Can body conveyance apparatus and can body production system

Abstract

To stably convey can bodies while suppressing energy required for the conveyance of the can bodies.SOLUTION: As a part of a conveyance mechanism 600, can body support parts 620 are provided as shown in (B). Each can body support part 620 is provided with plural bar-shaped members 680 to be charged into each can body 100. Each of the bar-shaped members 680 is linearly formed. Further, as another part of the conveyance mechanism 600, a movement mechanism 700 for moving this plural bar-shaped members 680 is provided as shown in the (B).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a can body conveying device and a can body manufacturing system. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a process for manufacturing bottle cans, which includes a printing / overcoating and baking process, an inner surface painting and baking process, a necking process, and a screw processing process. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2005-289381 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When transporting the can body, a member for supporting the can body may be placed inside the can body, and the can body may be transported by moving this member. Here, if a mandrel having an outer diameter close to the inner diameter of the can body is inserted inside the can body to support the can body, the weight of the mandrel requires more energy to transport the can body. In this case, the energy required to transport the can body can be reduced by simplifying the members inserted inside the can body, but in this case, problems such as unstable transport of the can body may occur. An object of the present invention is to enable stable transportation of can bodies while reducing the energy required for transportation of can bodies. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The can body conveying device to which the present invention is applicable is a can body conveying device that includes a plurality of rod-shaped members that are inserted inside a can body, and a moving means for moving the plurality of rod-shaped members. Here, when the multiple rod-shaped members are inserted into the can body, the multiple rod-shaped members move along the axial direction of the can body and / or the can body moves, and on a virtual orthogonal plane that is perpendicular to the axial direction of the can body when the multiple rod-shaped members and / or the can body move along the axial direction of the can body and that crosses the multiple rod-shaped members, the multiple rod-shaped members may be arranged to be located at each of the multiple vertices of a virtual polygon. Also, the distance between the center of the imaginary polygon and the rod-shaped member may be greater than a value obtained by dividing the radius of the can body by 2. In addition, each of the multiple rod-shaped members may have a can body side end which is the end that is located on the can body side when the multiple rod-shaped members are inserted into the can body, and the multiple rod-shaped members may be arranged so as to approach each other toward the can body side end. In addition, the plurality of rod-shaped members may be supported at their opposite ends, which are ends located opposite the can body side end, by a common member. The rod members may be arranged in parallel to one another. In addition, each of the multiple rod-shaped members may have a can body side end, which is the end that is located on the can body side when the multiple rod-shaped members are inserted into the can body, and the multiple rod-shaped members may have an opposite end side, which is the end that is located opposite the can body side end, supported by a common member. In addition, each of the multiple rod-shaped members may have a can body side end portion which is the end portion that is located on the can body side when the multiple rod-shaped members are inserted into the can body, and an elastic body may be provided at the can body side end portion of the rod-shaped member. In addition, each of the multiple rod-shaped members may have a can body side end portion which is the end portion that is located on the can body side when the multiple rod-shaped members are inserted into the can body, and a connecting member may be further provided to connect the can body side ends of each of the multiple rod-shaped members to each other. The device may further include a mechanism for changing the positional relationship of the plurality of bar members. The change mechanism may also be configured to move the rod members in directions in which they approach each other, and to move the rod members in directions in which they move away from each other. Furthermore, when the plurality of rod-shaped members are inserted into the can body, the plurality of rod-shaped members may be inserted into the can body while being in a state in which they have been moved in the direction in which they approach each other. The change mechanism may be configured to move the rod members in directions away from each other after the rod members are inserted into the can body. In addition, when the multiple rod-shaped members are inserted into the can body, the multiple rod-shaped members move along the axial direction of the can body, and / or on a virtual orthogonal plane that is perpendicular to the axial direction of the can body when the can body moves and the multiple rod-shaped members are inserted into the can body and that crosses the multiple rod-shaped members, the multiple rod-shaped members are arranged to be positioned at each of a multiple vertices of a virtual polygon, and the change mechanism may be configured to move the multiple rod-shaped members so that they approach the center of the virtual polygon and move the multiple rod-shaped members so that they move away from the center of the virtual polygon. The apparatus may further comprise a heat source for heating an image formed on the can body supported by the plurality of rod-shaped members.

[0006] Furthermore, when the present invention is considered as a can body manufacturing system, the can body manufacturing system to which the present invention is applicable is a can body manufacturing system that includes an image forming unit that forms an image on the outer surface of a can body and a can body conveying device that conveys the can body, and that manufactures can bodies with an image formed thereon, and the can body conveying device is configured to include any of the can body conveying devices described above. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress the energy required for transporting can bodies and to transport can bodies stably. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates a can body manufacturing system. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a printing device. [Diagram 3] 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating a first heating device. [Figure 4] 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating a transport mechanism. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the supply of gas to a can body. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of a control unit. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing another configuration example of the first heating device. [Figure 8] 13(A) and 13(B) are diagrams showing other configuration examples of the heat reflecting portion. [Figure 9] 13(A) and 13(B) are diagrams showing the state of the rod-shaped members and the can body when the rod-shaped members are placed inside the can body. [Figure 10] 13A and 13B are diagrams showing other configuration examples of the can body supporting portion. [Figure 11] 13(A) and 13(B) are diagrams showing other configuration examples of the can body supporting portion. [Figure 12] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing other configuration examples of the can body side end portion of the rod-shaped member. [Figure 13] 13(A) to 13(C) are diagrams showing other configuration examples of the can body supporting part. [Figure 14] 6(A) and 6(B) are diagrams illustrating the movement of the can body support part. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a can body manufacturing system 1 according to the present embodiment. In the can body manufacturing system 1, a can body 100 (not shown in FIG. 1) is manufactured, which is made of metal and has a cylindrical shape and a bottom, and has an image formed on its outer peripheral surface, which is an example of an outer surface. The manufactured can body 100 is filled with a beverage. The beverage is not particularly limited, and the manufactured can body 100 is filled with, for example, an alcoholic beverage such as beer or chuhai, or a soft drink (non-alcoholic beverage). After filling with the beverage, a lid member is attached to the can body 100, and a beverage can filled with the beverage is completed.

[0010] 1, the can body manufacturing system 1 is provided with a printing device 200 that prints on a can body 100. The printing device 200 of this embodiment, which functions as an image forming section, is an inkjet printing device, and forms an image on the outer peripheral surface of the can body 100 using the inkjet method. It should be noted that the printing device 200 is not limited to an inkjet printing device, but may be a printing device that performs printing using a method other than the inkjet method, such as a plate-type printing device.

[0011] The inkjet printing device 200 refers to a printing device that performs printing by ejecting ink, which is an example of paint, from an inkjet head and attaching the ink to the can body 100. Known inkjet printing methods can be used in the printing device 200. Specifically, for example, a piezo method, a thermal (bubble) method, a continuous method, etc. can be used.

[0012] Moreover, the plate-type printing device 200 refers to a printing device that performs printing using a plate. In the plate-type printing device 200, ink, which is an example of paint, is applied to the plate, and then the ink applied to the plate is transferred to the can body 100, thereby printing on the can body 100. This transfer may be performed by directly contacting the plate with the can body 100, or by placing an intermediate transfer body between the plate and the can body 100 and transferring the image to the can body 100 via this intermediate transfer body. Here, examples of printing using a plate include letterpress printing, intaglio printing, lithographic printing, and stencil printing, and any of these may be used for printing using a plate.

[0013] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a printing device 200. As shown in FIG. The printing device 200 shown in FIG. Specifically, there are provided a first inkjet head 411Y that ejects yellow ink, a second inkjet head 411M that ejects magenta ink, a third inkjet head 411C that ejects cyan ink, and a fourth inkjet head 411K that ejects black ink.

[0014] The four inkjet heads 411 are arranged so as to extend in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the can body 100 (a direction perpendicular to the paper surface in the figure). Also, each of the four inkjet heads 411 is arranged so as to extend along the axial direction of the can body 100 being transported. Each of the four inkjet heads 411 is disposed above the transport path of the can body 100, and ejects ink toward the can body 100 located below. In this embodiment, ink is ejected from each of the four inkjet heads 411 onto the can body 100 that is positioned below and rotates in the circumferential direction, thereby forming an image on the outer circumferential surface of the can body 100.

[0015] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, a device for performing processes other than printing processes is provided upstream of the printing device 200 in the transport direction of the can bodies 100. Specifically, in this embodiment, an uncoiler (UC), a lubricator (LU), a cupping press (CP), a body maker (BM), a trimmer (TR), and a washer (WS) are provided in this order from the upstream side in the conveying direction of the can body 100. The uncoiler (UC) unwinds the coiled aluminum sheet. The lubricator (LU) applies lubricant to the aluminum sheet. The cupping press (CP) punches out a circular blank and then draws it to form a cup-shaped material.

[0016] In the body maker (BM) that performs the forming, the cup-shaped material is subjected to drawing and ironing processes to make the peripheral wall a predetermined thickness. The bottom is then formed into a dome shape. This results in a cylindrical can body 100 that has an opening on one side and a bottom on the other side. The trimmer (TR) trims and straightens the edge portion on the upper part of the peripheral wall of the can body 100. In other words, the trimmer (TR) removes the end portion of the can body 100 on the opening side. In the washer (WS), the can body 100 is washed, lubricating oil and other deposits are removed, and a chemical coating treatment is performed as necessary.

[0017] Furthermore, a first heating device 300 is provided downstream of the printing device 200 in the transport direction of the can body 100. The first heating device 300 heats the image formed on the outer surface of the can body 100, and prints the image onto the can body 100. In other words, the first heating device 300 heats the paint made of ink that is attached to the outer surface of the can body 100, and hardens the paint. If necessary, a clear paint may be applied on top of the paint made of ink (outside the paint in the radial direction of the can body 100) and heated together with the ink to harden it. The first heating device 300 heats the image formed on the can body 100 by the printing device 200 functioning as an image forming section, and hardens the image.

[0018] On the downstream side of the first heating device 300, an inside spray (INS) and a second heating device 400 are provided. In inside spray (INS), paint is applied to the inner surface of the can body 100. In other words, in inside spray (INS), the inner surface is painted. In inside spray (INS), paint is sprayed onto the inner surface of the can body 100 to paint the inner surface. In the second heating device 400, the paint attached to the inner surface of the can body 100 is heated and baked, whereby the paint attached to the inner surface of the can body 100 is cured.

[0019] Furthermore, a smooth die necker flanger (hereinafter referred to as "necker flanger") (SDN) is provided downstream of the second heating device 400 as an example of a diameter reducing process. The necker flanger (SDN) reduces the diameter of the opening of the can body 100 and forms a flange for attaching a can lid. Through the above processes, an empty can body 100 is completed. This empty can body 100 is shipped after an inspection process (not shown) and transported to a beverage filling process (not shown). Then, in this filling process, the empty can body 100 is filled with the beverage, and a can lid is attached to the can body 100 after it has been filled with the beverage.

[0020] Although not shown, a base coater (BC) and a third heating device 500 (not shown) may be further provided between the washer (WS) and the printing device 200. In the base coater (BC), a base layer (base coat layer) is formed by applying a colored paint such as white paint to the outer peripheral surface of the can body 100. In the third heating device 500, this base layer is heated and hardened. The above-mentioned processes and devices provided in the can body manufacturing system 1 are merely examples, and some of the processes and devices may be deleted, other processes and devices may be added, or the processes may be interchanged or changed.

[0021] 3(A) and (B) are diagrams illustrating the first heating device 300. FIG. Fig. 3(A) is a top view of the first heating device 300, and Fig. 3(B) is a front view of the first heating device 300. In other words, Fig. 3(B) is a view of the first heating device 300 as viewed from the direction indicated by the arrow IIIB in Fig. 3(A). As shown in FIG. 3(A), the first heating device 300 of this embodiment is provided with a conveying mechanism 600 that conveys the can body 100, on which an image has been formed by the printing device 200 (see FIG. 1), along a predetermined conveying path 300R.

[0022] 3(A), the first heating device 300 is provided with a plurality of heating sources 310 arranged side by side in the conveying direction of the can body 100 on the sides of the conveying path 300R along which the can body 100 is conveyed. In this embodiment, a plurality of heating sources 310 are provided on both one side 30X and the other side 30Y of the conveying path 300R. It is preferable to arrange the heat source 310 so that the distance between the heat source 310 and the can body 100 is 5 mm to 100 mm when the heat source 310 is positioned opposite the can body 100. The distance between the heat source 310 and the can body 100 is more preferably 25 mm to 50 mm.

[0023] Further, on each of one side 30X and the other side 30Y of the conveying path 300R, a flow path 320 is provided between adjacent heating sources 310 for passing gas supplied to the can bodies 100 on the conveying path 300R. In this embodiment, a gap 319 is provided between the heat sources 310 adjacent to each other in the can body transport direction, which is the transport direction of the can body 100. In this embodiment, the gap 319 serves as a flow path 320, and gas is supplied to the can body 100 through the gap 319 (details will be described later).

[0024] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 3(A) and (B), a gas supply mechanism 350 is provided as an example of a gas supply means for supplying gas through a flow path 320 to the can bodies 100 on the transfer path 300R. As shown in Fig. 3(B), the gas supply mechanism 350 is composed of a heater 351, a blower 352 serving as an air source, and two supplied parts 353 to which the gas sent by the blower 352 is supplied. Fig. 3(B) shows only one of the supplied parts 353 located on one side 30X.

[0025] 3A, the supplied portion 353 is provided on each of one side 30X and the other side 30Y of the transport path 300R. The inside of the supplied portion 353 is hollow. The supply portion 353 provided on one side 30X of the conveying path 300R is disposed on the opposite side to the side on which the conveying path 300R is provided, sandwiching a plurality of heating sources 310 provided on one side 30X of the conveying path 300R. In addition, the supply section 353 provided on the other side 30Y of the conveying path 300R is also positioned on the opposite side to the side on which the conveying path 300R is provided, sandwiching a plurality of heating sources 310 provided on the other side 30Y of the conveying path 300R.

[0026] The heater 351 and the blower 352 are disposed below the transport path 300R of the can body 100, as shown in FIG. 3(B). As described above and as shown in FIG. 3(A), the supplied portions 353 are provided on both the one side 30X and the other side 30Y of the transport path 300R. As shown in FIGS. 3(A) and 3(B), each of the supply recipients 353 is provided with a gas exhaust port 353X on the side where the transfer path 300R is provided. In this embodiment, gas is discharged from this outlet 353X, and the discharged gas passes through the flow path 320 and is supplied to the can body 100 on the transfer path 300R, as shown by an arrow 3C in FIG. 3(A).

[0027] In this embodiment, a heater 351 is provided as part of the gas supply mechanism 350, and the gas supply mechanism 350 heats the gas to be supplied to the can body 100. As a result, in this embodiment, the heated gas is supplied to the can body 100. In this embodiment, air is used as the gas. In this embodiment, heated air is supplied to the can body 100. The components of the gas are not particularly limited, and a gas other than air may be supplied to the can body 100.

[0028] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3(B), an exhaust blower 355 is provided on the ceiling of the first heating device 300, and this exhaust blower 355 exhausts the gas inside the first heating device 300 to the outside of the first heating device 300. Furthermore, in this embodiment, an intake port (not shown) for taking in gas from outside the first heating device 300 into the first heating device 300 is provided. In this embodiment, as the exhaust blower 355 exhausts gas, gas outside the first heating device 300 is supplied into the first heating device 300 through the intake port.

[0029] 4A and 4B are diagrams illustrating the transport mechanism 600. FIG. Fig. 4(A) is a top view of the transport mechanism 600, and Fig. 4(B) is a front view of the transport mechanism 600. In other words, Fig. 4(B) is a view of the transport mechanism 600 as viewed from the direction indicated by the arrow IVB in Fig. 4(A). As shown in Fig. 4B, the transport mechanism 600 is provided with a moving part 610 that moves to the right in the figure. As shown in Fig. 3A, the moving part 610 is formed in a ring shape and performs a circulating movement.

[0030] In this embodiment, a part of the moving section 610 that performs the circulating movement moves along the linear transport path 300R shown in FIG. 3(A). After moving along this linear transport path 300R, the moving section 610 moves in a circulating manner toward the upstream side in the can body transport direction as shown by the arrow 2C in FIG. 3(A).

[0031] 3A, in this embodiment, a rotating member 611 is further provided for applying a driving force to the moving unit 610. In this embodiment, the rotating member 611 is rotated in the clockwise direction in the figure by a driving source (not shown) such as a motor. Accordingly, the moving unit 610 moves. The moving part 610 is formed of, for example, a chain or a belt. When moving toward the upstream side in the can body conveying direction, the moving part 610 moves through the inside of the first heating device 300 as shown in Fig. 3(A). This suppresses the temperature drop of the moving part 610 compared to when the moving part 610 moves through the outside of the first heating device 300.

[0032] 4(B), the conveying mechanism 600 is provided with a plurality of can body support parts 620 that support the can bodies 100. The can body support parts 620 are attached to the moving part 610. The can body support parts 620 are provided so as to protrude upward from the moving part 610. In this embodiment, the can body support part 620 is inserted into the inside of the can body 100, whereby the can body support part 620 supports the can body 100. As the moving section 610 moves, each of the can body support sections 620 moves downstream along the conveying path 300R shown in Fig. 3(A) and then turns around and moves in a circulating manner as indicated by the arrows 2C. In Fig. 3(A), the moving section 610 is depicted as moving in a circulating manner horizontally, but it may also move in a circulating manner vertically.

[0033] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a rotation mechanism for rotating each of the can body supporting portions 620 is provided. The rotation mechanism is realized by, for example, a motor (not shown) provided in each of the can body supports 620. When this motor is driven, the can body support part 620 rotates around a rotation axis extending along the vertical direction, and accordingly, the can body 100 supported by the can body support part 620 rotates in the circumferential direction of the can body 100.

[0034] As another example of the rotation mechanism, a contact portion 633 that comes into contact with an outer periphery 621 of a can body support portion 620 may be provided as shown in FIG. 4(A). The contact portion 633 is disposed along the movement direction (the direction of the movement path 300R) of the can body support portion 620. When the contact portion 633 is used, the moving can body support portion 620 receives a resistance force from the contact portion 633. As a result, the can body support part 620 rotates about a rotation axis extending along the vertical direction, and accordingly, the can body 100 supported by the can body support part 620 rotates in the circumferential direction of the can body 100. The rotation mechanism is not limited to the mechanism described above, and other known mechanisms may be used.

[0035] Moreover, the transport mechanism 600 is not limited to the mechanism shown in FIGS. 4(A) and 4(B), and other known mechanisms may be used. Specifically, for example, the can body 100 may be moved using a linear movement mechanism. Alternatively, for example, a drive source such as a motor may be provided on a support that supports the can body 100, and the support may move by itself, thereby moving the can body 100. Alternatively, the can bodies 100 may be moved by placing the can bodies 100 on a belt conveyor that moves in a circular manner.

[0036] In this embodiment, at the can body mounting section 361 shown in Figure 3 (A), the can body 100 transported from the upstream side is supplied to the can body supporting section 620 (see Figure 4 (B)), and the can body supporting section 620 begins to support the can body 100. The can body support part 620, which has begun supporting the can body 100, is attached to the moving part 610, and therefore moves downstream along the conveying path 300R (see Figure 3(A)), which is formed in a straight line, as the moving part 610 moves.

[0037] In this embodiment, the image formed on the can body 100 is heated while the can body support part 620 moves downstream along the conveying path 300R. This promotes hardening of the image. Then, when the can body supporting portion 620 reaches the can body removing portion 362 shown in FIG. 3(A), the can body 100 is removed from the can body supporting portion 620 by a removing mechanism (not shown). Since the can body support part 620 after the can body 100 has been removed is attached to the moving part 610, it returns to the can body attachment part 361 located upstream in the can body conveying direction.

[0038] The first heating device 300 will be further described. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3(A), the position of the flow path 320 provided on one side 30X in the can body transport direction is aligned with the position of the flow path 320 provided on the other side 30Y in the can body 100 transport direction. In this embodiment, a flow path 320 is provided between a plurality of heating sources 310 provided on one side 30X, and a plurality of flow paths 320 are provided on one side 30X.

[0039] In this embodiment, a flow path 320 is provided between the multiple heat sources 310 provided on the other side 30Y, and the multiple flow paths 320 are provided on the other side 30Y. In this embodiment, the positions of the multiple flow paths 320 provided on one side 30X in the can body transport direction are aligned with the positions of the multiple flow paths 320 provided on the other side 30Y in the can body transport direction.

[0040] Here, as shown in FIG. 3(A), a virtual plane 300H is assumed to be aligned with the can body conveying direction. Furthermore, the flow paths 320 provided on one side 30X and the flow paths 320 provided on the other side 30Y are projected in a direction perpendicular to the can body conveying direction onto this imaginary plane 300H. In this case, in this embodiment, the position of the flow channel 320 provided on one side 30X coincides with the position of the flow channel 320 provided on the other side 30Y on the imaginary plane 300H.

[0041] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the supply of gas to the can body 100. As shown in FIG. In this embodiment, as described above, the position of the flow passage 320 provided on one side 30X in the can body transport direction is aligned with the position of the flow passage 320 provided on the other side 30Y in the can body transport direction. In this case, as indicated by reference symbol 5A in Fig. 5, the gases collide with each other on the conveying path 300R of the can bodies 100. In this case, turbulence is likely to occur on the conveying path 300R of the can bodies 100. When turbulence occurs, the gas surrounding the can body 100 is agitated. When the gas surrounding the can body 100 is agitated, fresher gas is supplied to the can body 100 than when the gas is not agitated. In this case, the hardening of the image formed on the can body 100 is further promoted.

[0042] In addition, when the position of the flow path 320 provided on one side 30X in the can body conveying direction is aligned with the position of the flow path 320 provided on the other side 30Y in the can body conveying direction, it is preferable to make the gas flow rate and flow speed equal. Specifically, it is more preferable to make the flow rate and flow velocity of the gas passing through the flow passage 320 provided on one side 30X equal to the flow rate and flow velocity of the gas passing through the flow passage 320 provided on the other side 30Y. In this case, the location where the gases collide with each other is less likely to deviate from the transport path 300R of the can body 100, compared to when at least one of the flow rate and the flow speed is different.

[0043] 3, the direction of the gas flow through the flow path 320 toward the transport path 300R of the can body 100 intersects with the axial direction of the can body 100 when the gas is supplied to the can body 100. In this embodiment, the gas flow direction is horizontal, and the axial direction of the can body 100 is vertical. In this embodiment, when gas is supplied to the can body 100, the gas does not flow along the axial direction of the can body 100, but flows along a direction intersecting the axial direction and is supplied to the can body 100.

[0044] It should be noted that this does not exclude a situation in which, when gas is supplied to the can body 100, the gas flows along the axial direction of the can body 100. For example, the can body 100 may be arranged so that the axial direction of the can body 100 is aligned in a direction perpendicular to the can body conveying direction and horizontally, and gas may be supplied to the can body 100 from the side of the conveying path 300R. In this case, when gas is supplied to the can body 100, the gas flows along the axial direction of the can body 100.

[0045] In addition, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the direction of movement of the can body 100 when the can body 100 moves along the conveying path 300R and the direction of the gas flow through the flow path 320 toward the conveying path 300R intersect with each other. The direction of movement of can body 100 when it moves along conveying path 300R and the direction of gas flow are both horizontal, but the direction of movement of can body 100 when it moves along conveying path 300R is horizontal and in one direction, and the direction of gas flow is horizontal and in a direction that intersects this one direction.

[0046] Next, the heat source 310 will be described. In this embodiment, a heating source 310 that includes a light source and radiates infrared rays from the light source is used as an example of the heating source 310. In other words, in this embodiment, a so-called IR (Infrared Rays) heater is used as the heating source 310. When infrared rays are emitted from the light source, energy is supplied to the image formed on the outer surface of the can body 100, causing the molecules in the image to vibrate (move). This vibration creates friction between the materials that make up the image, generating heat. This heat heats the image, accelerating its hardening. The heat source 310 that radiates infrared rays is just an example, and the heat source 310 is not particularly limited, and a heat source 310 other than the heat source 310 that radiates infrared rays may be used.

[0047] 3B, the present embodiment further includes a control unit 710. The control unit 710 is configured by a computer. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the control unit 710. As shown in FIG. The control unit 710 has an arithmetic processing unit 11 that executes digital arithmetic processing according to a program, and a secondary storage unit 91 that stores information. The secondary storage unit 91 is realized by an existing information storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), a semiconductor memory, or a magnetic tape.

[0048] The arithmetic processing unit 11 includes a CPU 11a as an example of a processor. The arithmetic processing unit 11 also includes a RAM 11b used as a working memory for the CPU 11a, and a ROM 11c in which programs executed by the CPU 11a are stored. The arithmetic processing unit 11 is also provided with a non-volatile memory 11d that is rewritable and capable of retaining data even when the power supply is interrupted.

[0049] The non-volatile memory 11d is composed of, for example, a battery-backed SRAM, a flash memory, etc. In the secondary storage unit 91, various types of information such as programs executed by the arithmetic processing unit 11 are stored. In this embodiment, the arithmetic processing unit 11 reads out programs stored in the ROM 11c or the secondary storage unit 91, whereby various processes performed in the first heating device 300 are executed.

[0050] The program executed by the CPU 11a may be provided to the control unit 710 in a state where it is stored in a computer-readable recording medium such as a magnetic recording medium (such as a magnetic tape or a magnetic disk), an optical recording medium (such as an optical disk), a magneto-optical recording medium, a semiconductor memory, etc. Also, the program executed by the CPU 11a may be provided to the control unit 710 using a communication means such as the Internet.

[0051] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing another configuration example of the first heating device 300. In FIG. In this configuration example, similar to the above, a plurality of heating sources 310 are provided on one side 30X of the transport path 300R. Also, in this configuration example, a heat reflecting section 390 is provided on the other side 30Y of the transport path 300R. As described above, a plurality of heating sources 310 are provided and arranged side by side in the can body conveying direction. Furthermore, as described above, a flow path 320 is provided between adjacent heating sources 310. This flow path 320 is formed by a gap 319 existing between the heating sources 310.

[0052] The heat reflecting portion 390 reflects heat from a heating source 310 provided on one side 30X toward the transport path 300R. The heat reflecting portion 390 is configured by a so-called mirror and has a function of reflecting light. The heat reflecting portion 390 shown in Fig. 7 is formed so as to be convex toward the transport path 300R. A plurality of heat reflecting sections 390 are provided and are arranged side by side in the can body conveying direction. Furthermore, in this configuration example, a flow path 320 for passing gas supplied to the can body 100 on the conveying path 300R is provided between adjacent heat reflecting sections 390. This flow path 320 is formed by a gap 319 existing between the heat reflecting sections 390.

[0053] In this configuration example, on one side 30X of the transport path 300R, gas is supplied to the can bodies 100 on the transport path 300R through a flow path 320 provided between adjacent heating sources 310, as described above. On the other hand, on the other side 30Y of the transport path 300R, gas is supplied to the can bodies 100 on the transport path 300R through a flow path 320 provided between the heat reflecting sections 390 adjacent to each other.

[0054] Figures 8(A) and (B) are diagrams showing other configuration examples of the heat reflecting portion 390. Figures 8(A) and (B) show the heat reflecting portion 390 as viewed from above. The shape of the heat reflecting portion 390 is not particularly limited. In the configuration example shown in FIG. 7, the heat reflecting portion 390 is formed so as to protrude toward the transport path 300R. Without being limited thereto, as shown in Fig. 8(A), the heat reflecting portion 390 may be given an uneven shape to diffusely reflect infrared rays at the heat reflecting portion 390. Moreover, the heat reflecting portion 390 may be formed in a flat shape as shown in Fig. 8(B).

[0055] In addition, the first heating device 300 may be provided with two or more types of heat reflecting section 390, for example, two or more types of heat reflecting section 390 selected from a first type of heat reflecting section 390 shown in FIG. 7, a second type of heat reflecting section 390 shown in FIG. 8(A), and a third type of heat reflecting section 390 shown in FIG. 8(B). The heat reflecting section 390 may be provided on the ceiling of the first heating device 300, and may direct infrared rays directed upward from the heat source 310 toward the transport path 300R located below.

[0056] The transport mechanism 600 (see FIG. 3) will now be described in further detail. The conveying mechanism 600 serves as a can body conveying device and conveys the can bodies 100. In this embodiment, as a part of the conveying mechanism 600, a can body supporting section 620 is provided as shown in FIG. 4(B). The can body support portion 620 is provided with a plurality of rod-shaped members 680 that are inserted into the inside of the can body 100. Each of the rod-shaped members 680 is formed in a straight line. Furthermore, in this embodiment, as another part of the transport mechanism 600, a moving mechanism 700 is provided as an example of a moving means for moving the plurality of rod members 680, as shown in FIG. 4(B).

[0057] In this embodiment, the moving mechanism 700 is composed of a moving unit 610, a rotating member 611 (see FIG. 3(A)) that moves the moving unit 610, and a motor (not shown) that rotates the rotating member 611. 3A, in this embodiment, a rotating member 611 is provided for applying a driving force to the moving unit 610. Furthermore, in this embodiment, a motor is provided for rotating the rotating member 611 in the clockwise direction in the figure. In this embodiment, the rotating member 611 is rotated by a motor, and the moving part 610 moves in a circular manner in accordance with this.

[0058] 4(A), each of the rod-shaped members 680 is formed in a cylindrical shape, and has a circular cross section in a plane perpendicular to the axial direction of the rod-shaped member 680. In other words, the rod-shaped member 680 is formed so that its outer shape is circular in a cross section in a plane perpendicular to the axial direction of the rod-shaped member 680. However, without being limited thereto, the rod-shaped member 680 may be formed so that the cross section thereof is polygonal. In other words, the rod-shaped member 680 may be formed so that the outer shape in the cross section thereof is polygonal.

[0059] Furthermore, the rod-shaped member 680 may be hollow, such as cylindrical. In other words, the rod-shaped member 680 may be tubular. Incidentally, when the rod-shaped member 680 is hollow, the outer shape is not limited to a circle, but may be a polygon, as in the case where the rod-shaped member 680 is columnar as described above.

[0060] The material constituting the rod-shaped member 680 is not particularly limited, but a metal material is one example. The material constituting the rod-shaped member 680 is preferably a material that is not easily affected by the heating from the heat source 310 and is not easily subject to a temperature increase due to the heat source 310. In other words, it is preferable that the material of the rod-shaped member 680 is one that is not likely to experience a temperature rise due to the infrared rays radiated by the heat source 310. Moreover, it is preferable that the color of the rod-shaped member 680 is one that is not easily affected by the heating from the heat source 310 and is not likely to cause a temperature rise due to the heat source 310. In other words, it is preferable that the color of the rod-shaped member 680 is one that is not likely to cause a temperature rise due to the infrared rays radiated by the heat source 310.

[0061] In addition, with respect to each of the rod-shaped members 680, it is preferable to perform a treatment on each of the rod-shaped members 680 to prevent scratches from occurring on the inner surface of the can body 100, such as chamfering the can body side end portion 681 of the rod-shaped members 680, as shown in Figure 4 (B). Each of the rod-shaped members 680 has a can body side end 681 and an opposite end 682 which is the end located opposite to the can body side end 681 . The can body side end 681 is an end that is located on the can body 100 side when the rod-shaped member 680 is placed inside the can body 100 .

[0062] 9(A) and (B) are diagrams showing the state of the rod-shaped members 680 and the can body 100 when multiple rod-shaped members 680 are inserted inside the can body 100. In other words, Figures 9(A) and (B) are diagrams showing the state of the rod-shaped members 680 and the can body 100 at the can body attachment part 361 (see FIG. 3(A)). 9(A) is a front view, and FIG. 9(B) is a cross-sectional view taken along line IXB-IXB in FIG. 9(A).

[0063] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9(A), when a plurality of rod-shaped members 680 are placed inside the can body 100, the can body 100 moves along the axial direction of the can body 100. In other words, in this embodiment, when the can body 100 is attached to the multiple rod-shaped members 680, the can body 100 is moved from above to below along the axial direction of the can body 100 by an attachment device (not shown).

[0064] It is to be noted that the movement is not limited to the can body 100, and a plurality of rod-shaped members 680 may be moved toward the can body 100 along the axial direction of the can body 100. In addition, both the can body 100 and the plurality of rod-shaped members 680 may be moved along the axial direction of the can body 100. When both the can body 100 and the plurality of rod-shaped members 680 are moved, the can body 100 and the plurality of rod-shaped members 680 approach each other. When moving multiple rod-shaped members 680 toward the can body 100 along the axial direction of the can body 100, for example, a moving mechanism (not shown) for moving the can body support part 620 upward is provided between the moving part 610 (see Figure 9 (A)) and the can body support part 620.

[0065] Here, as shown in FIG. 9(A), an orthogonal plane 691 that crosses a plurality of rod-shaped members 680 is assumed. This perpendicular plane 691 is a virtual perpendicular plane 691 that is perpendicular to the axial direction of the can body 100 as the can body 100 moves along its axial direction toward the multiple rod-shaped members 680, and is a virtual perpendicular plane 691 that passes through a position where it crosses the multiple rod-shaped members 680. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9(B), on the orthogonal plane 691, the plurality of rod-shaped members 680 are provided so as to be positioned at each of the plurality of vertices 692A of the imaginary polygon 692.

[0066] In this embodiment, in a cross section of the plurality of bar-shaped members 680 in the perpendicular plane 691, the plurality of bar-shaped members 680 are provided so as to be positioned at each of a plurality of vertices 692A of the imaginary polygon 692. More specifically, in this embodiment, the imaginary polygon 692 is a regular polygon, and the multiple rod members 680 are provided so as to be positioned at each of multiple vertices 692A of this regular polygon. More specifically, the regular polygon is an equilateral triangle, and in this embodiment, a rod-shaped member 680 is provided at each of apexes 692A of the equilateral triangle.

[0067] To explain further, in this embodiment, the multiple rod members 680 are arranged radially around the arrangement center 694 . In this embodiment, the rod-shaped member 680 is arranged on each of a plurality of imaginary straight lines 695 that extend radially from the center of arrangement 694, and the angles θ (central angles) formed by two adjacent imaginary straight lines 695 are equal to each other.

[0068] In other words, the rod-shaped member 680 is arranged on each of a plurality of imaginary straight lines 695 that extend radially from the center of arrangement 694 and are arranged at regular angular intervals around the center of arrangement 694. Furthermore, the rod members 680 are arranged such that the distances from the arrangement center 694 to the rod members 680 are equal to each other.

[0069] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the distance L1 between the center 696 of the imaginary polygon 692 (see Figure 9 (B)) and each of the rod-shaped members 680 is greater than the value obtained by dividing the radius L2 of the can body 100 by 2. In this case, each rod-shaped member 680 is arranged closer to the inner surface 100N of the can body 100 than the axial center 100C of the can body 100, and the can body 100 is supported more stably than when each rod-shaped member 680 is arranged closer to the axial center 100C of the can body 100. Here, the number of rod-shaped members 680 installed is preferably 3 or more. If the number of rod-shaped members 680 installed is 2 or less, support of the can body 100 by the rod-shaped members 680 tends to become unstable.

[0070] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9(A), the rod members 680 are arranged in parallel to each other. In this embodiment, each of the multiple rod-shaped members 680 has a can body side end 681, which is the end located on the can body 100 side, and an opposite side end 682, which is the end located on the opposite side to the can body side end 681, as described above and as shown in Figure 9 (A). In this embodiment, the opposite ends 682 of the rod-shaped members 680 are supported by a base 629, which is an example of a common member. The base 629 is formed in a disk shape and is disposed along the horizontal direction. The base 629 is disposed below the rod-shaped member 680. In this embodiment, the rod-shaped member 680 is provided so as to extend upward from the base 629, and is provided in a state along the vertical direction.

[0071] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another example of the configuration of the can body support portion 620. In FIG. In this configuration example shown in FIG. 10, a plurality of rod-shaped members 680 are provided so as to approach each other toward the can body side end 681 . As in the above, in this configuration example, multiple rod-shaped members 680 are arranged radially and are placed at each of the vertices of a virtual polygon (not shown in Figure 10) on a virtual orthogonal plane 691. Also in this configuration example, similarly to the above, opposite end portion 682 of each of the plurality of rod-shaped members 680 is supported by pedestal 629 which is a common member. In this configuration example, the multiple rod-shaped members 680 can be inserted more easily into the can body 100 than in the case where the multiple rod-shaped members 680 are arranged in parallel.

[0072] 11(A) and (B) are diagrams showing other configuration examples of the can body supporting portion 620. In FIG. Fig. 11(A) is a front view of the can body support part 620, and Fig. 11(B) is a top view of the can body support part 620. Note that Fig. 11(B) shows only the part of the can body support part 620 that includes a connecting member 758 (described later). The can body side end portion 681 of each of the multiple rod-shaped members 680 may be unconstrained and left as a free end as shown in FIG. 10, or a connecting member 758 may be provided as shown in FIG. 11, and the can body side end portions 681 of each of the multiple rod-shaped members 680 may be connected to each other by this connecting member 758.

[0073] In the configuration example shown in FIG. 11, a plurality of openings 758A are provided in the connection member 758 as shown in FIG. 11(B). In this configuration example, the can body side end 681 of the rod-shaped member 680 is inserted into the opening 758A, whereby the connection member 758 connects the multiple rod-shaped members 680 together. The shape of the connecting member 758 is not limited to the shape shown in FIG. 11(B). For example, the connecting member 758 may be annular, with multiple rod-shaped members 680 inserted inside the annular connecting member 758. In addition, Figure 11 shows an example in which the can body side ends 681 of multiple rod-shaped members 680 that approach each other toward the can body side ends 681 are connected together using connecting member 758, but the can body side ends 681 of rod-shaped members 680 that are in a parallel relationship with each other, as shown in Figure 9, may also be connected together using connecting member 758.

[0074] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing another example of the configuration of the can body side end 681 of the rod-shaped member 680. In FIG. In this configuration example shown in FIG. 12, an elastic body 681A is provided at an end 681 of a rod-shaped member 680 on the can body side. The material of elastic body 681A is not particularly limited, and may be a resin material or rubber. In this embodiment, elastic body 681A is made of silicone rubber.

[0075] When elastic body 681A is provided, damage to the inner surface of can body 100 is suppressed compared to when elastic body 681A is not provided. Furthermore, in this embodiment, a spring 681C is provided between elastic body 681A and main body 681B of rod-shaped member 680. By providing spring 681C, the impact acting between can body 100 and rod-shaped member 680 when can body 100 and rod-shaped member 680 come into contact with each other is mitigated.

[0076] Furthermore, FIG. 12 also shows the positional relationship between the rod-shaped member 680 and the heat source 310. In this embodiment, the elastic body 681A is configured to be located above the upper end portion 310A of the heat source 310, and in this embodiment, the elastic body 681A is configured to be located at a position away from the opposing position of the heat source 310. This makes elastic body 681A less susceptible to the effects of heat from heat source 310, and elastic body 681A is less likely to deteriorate. Although not shown in Figure 12, when this rod-shaped member 680 is inserted inside the can body 100, it is preferable that the bottom of the can body 100 (see Figure 4(B)) (the upper end of the can body 100 in Figure 4(B)) is positioned above the upper end 310A of the heating source 310, so that the bottom of the can body 100 is not heated.

[0077] 13(A) to (C) are diagrams showing other configuration examples of the can body supporting part 620. Figures 14(A) and (B) are diagrams explaining the movement of the can body supporting part 620. FIG. 13(B) is a cross-sectional view of the can body support part 620 taken along line XIIIB-XIIIB in FIG. 13(A), and FIG. 13(C) is a cross-sectional view of the can body support part 620 taken along line XIIIC-XIIC in FIG. 13(A). 14(A) and (B) show the state of guide members (described later) when the can body supporting portion 620 is viewed from above.

[0078] In this configuration example, as shown in FIG. 13(A), a change mechanism 900 for changing the positional relationship of a plurality of rod-shaped members 680 is provided on the can body support portion 620. As shown in FIGS. 14(A) and (B), this change mechanism 900 moves the multiple rod-shaped members 680 in directions in which they approach each other, and moves the multiple rod-shaped members 680 in directions in which they move away from each other.

[0079] More specifically, in this configuration example, when a plurality of rod-shaped members 680 are inserted into the can body 100, the rod-shaped members 680 are brought into the state shown in FIG. 14(B). More specifically, when the can body 100 is attached to the can body support part 620 at the can body attachment part 361 (see Figure 3 (A)), in this configuration example, the multiple rod-shaped members 680 move in a direction approaching each other, and as shown in Figure 14 (B), the multiple rod-shaped members 680 are brought into a state close to each other. Then, a plurality of rod-shaped members 680 in close proximity to each other are placed in the can body 100.

[0080] Furthermore, in this embodiment, after the multiple rod-shaped members 680 are inserted into the can body 100, the changing mechanism 900 moves the multiple rod-shaped members 680 in directions away from each other, as shown in Fig. 14(A). As a result, the multiple rod-shaped members 680 approach the inner circumferential surface of the can body 100 (not shown in Fig. 14), and support of the can body 100 by the can body support part 620 becomes stable. Furthermore, in this configuration example, when the can body 100 reaches the can body removal section 362 (see FIG. 3(A)), the can body support section 620 is brought into the state shown in FIG. 14(B). Specifically, the multiple rod-shaped members 680 are brought into a state in which they approach each other. This makes it easy to remove the can body 100 from the can body support section 620.

[0081] In this configuration example, as in the above, on an orthogonal plane 691 (not shown in Figures 13 and 14) that intersects the multiple rod-shaped members 680, the multiple rod-shaped members 680 are arranged so as to be positioned at each of the multiple vertices 692A of a virtual polygon 692 (see Figure 14(A)). The change mechanism 900 moves the plurality of rod-shaped members 680 so that the rod-shaped members 680 approach the center 692E of the imaginary polygon 692. Moreover, the change mechanism 900 moves the plurality of rod-shaped members 680 so that the rod-shaped members 680 move away from the center 692E of the imaginary polygon 692.

[0082] The changing mechanism 900 will be described with reference to FIGS. In this configuration example shown in FIG. 13, as shown in FIG. 13(C), a base 629 is rotatable about a rotation axis 629X extending along the vertical direction. Furthermore, in this configuration example, a motor M (see FIG. 13(A)) that is driven in response to an instruction from control unit 710 (see FIG. 3(B)) is provided. In this configuration example, motor M rotates base 629 in one direction and the opposite direction around rotation axis 629X (see FIG. 13(C)).

[0083] More specifically, in this configuration example, a gear 698 that meshes with the outer periphery of a base 629 (see FIG. 13(A)) is provided, and this gear 698 is rotated in one direction and the opposite direction by a motor M, thereby rotating the base 629 in one direction and the opposite direction. Furthermore, in this configuration example, the rod member 680 can move in the radial direction of the base 629 (see FIG. 13(C)). In this configuration example, a plurality of grooves 692M are provided that are arranged radially along the radial direction of the base 629, and in this configuration example, the rod-shaped member 680 is configured to move along these grooves 692M.

[0084] 13A, a support section 630 that supports the base 629 is provided below the base 629. The support section 630 is fixed to the moving section 610. Furthermore, a protrusion 631 is provided on the upper surface of support portion 630, which fits into hole 629H provided in the bottom surface of base 629. In this configuration example, base 629 rotates in the circumferential direction around protrusion 631. Furthermore, above the base 629, a disk-shaped guide member 635 for guiding the rod-shaped member 680 is provided.

[0085] As shown in FIG. 13(B), the guide member 635 has a plurality of guide grooves 635M formed therein, extending from the center portion 635C toward the outer periphery 635G in the radial direction of the guide member 635. A plurality of guide grooves 635M are provided in a shape corresponding to each of the rod-shaped members 680. In this configuration example, the rod-shaped members 680 are passed through the guide grooves 635M. Each of the guide grooves 635M is provided such that the position in the circumferential direction of the guide member 635 gradually changes toward the outside in the radial direction of the guide member 635.

[0086] Specifically, in this configuration example, each of the guide grooves 635M is formed so as to gradually turn in a counterclockwise direction in the figure as it moves outward in the radial direction of the guide member 635. 13A, the guide member 635 is fixed to the support portion 630. As a result, in this configuration example, even if the base 629 rotates, the guide member 635 does not rotate.

[0087] In this embodiment, when the can body 100 is attached to the can body support part 620 at the can body attachment part 361 (see FIG. 3(A)), or before the can body 100 is attached to the can body support part 620 at the can body attachment part 361, the motor M (see FIG. 13(A)) is driven, and the base 629 shown in FIG. 14(A) rotates in a clockwise direction. This causes the multiple rod-shaped members 680 to approach each other as shown in FIG. 14(B). In this embodiment, the can body 100 is attached to the rod-shaped members 680 in a state in which the rod-shaped members 680 are close to each other.

[0088] Thereafter, in this embodiment, the motor M is driven in the reverse direction, and the base 629 shown in Fig. 14(B) rotates in the counterclockwise direction, causing the rod members 680 to move away from each other, as shown in Fig. 14(A). In this embodiment, this state in which the rod members 680 are separated from one another is maintained, and the can body 100 is transported along the transport path 300R (see FIG. 3(A)).

[0089] Then, in this embodiment, when the can body 100 reaches the can body removal section 362, the motor M is driven again, and the base 629 in the state shown in Fig. 14(A) rotates in the clockwise direction. As a result, the rod members 680 approach each other as shown in Fig. 14(B). In this embodiment, the can body 100 is removed from the rod-shaped members 680 in this state where the rod-shaped members 680 are close to each other.

[0090] In this embodiment, as described above, when the can body 100 reaches the can body removal section 362, the multiple rod-shaped members 680 are brought into a state in which they approach each other. Here, when the multiple rod-shaped members 680 return to the can body mounting portion 361, the multiple rod-shaped members 680 may move to the can body mounting portion 361 while maintaining the state in which the multiple rod-shaped members 680 are close to each other. Furthermore, without being limited thereto, once the can body 100 reaches the can body removal section 362, the multiple rod-shaped members 680 may be separated from each other. When the can body support portion 620 reaches the can body attachment portion 361, the rod members 680 may be brought closer to each other.

[0091] Note that, in Figures 13 and 14, the case where multiple rod-shaped members 680 that are parallel to each other are moved is described, but the objects that can be moved by the change mechanism 900 are not limited to multiple rod-shaped members 680 that are parallel to each other. A configuration may be adopted in which a plurality of rod-shaped members 680, as shown in FIG. 10, are arranged with their can body side ends 681 approaching each other, and are moved as described above. In addition, in the configuration examples shown in Figures 13 and 14, the base 629 is rotated to move the rod-shaped member 680, but this is not limited to the above, and the guide member 635 may be rotated to move the rod-shaped member 680.

[0092] In addition, instead of being limited to rotating the base 629 or the guide member 635, a drive source may be provided for each rod-shaped member 680, and each of the multiple rod-shaped members 680 may be moved individually using this drive source. In addition, in the configuration examples shown in Figures 13 and 14, the movement of rod-shaped member 680 toward the outer periphery of base 629 and the movement of rod-shaped member 680 toward the center of base 629 are both performed using guide member 635, but the manner of movement of rod-shaped member 680 is not limited to this. A biasing member such as a coil spring may be provided to bias rod-shaped member 680 toward the outer periphery or toward the center of base 629, and this biasing member may be used to move rod-shaped member 680 toward the outer periphery of base 629 or toward the center of base 629. Furthermore, it is not limited to moving all of the plurality of rod-shaped members 680, but it is also possible to move at least one of the plurality of rod-shaped members 680, such as one rod-shaped member 680. In other words, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which a number of rod-shaped members 680 less than the total number of the plurality of rod-shaped members 680 is moved.

[0093] In addition, in the above, a case has been described in which a conveying mechanism 600 equipped with a plurality of rod-shaped members 680 is provided in the first heating device 300, but this conveying mechanism 600 equipped with a plurality of rod-shaped members 680 can be used for general conveying of can bodies 100, and this conveying mechanism 600 may also be installed in a location other than the heating device. The transportation of the can body 100 using the transport mechanism 600 is not limited to when the can body 100 is heated, but may also be applied to the transportation of the can body 100 when performing a process other than heating, such as a simple transport process of the can body 100. Further, in the above, the first heating device 300 has been described, but the second heating device 400 (see FIG. 1) and the third heating device 500 (not shown) may also be configured in the same manner as the first heating device 300. [Explanation of symbols]

[0094] 1...can body manufacturing system, 100...can body, 200...printing device, 310...heat source, 600...conveying mechanism, 629...base, 680...rod-shaped member, 681...can body side end, 681A...elastic body, 682...opposite end, 691...orthogonal surface, 692...polygon, 692A...top, 692E...center, 696...center, 700...moving mechanism, 758...connecting member, 900...changing mechanism

Claims

1. A plurality of rod-shaped members that are inserted into the can body; a moving means for moving the plurality of rod-shaped members; A can body conveying device comprising:

2. When the plurality of rod-shaped members are inserted into the can body, the plurality of rod-shaped members move along an axial direction of the can body, and / or the can body moves; A can body conveying device as described in claim 1, wherein on a virtual perpendicular plane perpendicular to the axial direction of the can body when the multiple rod-shaped members and / or the can body move along the axial direction of the can body and which crosses the multiple rod-shaped members, the multiple rod-shaped members are arranged to be located at each of the multiple vertices of a virtual polygon.

3. 3. The can body conveying device according to claim 2, wherein a distance between a center of the imaginary polygon and the rod-shaped member is greater than a value obtained by dividing a radius of the can body by 2.

4. each of the plurality of rod-shaped members has a can body side end portion that is an end portion that is located on the can body side when the plurality of rod-shaped members are inserted into the can body; 2. The can body conveying device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of rod-shaped members are disposed so as to approach each other toward the can body side end portion.

5. 5. The can body conveying device according to claim 4, wherein the opposite end sides of the rod-shaped members, which are ends located opposite to the can body side end, are supported by a common member.

6. 2. The can body conveying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of rod members are arranged in a parallel relationship to one another.

7. each of the plurality of rod-shaped members has a can body side end portion that is an end portion that is located on the can body side when the plurality of rod-shaped members are inserted into the can body; 7. The can body conveying device according to claim 6, wherein the opposite end sides of the rod-shaped members, which are ends located opposite to the can body side end, are supported by a common member.

8. each of the plurality of rod-shaped members has a can body side end portion that is an end portion that is located on the can body side when the plurality of rod-shaped members are inserted into the can body; 2. The can body conveying device according to claim 1, wherein an elastic body is provided at an end of the rod-shaped member on the side of the can body.

9. each of the plurality of rod-shaped members has a can body side end portion that is an end portion that is located on the can body side when the plurality of rod-shaped members are inserted into the can body; The can body conveying device according to claim 1 , further comprising a connecting member for connecting the can body side ends of each of the plurality of rod-shaped members to each other.

10. The can body conveying device according to claim 1 , further comprising a mechanism for changing a positional relationship between the plurality of rod-shaped members.

11. The can body conveying device according to claim 10, wherein the change mechanism moves the rod members in directions in which they approach each other and moves the rod members in directions in which they move away from each other.

12. The can body conveying device according to claim 11, wherein when the plurality of rod-shaped members are inserted into the can body, the plurality of rod-shaped members are inserted into the can body while being in a state in which they have moved in the direction approaching each other.

13. The can body conveying device according to claim 12 , wherein the change mechanism moves the rod members in directions away from each other after the rod members are inserted into the can body.

14. When the plurality of rod-shaped members are inserted into the can body, the plurality of rod-shaped members move along an axial direction of the can body, and / or the can body moves; on an imaginary orthogonal plane perpendicular to an axial direction of the can body when the rod-shaped members are inserted into the can body and crossing the rod-shaped members, the rod-shaped members are arranged to be located at each of a plurality of vertices of an imaginary polygon; The can body conveying device described in claim 10, wherein the change mechanism moves the multiple rod-shaped members so that they approach the center of the virtual polygon, and moves the multiple rod-shaped members so that they move away from the center of the virtual polygon.

15. The can body conveying device according to claim 1 , further comprising a heat source used for heating an image formed on the can body supported by the plurality of rod-shaped members.

16. A can body manufacturing system comprising an image forming unit that forms an image on the outer surface of a can body and a can body conveying device that conveys the can body, and manufacturing can bodies with an image formed thereon, wherein the can body conveying device is configured to include a can body conveying device described in any one of claims 1 to 15.

Images