Sealing instrument, sealing method and sealing device

Abstract

To efficiently seal with a self-adhesive sheet the mouth part of a container.SOLUTION: In a sealing instrument, a shaft part is supported so as to be able to slide through a base part with respect to the base part, a holding part with an adhesive surface for holding a sealing sheet is fixed to the tip of the shaft part, and the holding part can move relatively to the base part between a first position away from the base part and a second position closer to the base part than the first position by sliding the shaft part relatively to the base part. Furthermore, multiple finger parts extend from the base part to a position on the side peripheral surface of the holding part when the holding part is located in the first position, are arranged around an imaginary reference line passing through the center of the holding part, and are pivotally supported on the base part so that the distance from the reference line to the fingertips can be increased or decreased. The fingertips are energized inward by an energizing part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a technique for sealing the mouth of a container. [Background technology]

[0002] Many beverage servers are configured so that the containers holding the drinking water dispensed by the servers can be replaced whenever they become empty. In the containers used in such beverage servers, the openings are generally sealed with shrink film after being filled with drinking water (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In addition, the shrink film is often made of plastic. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-129124 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In recent years, due to environmental considerations, there has been an active movement to avoid using plastic in products as much as possible. Therefore, the present inventors have developed a technology to enable sealing of the opening of a container using a self-adhesive sheet (a sheet formed by applying a self-adhesive to the surface of a paper material) instead of a shrink film.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to make it possible to efficiently seal the mouth of a container with a self-adhesive sheet. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The sealing device of the present invention comprises a base, a shaft, a holding portion, a plurality of finger portions, and a biasing portion (Aspect 1). The shaft is supported relative to the base so as to be able to slide through the base. The holding portion has an adhesive surface for holding a sealing sheet and is fixed to the tip of the shaft with the adhesive surface facing away from the base. By sliding the shaft relative to the base, the holding portion can move relative to the base between a first position away from the base and a second position closer to the base than the first position. The finger portions extend from the base to a position on the side surface of the holding portion when the holding portion is positioned in the first position. They are arranged around an imaginary reference line passing through the center of the holding portion and are pivotally supported on the base so that the distance from the reference line to the fingertips can be increased or decreased. The biasing portion applies a biasing force to the finger portions, thereby biasing the fingertips inward. When the holding portion moves to the first position, the fingertips of the fingers are spread apart by the holding portion, and when the holding portion moves from the first position to the second position, the fingertips are released from the holding portion and try to return to their original positions.

[0007] According to the above-mentioned aspect 1, by disposing the holding part at the first position, it is possible to adsorb the sealing sheet flat onto the adsorption surface of the holding part. Then, after the sealing sheet is adsorbed onto the adsorption surface of the holding part, the adsorption surface can be brought close to the opening of the container to be sealed, so that the sealing sheet can be pressed against the opening. Furthermore, from this state, by sliding the base part along the shaft part, it is possible to relatively move the holding part from the first position to the second position.

[0008] This allows the fingertips of the fingers, which are biased inward, to slide along the shaft together with the base, folding the sealing sheet at the edge of the mouth and pressing the outer peripheral portion of the sealing sheet outside the portion facing the mouth against the neck of the container, thereby bending the outer peripheral portion of the sealing sheet outward between the two adjacent fingers and forming pleats in that outer peripheral portion.

[0009] Thereafter, by rotating the base portion around the reference line, the fingertips of the fingers, which are biased inward, can be slid circumferentially on the outer circumferential surface of the neck portion of the container.

[0010] This allows the pleats formed on the outer periphery of the sealing sheet to be smoothly pressed down from the side with the fingertips of the fingers, thereby folding the pleats along the outer periphery of the neck. If a self-adhesive sheet is used as the sealing sheet, the outer periphery of the sealing sheet will self-adhere where the pleats come into surface contact after being folded, and will be firmly fixed in the folded state along the outer periphery of the neck.

[0011] The sealing device according to the above-mentioned aspect 1 may have the following configuration (aspect 2). Each finger may be pivotally supported on the base at a fulcrum provided between the fingertip and the base end, which is the end opposite the fingertip, while passing through the base. The biasing unit may apply an outward biasing force to the base end of each finger, and transmit the biasing force to the fingertip via the fulcrum of the finger, thereby biasing the fingertip inward.

[0012] According to the above-mentioned second aspect, it is possible to bias the fingertips of the multiple finger portions inward with a simple configuration that utilizes the seesaw structure of each finger portion.

[0013] The sealing device according to the above-mentioned aspect 1 or 2 may have the following configuration (aspect 3). The stem may be formed in a pipe shape, and an opening leading to the hollow part of the stem may be formed in the suction surface. Then, the sealing sheet may be held on the suction surface by suctioning at the opening through the hollow part of the stem.

[0014] According to the above-mentioned aspect 3, it is possible to perform suction through the opening formed in the suction surface with a simple configuration that utilizes the shaft portion necessary for the relative movement of the holding portion with respect to the base portion.

[0015] The sealing device according to the above-mentioned aspect 3 may have the following configuration (aspect 4). The sealing device may have a plurality of axial portions formed in a pipe shape, and a plurality of openings may be formed in the suction surface corresponding to the plurality of axial portions. The base portion may be configured so that a portion including all positions through which the axial portions pass can rotate relative to other portions around a reference line.

[0016] According to the fourth aspect, it is possible to increase the suction force at the suction surface. Furthermore, when rotating the base part around the reference line, it is possible to rotate only the other parts without rotating the part through which the shaft part passes. As a result, it is possible to rotate only the finger part without rotating the shaft part or the holding part.

[0017] The sealing method according to the present invention is a method for sealing the opening of a container using the sealing device according to any one of the above-mentioned aspects 1 to 4 (Aspect 5). First, with the holding part positioned at a first position, a sealing sheet is adsorbed onto the suction surface of the holding part. Next, the suction surface of the holding part is brought close to the opening of the container, thereby pressing the sealing sheet adsorbed onto the suction surface against the opening of the container. Furthermore, from this state, the base part is slid along the shaft part, thereby relatively moving the holding part from the first position to the second position. Then, the base part is rotated around the reference line.

[0018] In the sealing method according to the above-mentioned aspect 5, a self-adhesive sheet having a surface coated with a self-adhesive agent may be used as the sheet (aspect 6). In this case, the self-adhesive sheet is adhered to the adsorption surface of the holding part with the surface coated with the self-adhesive agent facing away from the adsorption surface.

[0019] A sealing device according to the present invention comprises a sealing device according to any one of the above-mentioned aspects 1 to 4, a conveying device that enables the sealing device to be conveyed, a slide drive device that enables the base portion of the sealing device to slide along the shaft portion, a rotation drive device that enables the base portion of the sealing device to rotate about the reference line, and a control device (aspect 7). The control device then executes the following process. First, the control device controls the slide drive device to place the holding portion of the sealing device in a first position, and then controls the conveying device to convey the sealing device to a receiving position for the sealing sheet, and at the receiving position, the sealing sheet is adsorbed to the suction surface of the holding portion. Next, the control device controls the conveying device to convey the sealing device to a sealing position where a container to be sealed is placed, and at the sealing position, the suction surface of the holding portion is brought close to the opening of the container, thereby pressing the sealing sheet adsorbed to the suction surface against the opening of the container. Furthermore, the control device controls the slide drive device to slide the base part along the shaft part while the sealing sheet is pressed against the mouth part of the container, thereby relatively moving the holding part from the first position to the second position. After that, the control device controls the rotation drive device to rotate the base part around the reference line.

[0020] According to the seventh aspect, it is possible to automate the sealing of the opening of the container with the sealing sheet. [Effects of the Invention]

[0021] According to the present invention, the opening of a container can be efficiently sealed with a self-adhesive sheet. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1]FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing a sealing device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 is a perspective view conceptually showing a sealing tool according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a sealing device with a portion thereof omitted and another portion cut away. [Figure 4] 1 is a conceptual diagram showing the operation of a sealing device in sequence. [Figure 5] 1 is a conceptual diagram showing the operation of a sealing device in sequence. [Figure 6] 1 is a conceptual diagram showing the operation of a sealing device in sequence. [Figure 7] 1 is a conceptual diagram showing the operation of a sealing device in sequence. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a sealing device according to a first modified example with a portion thereof omitted. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] [1] Sealing device configuration FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing a sealing device C1 according to an embodiment. This sealing device C1 is a device that seals the opening Ks of a container K, such as a bottle, a jar, or a barrel, with a sealing sheet Q. In this embodiment, the sealing sheet Q is a self-adhesive sheet formed by applying a self-adhesive agent to the surface (one or both sides) of a paper material. The sealing sheet Q is a self-adhesive sheet cut into a predetermined shape (a circle in the example of FIG. 1).

[0024] By using a self-adhesive sheet as the sealing sheet Q, the mouth Ks of the container K can be sealed without applying any adhesive thereto. Therefore, even if the sealing sheet Q is torn and opened, no adhesive remains on the mouth Ks of the container K, making it easy to reuse the container K.

[0025] The sealing device C1 is configured to enable efficient sealing with such a self-adhesive sheet, and is therefore equipped with a sealing tool 1, a conveying device 2, a slide driving device 3, a rotation driving device 4, a suction device 5, and a control device 6. The configuration of each part will be specifically described below.

[0026] 2 is a perspective view conceptually showing the sealing device 1. As shown in this figure, the sealing device 1 includes a base portion 11, a shaft portion 12, a holding portion 13, a finger portion 14, and a biasing portion 15.

[0027] The base portion 11 is a part that serves as a foundation for supporting each part other than the base portion 11. In the example of FIG. 2, a disk-shaped base portion 11 is used. Furthermore, in order for the sealing tool 1 to perform various operations (conveying, sliding, rotating, etc.) necessary for sealing, the base portion 11, which is the main part of those operations, needs to be mechanically connected to other devices that perform those operations (in this embodiment, the conveying device 2, the slide driving device 3, the rotation driving device 4, etc.). Therefore, in the example of FIG. 2, a structure 11X that facilitates the mechanical connection between the base portion 11 and other devices is fixed to the upper surface 11a of the base portion 11 via four pillars 110 (two of the pillars 110 are hidden by the structure 11X in FIG. 2).

[0028] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the sealing device 1 with the structure 11X omitted and with a portion of the stem 12 cut away.

[0029] The shaft 12 is supported relative to the base 11 so as to be able to slide while passing through the center of the base 11. The shaft 12 is formed in a pipe shape as shown in Fig. 3. The example of Fig. 3 shows a case where two such shafts 12 are provided on the base 11.

[0030] The holding part 13 has an adsorption surface 13a for holding the sealing sheet Q, and is fixed to the tip of the shaft part 12 with the adsorption surface 13a facing away from the base part 11. In the example of Fig. 3, a disk-shaped holding part 13 is used. The holding part 13 can move relative to the base part 11 between a first position P1 (see Figs. 3 and 5) away from the base part 11 and a second position P2 (see Figs. 6 and 7) closer to the base part 11 than the first position P1, by sliding the shaft part 12 relative to the base part 11.

[0031] In addition, an opening 131 that leads to the hollow portion 12Y of the shaft portion 12, which is formed in a pipe shape, is formed on the suction surface 13a, and the sealing sheet Q can be held on the suction surface 13a by suctioning at the opening 131 through the hollow portion 12Y of the shaft portion 12. In the example of Fig. 3, two openings 131 are formed on the suction surface 13a, one for each of the two shaft portions 12.

[0032] According to this configuration, suction can be performed at the openings 131 formed in the suction surface 13a with a simple configuration that utilizes the shafts 12 necessary for the relative movement of the holder 13 with respect to the base 11. Furthermore, by providing a plurality of shafts 12 and a plurality of openings 131, it is possible to increase the suction force at the suction surface 13a.

[0033] The finger portion 14 is disposed in a state in which it penetrates the base portion 11, and extends to the position of the side peripheral surface 13b of the holding portion 13 when the holding portion 13 is disposed at the first position P1. The holding portion 13 and the finger portion 14 are configured such that when the holding portion 13 is disposed at the first position P1, the adsorption surface 13a is located at a greater distance from the bottom surface 11b of the base portion 11 with respect to any part of the fingertip 141 of the finger portion 14.

[0034] 3, when a virtual line parallel to the shaft portion 12 and passing through the center of the holding portion 13 is taken as a reference line Lx, six of the above-described finger portions 14 are arranged at equal intervals around the reference line Lx, and each finger portion 14 is pivotally supported on the base portion 11 so that the distance from the reference line Lx to the fingertip 141 can be increased or decreased. In addition, since the six finger portions 14 are arranged at equal intervals around the reference line Lx, six through-holes 11Y are formed in the base portion 11 to allow the six finger portions 14 to pass therethrough.

[0035] More specifically, each finger 14 penetrates the base 11 and is pivotally supported on the base 11 at a fulcrum 14p provided between the fingertip 141 and a base end 142, which is the end opposite the fingertip 141. In the example of FIG. 3, the fulcrum 14p of each finger 14 is formed by pivoting to a support 143 provided on the underside 11b of the base 11 corresponding to the finger 14. Furthermore, the portion of each finger 14 from the fulcrum 14p to the fingertip 141 is curved outwardly in a convex shape.

[0036] The biasing portion 15 is a portion that applies a biasing force to the six finger portions 14, thereby biasing the fingertips 141 inward. Specifically, the biasing portion 15 is configured as follows.

[0037] A pin 151 is erected on the base 11 at a position opposite the center of the base 11 with respect to a through-hole 11Y through which each finger 14 passes. An elastic member 152 (such as a rubber band or a tension spring) that generates an elastic force when pulled is connected at both ends to the base end 142 of each finger 14 and the pin 151 corresponding to that finger 14. In the example of FIG. 3 , one rubber band serving as the elastic member 152 is hung on the base end 142 and the pin 151 for each finger 14. This applies an outward biasing force to the base end 142 of each finger 14, and this biasing force is transmitted to the fingertip 141 via the fulcrum 14p of that finger 14, thereby biasing the fingertip 141 of that finger 14 inward.

[0038] According to this configuration, with a simple configuration that utilizes the seesaw structure of each finger portion 14, it is possible to bias fingertips 141 of six finger portions 14 inward.

[0039] According to such a sealing device 1, when the holding portion 13 moves to the first position P1 due to the relative movement of the holding portion 13 with respect to the base portion 11, the fingertips 141 of the six fingers 14 are spread apart by the presence of the holding portion 13. Also, the suction surface 13a of the holding portion 13 is positioned farther from the lower surface 11b of the base portion 11 than any part of the six fingertips 141. Then, when the holding portion 13 moves from the first position P1 toward the second position P2 due to the relative movement of the holding portion 13 with respect to the base portion 11, the six fingers 14 are released from the presence of the holding portion 13, and the fingertips 141 try to return to their original positions.

[0040] Therefore, by disposing the holding part 13 at the first position P1, it becomes possible to adsorb the sealing sheet Q flat onto the adsorption surface 13a of the holding part 13 (see FIG. 4). In this embodiment, when the sealing sheet Q (self-adhesive sheet) is adsorbed onto the adsorption surface 13a of the holding part 13, the sealing sheet Q is adsorbed with the surface coated with the self-adhesive facing away from the adsorption surface 13a.

[0041] After the sealing sheet Q is attracted to the suction surface 13a of the holding part 13, the suction surface 13a can be brought close to the opening Ks of the container K to be sealed, thereby pressing the sealing sheet Q against the opening Ks (see FIG. 5). Furthermore, from this state, the base part 11 can be slid along the shaft part 12, thereby relatively moving the holding part 13 from the first position P1 to the second position P2 (see FIG. 6).

[0042] As a result, the fingertips 141 of the fingers 14, which are biased inward, can be slid along the shaft 12 together with the base 11, and the fingertips 141 can be used to fold the sealing sheet Q at the edge of the mouth Ks and press the outer peripheral portion of the sealing sheet Q outside the portion facing the mouth Ks against the neck Kt of the container K (see Figures 5 and 6). As a result, the outer peripheral portion of the sealing sheet Q can be bent outward between two adjacent fingers 14, and pleats Qx can be formed in the outer peripheral portion.

[0043] Then, by rotating the base portion 11 around the reference line Lx, the fingertips 141 of the fingers 14, which are biased inward, can be slid circumferentially on the outer peripheral surface of the neck portion Kt of the container K (see Figure 7).

[0044] This allows the pleats Qx formed on the outer periphery of the sealing sheet Q to be smoothly pushed down from the side with the fingertips 141 of the finger portions 14, thereby folding the pleats Qx along the outer periphery of the neck portion Kt (see FIG. 7). In this embodiment, a self-adhesive sheet is used as the sealing sheet Q, so the outer periphery of the sealing sheet Q is self-adhesive at the points where the pleats Qx are folded and come into surface contact, and is firmly fixed in a folded state along the outer periphery of the neck portion Kt.

[0045] Therefore, by using the sealing tool 1 described above, the opening Ks of the container K can be efficiently sealed with the sealing sheet Q (self-adhesive sheet).

[0046] The conveying device 2 is a device that enables the conveyance of the sealing device 1 (see FIG. 1). In this embodiment, the conveying device 2 enables the movement of the sealing device 1 in a horizontal plane and in a vertical direction.

[0047] The slide drive device 3 is a device that enables the base portion 11 in the sealing device 1 to slide along the shaft portion 12. In this embodiment, the slide drive device 3 slides the base portion 11 along the shaft portion 12, thereby relatively moving the holding portion 13 between the first position P1 and the second position P2.

[0048] The rotation drive device 4 is a device that enables the base portion 11 to rotate around the reference line Lx in the sealing device 1. In this embodiment, the rotation drive device 4 rotates the base portion 11 in one direction around the reference line Lx.

[0049] The suction device 5 is a device that enables suction at the opening 131 formed on the suction surface 13a of the sealing device 1. In this embodiment, the suction device 5 is connected to the hollow portion 12Y of the shaft portion 12 that is formed in a pipe shape, and by discharging air from the hollow portion 12Y, enables suction at the opening 131 that is connected to the hollow portion 12Y.

[0050] The control device 6 comprises a memory unit 61 and a control unit 62 (see FIG. 1). The memory unit 61 is a unit that stores information necessary for controlling the sealing device C1, and is composed of storage devices such as ROM and RAM. The control unit 62 is a unit that executes control of the sealing device C1, and is composed of a processing device such as a CPU.

[0051] In this embodiment, the control device 6 executes the following process as a control method for the sealing device C1 (a sealing method realized by the sealing device C1).

[0052] First, the control device 6 controls the slide drive device 3 to place the holding part 13 of the sealing tool 1 at the first position P1, and then controls the conveying device 2 to convey the sealing tool 1 to the receiving position Px of the sealing sheet Q from the sheet supply device C2 (see FIG. 1).Then, the control device 6 controls the suction device 5 to adsorb the sealing sheet Q to the adsorption surface 13a of the holding part 13 at the receiving position Px (see FIG. 4).

[0053] Here, the sheet supply device C2 is a device that supplies sealing sheets Q one by one to the sealing device C1. Specifically, a plurality of sealing sheets Q are prepared in a peelable state by being attached to a strip-shaped backing, and the sheet supply device C2 peels the sealing sheets Q one by one from the backing and supplies them to the receiving position Px. At this time, the sealing sheets Q are supplied to the receiving position Px with the self-adhesive coated side facing downward by controlling the suction device 5. Then, the control device 6 controls the suction device 5 to position the suction surface 13a of the holding unit 13 from above toward the receiving position Px, and then, when the sealing sheet Q is fed from the sheet supply device C2 to the receiving position Px, the upper surface of the sealing sheet Q is attracted to the suction surface 13a and held there (see FIG. 1).

[0054] Next, the control device 6 controls the conveying device 2 to convey the sealing tool 1 to the sealing position Py (see FIG. 1) where the container K to be sealed is placed, and at the sealing position Py, the suction surface 13a of the holding part 13 is brought close to the opening Ks of the container K. As a result, the sealing sheet Q adsorbed to the suction surface 13a is pressed against the opening Ks of the container K (see FIG. 5).

[0055] Furthermore, from the state in which the sealing sheet Q is pressed against the mouth portion Ks of the container K, the control device 6 controls the slide drive device 3 to slide the base portion 11 along the shaft portion 12, thereby moving the holding portion 13 relatively from the first position P1 to the second position P2 (see Figure 6).

[0056] As a result, the fingertips 141 of the fingers 14, which are biased inward, can be slid along the shaft 12 together with the base 11, and the fingertips 141 can be used to fold the sealing sheet Q at the edge of the mouth Ks and press the outer peripheral portion of the sealing sheet Q outside the portion facing the mouth Ks against the neck Kt of the container K (see Figures 5 and 6). As a result, the outer peripheral portion of the sealing sheet Q can be bent outward between two adjacent fingers 14, and pleats Qx can be formed in the outer peripheral portion.

[0057] Thereafter, the control device 6 controls the rotation drive device 4 to rotate the base part 11 around the reference line Lx (see FIG. 7).

[0058] This allows the pleats Qx formed on the outer periphery of the sealing sheet Q to be smoothly pushed down from the side with the fingertips 141 of the finger portions 14, thereby folding the pleats Qx along the outer periphery of the neck portion Kt (see FIG. 7). In this embodiment, a self-adhesive sheet is used as the sealing sheet Q, so the outer periphery of the sealing sheet Q is self-adhesive at the points where the pleats Qx are folded and come into surface contact, and is firmly fixed in a folded state along the outer periphery of the neck portion Kt.

[0059] By controlling the sealing device C1 in this way, it becomes possible to automate the sealing of the opening Ks of the container K with the sealing sheet Q.

[0060] [2] Variation [2-1] First modified example FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a sealing device 1 according to a first modified example, omitting the structure 11X. As shown in this figure, the base portion 11 may be configured so that a portion including all positions through which the shanks 12 (here, two shanks 12) pass can rotate relative to other portions around a reference line Lx. Specifically, in the example of FIG. 8, the base portion 11 is configured with a plate-shaped annular portion 111 and a disk portion 112 rotatably fitted into a circular hole in the center of the annular portion 111. The shanks 12 are supported relative to the disk portion 112 so as to be slidable while passing through the disk portion 112. The retaining portion 13 is fixed to the tip of the shank 12, with the reference line Lx passing through its center also passing through the center of the disk portion 112.

[0061] With this configuration, when the base portion 11 is rotated around the reference line Lx, the portion through which the shaft portion 12 passes (disk portion 112) is not rotated, and only the other portion (annular portion 111) can be rotated. As a result, it becomes possible to rotate only the finger portion 14 without rotating the shaft portion 12 or the holding portion 13.

[0062] [2-2] Second variant In either of the sealing device 1 of the above-mentioned embodiment and the first variant, the finger portions 14 are not limited to being arranged in six numbers around the reference line Lx, but may be arranged in a number (two or more) of finger portions 14 appropriate to the size of the mouth portion Ks of the container K around the reference line Lx depending on the size of the mouth portion Ks.

[0063] [2-3] Third variant In both the sealing tool 1 of the above-described embodiment and the first modified example, the number of shafts 12 provided on the base 11 is not limited to two, but only one shaft 12 may be provided on the base 11, or three or more shafts may be provided on the base 11. Also, the number of openings 131 provided on the suction surface 13a of the holding portion 13 is not limited to two, but only one opening 131 may be provided as long as it can hold the sealing sheet Q, or three or more openings may be provided so as to firmly hold the sealing sheet Q.

[0064] The above-described embodiments and modifications should be considered to be illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined not by the above-described embodiments and modifications, but by the claims. Furthermore, the scope of the present invention is intended to include all modifications that are equivalent to the scope of the claims and fall within the scope thereof.

[0065] Furthermore, from the above-mentioned embodiments and variant examples, the subject matter of the invention is not limited to the sealing tool 1, the sealing device C1 equipped with the sealing tool 1, and the sealing method using the sealing tool 1 (including that realized by the sealing device C1), but may also include a sealing system equipped with the sealing device C1 and a sheet supply device C2. [Explanation of symbols]

[0066] 1 Sealing equipment 2. Conveyor equipment 3 Slide drive device 4 Rotational drive unit 5 Suction device 6. Control device K container Q Sealing Sheet 11 Base 11a Top surface 11b Bottom side 11X structure 11Y through hole 12 Shaft 12Y hollow part 13 Holding part 13a Adsorption surface 13b Side surface 14 Finger section 14p fulcrum 15. Actuation section 61 Storage section 62 Control Unit C1 Sealing device C2 Sheet Feeder Ks mouth Kt neck Lx reference line P1 1st position P2 2nd position Px Receiving position Py sealing position Qx pleats 110 pillars 111 Annular part 112 Disc section 131 Aperture 141 Fingertips 142 Proximal end 143 Support stand 151 pins 152 Elastic member

Claims

1. A base portion; a shaft portion supported relative to the base portion so as to be slidable in a state of penetrating the base portion; a holding part having an adsorption surface for holding a sealing sheet, the holding part being fixed to the tip of the shaft part with the adsorption surface facing away from the base part, the holding part being capable of moving relative to the base part between a first position away from the base part and a second position closer to the base part than the first position by sliding the shaft part relative to the base part; a plurality of finger portions extending from the base portion to a position on a side circumferential surface of the holding portion when the holding portion is disposed at the first position, the plurality of finger portions being disposed around a virtual reference line passing through the center of the holding portion and pivotally supported on the base portion so that a distance from the reference line to a fingertip can be increased or decreased; a biasing unit that applies a biasing force to the plurality of finger portions to bias the fingertips inward; Equipped with When the holding portion is moved to the first position, the fingertips of the plurality of fingers are spread apart by the intervention of the holding portion, When the holding portion moves from the first position toward the second position, the plurality of finger portions are released from the holding portion and tend to return their fingertips to their original positions.

2. Each finger portion is pivotally supported on the base portion at a fulcrum provided between the fingertip and a base end portion, which is an end portion opposite the fingertip, while passing through the base portion; The sealing device according to claim 1, wherein the biasing portion applies an outward biasing force to the base end of each finger portion and transmits the biasing force to the fingertip via the fulcrum of the finger portion, thereby biasing the fingertip of the finger portion inward.

3. the shaft portion is formed in a pipe shape, and an opening communicating with a hollow portion of the shaft portion is formed in the suction surface; 3. The sealing tool according to claim 1, wherein the sealing sheet is held on the suction surface by suction at the opening through the hollow portion of the shaft.

4. a plurality of the shaft portions formed in a pipe shape, and a plurality of the openings formed in the suction surface corresponding to the plurality of shaft portions, The sealing device according to claim 3, wherein the base portion is configured so that a portion including all positions through which the plurality of shaft portions pass can rotate relatively to other portions about the reference line.

5. A method for sealing the opening of a container using the sealing device according to claim 1 or 2, With the holding portion disposed at the first position, the sealing sheet is adsorbed onto the adsorption surface of the holding portion; By bringing the suction surface of the holding part close to the opening of the container, the sealing sheet adsorbed on the suction surface is pressed against the opening of the container; With the sealing sheet pressed against the opening of the container, the base portion is slid along the shaft portion to relatively move the holding portion from the first position to the second position; Thereafter, the base portion is rotated around the reference line.

6. As the sealing sheet, a self-adhesive sheet having a self-adhesive applied to its surface is used, The sealing method according to claim 5, wherein the self-adhesive sheet is adhered to the adsorption surface of the holding part with the surface on which the self-adhesive is applied facing away from the adsorption surface.

7. The sealing device according to claim 1 or 2; a conveying device that enables the sealing device to be conveyed; a slide drive device that allows the base portion of the sealing device to slide along the shaft portion; a rotation drive device that enables the base portion of the sealing device to rotate around the reference line; a control device; Equipped with The control device The slide drive device is controlled to place the holding portion of the sealing tool at the first position, and the conveying device is controlled to convey the sealing tool to a receiving position for the sealing sheet, and the sealing sheet is adsorbed to the adsorption surface of the holding portion at the receiving position; By controlling the conveying device, the sealing tool is conveyed to a sealing position where a container to be sealed is placed, and at the sealing position, the suction surface of the holding part is brought close to the mouth of the container, thereby pressing the sealing sheet, which is adsorbed to the suction surface, against the mouth of the container; With the sealing sheet pressed against the opening of the container, the slide drive device is controlled to slide the base along the shaft, thereby relatively moving the holding part from the first position to the second position; The sealing device then controls the rotation drive device to rotate the base portion around the reference line.

Images