Heat sealing device

Abstract

The present application aims to provide a heat sealing device capable of preventing problems in sealing property and unsealing feeling due to inappropriate temperature of a cap. To this end, the heat sealing device (10) of the present application is a heat sealing device (10) used in a manufacturing device (100) for manufacturing a product in which an opening portion (1A: mouth portion) of a container (1) is sealed by a cap (2), in which a pressurizing plate (5) is provided in a path in which the container (1) moves, and in which a sealing head (4) that pushes the cap (2) covering the container (1) and a heating portion (3) are disposed in the pressurizing plate (5), the heat sealing device (10) having a temperature measuring device (7) that measures a temperature of the sealing head (4), and a control device (8: control unit) that sends a control signal to a container conveying drive source (for example, an inverter) in accordance with a measurement result of the temperature measuring device (7).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to a heat-seal device, and more particularly to a heat-seal device having a function of optimally heat-sealing based on the temperature of an elastic member in contact with a sealing member. BACKGROUND

[0002] There are cases in which an opening portion (mouth portion) of a container (for example, a resin-made container) that houses various beverages is sealed with a cap (for example, an aluminum-made cap) in a manufacturing process. By performing this sealing, leakage of the beverage as a content, intrusion of foreign matter into the container, and the beverage are prevented. Here, sealing the mouth portion of the container with the cap is performed in a filling machine of a manufacturing line.

[0003] A cutting head is combined in a filling machine that fills a beverage into a container, and a cap (cap lid) is applied to the container to which the beverage is filled. At the time of the cap lid, the cap does not seal the container, and becomes a state in which the cap is merely placed on the container.

[0004] After the cap is applied to the container placed on a conveyance mechanism, at the time of sealing, the cap is first pushed against the container with a sealing head.

[0005] Then, for example, if the cap is made of metal (aluminum or the like), an eddy current is generated by electromagnetic induction, and the cap itself is heated. A hot melt is applied to the container side of the cap, and the cap is adhered to the mouth portion of the container by the hot melt being melted by being heated.

[0006] Here, the sealing head that pushes the cap is provided with an elastic member (for example, silicon rubber) in order to push the cap against the container evenly. The temperature of the elastic member is not particularly measured in the conventional technology, and the cap made of metal, for example, is adhered to the container by the hot melt regardless of the temperature of the elastic member.

[0007] However, for example, even if the eddy current generated by electromagnetic induction is constant, in the case where the temperature of the elastic member is low, the heat of the cap generated as a result of induction heating is taken away by the elastic member, the temperature of the cap does not rise, and the adhesion of the cap by the hot melt becomes insufficient, and a problem occurs in the sealing property (a "sealing failure" occurs). In addition, if the amount of induction heating is set to be large in correspondence with the case where the temperature of the elastic member is low, when the temperature of the elastic member rises, a bad condition occurs in which the sealing becomes too strong and / or the flange portion of the container is melted, and a problem occurs at the time of opening (a "sealing failure" and / or a "problem in the feeling of opening" occur).

[0008] As other conventional technology, a heat sealing device that measures the temperature of a sealing head, and adjusts the temperature thereof to an appropriate temperature is disclosed (see Patent Document 1). However, in this conventional technology, it is not possible to prevent the occurrence of the problems of the sealing failure and the unsealing feeling as described above.

[0009] Prior Art Documents

[0010] Patent Documents

[0011] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-189323 SUMMARY

[0012] PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0013] The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems of the conventional technology, and has an object to provide a heat sealing device capable of preventing the occurrence of the problems of the sealing failure and the unsealing feeling due to an inappropriate amount of heating of a cap.

[0014] MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEMS

[0015] The heat sealing device (10) of the present invention is a heat sealing device (10) used in a manufacturing device (100) that manufactures a product in which an opening portion (1A: mouth portion) of a container (1: for example, a resin-made container) is sealed by a cap (2: for example, an aluminum-made cap), and is characterized in that a pressurizing plate (5) is provided in a path in which the container (1) moves, a sealing head (4) that pushes against the cap (2) covering the container (1) and a heating portion (3) are disposed on the pressurizing plate (5), and the heat sealing device (10) has a temperature measuring device (7: for example, a non-contact infrared radiation thermometer) that measures the temperature of the sealing head (4), and a control device (8: control unit) that sends a control signal to a container conveying drive source (for example, an inverter) based on the measurement result of the temperature measuring device (7).

[0016] In the present invention, it is preferable that the control device (8) has a function of adjusting the moving speed of the container (1) based on the temperature of the sealing head (4), and making the moving speed slower when the temperature of the sealing head (4) is low, and making the moving speed faster when the temperature of the sealing head (4) is high, to adjust the heating time of the cap (2).

[0017] Further, in the present invention, it is preferable that a container detection sensor (9) is provided on the upstream side (the side on which the container 1 is fed) of the temperature measuring device (7), and has a function of starting the temperature measurement of the sealing head (4) by the temperature measuring device (7) after a certain time elapses from the detection of the container (1) by the container detection sensor (9), and the control signal of the control device (8) is sent to the container conveying drive source (for example, an inverter) at the start point of the sealing, and the adjustment of the moving speed of the container (1) is completed.

[0018] Alternatively, in the present application, it is preferable that the portion of the sealing head (4) which contacts the mouth of the container is provided with an elastic member (6), and the temperature measuring device measures the temperature of the elastic member (6).

[0019] Further, it is preferable that the sealing head (4) is arranged in a circumferential manner on the pressurizing plate (5), and the container (1) which contacts the sealing head (4) moves in accordance with the rotation of the pressurizing plate.

[0020] Furthermore, it is preferable that the heating method of the cap (2) is induction heating.

[0021] In the method of using the heat sealing device (10) of the present application described above, characterized in that the temperature of the sealing head (4) is measured by means of a temperature measuring device (7: for example, a non-contact infrared radiation thermometer), and based on the temperature measurement result of the sealing head (4), a control signal is sent to the container conveying drive source (for example, an inverter), and the heating time of the cap (2) is determined in accordance with the temperature of the sealing head (4).

[0022] Effects of the Invention

[0023] According to the present application having the above-described structure, since there is a temperature measuring device (7: for example, a non-contact infrared radiation thermometer) which measures the temperature of the sealing head (4), and a control device (8: control unit) which has the function of adjusting the moving speed of the container in accordance with the temperature of the sealing head (4), for example, in the case where the temperature of the sealing head (4) is low, by slowing down the moving speed of the container (1) and lengthening the time of heating (for example, induction heating), the cap (2) can be warmed up to the desired temperature. As a result, the cap (2) can be reliably adhered to the container (1) by means of the hot melt adhesive, and poor sealing can be prevented.

[0024] On the other hand, in the case where the temperature of the sealing head (4) is high, the moving speed of the container (1) is made faster, thereby shortening the time of heating (for example, induction heating) of the cap (2). Thus, the temperature of the cap (2) is suppressed within an appropriate range, preventing the poor conditions such as the sealing becoming too strong, the flange portion of the container (1) melting, etc., and preventing the problems of opening feeling, poor sealing.

[0025] In other words, in the present application, since the moving speed of the container (1) is controlled by taking the temperature of the elastic member (6) arranged on the pressurizing plate (5) as a parameter, poor sealing and the problem of opening feeling can be prevented.

[0026] In the present application, as long as a container detection sensor (9) is provided on the upstream side (the side where the container 1 is supplied) of the temperature measuring device (7), the temperature measuring of the sealing head (4) is started by the temperature measuring device (7) after a certain time elapses from the detection of the container by the container detection sensor (9), the control signal of the control device (8) is sent to the container conveying drive source (for example, an inverter) at the start point of the sealing, and the adjustment of the container conveying speed is completed, so that the heat sealing can be efficiently performed at an appropriate timing. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0027] Figure 1 is an explanatory view showing a manufacturing line to which the embodiment of the present application is applied.

[0028] Figure 2 is a plan view showing a filling machine in the manufacturing line of Figure 1 .

[0029] Figure 3 is an enlarged front explanatory view showing the main part of the filling machine.

[0030] Figure 4 is a block diagram of the filling machine.

[0031] Figure 5 is a flowchart showing the control of the illustrated embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present application will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0033] In the illustrated embodiment, the container 1 is made of resin, the lid 2 is made of aluminum, and the elastic member 6 is composed of, for example, silicone rubber. However, the container 1, the lid 2, and the elastic member 6 can be composed of other materials.

[0034] In Figure 1 , the filling machine 20 is provided in the manufacturing device 100, and the beverage is filled in the container 1 by the filling machine 20, and the sealing is performed after the covering of the lid (after the capping, the capping). Further, at the point of the capping, the lid 2 is in a state of being placed on the container 1 only, and is not bonded to the container 1, so the heat sealing device 10 is provided in the filling machine 20, and the lid 2 is bonded to the container 1 by the heat sealing device 10. Further, in the manufacturing device 100, inspection devices, manufacturing equipment are provided before and after the filling machine 20 as needed.

[0035] In addition, although not explicitly illustrated, the aligning machine (aligning machine) 30 has a function of aligning the opening portion (mouth portion) of the container 1 upwardly and sequentially sending it to the next process.

[0036] Here, the filling machine 20 has a filling section 21, an intermediate star wheel 22, a sealing section 23 (see Figure 2 ). The path of the container 1 (see Figure 3 , Figure 4 ) moving in the filling machine 20 is indicated by an arrow A in Figure 2 .

[0037] The area (indicated by a dotted circle) of the intermediate star wheel 22 indicated by reference sign B is an area in which the cap 2 shaped by the cutting head 24 (see Figure 1 ) is capped (lidded) to the container 1.

[0038] The wheel-shaped sealing section 23 is provided with the heat sealing device 10, which is provided with a heating section 3 that heats the cap 2 covering the container 1. The cap 2 is adhered to the container 1 by the heat melting adhesive applied to the container side of the cap 2 being melted by the heating by the heating section 3.

[0039] In Figure 3 , the heat sealing device 10 of the sealing section 23 (see Figure 2 ) of the filling machine 20 has the heating section 3, a circular plate-shaped pressure plate 5, and a sealing head 4 that constitutes a part of the pressure plate 5 and has a function of pressing the aluminum cap 2 covering the container 1.

[0040] The pressure plate 5 is a circular plate shape having a center axis C, and as indicated by Figure 4 , a plurality of (for example, 36) sealing heads 4 are provided in the circumferential direction of the outer periphery of the pressure plate 5. In Figure 3 , only one of the sealing heads 4 that exist in the circumferential direction of the pressure plate 5 is indicated.

[0041] A receiving section 4A is formed on the container 1 side (the lower side in Figure 3 ) of the sealing head 4, and a silicone rubber 6 that is an elastic member is disposed in the receiving section 4A. Details of the silicone rubber are described later.

[0042] The movement paths of the plurality of sealing heads 4 of the pressure plate 5 constitute a part of the conveyance path of the container 1 in the sealing section 23 (see Figure 2 ). Furthermore, the pressure plate 5 rotates around the center axis C while pushing the aluminum cap 2 to the container 1 via the silicone rubber 6 of the sealing head 4, thereby conveying the container 1.

[0043] As indicated by Figure 3 , the aluminum cap 2 is covered on the mouth portion 1A (opening portion) of the upper end of the container 1 placed on the conveyance mechanism 11, and the cap 2 is pushed to the container 1 side (the lower side in Figure 3 ) via the silicone rubber 6 as described above.

[0044] A hot melt adhesive is applied to the container 1 side of the cap 2 (indicated by reference numeral HM in Figure 3 ), and the aluminum cap 2 is heated by induction heating by the heating section 3 provided in the transport path of the container 1, the hot melt adhesive HM is melted, and the cap 2 is adhered to the mouth portion 1A of the container 1.

[0045] Above the pressurizing plate 5, a heating coil 3A constituting the heating section 3 is provided. By flowing a high-frequency current in the heating coil 3A, a primary magnetic field MF1 is generated in the heating coil 3A, and if a secondary magnetic field MF2 is generated in the sealing head 4 by the primary magnetic field MF1, a tertiary magnetic field MF3 is generated in the aluminum cap 2, and an eddy current is generated in the aluminum cap 2 by the tertiary magnetic field MF3, and the aluminum cap 2 is heated.

[0046] Although not explicitly illustrated, above the sealing head 4 of the pressurizing plate 5 indicated by Figure 3 , a heating coil 3A and a mechanism for supplying a high-frequency current (not illustrated) are provided.

[0047] In the illustrated embodiment, the pressurizing plate 5 is a circular plate shape, and the sealing head 4 is arranged on the circumference in the pressurizing plate 5, and the heating method is induction heating. However, the structure is not particularly limited, and the arrangement of the sealing head 4 is not problematic even if it is a straight line shape, and the heating method is not necessarily induction heating, and can be appropriately set in correspondence with other structures.

[0048] Further, as the elastic member arranged in the housing portion 4A below the pressurizing plate 5, a silicone rubber 6 is exemplified, but as the elastic member, as long as it is a material having elasticity, heat resistance, mold releasability (a property of not adhering to a mold), insulation (non-conductivity), and hygiene, it is not particularly limited. In other words, the silicone rubber is an example of a material having such properties, and can be a material in which the surface of the silicone rubber is processed with a fluororesin (Teflon (registered trademark)).

[0049] In Figure 3 , when the aluminum cap 2 is pushed toward the container 1 side via the silicone rubber 6, as described above, if the temperature of the silicone rubber 6 in contact with the aluminum cap 2 is low, the heat of the aluminum cap 2 is taken away by the silicone rubber 6. Therefore, the temperature of the aluminum cap 2 does not rise, and the hot melt adhesive does not sufficiently melt, and the sealing or adhering of the aluminum cap 2 to the container 1 becomes insufficient.

[0050] On the other hand, if the temperature of the silicone rubber 6 is high, an adverse condition such as the sealing or adhering of the aluminum cap 2 to the container 1 becoming too strong, and / or the flange portion of the container 1 melting occurs.

[0051] In Figure 4 , the downstream side end portion of the sealing portion 23 (the portion indicated by Figure 4The right end of the middle section is equipped with a temperature measuring device 7 (temperature sensor). The temperature sensor 7 has the function of measuring the temperature of the nearby sealing head 4 and transmitting the measurement result to the control device 8 (control unit).

[0052] In addition, the filling machine 20 has a container detection sensor 9 and an inverter (container delivery drive source: not shown), which has the function of controlling / driving the rotation speed of the pressure plate 5 (i.e. the moving speed of the container 1) with the help of the control signal of the control unit 8.

[0053] The container 1 flows through the filling section 21 and the intermediate star wheel 22, and is sealed by the aluminum cap 2 at the sealing section 23. Figure 3 The seal (adhesion) between container 1 and container 2 is shown. The path of container 1 is indicated by arrow A.

[0054] exist Figure 4 In the sealing section 23, the container 1 is positioned corresponding to a plurality of sealing heads 4 provided in the circumferential direction of the pressure plate 5. In other words, the container 1 (the container 1 covered by the cap 2) is positioned below the position corresponding to the sealing head 4, and the container 1 is transported in the sealing section 23 by means of the rotation of the pressure plate 5.

[0055] A heating element 3 is fixed and configured in a portion of the pressure plate 5. Figure 4 A heating element 3 is disposed above the pressure plate 5, and a heating coil 3A is disposed thereon (see reference). Figure 3 ) and a high-frequency current generating mechanism (not shown).

[0056] With the help of Figure 4 It is located near the outlet of the heating section 3 (downstream end: in Figure 3 Temperature sensor 7 (right end) detects silicone rubber 6 (elastic element). Figure 3 (temperature).

[0057] Here, the temperature of the silicone rubber 6 is measured, for example, using a non-contact infrared radiation thermometer. A commercially available, known non-contact infrared radiation thermometer can be used.

[0058] The temperature measurement result of the silicone rubber 6 (silicone rubber 6 in the sealing head 4 near the outlet of the heating part 3) detected by the temperature sensor 7 is sent to the control device 8 (control unit) via the signal line SL1.

[0059] Based on the temperature measurement results obtained from the temperature sensor 7, the control unit 8 determines the appropriate rotation speed of the pressure plate 5 and sends the control signal (control signal regarding the rotation speed of the pressure plate 5) to the inverter (container delivery drive source) (not shown) via the signal line SL2.

[0060] The rotational speed of the pressurizing plate 5, i.e., the moving speed of the container 1, is controlled by sending a control signal (a control signal regarding the rotational speed of the pressurizing plate 5) from the control unit 8 to an inverter not shown.

[0061] In the case where the temperature of the silicone rubber 6 in contact with the lid 2 of the container 1 is a low temperature, the rotational speed of the pressurizing plate 5 is made slower by sending a control signal from the control unit 8 to an inverter not shown. As a result, the moving speed of the container 1 is made slower, the time for inductively heating the aluminum lid 2 becomes longer, the lid 2 can be warmed to a desired temperature, and thus the aluminum lid 2 can be reliably adhered to the container 1 by means of the hot melt adhesive.

[0062] On the other hand, in the case where the temperature of the silicone rubber 6 becomes an excessively high temperature, the rotational speed of the pressurizing plate 5 is made faster, and the moving speed of the container 1 is made faster. As a result, the time for inductively heating the lid 2 is shortened, the hot melt adhesive is appropriately melted, and also, an undesirable condition such as melting of the flange portion of the container 1 is prevented.

[0063] Further, for example, the rotational speed of the pressurizing plate 5, i.e., the moving speed of the container 1, can be set in advance in accordance with the temperature of the silicone rubber 6, and the rotational speed can be changed in accordance with the warming.

[0064] Here, the moving speed of the container 1 can be changed continuously in accordance with the temperature of the silicone rubber 6, or can be changed discontinuously. In the case where the moving speed of the container 1 is changed discontinuously, for example, a plurality of levels (for example, 5 levels) of the rotational speed of the pressurizing plate are set in advance in accordance with the temperature measurement results of the temperature sensor 7.

[0065] In Figure 4 , on the upstream side of the heat sealing device 10 (on the upstream side of the inlet of the filling portion 21 in the illustrated embodiment), a container detection sensor 9 that detects the passage of the container 1 is disposed, and a detection signal of the container detection sensor 9 is sent to the control unit 8 via a signal line SL3. Here, a sensor that detects the passage of the container 1 is used. Figure 4 The operation in the illustrated embodiment will be described.

[0066] In Figure 4 , if the container 1 moves to P1, the detection signal of the container detection sensor 9 is sent to the control unit 8. Upon receiving the detection signal, the control unit 8 sends a signal to start temperature measurement to the temperature sensor 7 via SL1.

[0067] In fact, from the detection of the container 1 to the temperature measurement, a first time lag occurs, and at the timing at which the temperature measurement is started, the container 1 moves to the position of P10.

[0068] In the illustrated embodiment, after the temperatures of the 36 silicon rubbers 6 are measured, the rotational speed of the pressurizing plate 5 is decided on the basis of the lowest temperature among the 36 measurement results. For example, from among the rotational speeds (for example, 5-step rotational speeds) that are set in advance in correspondence with the temperatures of the silicon rubbers 6, the rotational speed that corresponds to the temperature of the silicon rubber 6 that matches is selected. Then, a control signal that corresponds to the selected rotational speed is sent from the control unit 8 to an inverter (not shown).

[0069] The rotational speed of the pressurizing plate 5 is decided on the basis of the lowest temperature among a number of measurement values (the measurement values of the temperatures of the 36 silicon rubbers 6) because, in the illustrated embodiment, preventing sealing failure that occurs in the case where the sealing head 4 is at a low temperature is the greatest purpose.

[0070] At the point in time at which the temperature measurement of the 36 silicon rubbers ends, the container 1 that the container detection sensor 9 first detected moves from the position P10 to the position P46 (= 10 + 36). That is, as the time required for the temperature measurement of the 36 silicon rubbers to end, a second time lag is required.

[0071] Furthermore, at the point in time of P46, the rotational speed of the pressurizing plate has not yet been changed, and from here, until the rotational speed of the pressurizing plate 5 is actually switched (changed) after a control signal that switches the rotational speed is sent from the control unit 8 to the inverter, a third time lag is required.

[0072] This time lag 3 corresponds to the time required for the container 1 that is at the position P46 to move to the position P65, which is just before flowing into the heating section 3.

[0073] As described above, in the case where the container detection sensor 9 detects the container 1 in the position P10 and the container 1 is filled into the heating section 3 in the position P65, a predetermined time that corresponds to the sum of the first time lag, the second time lag, and the third time lag is required from when the container detection sensor 9 detects the container 1 to when the container 1 is filled into the heating section. Figure 4 In other words, in order to complete the setting of the rotational speed of the pressurizing plate 5 at the point in time at which the container 1 is filled into the heating section, the container detection sensor needs to be provided at an appropriate position and control needs to be started. Since the first to third time lags vary depending on the number of sealing heads and the type of inverter, the first to third time lags need to be decided in correspondence with the above-described structure.

[0074] The control in the illustrated embodiment will be described mainly with reference to Figure 5 .

[0075] In Figure 5 , in step S1, it is determined whether the container 1 being conveyed is detected by the container detection sensor 9 (which is disposed at a prescribed position (position P1) within the filling machine 20) ( Figure 4 ). Figure 3 , Figure 4 .

[0076] In the case where the container 1 is detected in step S1 (YES in step S1), the processing proceeds to step S2, and in the case where the container 1 is not detected, the processing of step S1 is repeated (loop of NO in step S1).

[0077] In step S2 (in the case where the container 1 is detected by the container detection sensor 9), the measurement of the temperature of the sealing heads 4 (the temperature of the silicon rubber 6) by the temperature sensor 7 is started. This temperature measurement is performed sequentially for all (for example, 36) of the sealing heads 4 of the pressurizing plate 5. Figure 4 Figure 3 、 Figure 4 In the illustrated embodiment, the temperature measurement of the sealing heads 4 is started after the detection of the container 1 in step S1, after a prescribed time elapses (refer to "the first time lag" described above). Then, the processing proceeds to step S3. Figure 4

[0078] In step S3, it is determined whether the temperature has been measured for all (36) of the sealing heads 4 of the pressurizing plate 5 which are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the pressurizing plate 5.

[0079] In the case where the temperature has been measured for all of the sealing heads 4 of the pressurizing plate 5 as a result of the determination in step S3 (YES in step S3), the processing proceeds to step S4, and in the case where the temperature has not been measured for all of the sealing heads 4 of the pressurizing plate 5 (the temperature measurement is not completed) (NO in step S4), the processing returns to step S2, and the temperature measurement of the sealing heads 4 is continued.

[0080] In step S4 (in the case where the temperature has been measured for all of the sealing heads 4 of the pressurizing plate 5), the lowest temperature is determined from among the temperature measurement values of the silicon rubber 6 of all (36) of the sealing heads 4 of the pressurizing plate 5 which are measured in step S3. Then, it is determined whether the determined lowest temperature is within a prescribed range, whether it is a temperature lower than a prescribed lower limit temperature, or whether it is a temperature higher than a prescribed upper limit temperature.

[0081] The temperature range which is optimal depending on the rotation speed of the pressurizing plate is different, but the "prescribed lower limit temperature" is the lowest temperature at which the temperature of the cap 2 does not become excessively low, the adhesive force of the hot melt adhesive does not become insufficient, and no problem occurs in the sealing (adhesion) of the cap 2 to the container 1, and the "prescribed upper limit temperature" is the highest temperature at which the temperature of the cap 2 does not become excessively high, no adverse condition such as melting of the flange portion of the container 1 occurs at the time of sealing, and no problem occurs in the opening feeling.

[0082] Thus, if it is within the prescribed range (from the prescribed lower limit temperature to the prescribed upper limit temperature), proper heat sealing can be achieved.

[0083] ​​In step S4, if the minimum temperature is lower than the "predetermined lower limit temperature", the process proceeds to step S5, if the minimum temperature is higher than the "predetermined upper limit temperature", the process proceeds to step S6, and if the minimum temperature is within the "predetermined range", the process proceeds to step S7.

[0084] In step S5 (if the minimum temperature is lower than the "predetermined lower limit temperature"), a control signal is sent to the inverter to decrease the rotation speed of the presser plate 5, and the moving speed of the container 1 is decreased.

[0085] By decreasing the moving speed of the container 1, the time for inductive heating is lengthened, and it is possible to ensure an appropriate time for inductive heating of the cap 2.

[0086] Once step S5 is completed, the process proceeds to step S8.

[0087] In step S6 (if the minimum temperature is higher than the "predetermined upper limit temperature"), a control signal is sent to the inverter to increase the rotation speed of the presser plate 5, and the moving speed of the container 1 is increased. By increasing the rotation speed of the presser plate 5, the time for inductive heating of the cap 2 is shortened, and the adhesion of the hot melt adhesive is suppressed from becoming too strong and becoming appropriate, and it is possible to prevent the flange portion of the container 1 from melting and the like. Once step S6 is completed, the process proceeds to step S8.

[0088] In step S7 (if the minimum temperature is within the "predetermined range"), the rotation speed of the presser plate 5 is maintained, and the moving speed of the container 1 is maintained.

[0089] Once step S7 is completed, the process proceeds to step S8.

[0090] Here, in the above-described steps S4 to S7, if the minimum temperature of the sealing head 4 is "a temperature lower than the lower limit temperature", "a temperature higher than the upper limit temperature", or "within the predetermined range (above the lower limit temperature and below the upper limit temperature)", the control of "decreasing the rotation speed of the presser plate 5", "increasing the rotation speed of the presser plate 5", or "maintaining the rotation speed of the presser plate 5" is performed, respectively.

[0091] Alternatively, a relationship between the minimum temperature of the sealing head 4 and the rotation speed of the presser plate 5 can be determined in advance, and the rotation speed of the presser plate 5 can be determined based on the relationship and the minimum temperature of the sealing head 4. Here, the aforementioned relationship can be a table, an arithmetic expression, or the like.

[0092] In step S8, it is determined whether or not the control indicated in Figure 5 Here, the criteria for the determination of the end can be arbitrarily set in accordance with the embodiment.

[0093] In step S8, when the control is not ended (NO in step S8), the process returns to step S2, and the temperature measurement and the rotation speed control of the presser plate 5 are continued.

[0094] According to the illustrated embodiment, the temperature of the silicone rubber 6 of the sealing head 4 is measured with the temperature sensor 7 (for example, a non-contact infrared radiation temperature sensor), and when the temperature of the silicone rubber 6 is low, a control signal is sent to the inverter (container conveying drive source) to slow down the rotation speed of the presser plate 5 (the moving speed of the container 1), and when the temperature of the silicone rubber 6 is high, the rotation speed of the presser plate 5 (the moving speed of the container 1) is made faster.

[0095] Therefore, when the temperature of the silicone rubber 6 is low, the temperature drop of the cap 2 is prevented, the cap 2 is warmed to the desired temperature by induction heating, and the cap 2 is reliably adhered to the container 1 by the hot melt adhesive, and sealing failure can be prevented.

[0096] On the other hand, when the temperature of the silicone rubber 6 is high, the rotation speed of the presser plate 5 is made faster to make the moving speed of the container 1 faster, and the time for induction heating of the cap 2 is shortened, so that the temperature of the cap 2 is suppressed within an appropriate range, sealing is prevented from becoming too strong, and adverse conditions such as melting of the flange portion of the container 1 are prevented.

[0097] In other words, in the illustrated embodiment, the rotation speed of the presser plate 5 of the filling machine 20 or the moving speed of the container 1 can be controlled with the temperature of the silicone rubber 6 (elastic member) provided in the presser plate 5 as a parameter, and a product that has no problems in terms of sealing and opening feeling can be provided.

[0098] Further, in the illustrated embodiment, the temperature measurement of the sealing head 4 is started based on a detection signal of the container 1 from the container detection sensor 9 provided in the filling machine 20 and on the upstream side of the temperature sensor 7 (heat sealing device 10).

[0099] Then, after the end of the temperature measurement (after the temperature measurement of all the sealing heads 4 of the presser plate 5 is ended), the rotation speed of the presser plate 5 that should be switched is decided based on the lowest temperature among all the measured values, and a control signal for the switching is sent to the inverter, and the rotation speed of the presser plate 5 is actually switched.

[0100] At this time, the control unit 8 starts the control after detecting the container 1, and the detection position of the container is set to a position that takes into account the aforementioned first to third time lags, so that heat sealing can be efficiently performed at an appropriate timing, and wasteful power supply (wasteful induction heating) is prevented, or induction heating can be reliably performed at a necessary timing.

[0101] In the illustrated embodiment, the relationship between the heating time of the cap 2 and the temperature of the silicone rubber 6 was confirmed using a container having a mouth portion with an outer diameter of 25 mm, 28 mm, or 35 mm.

[0102] The results of the sealing state at this time, with the heating time of the cap 2 and the temperature of the silicone rubber 6 varied, are shown in Table 1 (mouth portion with an outer diameter of 25 mm), Table 2 (mouth portion with an outer diameter of 28 mm), and Table 3 (mouth portion with an outer diameter of 35 mm).

[0103] In addition, in each table,

[0104] The symbol "O" indicates that it is an appropriate sealing state,

[0105] The symbol "X" indicates that it is a state in which the heating time is short and the adhesion of the cap is insufficient,

[0106] The symbol "XX" indicates a state in which the sealing is too strong and / or the flange of the container is melted.

[0107] Table 1

[0108] .

[0109] Table 2

[0110] .

[0111] Table 3

[0112] .

[0113] As a result of Tables 1 to 3, it was found that the heating time can be adjusted by controlling the rotation speed of the pressurizing plate to satisfy the following equation.

[0114] ((94.0 - y) x ((d + 50) / 75)) / 39.6

[0115] < x

[0116] < ((102 - y) x ((d + 50) / 75)) / 35.6

[0117] x: heating time of cap (sec), y: temperature of silicone rubber 6 (°C), d: outer diameter of mouth portion (mm).

[0118] Further, it was confirmed that the illustrated embodiment can be applied to a container having a mouth portion with an outer diameter of 20 mm to 40 mm.

[0119] In addition, in the case where each condition varies depending on the processing capacity of the device, the shape, material, and configuration of the heating portion of the cap, it is necessary to reconfigure the above equation.

[0120] Note: The illustrated embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the technical idea of the present application.

[0121] Explanation of Reference Signs

[0122] 1… container

[0123] 1A… opening portion (mouth)

[0124] 2… lid (aluminum lid)

[0125] 3… heating portion

[0126] 4… sealing head

[0127] 5… pressurizing plate

[0128] 6… elastic member (e.g., silicone rubber)

[0129] 7… temperature sensor (e.g., non-contact infrared radiation temperature sensor)

[0130] 8… control unit (control device)

[0131] 9… container detection sensor

[0132] 10… heat sealing device

[0133] 100… manufacturing device

Claims

1. A heat sealing device used in a manufacturing device that manufactures a product in which an opening portion of a container is sealed by a lid, characterized by comprising: a pressurizing plate provided in a path in which the container moves; a heating method of the lid being induction heating; a sealing head configured to the pressurizing plate, the sealing head pushing the lid that covers the container; and a heating portion configured to the pressurizing plate, the heating portion heating the lid by induction heating; a temperature measuring device measuring a temperature of the sealing head; and a control device sending a control signal to a drive source that moves the container based on a measurement result of the temperature measuring device; a container detection sensor provided on an upstream side of the temperature measuring device; an elastic member provided to a portion of the sealing head that contacts the opening portion of the container; the temperature measuring device measuring a temperature of the elastic member in each of all of the sealing heads; and the control device determining a lowest temperature from among the temperature measurements of the elastic member in each of all of the sealing heads, judging whether the lowest temperature is a temperature lower than a lower limit temperature, a temperature higher than an upper limit temperature, or a temperature between the lower limit temperature and the upper limit temperature, the lower limit temperature being a limit temperature at which a temperature of the lid does not become too low, an adhesive force of a hot melt adhesive does not become insufficient, and a sealing property of the lid and the container does not become problematic, the upper limit temperature being a limit temperature at which a temperature of the lid does not become too high, a bad condition in which a flange portion of the container melts at the time of sealing does not occur, and an opening feeling does not become problematic, and changing a moving speed of the container to be slower when the lowest temperature is a temperature lower than the lower limit temperature, changing the moving speed of the container to be faster when the lowest temperature is a temperature higher than the upper limit temperature, and maintaining the moving speed of the container when the lowest temperature is a temperature between the lower limit temperature and the upper limit temperature.

2. The heat sealing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: the sealing heads are arranged in a circumferential shape to the pressurizing plate, and the container that contacts the sealing heads moves in accordance with a rotation of the pressurizing plate.

3. A heat sealing method using the heat sealing device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by: measuring a temperature of the sealing heads by the temperature measuring device; sending a control signal to a drive source that moves the container based on a temperature measurement result of the sealing heads; and determining a heating time of the lid based on the temperature of the sealing heads. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

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