roller pin and the bearing, thereby solving the problem.

[0017] Effects of the Invention

[0018] According to the sealing device involved in the first technical solution, a lubricant pump mechanism is provided inside the hemming roller for transferring lubricant between the lubricant passage of the hemming roller pin and the bearing, thereby eliminating the need to supply lubricant at high pressure from the outside, suppressing lubricant leakage, and achieving sufficient flow rate, thereby achieving sufficient lubrication performance and heat dissipation performance even when used at low speed and high load.

[0019] According to the structure described in solution 2 of the present invention, the bottom wall has a threaded component extending upward and having a spiral cutout formed on the circumference. The lubricant pump mechanism is composed of the lubricant passage and the threaded component, thereby forming a so-called screw pump and reliably ensuring the flow rate.

[0020] Furthermore, the flow of lubricant from the bearing to the lubricant passage may be caused by a negative pressure caused by a screw pump sucking the seal portion above the bearing, thereby more effectively preventing leakage of the lubricant.

[0021] According to the structure described in claim 3 , the bottom wall has radially formed fin members on the upper surface, and the lubricant pump mechanism is constituted by the fin members, thereby constituting a so-called centrifugal pump and reliably ensuring a flow rate.

[0022] According to the structure described in Solution 4 of the present invention, the hem-joining roller pin has a second lubricant passage that is connected to the space above the bearing and is independent of the lubricant passage, so that lubricant can be supplied from the outside and discharged to the outside, and the flow rate can be more reliably ensured by pressurizing from the outside and sucking to the outside.

[0023] In addition, heat can be discharged reliably, and deterioration of the lubricant and the mixing of foreign matter can be dealt with reliably. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram showing an example of the structure of the sealing device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 2 It is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the structure of a sealing device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the structure of a seaming roller of a seaming device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the structure of a seaming roller of a seaming device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram showing the flow of lubricant in the crimping device according to one embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail.

[0030] like Figure 1 As shown, the sealing device 100 involved in one embodiment of the present invention includes: a seam sealing turntable 101, which performs the sealing process of the can C and the cover F; a carry-in conveyor 102, which conveys and supplies the can C before sealing to the seam sealing turntable 101 in a non-rotated state; a cover supply device 104, which includes a cover separation unit 210 for supplying the cover F and a cover conveying turntable 250; an unloading turntable 107, which carries out the sealed can CM from the seam sealing turntable 101; and a carry-out conveyor 108, which further carries the can CM from the unloading turntable 107 to the outside.

[0031] The hem joint turntable 101, the unloading turntable 107 and the cap conveying turntable 250 are respectively provided with recesses P on the periphery for separately accommodating cans C, cans CM and caps F for conveying, and the loading conveyor 102 is provided with accessories 103 for engaging with cans C for conveying.

[0032] The rotation speed of the hem joint turntable 101, the unloading turntable 107 and the cap transport turntable 250, the moving speed of the accessories 103 brought into the conveyor 102, and the linkage timing of each recess P and the accessories 103 are designed to be adjustable so that the cans C, cans CM and caps F can be smoothly transferred between each turntable and conveyor.

[0033] like Figure 2As shown, the hem joining turntable 101 for performing the hem sealing process of the can C and the cover F is provided in each recess P with: a can loading unit 350 for loading and rotating the can C; a chuck unit 320, which is arranged opposite to the can loading unit 350 and has a chuck 321 for positioning the cover F loaded on the upper part of the can C, and an ejection pad 322 which can be moved up and down in the chuck 321 in order to press the cover F loaded on the upper part of the can C; and a hem joining unit 410, which has first and second hem joining rollers 451, 452 for sealing the cover F on the can C.

[0034] The seaming turntable 101 is rotatably arranged around the central axis 109 in a state where the central axis X extends in the up-down direction.

[0035] The cap separation unit 210 , the cap transfer turntable 250 , and the carry-in conveyor 102 are mechanically driven by the driving mechanism 151 of the seam bonding turntable 101 via a transmission mechanism.

[0036] The chuck unit 320 is rotatably arranged around the central shaft 109, with its central axis X extending in the vertical direction, facing the tank mounting unit at equal angular intervals. The outer surface gear 323 of the rotating shaft supporting the chuck 321 at its lower end meshes with a sun gear 324 supported on the central shaft 109. The chuck unit 320 revolves in response to the rotation of the central shaft 109 and the center column, 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 fixed in the up and down directions and can rotate. Figure 2 As shown on the right side of the central axis X, the tank loading unit 350 is raised and the ejection pad 322 and the tank loading unit 350 are used to clamp the tank C with the cover F, and the lower end outer peripheral surface of the chuck 321 is engaged with it to center the cover F.

[0038] The hemming unit 410 performs double sealing using hemming rollers 451 and 452 rotatably pivoted to opposite ends of a hemming lever 450 whose center is fixed to the lower end of a revolving roller swing shaft 132 .

[0039] In the double sealing process, after the primary sealing of the curled portion of the lid F around the flange portion of the can C is performed using the crimping roller 451 , a secondary sealing is performed in which the seal is maintained by compression / joining by tightening with the crimping roller 452 .

[0040] like Figure 3As shown, the curling joint rollers 451 and 452 are configured as follows: having a curling joint roller pin 453 extending in the up and down directions, and at the outer periphery of the lower end of the curling joint roller pin 453, a bearing clamp 459 is used to fix the bearing 458 to the lower end of the curling joint roller pin 453, and then the rolling part 470 is rotated relative to the curling joint roller pin 453 with the help of the bearing 458.

[0041] The rolling portion 470 includes a cylindrical side wall 472 with an annular crimping portion 471 formed on its side surface for crimping the can C and lid F. The side wall 472 is open at the top and bottom. A bottom wall 473 is fitted fluid-tightly to the lower end of the inner circumference of the side wall 472 to seal the bottom. An upper wall 474 closes the upper portion of the side wall 472. The side wall 472 is rotatable relative to the crimping roller pin 453 via a bearing 458, and the bottom wall 473 rotates together with the side wall 472.

[0042] Inside the hemming roller pin 453, a first lubricant passage 454 extending in the vertical direction is formed in the radial center, and a second lubricant passage 456 extending in the vertical direction is formed on the radial outer peripheral side. The upper end of the first lubricant passage 454 is formed to be connected to the lubricant passage in the roller swing shaft 132 (see Figure 5 ) is connected to the horizontal passage 455, and a lubricant passage in the roller swing shaft 132 is formed at the upper end of the second lubricant passage 456 (see Figure 5 ). The lower end of second lubricant passage 456 communicates with the upper portion of bearing 458. The lower end of bearing 458 opens into space R between the lower end of hemming roller pin 453 and bottom wall 473. Bottom wall 473 faces the lower end opening of first lubricant passage 454 of hemming roller pin 453 across a gap (space R). Therefore, space R communicates with the lower end of first lubricant passage 454. A lubricant seal ring 475 seals the gap between the upper end of bearing 458 and upper wall 474.

[0043] The bottom wall 473 has: a disc portion 476, which closes the bottom of the side wall 472; and a threaded part 477, which has a spiral cut formed on the circumference and extends upward from the upper surface of the disc portion 476 in the center of the disc portion 476 and is inserted into the first lubricant passage 454 of the curling joint roller pin 453 (in this embodiment, it is the lubricant passage of the bearing clamp 459 inserted into the first lubricant passage 454).

[0044] Regarding the sealing device 100 of this embodiment, the following lubricant pump mechanism is constructed: a lubricant flow path is formed to connect the horizontal passage 457, the second lubricant passage 456, the bearing 458, the space R, the lubricant passage 454 and the horizontal passage 455, and the lubricating oil is transferred in the above-mentioned path through the screw pump effect caused by the rotation of the screw component 477 accompanying the rotation of the rolling part 470.

[0045] In the sealing of can C, if the rolling portion 470 is pressed against the cover F placed on the upper part of can C using the roller swing shaft 132 and the curling joint roller pin 453, the concave and convex annular shape of the curling joint portion 471 of the side wall 472 abuts against the flange portion of the cover F and causes the rolling portion 470 to rotate and be rolled in or pressed.

[0046] During the crimping of the can C, lubricating oil supplied from the lubricant passage within the roller oscillating shaft 132 via the transverse passage 457 to the second lubricant passage 456 flows into the bearing 458 through the second lubricant passage 456 due to the negative pressure generated by the lubricant pump mechanism and gravity. After flowing downward and lubricating the bearing 458, it reaches the space R. The discharge force generated by the screw pump effect caused by the rotation of the screw member 477 accompanying the rotation of the rolling portion 470 flows into the first lubricant passage 454. It then returns to the inner casing via the transverse passage 455 and the return lubricant passage within the roller oscillating shaft 132. The returned oil is then used again to lubricate the upper portion of the inner casing before naturally falling due to gravity into the crimping unit 410 and being supplied to the bearing 458 again.

[0047] Regarding the hemming roller of the seaming device according to another embodiment, Figure 4 As shown, it has the same structure as the seaming roller of the seaming device 100 according to the first embodiment, except that it has a shape in which fin members extending radially on the upper surface of the bottom wall can obtain a centrifugal pump effect. Figure 4 In the drawings, the same reference numerals are given to components having the same configuration as that of the hemming roller according to the first embodiment.

[0048] The bottom wall 493 has radially extending fin members 497 on the upper surface of a disk portion 496 that closes the bottom of the side peripheral wall 472 .

[0049] Regarding the sealing device of this embodiment, the following lubricant pump mechanism is constructed: in the lubricant flow path in the order of the horizontal passage 455, the first lubricant passage 454, the space R, the bearing 458, the second lubricant passage 456 and the horizontal passage 457, the lubricating oil is transferred in the path by the centrifugal pump effect caused by the centrifugal force accompanying the rotation of the fin part 497.

[0050] When the tank C is rolled and sealed, the lubricating oil supplied from the lubricant passage in the roller swing shaft 132 to the first lubricant passage 454 via the transverse passage 455 reaches the space R through the first lubricant passage 454 due to the negative pressure generated by the lubricant pump mechanism and gravity, and flows toward the outside to the bearing 458 with the help of the discharge force generated by the rotation of the fin part 497. After lubricating the bearing 458, the lubricating oil returns to the inner casing of the machine through the second lubricant passage 456 and the transverse passage 457 and through the reflux lubricant passage in the roller swing shaft 132, and is transported to the bearing 458 again.

[0051] Furthermore, if the lubricant is a fluid, it may be any substance such as engine oil, grease, or water-soluble lubricant.

[0052] The basic operation of the sealing device 100 configured as described above will be described.

[0053] The can C before the cap F is crimped is engaged with each attachment 103 of the carrying-in conveyor 102 and conveyed, and the can C is directed toward the seaming turntable 101 rotated by the driving mechanism 151 .

[0054] On the other hand, the caps F are cut out one by one by the cap separation unit 210 and delivered to the respective recesses P of the cap conveying turntable 250. The caps F are moved toward the hemming turntable 101 (see FIG. Figure 1 ).

[0055] The speed and timing of the conveyor 102 and the cover transport turntable 250 are adjusted to correspond to the speed and timing of the hemming turntable 101, so that the centers of the can C and the cover F are aligned at the convergence point G, and the can loading unit 350 whose rotation is controlled by the drive mechanism 151 with the aid of appropriate gears, cam mechanisms, etc. is raised to the convergence point G, thereby placing the cover F on the can C placed on the plate 360.

[0056] Then, the can loading unit 350 rises further, and the ejector pad 322 in the chuck 321 presses the cap F. The chuck 321, whose rotation is controlled by the drive mechanism 151 by appropriate gears, cam mechanisms, etc., engages with the cap F to center the cap F. The plate 360, the chuck 321, and the ejector pad 322 clamp the can C with the cap F placed thereon with a constant axial load required for seaming. Furthermore, the seaming turntable 101 rotates further, and when the clamped cap F and can C reach the Figure 1 Before the shown crimping interval E, the plate 360 ​​and the chuck 321 are accelerated to the rotational speed required for crimping.

[0057] During the process of passing through the sealing section E, the curling rod 450 fixed at the lower end of the roller swing shaft 132 of the curling unit 410 is swung, so that the two curling rollers 451 and 452 for primary sealing and secondary sealing, which are pivotally assembled at both ends in a rotating manner, are pressed against the flange of the can C and the cover F placed on it in sequence from the side toward the chuck 321, thereby performing double sealing.

[0058] The seamed can CM is transferred from the seaming turntable 101 to the unloading turntable 107 , and is further transferred from the unloading turntable 107 to the unloading conveyor 108 , and is unloaded to subsequent processes such as inspection and strapping.

[0059] Description of Reference Numerals

[0060] 100…Sealing device

[0061] 101…Seam joining turntable

[0062] 102…Loading conveyor

[0063] 103…Accessories

[0064] 104…Cap supply device

[0065] 107…Unloading turntable

[0066] 108…moving out of the conveyor

[0067] 109…Central Axis

[0068] 122…Up and down movement mechanism

[0069] 123…Move the cam up and down

[0070] 124…Move the cam follower up and down

[0071] 132…Roller swing shaft

[0072] 133…Up and down movement mechanism

[0073] 134…Move the cam up and down

[0074] 135...Move the cam follower up and down

[0075] 151…Drive motor

[0076] 156…Drive motor (servo motor)

[0077] 158…Drive motor

[0078] 210…Cap separation unit

[0079] 215…passage

[0080] 320…Chuck unit

[0081] 321…Chuck

[0082] 322…Ejector pad

[0083] 410…Crimp joint unit

[0084] 450...Crimp joint rod

[0085] 451…Seaming roller (one-time sealing)

[0086] 452…Seaming roller (secondary sealing)

[0087] 453…Crimp joint roller pin

[0088] 454…First lubricant passage

[0089] 455…cross passage

[0090] 456…Second lubricant passage

[0091] 457…cross passage

[0092] 458…Bearings

[0093] 459…Bearing clamp

[0094] 470…Rolling part

[0095] 471…Crimp joint

[0096] 472…Side wall

[0097] 473…bottom wall

[0098] 474…upper wall

[0099] 475…Lubricant sealing ring

[0100] 476…Disc

[0101] 477…Threaded parts

[0102] 480…Seaming roller

[0103] 493…bottom wall

[0104] 496…Disc

[0105] 497…Fin components

[0106] C...can (before lid is sealed)

[0107] F…cover

[0108] CM...can (after crimping)

[0109] P...concave

[0110] K…Spline

[0111] E…Sealing area

[0112] R…Space

[0113] V…Chuck space

[0114] X…Center axis

Claims

1. A crimping device having a crimping roller for crimping a lid onto a can, characterized in that: The seam-seaming roller has: a crimping roller pin having a lubricant passage formed therein extending in the up-down direction; a side peripheral wall having a seaming portion formed on a side peripheral surface thereof and being arranged to rotate relative to the seaming roller pin via a bearing; and a bottom wall that closes the bottom of the side peripheral wall and faces the opening of the lubricant passage of the crimping roller pin, A lubricant pump mechanism is provided inside the seaming roller to transfer lubricating oil between the lubricant passage of the seaming roller pin and the bearing. The bottom wall has a threaded component extending upward and having a spiral cutout formed on the circumference thereof. The lubricant pump mechanism is composed of the lubricant passage and the screw member.

2. The sealing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The seaming roller pin includes a second lubricant passage that communicates with a space above the bearing and is independent of the lubricant passage.

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