Flexible container opening device

Abstract

To provide a flexible container opening device capable of continuously cutting a side wall of a flexible container, even when a flexible container is not precisely positioned at a predetermined position during opening.SOLUTION: A flexible container opening device 2 comprises: support means 4 for supporting a flexible container F; cutting means 6 for cutting a side wall of the flexible container F supported by the support means 4; a roller 8 attached to the cutting means 6 in a freely rotational manner; turning means 10 for relatively turning the support means 4 and the cutting means 6; movement means 12 that allows the cutting means 6 and the roller 8 to move backward when the roller 8 is pushed backward by the side wall of the flexible container F supported by the support means 4, while advancing the cutting means 6 and the roller 8 toward the side wall of the flexible container F supported by the support means 4; and engagement prevention means 14 for preventing the roller 8 from being engaged to a recess on the side wall of the flexible container F.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a flexible container opening device that cuts the side wall of a flexible container to open the container. [Background technology]

[0002] A FIBC (flexible container bag) is a flexible bag-shaped container used for storing and transporting powdered and granular materials. FIBCs can be made from synthetic fibers such as polyethylene and polypropylene. FIBCs have an opening at the top that can be opened and closed freely, and powdered and granular materials are filled into the FIBC through this opening. FIBCs also have a lifting belt attached to them for hanging a crane hook, and are then lifted by a crane.

[0003] When removing the contents filled in a flexible container, for example, a flexible container opening device disclosed in Patent Document 1 below can be used. This flexible container opening device comprises a flexible container deposit table installed above a receiving hopper, a rotor rotatably attached to the flexible container deposit table, and a cutting blade attached to the rotor. When removing the contents of a flexible container, the flexible container is placed on the flexible container deposit table, and then the rotor is rotated to cut the side wall of the flexible container with the cutting blade. This makes it possible to open the flexible container and remove the contents. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-096545 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the flexible container opening device disclosed in Patent Document 1, the flexible container is cut intermittently, and there is a risk that the contents will remain in the flexible container. In other words, if the flexible container is not precisely positioned in the predetermined position when it is placed on the flexible container deposit tray, the cutting blade will move away from the side wall of the flexible container when the rotor is rotated, and the cutting of the flexible container by the cutting blade will be intermittent. In such cases, the problem of contents remaining in the flexible container will arise.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a flexible container opening device that can continuously cut the side wall of a flexible container even if the flexible container is not precisely positioned at a predetermined position when opening the container. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] According to the present invention, there is provided the following flexible container opening device that solves the above problems. "A flexible container opening device that cuts the side wall of a flexible container to open the flexible container, Support means for supporting the flexible container; cutting means for cutting the side wall of the flexible container supported by the support means; a roller rotatably attached to the cutting means; a rotating means for rotating the supporting means and the cutting means relative to each other; a moving means for moving the cutting means and the rollers forward toward the side wall of the flexible container supported by the supporting means, and for allowing the cutting means and the rollers to retreat when the rollers are pushed backward by the side wall of the flexible container supported by the supporting means; and a fitting prevention means for preventing the roller from fitting into a recess in the side wall of the flexible container.

[0008] Preferably, the support means includes a receiver on which the flexible container is placed, an adjustment device for adjusting the position of the flexible container placed on the receiver, and a hopper for receiving and discharging the contents flowing down from the opened flexible container. It is desirable that the receiver be formed in a shape that can prevent the accumulation of the contents flowing down from the opened flexible container. The support means may include a striking device that strikes the outer circumferential surface of the hopper to break up the adhesion of the contents to the inner circumferential surface of the hopper.

[0009] The cutting means preferably includes a circular blade rotatably arranged with a vertically extending straight line as its axis of rotation, and an air motor for rotating the circular blade. The air motor may be arranged above the circular blade. The cutting means preferably includes a scattering prevention cover that prevents contents from scattering behind the circular blade when the circular blade cuts the side wall of the flexible container. The cutting means preferably includes an air injection device that sprays air toward the circular blade to remove adhesion of contents to the circular blade. The roller may be rotatably mounted on the outer periphery of the air motor.

[0010] The turning means is preferably an operating rod for manually turning the support means about a rotation axis that is a straight line that passes through the radial center of the support means and extends in the vertical direction. The turning means may include an electric motor that turns the support means about a rotation axis that is a straight line that passes through the radial center of the support means and extends in the vertical direction. Alternatively, the turning means may include an electric motor that turns the cutting means along the outer periphery of the support means.

[0011] The moving means is preferably disposed above the cutting means.

[0012] the fitting prevention means includes an auxiliary roller arranged upstream of the roller in the relative rotation direction of the support means and the cutting means, and auxiliary moving means for moving the auxiliary roller forward toward the side wall of the flexible container supported by the support means, the auxiliary moving means is coupled to the moving means; When the auxiliary roller is pushed rearward by the side wall of the flexible container, the auxiliary moving means allows the auxiliary roller to move backward, When the auxiliary roller is pushed further rearward by the side wall of the flexible container, the moving means preferably allows the auxiliary roller, the roller and the cutting means to retract.

[0013] The diameter of the auxiliary roller is preferably smaller than the diameter of the roller. The auxiliary moving means may be disposed above the cutting means. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] The flexible container opening device of the present invention is Support means for supporting the flexible container; cutting means for cutting the side wall of the flexible container supported by the support means; a roller rotatably attached to the cutting means; a rotating means for rotating the supporting means and the cutting means relative to each other; a moving means for moving the cutting means and the rollers forward toward the side wall of the flexible container and allowing the cutting means and the rollers to retreat when the rollers are pushed backward by the side wall of the flexible container; Since the flexible container is provided with a fitting prevention means for preventing the roller from fitting into the recess in the side wall of the flexible container, the side wall of the flexible container can be cut continuously even if the flexible container is not precisely positioned in the predetermined position when opened, thereby making it possible to discharge almost the entire amount of the contents of the flexible container. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1 is a front view of a flexible container opening device according to the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the flexible container opening device shown in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the cutting means shown in FIG. 1; [Figure 4]FIG. 2 is a plan view of the cutting means shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 5] Cross-sectional view of line VV in Figure 4. [Figure 6] Cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI in Figure 4. [Figure 7] 2 is a front view of the flexible container opening device shown in FIG. 1 in a state in which the cutting means and the rollers have advanced. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a plan view of the flexible container opening device shown in FIG. 7. [Figure 9] 1A is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the side wall of the flexible container is being cut by a cutting means, and FIG. 1B is a schematic diagram showing a state in which a roller is fitted into a recess in the side wall of the flexible container. [Figure 10] 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating how the roller is prevented from fitting into the recess in the side wall of the flexible container by the fitting prevention means. FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a front view of the flexible container opening device when the rotating means is a rotating drive source that rotates the support means. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the flexible container opening device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0017] (Flexible container opening device 2) As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the flexible container opening device 2 comprises a support means 4, a cutting means 6, a roller 8, a turning means 10, a moving means 12, and a fitting prevention means 14.

[0018] (Support means 4) As shown in Figure 1, the support means 4 supports the flexible container F hoisted by the crane C. The support means 4 includes a receiver 16 on which the flexible container F is placed, an adjustment device 18 for adjusting the position of the flexible container F placed on the receiver 16, and a hopper 20 for receiving the contents, such as powder and granular material, that flow down from the opened flexible container F and discharging them downward.

[0019] The receiver 16 of the support means 4 supports the bottom of the flexible container F while allowing the contents to pass through as they flow down from the opened flexible container F. The receiver 16 is preferably formed in a shape that can prevent the accumulation of the contents flowing down from the flexible container F. For example, the receiver 16 can be formed from a tubular member.

[0020] The adjusting tool 18 of the support means 4 may be formed in a funnel shape. The upper and lower ends of the adjusting tool 18 are open, allowing the contents flowing down from the opened FIBC F to pass through the adjusting tool 18. The adjusting tool 18 of this embodiment has a truncated conical upper part 18a whose diameter gradually decreases from top to bottom, and a cylindrical lower part 18b that extends downward from the bottom end of the upper part 18a. A receiver 16 is fixed to the inner circumferential surface of the lower part 18b of the adjusting tool 18.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 1, the hopper 20 of the support means 4 is disposed on the outer periphery of the adjuster 18. Like the adjuster 18, the upper and lower ends of the hopper 20 are open, allowing the contents flowing down from an opened FIBC F to pass through the hopper 20. The hopper 20 has a cylindrical upper portion 20a, a truncated conical middle portion 20b whose diameter gradually decreases downward from the lower end of the upper portion 20a, and a cylindrical lower portion 20c that extends downward from the lower end of the middle portion 20b. The diameter of the upper portion 20a is larger than the maximum dimension of the FIBC F as viewed from above. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a plurality of connecting pieces 22 are provided at intervals in the circumferential direction on the inner circumferential surface of the middle portion 20b of the hopper 20, and the hopper 20 and the adjuster 18 are connected by the connecting pieces 22.

[0022] As shown in Fig. 1, a plurality of legs 24 are attached at circumferential intervals to the outer peripheral surface of the middle portion 20b of the hopper 20. The plurality of legs 24 are rotatably supported on a first base 28 via swivel bearings 26. That is, the support means 4 is mounted on the first base 28 so as to be rotatable about a straight line L1 as a rotation axis. The straight line L1 extends in the vertical direction through the radial center of the support means 4 (specifically, the radial centers of the adjustment tool 18 and the hopper 20).

[0023] In the hopper 20, the contents flowing down from the opened flexible container F are received mainly by the middle section 20b and discharged downward through the lower section 20c. When the contents are received by the middle section 20b, the upper section 20a prevents the contents from scattering. The contents discharged from the hopper 20 are sent to the inlet 30 of a device located below the hopper 20.

[0024] The support means 4 may include an impact device 32 that strikes the outer circumferential surface of the hopper 20 to remove the contents from adhering to the inner circumferential surface of the hopper 20 (see FIG. 1). The impact device 32 in this embodiment is fixed to the first base 28 via a bracket 33. The impact device 32 may be configured so that a piston 32a is actuated by air. The impact device 32 may be disposed so that the direction of actuation of the piston 32a is perpendicular to the middle section 20b of the hopper 20. The impact device 32 strikes the outer circumferential surface of the middle section 20b of the hopper 20 with the piston 32a, thereby removing the contents from adhering to the inner circumferential surface of the hopper 20. The impact device 32 may be controlled to strike the hopper 20 both while the support means 4 is rotating and when the rotation is stopped.

[0025] (Cutting means 6) The cutting means 6 will be described with reference to Figures 3 to 5. The cutting means 6 cuts the side wall of the flexible container F supported by the support means 4. The cutting means 6 includes a circular blade 34 and an air motor 36 that rotates the circular blade 34.

[0026] The circular blade 34 can be made of an appropriate metal material such as blade steel. A cutting edge for cutting the side wall of the flexible container F is provided on the outer periphery of the circular blade 34. The circular blade 34 is rotatable about a straight line L2 shown in Figure 5 as an axis of rotation. The straight line L2 passes through the radial center of the circular blade 34 and extends in the vertical direction.

[0027] As shown in Fig. 5, the air motor 36 includes a cylindrical housing 36a that extends in the vertical direction. The housing 36a is supported by the lower part of a movable bracket 38. The movable bracket 38 is suspended from a second frame 40 so as to be movable in the X-axis direction indicated by the arrow X in Fig. 5. The second frame 40 is fixed to the first frame 28 (see Fig. 1).

[0028] As shown in Fig. 3, an air supply port 36b and an air discharge port 36c are provided at the upper end of the housing 36a of the air motor 36. Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 5, the air motor 36 includes an output shaft 36d that protrudes downward from the lower end of the housing 36a. The output shaft 36d is connected to the center portion of the circular blade 34. In this manner, the air motor 36 of this embodiment is disposed above the circular blade 34. Therefore, when the side wall of the flexible container F is cut by the circular blade 34, the contents of the flexible container F are prevented from adhering to and accumulating on the air motor 36.

[0029] (Shatterproof cover 42) 4 and 5, the cutting means 6 of this embodiment is provided with a scattering prevention cover 42 that prevents the contents from scattering behind the circular blade 34 when the circular blade 34 cuts the side wall of the flexible container F. The scattering prevention cover 42 is formed in an arc shape and is fixed to a movable bracket 38.

[0030] (Air Injector 44) 5, the cutting means 6 preferably includes an air injection device 44 that sprays air toward the circular blade 34 to eliminate adhesion of contents to the circular blade 34. The air injection device 44 includes an air nozzle 46 attached to the anti-scattering cover 42 along the radial direction of the circular blade 34, and an electromagnetic valve (not shown) installed in a pipe connecting an air supply source (not shown) to the air nozzle 46. Air is supplied from the air supply source to the air nozzle 46, and is sprayed from the air nozzle 46 toward the center of the circular blade 34.

[0031] (Laura 8) The roller 8 of this embodiment is rotatably mounted on the outer periphery of the air motor 36 and extends in the vertical direction. As shown in Figures 3 to 5, the diameter of the roller 8 is smaller than the diameter of the circular blade 34. The axial dimension (vertical dimension) of the roller 8 is substantially the same as the vertical dimension of the housing 36a of the air motor 36, and the supply port 36b and discharge port 36c of the air motor 36 are exposed above the roller 8 (see Figure 3).

[0032] (Rotating means 10) The turning means 10 is used to turn the support means 4 and the cutting means 6 relative to each other. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the turning means 10 in this embodiment is an operating rod 48 for manually turning the support means 4 about a straight line L1 as a rotation axis. The operating rod 48 is fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the middle portion 20b of the hopper 20. An operator can turn the support means 4 relative to the cutting means 6 by holding the operating rod 48 and moving the operating rod 48 in the circumferential direction of the support means 4.

[0033] (Transportation 12) The moving means 12 advances the cutting means 6 and the rollers 8 toward the side wall of the flexible container F supported by the support means 4, and allows the cutting means 6 and the rollers 8 to retreat when the rollers 8 are pushed backward by the side wall of the flexible container F supported by the support means 4. As shown in Figures 3 and 5, the moving means 12 includes an air cylinder 50 and a pressure regulating valve (not shown) that adjusts the pressure of air supplied to the air cylinder 50 from an air supply source (not shown).

[0034] The cylinder tube 50a of the air cylinder 50 is supported in a suspended state on the second frame 40. The piston rod 50b of the air cylinder 50 is connected to the upper part of the movable bracket 38. A universal joint 52 may be interposed between the piston rod 50b and the movable bracket 38. The air cylinder 50 is also disposed above the circular blade 34 of the cutting means 6. Therefore, when the side wall of the flexible container F is cut with the circular blade 34, the contents of the flexible container F are prevented from adhering to and accumulating on the air cylinder 50.

[0035] The pressure regulating valve of the moving means 12 adjusts the pressure of the air supplied to the air cylinder 50 to a minute pressure (for example, about 0.01 MPa) when the cutting means 6 and the roller 8 are advanced. The minute pressure is a pressure that allows the air cylinder 50 to expand, but also a pressure that allows the air cylinder 50 to contract due to an external force.

[0036] The moving means 12 operates the air cylinder 50 along the X-axis direction to position the cutting means 6 and the roller 8 at a retracted position and an advanced position. The retracted position is a position (position shown in Figures 1 and 2) where the circular blade 34 of the cutting means 6 and the roller 8 do not interfere with the flexible container F when the flexible container F is supported by the support means 4. On the other hand, the advanced position is a position (position shown in Figures 7 and 8) where the circular blade 34 of the cutting means 6 can cut the side wall of the flexible container F supported by the support means 4, and where the roller 8 comes into contact with or approaches the side wall of the flexible container F.

[0037] (Mating prevention means 14) The fitting prevention means 14 prevents the roller 8 from fitting into a recess in the side wall of the flexible container F. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the fitting prevention means 14 includes an auxiliary roller 54 that is arranged upstream of the roller 8 in the relative rotation direction of the support means 4 and the cutting means 6 (the direction shown by arrow R1 in Figure 1), and an auxiliary moving means 56 that moves the auxiliary roller 54 forward toward the side wall of the flexible container F supported by the support means 4.

[0038] (Auxiliary roller 54) 3 and 6, the auxiliary roller 54 is rotatably mounted on the outer periphery of a cylindrical support shaft 58 that extends in the vertical direction, and the support shaft 58 is connected to the auxiliary movement means 56 via a bracket 60. The diameter of the auxiliary roller 54 is smaller than the diameter of the roller 8.

[0039] (Auxiliary Mobility 56) The auxiliary moving means 56 includes an air cylinder 62 and a pressure adjusting valve (not shown) that adjusts the pressure of air supplied to the air cylinder 62 from an air supply source (not shown).

[0040] A guided air cylinder can be used as the air cylinder 62 of the auxiliary moving means 56. The air cylinder 62 is fixed to the movable bracket 38. That is, the air cylinder 62 of the auxiliary moving means 56 is connected to the air cylinder 50 of the moving means 12 via the movable bracket 38. Therefore, as the air cylinder 50 of the moving means 12 extends and retracts, the auxiliary roller 54 and the air cylinder 62 of the auxiliary moving means 56 move in the X-axis direction. Also, as shown in FIG. 6 , the air cylinder 62 is disposed above the circular blade 34 of the cutting means 6. Therefore, when the side wall of the flexible container F is cut by the circular blade 34, the contents of the flexible container F are prevented from adhering to and accumulating on the air cylinder 62 of the auxiliary moving means 56.

[0041] The pressure regulating valve of the auxiliary moving means 56 adjusts the pressure of the air supplied to the air cylinder 62 to a minute pressure (for example, about 0.01 MPa) when moving the auxiliary roller 54 forward. The minute pressure is a pressure that allows the air cylinder 62 to expand, but also a pressure that allows the air cylinder 62 to contract due to an external force.

[0042] The auxiliary moving means 56 operates the air cylinder 62 along the X-axis direction to position the auxiliary roller 54 at a retracted position and an advanced position. The retracted position is a position (position shown in Figures 1 and 2) where the auxiliary roller 54 does not interfere with the flexible container F when the flexible container F is supported by the support means 4. On the other hand, the advanced position is a position (position shown in Figures 7 and 8) where the auxiliary roller 54 comes into contact with or approaches the side wall of the flexible container F.

[0043] Next, a method for opening a flexible container F using the flexible container opening device 2 as described above will be described.

[0044] First, the flexible container F filled with contents is lifted by the crane C and placed on the receiving device 16 of the support means 4. At this time, the cutting means 6 and roller 8 are positioned in the retracted position by the moving means 12, and the auxiliary roller 54 is positioned in the retracted position by the auxiliary moving means 56 (see Figures 1 and 2). Once the flexible container F is placed on the receiving device 16, the position of the flexible container F is adjusted by the funnel-shaped adjusting device 18. In other words, the side wall of the flexible container F is positioned so that the radial distance from the radial center of the support means 4 to the side wall of the flexible container F falls within a predetermined range. Even after the flexible container F has been placed on the receiving device 16 of the support means 4, the crane C continues to lift the flexible container F. The hook of the crane C is freely rotatable around an axis in the vertical direction.

[0045] After the flexible container F is placed on the support means 4, the cutting means 6 and moving means 12 are operated to cause the circular blade 34 to cut into the side wall of the flexible container F. At this time, first, the circular blade 34 of the cutting means 6 is rotated by the air motor 36 in the direction shown by arrow R2 in FIG. 2. Next, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the cutting means 6 and roller 8 are advanced toward the flexible container F by the moving means 12. This causes the circular blade 34 rotating in the R2 direction to cut into the side wall of the flexible container F. In addition, the auxiliary moving means 56 advances the auxiliary roller 54. At this time, the roller 8 and auxiliary roller 54 may or may not be in contact with the side wall of the flexible container F.

[0046] When the circular blade 34 is to cut into the side wall of the flexible container F, the solenoid valve of the air injection device 44 is opened and air is injected from the air nozzle 46 toward the circular blade 34. This prevents the contents sprayed out of the flexible container F from adhering to the circular blade 34 and also pushes the contents sprayed out of the flexible container F back toward the flexible container F, thereby reducing the amount of contents spilling out of the hopper 20. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the cutting means 6 is equipped with a scattering prevention cover 42, which prevents the contents from scattering behind the circular blade 34 when the side wall of the flexible container F is cut with the circular blade 34.

[0047] Once the circular blade 34 has cut into the side wall of the flexible container F, the support means 4 is rotated to cut the side wall of the flexible container F in the circumferential direction of the flexible container F. In this embodiment, the operator grasps the operating rod 48 and moves the operating rod 48 in the circumferential direction of the support means 4, thereby rotating the support means 4 in the R1 direction relative to the cutting means 6. Then, because the hook of the crane C is rotatable, the flexible container F rotates (spins) in conjunction with the rotation of the support means 4. This allows the circular blade 34 to cut the side wall of the flexible container F in the circumferential direction of the flexible container F, thereby opening the flexible container F. After the flexible container F has been opened, the crane C raises the flexible container F, enlarging the cut opening in the flexible container F and discharging almost all of the contents of the flexible container F from the flexible container F.

[0048] While the flexible container F is being cut, the cutting means 6 and rollers 8 repeatedly move forward and backward along the side wall of the flexible container F. As described above, the air cylinder 50 of the moving means 12 is supplied with a pressure that is sufficient to enable the air cylinder 50 to expand, but is also very small enough to allow the air cylinder 50 to contract due to external force. Therefore, when the rollers 8 come into contact with a recess in the side wall of the flexible container F, the cutting means 6 and rollers 8 are moved forward by the moving means 12. On the other hand, when the rollers 8 come into contact with a convex portion in the side wall of the flexible container F, the rollers 8 are pushed backward by the convex portion of the flexible container F, causing the cutting means 6 and rollers 8 to move backward.

[0049] In this way, the moving means 12 of this embodiment advances the cutting means 6 and rollers 8 toward the side wall of the flexible container F supported by the support means 4, and also allows the cutting means 6 and rollers 8 to retreat when the rollers 8 are pushed backward by the side wall of the flexible container F supported by the support means 4. Therefore, while the flexible container F is being cut, the rollers 8 repeatedly move forward and backward along the side wall of the flexible container F, so that the side wall of the flexible container F can be continuously cut even if the flexible container F is not precisely positioned in a predetermined position when opened. This makes it possible to discharge almost the entire content of the flexible container F.

[0050] Explaining with reference to Figure 9, when the side wall of the flexible container F is cut with the circular blade 34 of the cutting means 6 while the support means 4 supporting the flexible container F is being rotated, there is a risk that the roller 8 will become stuck in the recessed portion Fr of the side wall of the flexible container F. Normally, the shape of the flexible container F is circular or rectangular when viewed from above, but when contents such as powder or granular material are placed inside the flexible container F, the outer surface of the flexible container F will become dotted with irregularities and wrinkles. If the roller 8 becomes stuck in the recessed portion Fr of the flexible container F, a brake is applied to the rotation of the support means 4, preventing the flexible container F from being cut smoothly.

[0051] However, the flexible container opening device 2 of this embodiment is equipped with a fitting prevention means 14 that prevents the roller 8 from fitting into the recessed portion Fr of the flexible container F. Therefore, even if the flexible container F has a recessed portion Fr into which the roller 8 can fit, smooth cutting of the flexible container F is not hindered. As described above, the auxiliary roller 54 of the fitting prevention means 14 is disposed upstream of the roller 8 in the R1 direction (see FIG. 10). Because the diameter of the auxiliary roller 54 is smaller than the diameter of the roller 8, the auxiliary roller 54 will not fit into the recessed portion Fr into which the roller 8 can fit. Also, as described above, the air cylinder 62 of the auxiliary movement means 56 is supplied with a pressure sufficient to allow the air cylinder 62 to expand, but also a very small pressure sufficient to allow the air cylinder 62 to contract due to an external force. Therefore, the auxiliary roller 54 repeatedly moves forward and backward along the recessed portion Fr of the flexible container F.

[0052] When the auxiliary roller 54 is pushed rearward by the side wall of the flexible container F, the auxiliary moving means 56 allows the auxiliary roller 54 to move backward, and when the auxiliary roller 54 is pushed further rearward by the side wall of the flexible container F, the moving means 12 allows the auxiliary roller 54, roller 8, and cutting means 6 to move backward. Therefore, even if there is a recess Fr in the side wall of the flexible container F into which the roller 8 can fit, the roller 8 will not fit into the recess Fr, and smooth cutting of the flexible container F is achieved.

[0053] The rotation angle of the support means 4 when cutting the flexible container F may be, for example, about 250° to 300°. If the rotation angle is too small, there is a risk that the contents of the flexible container F will remain in the flexible container F. On the other hand, if the rotation angle is too large, there is a risk that the bottom of the flexible container F will separate from the top of the flexible container F, and the bottom of the flexible container F will fall into the insertion port 30 together with its contents. Therefore, by setting the rotation angle of the support means 4 to about 250° to 300°, it is possible to discharge almost the entire amount of the contents of the flexible container F and prevent the bottom of the flexible container F from falling. In Figure 8, the position of the operating rod 48 when the support means 4 starts to rotate is shown by a solid line, and the position of the operating rod 48 when the support means 4 finishes rotating is shown by a two-dot chain line.

[0054] 8, the pivoting direction (R1 direction) of the support means 4 and the rotation direction (R2 direction) of the circular blade 34 are opposite to each other. Therefore, in this embodiment, the resistance acting on the circular blade 34 when cutting the flexible container F can be made relatively small compared to when the pivoting direction of the support means 4 and the rotation direction of the circular blade 34 are the same.

[0055] When the support means 4 is turning or has finished turning, it is preferable to strike the outer circumferential surface of the hopper 20 with the piston 32a of the striking device 32 to remove any contents adhering to the inner circumferential surface of the hopper 20.

[0056] As described above, the moving means 12 of the flexible container opening device 2 advances the cutting means 6 and rollers 8 toward the side wall of the flexible container F supported by the support means 4, and also allows the cutting means 6 and rollers 8 to retreat when the rollers 8 are pushed backward by the side wall of the flexible container F supported by the support means 4. Therefore, while the flexible container F is being cut, the rollers 8 repeatedly move forward and backward, following the movement of the side wall of the flexible container F. As a result, even if the flexible container F is not precisely positioned in a predetermined position when it is opened, the side wall of the flexible container F can be continuously cut, making it possible to discharge almost the entire amount of the contents of the flexible container.

[0057] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the auxiliary roller 54 is pushed rearward by the side wall of the flexible container F, the auxiliary moving means 56 allows the auxiliary roller 54 to move backward, and when the auxiliary roller 54 is pushed further rearward by the side wall of the flexible container F, the moving means 12 allows the auxiliary roller 54, roller 8, and cutting means 6 to move backward. Therefore, even if there is a recess Fr in the side wall of the flexible container F into which the roller 8 can fit, the roller 8 will not fit into the recess Fr, and smooth cutting of the flexible container F is achieved.

[0058] The present invention is not limited to the flexible container opening device 2 described above, and various modifications are possible. For example, as shown in Figure 11, the turning means 10 may include an electric motor 64 that turns the support means 4 around a straight line L1 as the axis of rotation. In this case, it is preferable to provide a sensor 66 that detects the turning angle of the support means 4. Furthermore, although not shown, the turning means 10 may include an electric motor that turns the cutting means 6 in the R3 direction (see Figure 8) along the outer periphery of the support means 4. [Explanation of symbols]

[0059] 2: Flexible container opening device 4: Support means 6: Cutting means 8: Laura 10: Rotation means 12: Transportation 14: Anti-mating means 16: Receiving tool 18: Adjustment tool 20: Hopper 32: Impact device 34: Circular blade 36: Air motor 42: Anti-scattering cover 44: Air injection device 48: Operation stick 54: Auxiliary roller 56: Auxiliary transportation 64: Electric motor F: Flexible container

Claims

1. A flexible container opening device that cuts a side wall of a flexible container to open the flexible container, Support means for supporting the flexible container; cutting means for cutting the side wall of the flexible container supported by the support means; a roller rotatably attached to the cutting means; a rotating means for rotating the supporting means and the cutting means relative to each other; a moving means for moving the cutting means and the rollers forward toward the side wall of the flexible container supported by the support means, and for allowing the cutting means and the rollers to retreat when the rollers are pushed backward by the side wall of the flexible container supported by the support means; and a fitting prevention means for preventing the roller from fitting into a recess in the side wall of the flexible container.

2. 2. The flexible container opening device according to claim 1, wherein the support means includes a receiver on which the flexible container is placed, an adjustment device that adjusts the position of the flexible container placed on the receiver, and a hopper that receives the contents flowing down from the opened flexible container and discharges them downward.

3. The flexible container opening device according to claim 2, wherein the receiving device is formed in a shape capable of suppressing accumulation of contents flowing down from the opened flexible container.

4. 3. The flexible container opening device according to claim 2, wherein said support means includes a striking device that strikes the outer peripheral surface of said hopper to remove adhesion of the contents to the inner peripheral surface of said hopper.

5. 2. The flexible container opening device according to claim 1, wherein said cutting means includes a circular blade that is rotatably arranged about a vertically extending straight line as a rotation axis, and an air motor that rotates said circular blade.

6. 6. The flexible container opening device according to claim 5, wherein the air motor is disposed above the circular blade.

7. 6. The flexible container opening device according to claim 5, wherein the cutting means is provided with a scattering prevention cover that prevents contents from scattering behind the circular blade when the circular blade cuts the side wall of the flexible container.

8. 6. The flexible container opening device according to claim 5, wherein said cutting means includes an air injection device that injects air toward said circular blade to remove adhesion of contents to said circular blade.

9. 6. The flexible container opening device according to claim 5, wherein the roller is rotatably mounted on the outer periphery of the air motor.

10. 2. The flexible container opening device according to claim 1, wherein said turning means is an operating rod for manually turning said support means about a rotation axis that is a straight line that passes through the radial center of said support means and extends in the vertical direction.

11. 2. The flexible container opening device according to claim 1, wherein said pivoting means includes an electric motor that pivots said support means about a rotation axis that is a straight line that passes through the radial center of said support means and extends in the vertical direction.

12. 2. The flexible container opening device according to claim 1, wherein said rotating means includes an electric motor that rotates said cutting means along the outer periphery of said supporting means.

13. 2. The flexible container opening device according to claim 1, wherein the moving means is disposed above the cutting means.

14. the fitting prevention means includes an auxiliary roller arranged upstream of the roller in the relative rotation direction of the support means and the cutting means, and auxiliary moving means for moving the auxiliary roller forward toward the side wall of the flexible container supported by the support means, the auxiliary moving means is coupled to the moving means; When the auxiliary roller is pushed rearward by the side wall of the flexible container, the auxiliary moving means allows the auxiliary roller to move backward, 2. The flexible container opening device according to claim 1, wherein when the auxiliary roller is pushed further rearward by the side wall of the flexible container, the moving means allows the auxiliary roller, the roller, and the cutting means to retract.

15. 15. The flexible container opening device according to claim 14, wherein the diameter of the auxiliary roller is smaller than the diameter of the roller.

16. The flexible container opening device according to claim 14, wherein the auxiliary moving means is disposed above the cutting means.

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