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 bag opening device for cutting the side wall of a flexible container bag to open the flexible container bag.

Background Art

[0002] A flexible container bag (flexible container bag) is a flexible bag-shaped container used for storing and transporting powders and granules. The flexible container bag can be formed from synthetic fibers such as polyethylene and polypropylene. An opening that can be opened and closed is provided at the upper part of the flexible container bag, and powders and granules are filled into the flexible container bag through this opening. In addition, a suspension belt for hanging a hook of a crane or the like is attached to the flexible container bag, and the flexible container bag is lifted by a crane.

[0003] When taking out the contents filled in the flexible container bag, for example, a flexible container bag opening device disclosed in Patent Document 1 below can be used. This flexible container bag opening device includes a flexible container bag storage stand installed above a receiving hopper, a rotating body rotatably attached to the flexible container bag storage stand, and a cutting blade attached to the rotating body. When taking out the contents of the flexible container bag, after placing the flexible container bag on the flexible container bag storage stand, the rotating body is rotated to cut the side wall of the flexible container bag with the cutting blade. Thereby, the flexible container bag can be opened and the contents can be taken out.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, in the flexible container opening device disclosed in Patent Document 1, the cutting of the flexible container becomes intermittent, and there is a risk that contents may remain in the flexible container. In other words, if the flexible container is not precisely positioned in the predetermined location when it is placed on the flexible container holding table, the cutting blade will separate from the side wall of the flexible container when the rotating body is rotated, resulting in intermittent cutting of the flexible container by the cutting blade. In such cases, the problem arises that contents may remain in the flexible container.

[0006] The 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 in a predetermined location when it is opened. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] According to the present invention, the following flexible container opening device is provided that solves the above problems. That is, A flexible container opening device that cuts the side wall of a flexible container to open the flexible container, Support means for supporting the aforementioned flexible container, A cutting means for cutting the side wall of the flexible container supported by the support means, A roller rotatably mounted on the cutting means, A pivoting means for relatively rotating the support means and the cutting means, A moving means that advances the cutting means and the roller toward the side wall of the flexible container supported by the support means, and allows the cutting means and the roller to retract when the roller is pushed backward by the side wall of the flexible container supported by the support means, An anti-fitting means for preventing the roller from getting stuck in a recess in the side wall of the flexible container, 、 Equipped with 、 The anti-fitting means includes an auxiliary roller positioned upstream of the roller in the relative rotational direction between the support means and the cutting means, and an auxiliary moving means for advancing the auxiliary roller toward the side wall of the flexible container supported by the support means. The auxiliary moving means is connected to the moving means, When the auxiliary roller is pushed backward by the side wall of the flexible container, the moving means allows the auxiliary roller, the roller, and the cutting means to retract. ru Includes functions A flexible container opening device is provided.

[0008] Preferably, the support means includes a receiver on which the flexible container is placed, an adjuster for adjusting the position of the flexible container placed on the receiver, and a hopper for receiving the contents flowing down from the opened flexible container and discharging them downward. It is desirable that the receiver is shaped to suppress the accumulation of contents flowing down from the opened flexible container. The support means may also include a striking device for removing the contents from the inner surface of the hopper by striking the outer surface of the hopper.

[0009] The cutting means preferably includes a circular blade rotatably arranged with a straight line extending in the vertical direction as the axis of rotation, and an air motor for rotating the circular blade. The air motor may be positioned above the circular blade. The cutting means preferably includes a splash-proof cover to prevent 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 prevent contents from adhering to the circular blade. The roller may be rotatably mounted on the outer circumference of the air motor.

[0010] The pivoting means is preferably an operating rod for manually pivoting the support means with a straight line extending vertically through the radial center of the support means as the axis of rotation. The pivoting means may also include an electric motor for pivoting the support means with a straight line extending vertically through the radial center of the support means as the axis of rotation. Alternatively, the pivoting means may also include an electric motor for pivoting the cutting means along the outer circumference of the support means.

[0011] Preferably, the moving means is positioned above the cutting means.

[0012] before When the auxiliary roller is pushed backward by the side wall of the flexible container, the auxiliary moving means allows the auxiliary roller to retract. When the auxiliary roller is further pushed backward by the side wall of the flexible container, it is desirable that the moving means allows the backward movement of the auxiliary roller, the roller, and the cutting means.

[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.

Advantages of the Invention

[0014] The flexible container opening device of the present invention supporting means for supporting the flexible container, cutting means for cutting the side wall of the flexible container supported by the supporting means, a roller rotatably attached to the cutting means, swiveling means for relatively swiveling the supporting means and the cutting means, moving means for advancing the cutting means and the roller toward the side wall of the flexible container and allowing the cutting means and the roller to retreat when the roller is pushed backward by the side wall of the flexible container, fitting prevention means for preventing the roller from fitting into the recess of the side wall of the flexible container 、 and 、 The anti-fitting means includes an auxiliary roller positioned upstream of the roller in the relative rotational direction between the support means and the cutting means, and an auxiliary moving means for advancing the auxiliary roller toward the side wall of the flexible container supported by the support means. The auxiliary moving means is connected to the moving means, When the auxiliary roller is pushed backward by the side wall of the flexible container, the moving means allows the auxiliary roller, the roller, and the cutting means to retract. has Includes functions Therefore, even if the flexible container is not precisely positioned at a predetermined position during opening, the side wall of the flexible container can be continuously cut. Accordingly, almost all of the contents of the flexible container can be discharged.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0015] [Figure 1] Front view of the flexible container opening device according to the present invention. [Figure 2] Plan view of the flexible container opening device shown in FIG. [Figure 3] Perspective view of the cutting means shown in FIG. [Figure 4]A plan view of the cutting means shown in Figure 1. [Figure 5] Cross-sectional view of line VV in Figure 4. [Figure 6] Cross-sectional view of line VI-VI in Figure 4. [Figure 7] Front view of the flexible container opening device shown in Figure 1, with the cutting means and rollers in the advanced position. [Figure 8] Figure 7 is a plan view of the flexible container opening device. [Figure 9] (a) A schematic diagram showing the state in which the side wall of the flexible container is being cut by a cutting means, (b) A schematic diagram showing the state in which a roller is fitted into a recess in the side wall of the flexible container. [Figure 10] A schematic diagram illustrating how a mechanism prevents rollers from becoming stuck in recesses on the side walls of a flexible container (FIBC) using an anti-fitting device. [Figure 11] Front view of a flexible container opening device where the pivoting mechanism is a pivoting drive source that pivots the support mechanism. [Modes for carrying out 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 Figures 1 and 2, the flexible container opening device 2 comprises a support means 4, a cutting means 6, a roller 8, a pivoting means 10, a moving means 12, and an anti-entanglement means 14.

[0018] (Support means 4) As shown in Figure 1, the support means 4 supports the flexible container F lifted by the crane C. The support means 4 includes a receiving device 16 on which the flexible container F is placed, an adjusting device 18 for adjusting the position of the flexible container F placed on the receiving device 16, and a hopper 20 for receiving the contents such as powder or granular material flowing out from the opened flexible container F and discharging it downwards.

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

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

[0021] As shown in Figure 1, the hopper 20 of the support means 4 is positioned on the outer circumference of the adjuster 18. Similar to the adjuster 18, the upper and lower ends of the hopper 20 are open, allowing the contents flowing down from the opened flexible container F to pass through the hopper 20. The hopper 20 has a cylindrical upper part 20a, a frustoconical intermediate part 20b whose diameter gradually decreases downward from the lower end of the upper part 20a, and a cylindrical lower part 20c extending downward from the lower end of the intermediate part 20b. The diameter of the upper part 20a is larger than the maximum dimension of the flexible container F when viewed from above. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, a plurality of connecting pieces 22 are provided on the inner circumferential surface of the intermediate part 20b of the hopper 20 at intervals in the circumferential direction, and the hopper 20 and the adjuster 18 are connected by the plurality of connecting pieces 22.

[0022] As shown in Figure 1, a plurality of legs 24 are attached to the outer circumferential surface of the intermediate portion 20b of the hopper 20 at intervals in the circumferential direction. The plurality of legs 24 are supported on the first frame 28 so as to be rotatable via swivel bearings 26. That is, the support means 4 is mounted on the first frame 28 so as to be rotatable with a straight line L1 as the axis of rotation. The straight line L1 extends vertically through the radial center of the support means 4 (specifically, the radial center of the adjuster 18 and the hopper 20).

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

[0024] The support means 4 may include a striking device 32 that strikes the outer surface of the hopper 20 to prevent contents from adhering to the inner surface of the hopper 20 (see Figure 1). In this embodiment, the striking device 32 is fixed to the first frame 28 via a bracket 33. The striking device 32 may be configured such that a piston 32a is operated by air. The striking device 32 may be positioned so that the operating direction of the piston 32a is perpendicular to the intermediate portion 20b of the hopper 20. The striking device 32 prevents contents from adhering to the inner surface of the hopper 20 by striking the outer surface of the intermediate portion 20b of the hopper 20 with the piston 32a. The striking device 32 may be controlled to strike the hopper 20 both while the support means 4 is rotating and when it is stopped rotating.

[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 formed from a suitable metal material such as blade steel. The outer edge of the circular blade 34 is provided with a cutting edge for cutting the side wall of the flexible container F. The circular blade 34 is rotatably mounted with respect to the straight line L2 shown in Figure 5 as its axis of rotation. The straight line L2 extends vertically through the radial center of the circular blade 34.

[0027] As shown in Figure 5, the air motor 36 includes a cylindrical housing 36a that extends vertically. The housing 36a is supported at the bottom 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 arrow X in Figure 5. The second frame 40 is fixed to the first frame 28 (see Figure 1).

[0028] As shown in Figure 3, the upper end of the housing 36a of the air motor 36 is provided with an air supply port 36b and an air discharge port 36c. Also, as shown in Figure 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 central part of the circular blade 34. Thus, in this embodiment, the air motor 36 is positioned above the circular blade 34. Therefore, when the side wall of the flexible container F is cut by the circular blade 34, the adhesion and accumulation of the contents of the flexible container F on the air motor 36 is suppressed.

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

[0030] (Air injection device 44) As shown in Figure 5, the cutting means 6 preferably includes an air injection device 44 that sprays air toward the circular blade 34 to prevent contents from adhering to the circular blade 34. The air injection device 44 includes an air nozzle 46 mounted on the splash-proof cover 42 along the radial direction of the circular blade 34, and a solenoid valve (not shown) installed in a pipeline connecting an air supply source (not shown) and the air nozzle 46. Air is supplied from the air supply source to the air nozzle 46, and air is sprayed from the air nozzle 46 toward the center of the circular blade 34.

[0031] (Laura 8) In this embodiment, the roller 8 is rotatably mounted on the outer circumference 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 cutting tool 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] (Swivel mechanism 10) The pivoting mechanism 10 is for pivoting the support mechanism 4 and the cutting mechanism 6 relative to each other. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the pivoting mechanism 10 in this embodiment is an operating rod 48 for manually pivoting the support mechanism 4 with a straight line L1 as the axis of rotation. The operating rod 48 is fixed to the outer circumferential surface of the intermediate portion 20b of the hopper 20. By gripping the operating rod 48 and moving it along the circumferential direction of the support mechanism 4, the support mechanism 4 can be pivoted relative to the cutting mechanism 6.

[0033] (Means of transportation 12) The moving means 12 advances the cutting means 6 and roller 8 toward the side wall of the flexible container F supported by the support means 4, and allows the cutting means 6 and roller 8 to retract when the roller 8 is 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 the 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 while suspended from 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. Furthermore, the air cylinder 50 is positioned 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 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 advancing the cutting means 6 and roller 8. This minute pressure is sufficient to allow the air cylinder 50 to extend, but also sufficient to allow the air cylinder 50 to contract due to external force.

[0036] The moving means 12 positions the cutting means 6 and roller 8 in a retracted position and an advanced position by operating the air cylinder 50 along the X-axis direction. The retracted position is the position in which 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 (the position shown in Figures 1 and 2). On the other hand, the advanced position is the position in which the side wall of the flexible container F supported by the support means 4 can be cut by the circular blade 34 of the cutting means 6, and the roller 8 is in contact with or approaching the side wall of the flexible container F (the position shown in Figures 7 and 8).

[0037] (Anti-fitting mechanism 14) The anti-fitting means 14 prevents the roller 8 from becoming stuck in a recess in the side wall of the flexible container F. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the anti-fitting means 14 includes an auxiliary roller 54 positioned upstream of the roller 8 in the relative rotational direction between the support means 4 and the cutting means 6 (indicated by arrow R1 in Figure 1), and an auxiliary moving means 56 that advances the auxiliary roller 54 toward the side wall of the flexible container F supported by the support means 4.

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

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

[0040] A guided air cylinder may 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 expands and contracts, 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 Figure 6, the air cylinder 62 is positioned 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 adhesion and accumulation of the contents of the flexible container F on the air cylinder 62 of the auxiliary moving means 56 is suppressed.

[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 advancing the auxiliary roller 54. This minute pressure is sufficient to allow the air cylinder 62 to extend, but also sufficient to allow the air cylinder 62 to contract due to external force.

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

[0043] Next, we will explain how to open the flexible container F using the flexible container opening device 2 described above.

[0044] First, the flexible container F, filled with its contents, is lifted by the crane C and placed on the support 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 support device 16, the position of the flexible container F is adjusted by the funnel-shaped adjuster 18. That is, the side walls of the flexible container F are 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 is placed on the support device 16 of the support means 4, the crane C continues to lift the flexible container F. The hook of the crane C is rotatable about its axis in the vertical direction.

[0045] After placing the flexible container F on the support means 4, the cutting means 6 and moving means 12 are activated to cut the circular blade 34 into the side wall of the flexible container F. First, the circular blade 34 of the cutting means 6 is rotated by the air motor 36 in the direction indicated by arrow R2 in Figure 2. Next, as shown in Figures 7 and 8, the moving means 12 moves the cutting means 6 and roller 8 forward toward the flexible container F. 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 moves the auxiliary roller 54 forward. 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 used 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 towards the circular blade 34. This prevents the contents ejected from the flexible container F from adhering to the circular blade 34, and also pushes the contents ejected from the flexible container F back towards the flexible container F, thereby reducing the amount of contents spilled outside the hopper 20. In addition, 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 is inserted 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 along its circumferential direction. In this embodiment, the operator grips the operating rod 48 and moves the operating rod 48 along the circumferential direction of the support means 4, thereby rotating the support means 4 in the R1 direction relative to the cutting means 6. As the hook of the crane C is rotatable, the flexible container F rotates (spins on its own axis) 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 along its circumferential direction, and the flexible container F can be opened. After opening the flexible container F, the crane C lifts the flexible container F, enlarging the cut opening and allowing almost all of the contents of the flexible container F to be discharged.

[0048] During the cutting of the flexible container F, the cutting means 6 and roller 8 repeatedly move forward and backward in accordance with 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 sufficient to allow the air cylinder 50 to extend, but also a small pressure that allows the air cylinder 50 to contract due to external force. Therefore, when the roller 8 reaches a recess in the side wall of the flexible container F, the cutting means 6 and roller 8 move forward due to the moving means 12. On the other hand, when the roller 8 reaches a protrusion in the side wall of the flexible container F, the roller 8 is pushed backward by the protrusion of the flexible container F, causing the cutting means 6 and roller 8 to move backward.

[0049] In this embodiment, the moving means 12 advances the cutting means 6 and roller 8 toward the side wall of the flexible container F supported by the support means 4, and allows the cutting means 6 and roller 8 to retract when the roller 8 is pushed backward by the side wall of the flexible container F supported by the support means 4. Therefore, during the cutting of the flexible container F, the roller 8 repeatedly moves forward and backward in accordance with the side wall of the flexible container F, so that the side wall of the flexible container F can be cut continuously even if the flexible container F is not precisely positioned in a predetermined position when opened. Thus, almost the entire contents of the flexible container F can be discharged.

[0050] Referring to Figure 9, when the support means 4 supporting the flexible container F is rotated and the circular blade 34 of the cutting means 6 is cutting the side wall of the flexible container F, there is a risk that the roller 8 may get stuck in the recess Fr of the side wall of the flexible container F. Normally, the shape of the flexible container F is circular or square 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 have irregularities and wrinkles. If the roller 8 gets stuck in the recess Fr of the flexible container F, the rotation of the support means 4 will be braked, and the smooth cutting of the flexible container F will be hindered.

[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 getting stuck in a recess Fr of the flexible container F. Therefore, even if there is a recess Fr into which the roller 8 can get stuck, the smooth cutting of the flexible container F is not hindered. As described above, the auxiliary roller 54 of the fitting prevention means 14 is positioned upstream of the roller 8 in the R1 direction (see Figure 10). Since the diameter of the auxiliary roller 54 is smaller than the diameter of the roller 8, the auxiliary roller 54 will not get stuck in a recess Fr into which the roller 8 can get stuck. Also, as described above, the air cylinder 62 of the auxiliary moving means 56 is supplied with a pressure sufficient to allow the air cylinder 62 to extend, but also a small pressure that allows the air cylinder 62 to contract due to external force. Therefore, the auxiliary roller 54 repeatedly moves forward and backward in accordance with the recess Fr of the flexible container F.

[0052] Then, when the auxiliary roller 54 is pushed backward by the side wall of the flexible container F, the auxiliary moving means 56 allows the auxiliary roller 54 to retract, and when the auxiliary roller 54 is pushed further backward by the side wall of the flexible container F, the moving means 12 allows the auxiliary roller 54, the roller 8, and the cutting means 6 to retract. 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 get stuck in the recess Fr, and smooth cutting of the flexible container F will be achieved.

[0053] The rotation angle of the support means 4 when cutting the flexible container F is, 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, the bottom of the flexible container F may separate from the top of the flexible container F, and there is a risk that the bottom of the flexible container F, along with its contents, will fall into the input port 30. Therefore, by setting the rotation angle of the support means 4 to about 250° to 300°, it is possible to discharge almost the entire contents of the flexible container F while preventing the bottom of the flexible container F from falling. In Figure 8, the position of the operating rod 48 at the start of rotation of the support means 4 is shown by a solid line, and the position of the operating rod 48 at the end of rotation of the support means 4 is shown by a dashed line.

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

[0055] When the support means 4 is rotating or when the rotation is complete, it is preferable to strike the outer surface of the hopper 20 with the piston 32a of the striking device 32 to prevent the contents from adhering to the inner 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 roller 8 toward the side wall of the flexible container F supported by the support means 4, and allows the cutting means 6 and roller 8 to retract when the roller 8 is pushed backward by the side wall of the flexible container F supported by the support means 4. Therefore, during the cutting of the flexible container F, the roller 8 repeatedly moves forward and backward in accordance with the side wall of the flexible container F. As a result, even if the flexible container F is not precisely positioned in a predetermined location when opening, the side wall of the flexible container F can be cut continuously, making it possible to discharge almost the entire contents of the flexible container.

[0057] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the auxiliary roller 54 is pushed backward by the side wall of the flexible container F, the auxiliary moving means 56 allows the auxiliary roller 54 to retract, and when the auxiliary roller 54 is pushed further backward by the side wall of the flexible container F, the moving means 12 allows the auxiliary roller 54, the roller 8, and the cutting means 6 to retract. 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 get stuck in the recess Fr, and smooth cutting of the flexible container F will be achieved.

[0058] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the flexible container opening device 2 described above, and various modifications are possible. For example, the pivoting means 10 may include an electric motor 64 that pivots the support means 4 with the straight line L1 as the axis of rotation, as shown in Figure 11. In this case, it is preferable to provide a sensor 66 that detects the pivoting angle of the support means 4. Although not shown, the pivoting means 10 may also include an electric motor that pivots the cutting means 6 in the R3 direction (see Figure 8) along the outer circumference of the support means 4. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0059] 2: Flexible container opening device 4: Support means 6: Cutting means 8: Laura 10: Swivel mechanism 12: Means of transportation 14: Anti-entanglement means 16: Receiving device 18: Adjustment tool 20: Hoppa 32: Striking device 34: Circular blade 36: Air motor 42: Shatterproof cover 44: Air injection device 48: Operation stick 54: Auxiliary roller 56: Auxiliary means of transportation 64: Electric motor F: Flexible container

Claims

1. A flexible container opening device for cutting the side wall of a flexible container to open the flexible container, Support means for supporting the aforementioned flexible container, A cutting means for cutting the side wall of the flexible container supported by the support means, A roller rotatably mounted on the cutting means, A pivoting means for relatively rotating the support means and the cutting means, A moving means that advances the cutting means and the roller toward the side wall of the flexible container supported by the support means, and allows the cutting means and the roller to retract when the roller is pushed backward by the side wall of the flexible container supported by the support means, The flexible container is equipped with a means to prevent the roller from becoming trapped in a recess in the side wall, The anti-fitting means includes an auxiliary roller positioned upstream of the roller in the relative rotational direction between the support means and the cutting means, and an auxiliary moving means for advancing the auxiliary roller toward the side wall of the flexible container supported by the support means. The auxiliary moving means is connected to the moving means, A flexible container opening device, wherein when the auxiliary roller is pushed backward by the side wall of the flexible container, the moving means includes a function to allow the auxiliary roller, the roller, and the cutting means to retract.

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 adjusting device for adjusting the position of the flexible container placed on the receiver, and a hopper for receiving the contents flowing down from the opened flexible container and discharging them downward.

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

4. The flexible container opening device according to claim 2, wherein the support means includes a striking device that strikes the outer circumferential surface of the hopper to prevent the contents from adhering to the inner circumferential surface of the hopper.

5. The flexible container opening device according to claim 1, wherein the cutting means includes a circular blade rotatably arranged with a straight line extending in the vertical direction as the axis of rotation, and an air motor for rotating the circular blade.

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

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

8. The flexible container opening device according to claim 5, wherein the cutting means includes an air injection device that sprays air toward the circular blade to prevent contents from adhering to the circular blade.

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

10. The flexible container opening device according to claim 1, wherein the pivoting means is an operating rod for manually pivoting the support means with a straight line extending vertically through the radial center of the support means as the axis of rotation.

11. The flexible container opening device according to claim 1, wherein the pivoting means includes an electric motor that pivots the support means with a straight line extending vertically through the radial center of the support means as the axis of rotation.

12. The flexible container opening device according to claim 1, wherein the pivoting means includes an electric motor for pivoting the cutting means along the outer circumference of the support means.

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

14. When the auxiliary roller is pushed backward by the side wall of the flexible container, the auxiliary moving means allows the auxiliary roller to retract, The flexible container opening device according to claim 1, wherein when the auxiliary roller is further pushed 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. 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 positioned above the cutting means.

Images