Container conveying device

Abstract

The invention relates to a container conveying device. The intermediate jig (GB) can be withdrawn and the conveyance pitch can be adjusted at one intermediate rotating wheel. The conveyance pitch of the sixth rotating wheel (H6) (downstream rotating wheel) is set to be narrower than the conveyance pitch of the fourth rotating wheel (H4) (upstream rotating wheel). A fifth rotating wheel (H5) (intermediate rotating wheel) is provided with a swing mechanism that swings an intermediate jig (GB) at a delivery position (P2) on the downstream side of a sixth rotating wheel (H6) so that the conveyance pitch matches the conveyance pitch of the sixth rotating wheel (H6), and a switching mechanism that switches the degree of opening of the intermediate jig (GB) to a retracted state so that the conveyance pitch of the sixth rotating wheel (H6) matches the conveyance pitch of the intermediate jig (GB) at the delivery position (P2) on the downstream side of the sixth rotating wheel (H6). Therefore, interference with the polyester bottle 1 held by the fourth rotating wheel (H4) is avoided. When the fourth rotating wheel (H4) is stopped, the switching mechanism switches the intermediate jig (GB) from the normal state to the retracted state at the upstream delivery position (P1), and switches the intermediate jig (GB) from the retracted state to the normal state at the downstream delivery position (P2).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a container conveying device, and more particularly to a container conveying device equipped with an intermediate rotating wheel for delivering containers from an upstream rotating wheel to a downstream rotating wheel. Background Art

[0002] In the past, for example, as a beverage manufacturing production line that performs from the forming of a polyester bottle used as a container to the filling of a beverage, a production line equipped with a blow molding section for forming a polyester bottle and a filling section for filling a beverage or the like into the polyester bottle has been known. In these blow molding sections and filling sections, a container conveying device equipped with a plurality of rotating wheels is used for conveying containers (Patent Documents 1 and 2).

[0003] The container conveying devices described in these patent documents are equipped with: an upstream rotating wheel having an upstream jig for holding a container; a downstream rotating wheel having a downstream jig for holding a container; an intermediate rotating wheel provided between the upstream rotating wheel and the downstream rotating wheel and having an intermediate jig for holding a container; and an opening / closing mechanism for opening and closing a holding member constituting the intermediate jig.

[0004] Among them, in the container conveying device of Patent Document 1, when the upstream rotating wheel constituting the blow molding section abnormally stops, the rotation of the intermediate rotating wheel and the downstream rotating wheel is continued, and the respective devices constituting the filling section are not stopped.

[0005] Therefore, in Patent Document 1, in order to prevent the intermediate jig of the continuously rotating intermediate rotating wheel from interfering with the container held by the upstream jig of the stopped upstream rotating wheel, a switching mechanism is provided that opens the holding member of the intermediate jig to a retracted state larger than the normal state so that the holding member does not interfere with the container of the upstream jig.

[0006] On the other hand, in the container conveying device of Patent Document 2, since the conveying pitch of the containers of the downstream rotating wheel is set narrower than the conveying pitch of the containers of the upstream rotating wheel, the conveying pitch is adjusted at the intermediate rotating wheel.

[0007] Therefore, in Patent Document 2, a swinging mechanism for swinging the intermediate jig is provided at the intermediate rotating wheel so that the interval between the intermediate jigs adjacent to the downstream delivery position of the containers of the intermediate rotating wheel and the downstream rotating wheel becomes narrower, and the conveying pitch is adjusted.

[0008] Prior Art Documents

[0009] Patent Documents

[0010] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent No. 5211517

[0011] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Publication No. 6861101 Summary of the Invention

[0012] Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0013] However, when a middle rotating wheel that retracts the middle jig when the upstream rotating wheel in the beverage manufacturing production line stops as described in Patent Document 1 and a middle rotating wheel that adjusts the conveying pitch as described in Patent Document 2 are separately provided, there is a problem that the installation space becomes larger.

[0014] In view of such problems, the present invention provides a container conveying device that can perform the retracting operation of the middle jig and the adjustment of the conveying pitch at one middle rotating wheel.

[0015] Means for Solving the Problems

[0016] That is, the container conveying device according to the invention of Scheme 1 is equipped with: an upstream rotating wheel having an upstream jig for holding a container; a downstream rotating wheel having a downstream jig for holding a container; a middle rotating wheel provided between the upstream rotating wheel and the downstream rotating wheel and having a middle jig for holding a container; and an opening / closing mechanism for opening and closing the holding members constituting the middle jig. The container conveying device is characterized in that

[0017] the conveying pitch of the container at the downstream rotating wheel is set narrower than the conveying pitch of the container at the upstream rotating wheel,

[0018] a swing mechanism for swinging the middle jig is provided on the middle rotating wheel, and at the downstream delivery position of the downstream rotating wheel, it swings in a manner that makes the adjacent middle jigs approach each other, so that the conveying pitch of the container is made consistent with the conveying pitch of the downstream jig.

[0019] Furthermore, a switching mechanism is provided, which switches the opening degree of the holding members of the middle jig to a normal state for delivering a container or a retracted state in which the opening degree is larger than that in the normal state and is opened.

[0020] When the upstream rotating wheel stops and the rotation of the middle rotating wheel continues, before the middle jig reaches the upstream delivery position of the upstream rotating wheel, the switching mechanism switches the middle jig from the normal state to the retracted state, and before the middle jig reaches the downstream delivery position from the upstream delivery position, the switching mechanism switches the middle jig from the retracted state to the normal state.

[0021] Effects of the Invention

[0022] According to the above invention, by providing a swing mechanism and a switching mechanism on an intermediate rotating wheel, it is possible to adjust the conveying distance between the upstream rotating wheel and the downstream rotating wheel, and, when the upstream rotating wheel stops abnormally, the intermediate clamp will not collide with the container held by the upstream clamp.

[0023] However, in the case of adopting the above structure, when the upstream rotating wheel stops abnormally and the intermediate clamp of the intermediate rotating wheel maintains the retracted state, there is a concern that the intermediate clamps approach each other at the downstream delivery position of the downstream rotating wheel and the holding members collide with each other.

[0024] Therefore, in the present invention, before the intermediate clamp reaches the downstream delivery position of the downstream rotating wheel, the intermediate clamp is switched from the retracted state to the normal state to prevent the holding members from colliding with each other. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] Figure 1 is a plan view of a beverage manufacturing production line according to the present embodiment.

[0026] Figure 2 is a plan view showing the wheels from the upstream side to the downstream side.

[0027] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of a sterilization mechanism.

[0028] Figure 4 is a view for explaining a switching mechanism of an intermediate clamp.

[0029] Figure 5 is a view for explaining a switching mechanism of an intermediate clamp.

[0030] Figure 6 is a view for explaining an open / closed state of an intermediate clamp.

[0031] Figure 7 is a view for explaining operations of a switching mechanism and a collision prevention mechanism. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0032] Hereinafter, the illustrated embodiments will be described. Figure 1 A beverage manufacturing production line 2 that performs operations from the forming of a polyester bottle 1 as a container to the filling of a beverage is shown. The production line 2 is equipped with a blow molding section 3 and a filling section 4. The blow molding section 3 blow-molds a preform to form the polyester bottle 1, and the filling section 4 performs processes such as cleaning and beverage filling on the blow-molded polyester bottle 1, and is controlled by a control mechanism 5 composed of a computer or the like.

[0033] The above-mentioned preform or polyester bottle 1 is conveyed by a container conveying device 6 according to the present invention. The container conveying device 6 includes first to eleventh rotating wheels H1 to H11. At the delivery position where adjacent rotating wheels H approach each other, clamps provided on the outer periphery of each rotating wheel H perform the delivery of the polyester bottle 1. Thus, the conveyance is performed on the conveyance path indicated by the thick line of Figure 1 .

[0034] In the container conveying device 6, in the above-mentioned blow molding section 3, the first to fourth rotating wheels H1 to H4 are included. The first rotating wheel H1 constitutes a supply mechanism for supplying the preform, the second rotating wheel H2 constitutes a blow molding mechanism for blow molding the preform into a polyester bottle 1, the third rotating wheel H3 constitutes a discharge mechanism, and the fourth rotating wheel H4 constitutes a delivery mechanism for delivering the polyester bottle 1 to the filling section 4.

[0035] In addition, in the container conveying device 6, in the above-mentioned filling section 4, fifth to eleventh rotating wheels H5 to H11 and a discharge conveyor 6a are included. The fifth rotating wheel H5 constitutes a sterilization mechanism for sterilizing the above-mentioned polyester bottle 1, the sixth rotating wheel H6 constitutes a cleaning mechanism for cleaning the above-mentioned polyester bottle 1, the seventh rotating wheel H7 constitutes a supply mechanism, the eighth rotating wheel H8 constitutes a filling mechanism for filling a liquid into the above-mentioned polyester bottle 1, the ninth rotating wheel H9 constitutes a discharge mechanism, the tenth rotating wheel H10 constitutes a capping mechanism for installing a cap on the above-mentioned polyester bottle 1, and the eleventh rotating wheel H11 constitutes a discharge mechanism for discharging the polyester bottle 1 to the discharge conveyor 6a.

[0036] Moreover, in the present embodiment, the above-mentioned blow molding section 3 and filling section 4 can be independently controlled by the above-mentioned control mechanism 5. The first to fourth rotating wheels H1 to H4 constituting the blow molding section 3 and the fifth to eleventh rotating wheels H5 to H11 constituting the filling section 4 are driven by different drive sources.

[0037] Therefore, even when the upstream blow molding section 3 stops abnormally, the control mechanism 5 can make the downstream filling section 4 continue to operate, and a series of processes such as filling and capping of the beverage can be completed for the polyester bottle 1 held by the filling section 4.

[0038] In addition, since the blow molding mechanism constituting the above-mentioned blow molding section 3, the cleaning mechanism, filling mechanism, and capping mechanism constituting the filling section 4 are publicly known in the past, detailed descriptions thereof are omitted.

[0039] The container conveying device 6 of the present embodiment sets the conveying pitch of the polyester bottle 1 at the above-mentioned filling section 4 to be narrower than the conveying pitch of the polyester bottle 1 at the above-mentioned blow molding section 3. Specifically, with respect to the conveying pitch of the filling section 4 being 30π, the conveying pitch of the blow molding section 3 is set to 48π.

[0040] Figure 2 An enlarged view of the fourth to sixth rotating wheels H4 to H6 located at the junction of the blow molding section 3 and the filling section 4. The fourth rotating wheel H4 at the downstream end of the blow molding section 3 constitutes the upstream rotating wheel according to the present invention, the fifth rotating wheel H5 at the upstream end of the filling section 4 constitutes the intermediate rotating wheel according to the present invention, and the sixth rotating wheel H6 constitutes the downstream rotating wheel according to the present invention.

[0041] The above-mentioned fifth rotating wheel H5 constitutes the sterilization mechanism for sterilizing the above-mentioned polyester bottle 1, and delivers the polyester bottle 1 supplied from the fourth rotating wheel H4 at a conveying pitch of 48π to the sixth rotating wheel H6 at a conveying pitch of 30π, and has a structure capable of adjusting the conveying pitch.

[0042] The above-mentioned fourth rotating wheel H4 rotates in the counterclockwise direction shown in the figure, and a plurality of upstream jigs GA are provided along the outer periphery such that the conveying pitch of the polyester bottle 1 becomes 48π.

[0043] On the other hand, the above-mentioned sixth rotating wheel H6 also rotates in the counterclockwise direction shown in the figure, and a plurality of downstream jigs GC are provided along the outer periphery such that the conveying pitch of the polyester bottle 1 becomes 30π.

[0044] The above-mentioned upstream jig GA and downstream jig GC are provided with a pair of holding members for holding the polyester bottle 1 and a spring for loading the holding members in the direction of approaching each other. However, since they have a structure known in the past, detailed description is omitted.

[0045] The above-mentioned holding members are configured to hold the head of the above-mentioned polyester bottle 1 and are always loaded in the locking direction by the above-mentioned spring, thereby holding the polyester bottle 1.

[0046] Figure 3 Shows Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of the III-III part, a cross-sectional view of the fifth rotating wheel H5 constituting the above-mentioned sterilization mechanism. In addition, Figure 4 Shows Figure 3 The IV-IV part of Figure 5 Shows the V-V part.

[0047] In the above-mentioned fifth rotating wheel H5, intermediate jigs GB for holding the above-mentioned polyester bottle 1 are provided at a predetermined interval. On the conveying path of the polyester bottle 1 held by the above-mentioned intermediate jigs GB, a spray nozzle 11 for spraying hydrogen peroxide vapor as a fungicide and a waste bin 12 for recovering the polyester bottle 1 detected to have poor sterilization are provided (refer to Figure 2 ).

[0048] First, the above-described sterilization mechanism will be described. Connected to the above-described injection nozzle 11 are: a hydrogen peroxide water supply mechanism 13 for supplying an aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution, a vaporization chamber 14 for vaporizing the aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution to generate hydrogen peroxide vapor, and an air supply mechanism 15 for injecting the hydrogen peroxide vapor in the vaporization chamber 14 from the above-described injection nozzle 11. In addition, in the present embodiment, the above-described injection nozzle 11 is arranged at two positions.

[0049] The hydrogen peroxide water supply mechanism 13 supplies the aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution while measuring the flow rate using a flow meter 16, and the hydrogen peroxide vapor vaporized inside the vaporization chamber 14 is sent to the injection nozzle 11 by the air from the above-described air supply mechanism 15.

[0050] The above-described injection nozzle 11 is arranged above the polyester bottle 1 held by the intermediate jig GB, and injects the injected hydrogen peroxide vapor into the interior of the above-described polyester bottle 1 to sterilize the interior of the polyester bottle 1.

[0051] The control mechanism 5 monitors the flow rate of the aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution by the above-described flow meter 16. When the flow rate is lower than a specified value, it is determined that the sterilization of the polyester bottle 1 passing through the injection nozzle 11 is poor at that moment, and it is recovered into the above-described waste bin 12.

[0052] In addition, the arrangement of the injection nozzle 11 is not limited to two, and may be three or more. In addition, it may be injected to the outside of the polyester bottle 1 for external sterilization.

[0053] The above-described fifth rotating wheel H5 is equipped with an upper workbench 22A and a lower workbench 22B that rotate around a rotation shaft 21 (refer to Figure 2 ) as the center, and the intermediate jig GB is arranged at equal intervals along the outer peripheral edges of these workbenches 22A and 22B.

[0054] Moreover, the fifth rotating wheel H5 is equipped with: an opening / closing mechanism 23 for opening and closing the above-described intermediate jig GB; a swinging mechanism 24 for swinging the above-described intermediate jig GB in the horizontal direction; a switching mechanism 25 for switching the above-described intermediate jig GB to a normal state or a retracted state to be described later; and a collision prevention mechanism 26 for preventing adjacent intermediate jigs GB from colliding with each other during a power outage or the like.

[0055] The above-described swinging mechanism 24 can receive the polyester bottle 1 from the fourth rotating wheel H4 at a conveying pitch of 48π by swinging the above-described intermediate jig GB, and deliver the polyester bottle 1 to the sixth rotating wheel H6 at a conveying pitch of 30π.

[0056] In addition, the above-described switching mechanism 25 makes the above-described intermediate jig GB Figure 6In the normal states shown in (a) and (b), it is possible to deliver the PET bottle 1 at the upstream delivery position P1 of the fourth rotary wheel H4 and the downstream delivery position P2 of the sixth rotary wheel H6. By becoming Figure 6 In the retracted state shown in (c), even when the fourth rotary wheel H4 stops abnormally, the intermediate jig GB can retract so as not to interfere with the PET bottle 1 held by the upstream jig GA.

[0057] The intermediate jig GB is provided in the swing box B, and the swing box B is swingably provided between the upper workbench 22A and the lower workbench 22B. The intermediate jig GB is equipped with: a first rotary shaft 31A and a second rotary shaft 31B provided on the outer side of the swing box B, and a first gripping member 32A and a second gripping member 32B provided at the lower ends of these first and second rotary shafts 31A and 31B.

[0058] The first rotary shaft 31A and the second rotary shaft 31B are rotatably supported by bearings on the outer peripheral side portion of the swing box B. The lower ends of the first and second rotary shafts 31A and 31B protrude below the swing box B, and the first gripping member 32A and the second gripping member 32B are fixed to the lower ends.

[0059] The first and second gripping members 32A and 32B are configured to grip the neck portion of the PET bottle 1 from left and right.

[0060] As Figure 5 As shown in (a), inside the swing box B, a first gear member 33A is provided on the first rotary shaft 31A, and a second gear member 33B meshing with the first gear member 33A is provided on the second rotary shaft 31B.

[0061] With this structure, when the first gear member 33A is rotated by the rotation of the first rotary shaft 31A, the second gear member 33B is interlocked therewith to rotate the second rotary shaft 31B, and the first gripping member 32A and the second gripping member 32B open and close.

[0062] In addition, inside the swing box B, a spring 34 is provided around the first rotary shaft 31A and the second rotary shaft 31B, and the spring 34 is loaded in the direction to lock the first gripping member 32A and the second gripping member 32B via the first and second rotary shafts 31A and 31B.

[0063] The opening and closing mechanism 23 for opening and closing the intermediate jig GB is equipped with: an opening and closing cam follower 41 connected to the first rotary shaft 31A, and an opening and closing cam 42 in contact with the opening and closing cam follower 41.

[0064] Figure 6(a) and (b) are diagrams for explaining the opening and closing of the intermediate jig GB opened and closed by the above-mentioned opening and closing mechanism 23 at the upstream delivery position P1. (a) shows the state where the intermediate jig GB is open, and (b) shows the state where the intermediate jig GB is locked and holds the polyester bottle 1.

[0065] As Figure 3 shown, the above-mentioned opening and closing cam follower 41 is provided at the end of the opening and closing arm 41a. The opening and closing arm 41a is provided on the above-mentioned first rotating shaft 31A, and the above-mentioned opening and closing cam 42 is provided to abut against the above-mentioned opening and closing cam follower 41 from the inner peripheral side of the fifth rotating wheel H5.

[0066] In addition, as Figure 2 shown, the above-mentioned opening and closing cam 42 is provided near the upstream delivery position P1 of the above-mentioned fourth rotating wheel H4 and the downstream delivery position P2 of the polyester bottle 1 of the sixth rotating wheel H6.

[0067] Thus, when the intermediate jig GB passes through the upstream delivery position P1 and the downstream delivery position P2 by the rotation of the fifth rotating wheel H5, the above-mentioned opening and closing cam follower 41 moves along the opening and closing cam 42.

[0068] Here, the loading force of the above-mentioned spring 34 provided on the above-mentioned first and second rotating shafts 31A, 31B always loads the above-mentioned opening and closing cam follower 41 in the direction of contacting the opening and closing cam 42. Therefore, in the section where the opening and closing cam 42 is not provided, by the loading force of the above-mentioned spring 34, the opening and closing cam follower 41 is located on the inner peripheral side of the fifth rotating wheel H5, and the intermediate jig GB maintains the locked state.

[0069] And, in the section where the opening and closing cam 42 is provided, the opening and closing cam follower 41 moves to the outer peripheral side of the fifth rotating wheel H5 according to the shape of the opening and closing cam 42. Thus, as Figure 6 (a) shows, the intermediate jig GB changes from the locked state to the open state.

[0070] Furthermore, when the intermediate jig GB moves, as Figure 6 (b) shows, the opening and closing cam follower 41 moves to the inner peripheral side of the fifth rotating wheel H5 according to the opening and closing cam 42. Thus, the first rotating shaft 31A rotates, and the first and second holding members 32A, 32B are locked.

[0071] Next, the above-mentioned swing mechanism 24 will be described. The swing shaft 51 is fixed to the position on the center side of the above-mentioned swing box B that becomes the fifth rotating wheel H5. The swing shaft 51 is rotatably supported via bearings with respect to the upper workbench 22A and the lower workbench 22B.

[0072] The above-mentioned swing shaft 51 is prominently provided below the above-mentioned lower workbench 22B. At the lower end of the swing shaft 51, a swing cam follower 52 is provided via a swing arm 52a. In addition, a swing cam 53 that abuts against the swing cam follower 52 is held by a required holding member.

[0073] As Figure 2 shown, the above-mentioned swing cam 53 is provided in a ring shape along the rotation locus of the fifth rotating wheel H5. A neutral section A1 for setting the intermediate jig GB in a neutral position and a swing section A2 for swinging the intermediate jig GB near the downstream delivery position P2 of the above-mentioned sixth rotating wheel H6 are set.

[0074] In a plan view, the above-mentioned swing arm 52a is provided to be inclined rearward in the rotation direction of the fifth rotating wheel H5 with respect to the swing box B. With a spring 54 elastically mounted between the above-mentioned swing arm 52a and the lower workbench 22B, the swing cam follower 52 always maintains a state of being in contact with the swing cam 53.

[0075] In Figure 2 the case where the swing cam follower 52 is located in the neutral section A1 of the above-mentioned swing cam 53, the swing mechanism 24 positions the line connecting the above-mentioned swing shaft 51 at the intermediate jig GB and the center of the polyester bottle 1 held by the intermediate jig GB in a neutral position in the diametrical direction toward the center of the fifth rotating wheel H5.

[0076] In addition, when the intermediate jig GB is in the neutral position, the interval between the polyester bottles 1 held by adjacent intermediate jigs GB is set to be the same as the conveying pitch 48π of the above-mentioned fourth rotating wheel H4.

[0077] On the other hand, when the intermediate jig GB moves and is located in the above-mentioned swing section A2, the swing cam follower 52 moves toward the inner peripheral side or the outer peripheral side of the fifth rotating wheel H5 by means of the swing cam 53.

[0078] When the intermediate jig GB in the neutral position reaches the swing section A2 by the rotation of the fifth rotating wheel H5 (in the figure, shown as GB1), then this intermediate jig GB approaches the downstream delivery position P2 of the above-mentioned sixth rotating wheel H6 (in the figure, shown as GB2).

[0079] In the intermediate jig GB2, the above-mentioned swing cam 53 moves the above-mentioned swing cam follower 52 outward in the radial direction, causing the above-mentioned swing box B to swing downstream in the rotation direction of the fifth rotating wheel H5.

[0080] After that, at the position where the intermediate jig GB is closest to the sixth rotating wheel H6 (denoted as GB3 in the figure), the swing cam 53 moves the swing cam follower 52 radially inward, returning the swing box B to the neutral position.

[0081] Moreover, when the intermediate jig GB passes through the position close to the sixth rotating wheel H6 (denoted as GB4 in the figure), the swing cam 53 positions the swing cam follower 52 at a position more radially inward than when in the neutral position, causing the swing box B to swing upstream in the rotation direction of the fifth rotating wheel H5.

[0082] In this way, the intermediate jig GB is swung by the swing mechanism 24. Relative to the intermediate jig GB3 in the neutral position, the intermediate jig GB2 on its upstream side inclines downstream, thus approaching the intermediate jig GB3. Conversely, the intermediate jig GB4 on the downstream side inclines upstream, thus approaching the intermediate jig GB3.

[0083] And the interval between the polyester bottles 1 held by the adjacent intermediate jigs GB2, GB3, and GB4 becomes the same as the conveying interval 30π of the sixth rotating wheel H6. In this swing interval A2, the opening and closing mechanism 23 opens and closes the intermediate jig GB, thereby delivering the polyester bottle 1 from the intermediate jig GB to the downstream jig GC.

[0084] After that, at the intermediate jig GB that has moved to the downstream side of the intermediate jig GB4 (denoted as the intermediate jig GB5 in the figure), the swing cam 53 positions the swing cam follower 52 on the outer side in the radial direction. Furthermore, during the period until the intermediate jig GB reaches the terminal part of the swing interval A2 (denoted as the intermediate jig GB6 in the figure), the intermediate jig GB is positioned at the neutral position.

[0085] As a result, since the intermediate jig GB that has passed through the swing interval A2 returns to the neutral position during the subsequent period until it reaches the upstream delivery position P1 of the fourth rotating wheel H4, the polyester bottle 1 can be delivered from the fourth rotating wheel H4 at a conveying pitch of 48π.

[0086] As Figure 3 shown, the switching mechanism 25 is equipped with a cylinder 61 provided inside the swing box B, which switches the intermediate jig GB to Figure 6 the normal state shown in (a) and (b) and Figure 6 the retracted state shown in (c).

[0087] As Figure 3 、 Figure 4As shown, the base portion of the cylinder part 61a that constitutes the above-described cylinder 61 is swingably held by a holding shaft 62 provided on the swing box B, and the end of the rod 61b of the cylinder 61 is connected to the above-described second gear member 33B provided on the above-described second rotating shaft 31B via a connection mechanism 63.

[0088] As Figure 5 (b) and (c) show that the above-described connection mechanism 63 is equipped with a first connection member 63a provided on the above-described second rotating shaft 31B and a U-shaped second connection member 63b that connects the above-described second gear member 33B and the above-described first connection member 63a.

[0089] As Figure 5 (b) and (c) show that a flange portion 33Ba protruding outward is provided on the above-described second gear member 33B, and an arc-shaped long hole 33Bb as shown in Figure 5 (c) is formed in the flange portion 33Ba.

[0090] The above-described first connection member 63a is provided above the above-described second gear member 33B and is rotatably provided relative to the above-described second rotating shaft 31B via a bearing. In addition, a pin 63c penetrating vertically is provided at a protruding portion protruding outward.

[0091] The above-described second connection member 63b has a U-shaped shape, supports the flange portion 33Ba of the above-described second gear member 33B and the protruding portion of the first connection member 63a from above and below, and the above-described pin 63c penetrates through the second connection member 63b.

[0092] According to this structure, when the rod 61b of the above-described cylinder 61 moves forward or backward, the above-described pin 63c moves together with the second connection member 63b. As a result, the above-described first connection member 63a rotates relative to the second rotating shaft 31B.

[0093] When the first connection member 63a rotates, the above-described pin 63c moves along the long hole 33Bb of the second gear member. When the rod 61b is further moved in a state where the pin 63c has moved to the end of the long hole 33Bb, the pin 63c presses the flange portion 33Ba of the second gear member 33B via the long hole 33Bb. Therefore, the second gear member 33B can be rotated together with the second rotating shaft 32B.

[0094] Conversely, when the rod 61b of the above-described cylinder 61 stops and the above-described pin 63c stops, the above-described second gear member 33B can rotate within the range where the long hole 33Bb abuts against the above-described pin 63c, and the second rotating shaft 32B can rotate within the length range of the long hole 33Bb.

[0095] Here, the formation length of the above-mentioned long hole 33Bb is set to be a length that enables the second gripping members 32A and 32B to open and close into the states of Figure 6 (a) and (b) in the normal state described below.

[0096] The switching mechanism 25 having the above structure, when the intermediate jig GB is in the normal state as shown in Figure 6 (a) and (b), the opening and closing mechanism 23 allows the first and second gripping members 32A and 32B to open and close.

[0097] In the above normal state, the switching mechanism 25 maintains the rod 61b of the cylinder 61 in the extended state, and holds the pin 63c of the first connecting member 63a at a position on the outer peripheral side of the fifth rotating wheel H5.

[0098] In this state, when the Figure 6 intermediate jig GB shown in (a) is in the open state, the opening and closing cam follower 41 is located on the outer peripheral side of the fifth rotating wheel H5 by means of the opening and closing cam 42, the first gear member 33A is interlocked with the second gear member 33B, and the first and second gripping members 32A and 32B are opened.

[0099] At this time, in the long hole 33Bb formed in the second gear member 33B, the state is such that the pin 63c is located on the outer peripheral side of the fifth rotating wheel H5.

[0100] In order to change the intermediate jig GB from this state to the Figure 6 locked state shown in (b), it is only necessary to move the opening and closing cam follower 41 to the inner peripheral side of the fifth rotating wheel H5 by means of the opening and closing cam 42. By rotating the first and second rotating shafts 31A and 31B by means of the loading force of the above spring, the first and second gripping members 32A and 32B are locked.

[0101] At this time, the pin 63c of the first connecting member 63a stops, but by rotating the second gear member 33B to a position where the pin 63c is located at the end on the inner peripheral side of the long hole 33Bb, the second rotating shaft 31B rotates, and the first and second gripping members 32A and 32B can be locked.

[0102] Next, the switching mechanism 25, in the Figure 6 retracted state shown in (c), contracts the rod 61b of the cylinder 61, and moves the pin 63c of the first connecting member 63a to the inner peripheral side of the fifth rotating wheel H5.

[0103] When the above-mentioned pin 63c moves to the inner peripheral side, the pin 63c abuts against the end portion on the inner peripheral side of the fifth rotating wheel H5 of the above-mentioned long hole 33Bb. Furthermore, the rod 61b is contracted. Thus, the pin 63c causes the second gear member 33B to rotate via the long hole 33Bb, and the first connecting member 63a and the second gear member 33B rotate integrally.

[0104] Thus, in conjunction with the second gear member 33B, the first gear member 33B also rotates, and the first and second gripping members 32A and 32B can be opened wider than the angle in the normal state shown in Figure 6 (a). Also, at this time, the above-mentioned opening / closing cam follower 41 disengages from the opening / closing cam 42.

[0105] Next, Figure 7 The cylinder 61 of the above-mentioned switching mechanism 25 and the above-mentioned collision prevention mechanism 26 will be described.

[0106] Figure 7 (a) is an explanatory diagram showing that the solenoid valve 65, which will be described later, is actuated at the upstream delivery position P1, and the intermediate jig GB is in the retracted state. Figure 7 (b) is an explanatory diagram showing that the solenoid valve 65 and the mechanical valve 66, which will be described later, are actuated at the downstream delivery position P2, and the intermediate jig GB is in the normal state. Figure 7 (c) is an explanatory diagram showing that the solenoid valve 65 is not actuated at the downstream delivery position P2, and the intermediate jig GB is in the normal state only by the actuation of the mechanical valve 66.

[0107] The above-mentioned cylinder 61 is connected to an air supply mechanism 64, and the inside of the cylinder portion 61a is divided into a rod-side chamber 61d and a cylinder head-side chamber 61e by a piston 61c provided at the base of the rod 61b.

[0108] And, in the pipe 64a disposed between the above-mentioned cylinder 61 and the air supply mechanism 64, a solenoid valve 65 controlled by the control mechanism 5 and a mechanical valve 66 constituting the collision prevention mechanism 26 fixed to the above-mentioned fifth rotating wheel H5 are provided.

[0109] The above-mentioned solenoid valve 65 can switch between a position where air is supplied to the rod-side chamber 61d as shown in Figure 7 (a) and a position where air is supplied to the cylinder head-side chamber 61e as shown in Figure 7 (b) by means of the current supplied or cut off according to the control of the above-mentioned control mechanism 5.

[0110] And, the solenoid valve 65 of the present embodiment is set to be in the state of Figure 7 (a) when the current is cut off, and to be in the state of Figure 7 (b) when current is supplied to the solenoid valve 65.

[0111] That is, when the current supply to the solenoid valve 65 is cut off, as shown in Figure 7 (a), the air from the air supply mechanism 64 flows into the rod side chamber 61d, the rod 61b becomes in a contracted state, and the intermediate jig GB becomes the above-described retracted state.

[0112] Conversely, when current is supplied to the solenoid valve 65, as shown in Figure 7 (b), the air from the air supply mechanism 64 flows into the cylinder head side chamber 61e, the rod 61b becomes in an extended state, and the intermediate jig GB becomes the above-described normal state.

[0113] When an abnormality occurs in the blow molding section 3 and the fourth rotary wheel H4 stops, as described above, before the intermediate jig GB reaches the upstream delivery position P1, the control mechanism 5 switches the switching mechanism 25 to the retracted state to avoid collision with the polyester bottle 1 held by the fourth rotary wheel H4, and before the intermediate jig GB in the retracted state reaches the downstream delivery position P2, the control mechanism 5 switches the switching mechanism 25 to the normal state.

[0114] However, when the solenoid valve 65 cannot be controlled due to a power failure occurring after the fourth rotary wheel H4 stops or a failure of the solenoid valve 65 itself, etc., in order to maintain the state where the air from the air supply mechanism 64 flows into the rod side chamber 61d as shown in Figure 7 (a), the intermediate jig GB is not switched to the normal state, but moves to the downstream delivery position P2 while maintaining the retracted state.

[0115] At the downstream delivery position P2, since the interval of the intermediate jig GB is narrowed by the above-described swing mechanism 24, when the intermediate jig GB is in the retracted state and the first and second gripping members 32A and 32B are in a largely open state, there is a risk of adjacent intermediate jigs GB colliding with each other.

[0116] Therefore, in the present embodiment, in order to prevent such a situation, a collision prevention mechanism 26 is provided.

[0117] A branch pipe 67 connected to the mechanical valve 66 constituting the above-described collision prevention mechanism 26 is connected so as to branch from the pipe 64a and bypass the solenoid valve 65, and the downstream end of the branch pipe 67 is connected in a manner to communicate with the cylinder head side chamber 61e of the cylinder 61 among the pipes 64a.

[0118] In addition, as shown in Figure 3 , the above-described mechanical valve 66 is fixed to the upper workbench 22A of the fifth rotary wheel H5, and a switch 66a is provided facing the inner peripheral side. And as shown in Figure 2As shown, at the position on the inner peripheral side of the mechanical valve 66 at the downstream delivery position P2, an operation cam 68 that contacts the switch 66a and operates the mechanical valve 66 is provided. During the period when the intermediate jig GB passes through the downstream delivery position P2, the switch 66a contacts the operation cam 68 to operate the mechanical valve 66.

[0119] When the switch 66a does not contact the operation cam 68, the mechanical valve 66 closes the branch pipe 67. When the switch 66a contacts the operation cam 68, the branch pipe 67 is opened, and the air from the air supply mechanism 64 flows into the cylinder head side chamber 61e of the cylinder 61.

[0120] In addition, a regulator 69 is provided at a position adjacent to and downstream of the connection position of the pipe 64a that is connected to the branch pipe 67. After reducing the pressure of the air from the air supply mechanism 64, it supplies the air to the solenoid valve 65.

[0121] As Figure 7 (c) shows, in a state where the solenoid valve 65 supplies air to the rod side chamber 61d of the cylinder 61 and the mechanical valve 66 supplies air to the cylinder head side chamber 61e, due to the pressure difference, the pressure in the cylinder head side chamber 61e becomes higher. Therefore, the rod 61b is in an extended state.

[0122] That is, at the downstream delivery position P2, even if the solenoid valve 65 supplies air to either the rod side chamber 61d or the cylinder head side chamber 61e of the cylinder 61, the cylinder 61 will be in an extended state due to the air from the mechanical valve 66, and the intermediate jig GB is maintained in the normal state.

[0123] Next, the operation of the beverage production line 2 having the above structure will be described.

[0124] Initially, the beverage production line 2 operates normally, and the operations when the blow molding section 3 and the filling section 4 operate normally together will be described.

[0125] First, in the blow molding section 3, at the blow molding mechanism equipped with the second rotating wheel H2, a preform is formed into a polyester bottle 1. After that, the formed polyester bottle 1 is conveyed by the fourth rotating wheel H4, which is the upstream rotating wheel, at a conveying pitch of 48π.

[0126] At the upstream delivery position P1 between the fourth rotating wheel H4 and the fifth rotating wheel H5, at the fifth rotating wheel H5, the swing mechanism 24 positions the intermediate jig GB at the neutral position. In addition, the switching mechanism 25, as Figure 6 (a), (b), and Figure 7 (b) shows, places the intermediate jig GB in the normal state.

[0127] Thus, the interval between adjacent intermediate jigs GB is the same as the interval of the polyester bottles 1 in the upstream jig GA held by the fourth rotating wheel H4. The opening / closing mechanism 23 opens and closes the first and second holding members 32A and 32B of the intermediate jig GB with the opening degrees shown in Figure 6 (a) and (b), and thus, the delivery of the polyester bottles 1 is performed.

[0128] When the delivery of the polyester bottles 1 is completed at the upstream delivery position P1 and then the fifth rotating wheel H5 rotates, the swing mechanism 24 conveys the polyester bottles 1 while maintaining the intermediate jig GB in the neutral position, that is, in the state of being conveyed at a conveying pitch of 48π, and makes them pass under the injection nozzle 11 constituting the above-mentioned sterilization mechanism.

[0129] In this way, hydrogen peroxide vapor is injected into the interior of the polyester bottles 1 by the injection nozzle 11 to sterilize the polyester bottles 1.

[0130] At this time, when the concentration of the hydrogen peroxide vapor is detected to be insufficient by the flowmeter 16, the control mechanism 5 identifies the positions of the polyester bottles 1 passing through the injection nozzle 11 by using an encoder or the like (not shown in the figure) during the entire period when the generation of the hydrogen peroxide vapor is insufficient.

[0131] And when the intermediate jig GB holding the polyester bottle 1 is located above Figure 2 the waste bin 12 shown in, the control mechanism 5 operates the above-mentioned cylinder 61 to make the intermediate jig GB in the Figure 6 retracted state shown in (c), and forcibly opens the first and second holding members 32A and 32B.

[0132] Thus, the polyester bottles 1 held by the intermediate jig GB fall and are collected in the waste bin 12. After that, the control mechanism 5 operates the cylinder 61 to switch the intermediate jig GB in the retracted state to the normal state.

[0133] And when the intermediate jig GB of the fifth rotating wheel H5 approaches the downstream delivery position P2 of the above-mentioned sixth rotating wheel H6, the above-mentioned swing mechanism 24 swings the intermediate jig GB to narrow the interval between adjacent intermediate jigs GB so that the conveying pitch formed by the intermediate jig GB is the same as the conveying pitch of 30π of the downstream jig GC.

[0134] Here, since the switching mechanism 25 makes the intermediate jig GB in the normal state, the intermediate jig GB performs opening and closing operations by means of the opening / closing cam follower 41 and the opening / closing cam 42 as shown in Figure 6 (a) and (b), and thus, the polyester bottles 1 can be delivered to the downstream jig GC of the sixth rotating wheel H6.

[0135] Further, when the intermediate jig GB passes through the downstream delivery position P2 of the sixth rotating wheel H6, the swing mechanism 24 swings the intermediate jig GB back to the neutral position, so that the conveying pitch formed by the intermediate jig GB is consistent with the conveying pitch 48π formed by the upstream jig GA of the fourth rotating wheel H4.

[0136] As described above, during the normal operation of the beverage production line 2, between the blow molding section 3 and the filling section 4 with different conveying pitches, the fifth rotating wheel H5 can adjust the conveying pitch and perform delivery.

[0137] Next, the operation in the case where an abnormality occurs in the above-mentioned blow molding section 3 and the fourth rotating wheel H4 abnormally stops will be described.

[0138] As described above, since the blow molding section 3 and the filling section 4 are driven by different drive sources, even if the blow molding section 3 abnormally stops, by continuing the operation of the filling section 4, the processing of the polyester bottle 1 held by the filling section 4 can be completed.

[0139] However, since the fifth rotating wheel H5 continues to rotate when the fourth rotating wheel H4 stops, the intermediate jig GB will collide with the polyester bottle 1 held by the upstream jig GA that stops at the upstream delivery position P1.

[0140] Therefore, when the control mechanism 5 recognizes that an abnormality has occurred in the above-mentioned blow molding section 3, the control mechanism 5 controls the switching mechanism 25 to switch the intermediate jig GB located at the upstream delivery position P1 to Figure 6 (c) the retracted state, and controls the switching mechanism 25 to switch the intermediate jig GB moving to the upstream delivery position P1 to Figure 6 (c) the retracted state before the intermediate jig GB reaches the upstream delivery position P1.

[0141] In this way, the first and second gripping members 32A and 32B of the intermediate jig GB are greatly opened, and at the upstream delivery position P1, the collision between the polyester bottle 1 held by the upstream jig GA and the first and second gripping members 32A and 32B of the intermediate jig GB is avoided.

[0142] In addition, for the intermediate jig GB located at a position downstream of the upstream delivery position P1 when an abnormality occurs, the switching mechanism 25 maintains the normal state and delivers the polyester bottle 1 to the above-mentioned sixth rotating wheel H6 at the downstream delivery position P2.

[0143] On the other hand, when the intermediate jig GB in the retracted state moves to the downstream delivery position P2 of the sixth rotating wheel H6 as it is, the intermediate jigs GB approach each other by means of the above-described swing mechanism 24. Therefore, there is a risk that the gripping members 32A and 32B of the adjacent intermediate jigs GB interfere with each other.

[0144] Therefore, for the intermediate jig GB in the retracted state, during the period before the intermediate jig GB reaches the downstream delivery position P2, the control mechanism 5 controls the above-described switching mechanism 25 to switch the intermediate jig GB to the normal state.

[0145] By doing so, even if the intermediate jigs GB approach each other, interference between the gripping members 32A and 32B can be avoided.

[0146] Next, the operation in the case of a power failure or the like occurring at the above-described fifth rotating wheel H5 will be described.

[0147] As Figure 7 shown, in the cylinder 61 constituting the above-described switching mechanism 25, the air is switched by the solenoid valve 65. By applying current to the solenoid valve 65, air is supplied to the cylinder head side chamber 61e, and the cylinder 61 is in the extended state. Thus, the intermediate jig GB is maintained in the normal state.

[0148] Therefore, when the supply of current to the solenoid valve 65 is stopped due to a power failure, the control of the control mechanism 5 cannot be performed, and the solenoid valve 65 supplies air to the rod side chamber 61d, and the cylinder 61 becomes in the contracted state.

[0149] As a result, the intermediate jig GB becomes in the retracted state. However, in this case, as described above, at the above-described downstream delivery position P2, there is a risk that the gripping members 32A and 32B of the adjacent intermediate jigs GB interfere with each other.

[0150] Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the control of the solenoid valve 65 becomes impossible, the above-described collision prevention mechanism 26 is used to prevent the intermediate jigs GB from interfering with each other.

[0151] When the above-described intermediate jig GB is located at the above-described downstream delivery position P2, the switch 66a of the mechanical valve 66 provided on each intermediate jig GB contacts the operation cam 68, and air is supplied from the branch pipe 67 to the cylinder head side chamber 61e of the cylinder 61 via the mechanical valve 66.

[0152] At this time, although air is supplied to the rod side chamber 61d of the cylinder 61 via the above-described solenoid valve 65, the cylinder 61 is in the extended state by means of the pressure difference generated by the regulator 69. Therefore, the intermediate jig GB can be maintained in the normal state, and collision between the intermediate jigs GB at the downstream delivery position P2 can be prevented.

[0153] As described above, in the beverage manufacturing production line 2 of the present embodiment, even when the conveying pitch of the fourth rotary wheel H4 is different from that of the sixth rotary wheel H6, by swinging the intermediate jig GB by the swing mechanism 24 provided on the fifth rotary wheel H5, the conveying pitch can be adjusted and the polyester bottle 1 can be delivered.

[0154] In addition, when the fourth rotary wheel H4 constituting the blow molding section 3 stops, the intermediate jig GB is retracted by the switching mechanism 25 provided on the fifth rotary wheel H5, which can prevent the intermediate jig GB from colliding with the polyester bottle 1 held by the upstream jig GA.

[0155] On the other hand, when the above-mentioned intermediate jig GB is located at the downstream delivery position P2 of the sixth rotary wheel H6, the switching mechanism 25 switches the intermediate jig GB back to the normal state again, which can prevent the intermediate jigs GB adjacent to each other at the downstream delivery position P2 from interfering with each other.

[0156] As described above, in the present embodiment, since the swing mechanism 24 for swinging the intermediate jig GB to adjust the conveying pitch and the switching mechanism 25 for avoiding collision with the polyester bottle 1 held by the upstream jig GA are provided on the fifth rotary wheel H5, the number of rotary wheels constituting the container conveying device 6 can be reduced, and the length of the production line can be shortened.

[0157] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, even if it is assumed that a power failure occurs at the fifth rotary wheel H5 and the control of the solenoid valve 65 for operating the switching mechanism 25 cannot be performed, since the above-mentioned collision prevention mechanism 26 is provided, the intermediate jig GB is maintained in the normal state at the downstream delivery position P2 of the sixth rotary wheel H6, so that the holding members at the downstream delivery position P2 can also be prevented from interfering with each other.

[0158] Explanation of reference numerals

[0159] 1 Polyester bottle (container)

[0160] 2 Beverage manufacturing production line

[0161] 3 Blow molding section

[0162] 4 Filling section

[0163] 6 Container conveying device

[0164] 23 Opening and closing mechanism

[0165] 24 Swing mechanism

[0166] 25 Switching mechanism

[0167] 26 Collision prevention mechanism

[0168] GA upstream fixture

[0169] GB middle fixture

[0170] GC downstream fixture

[0171] H4 Fourth rotating wheel (upstream rotating wheel)

[0172] H5 Fifth rotating wheel (middle rotating wheel)

[0173] H6 Sixth rotating wheel (downstream rotating wheel)

Claims

1. A container conveying device, comprising: an upstream rotating wheel, the upstream rotating wheel having an upstream clamp for holding a container; a downstream rotating wheel, the downstream rotating wheel having a downstream clamp for holding a container; an intermediate rotating wheel, the intermediate rotating wheel being arranged between the upstream rotating wheel and the downstream rotating wheel and having an intermediate clamp for holding a container; and an opening and closing mechanism, the opening and closing mechanism opening and closing a holding member constituting the intermediate clamp, wherein the container conveying device is characterized in that: The conveying pitch of the containers at the downstream rotary wheel is set to be narrower than the conveying pitch of the containers at the upstream rotary wheel. The intermediate rotating wheel is provided with a swing mechanism for swinging the intermediate clamp, and at the downstream delivery position of the downstream rotating wheel, the intermediate clamp is swung in such a way as to make the adjacent intermediate clamp approach to each other, so that the conveying pitch of the container is consistent with the conveying pitch of the downstream clamp. Furthermore, a switching mechanism is provided, which switches the opening degree of the gripping member of the intermediate clamp to a normal state for delivering the container or a retracted state opened to a greater degree than the normal state. When the upstream rotating wheel stops and the intermediate rotating wheel continues to rotate, before the intermediate clamp reaches the upstream delivery position with respect to the upstream rotating wheel, the switching mechanism switches the intermediate clamp from the normal state to the retracted state, and before the intermediate clamp reaches the downstream delivery position from the upstream delivery position, the switching mechanism switches the intermediate clamp from the retracted state to the normal state.

2. The container conveying device according to claim 1, characterized in that: A collision prevention mechanism is provided, and when the intermediate clamp passes through a downstream side delivery position with respect to the downstream rotating wheel, the collision prevention mechanism maintains the intermediate clamp in a normal state.

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