Packaging container manufacturing equipment

Abstract

The objective is to provide a packaging container manufacturing apparatus and a packaging container manufacturing method that accurately align the container with the protective member. [Solution] A packaging container manufacturing apparatus for aligning a container with a protective material that protects the bottom surface of the container, the packaging container manufacturing apparatus having a lower device that supports the container and the protective material, and an upper device that holds the container, wherein the lower device clamps the protective material from at least two directions to align the protective material with the container.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a packaging container manufacturing apparatus and a method for manufacturing a packaging container that accurately aligns a container with a protective member. [Background technology]

[0002] Containers are used to store liquids, gases, solids, and other substances. These containers are often made of glass for reasons such as the chemical stability of the stored contents. However, because they are made of glass, they can break if subjected to impact. Damage caused by dropping the container is particularly common.

[0003] Therefore, as shown in Patent Documents 1 and 2 below, the container is protected by using a cushioning material that protects the container from impact. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2016-137946 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2012-236608 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0005] In the case of the packaging container described in Patent Document 1, a buffer container (outer container) is provided to cover the bottom and body of the container, thereby protecting it from impacts such as drops. In this case, since the buffer container is formed in the shape of a cup and the container is placed inside it for packaging, the overall weight of the packaged container becomes heavier. In addition, the cost of the buffer container also increases.

[0006] In the case described in Patent Document 2, a cushioning material with a concave cross-section is placed under the bottom of the container to protect it during packaging. However, it is necessary to precisely place the bottom of the container into the concave part of the cushioning material, but the method for doing so is not disclosed.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0007] In view of the above problems, the inventor has invented a packaging container manufacturing apparatus and a method for manufacturing a packaging container that accurately aligns a container and a protective member.

[0008] The first invention is a packaging container manufacturing apparatus that aligns a container and a protective material that protects the bottom surface of the container. The packaging container manufacturing apparatus includes a lower-side device that supports the container and the protective material, and an upper-side device that presses the container. The lower device has a vertical adjustment unit for adjusting the vertical position and a horizontal adjustment unit for adjusting the horizontal position. The vertical adjustment unit supports the protective material placed on the lower device, and the vertical adjustment unit is moved vertically relative to the horizontal adjustment unit to align the protective material and the container located on the upper surface of the protective material by clamping them from at least two directions with the horizontal adjustment unit. It is a packaging container manufacturing apparatus.

[0009] By configuring as in the present invention, the alignment between the container and the protective material can be accurately performed. Furthermore, by sandwiching the protective material and the container from at least two directions, the container and the protective material can be precisely aligned. In addition, the container and the protective material can be aligned on the same axis as in the present invention.

[0013] 2nd The invention of... is the above-mentioned 1 In the invention of..., the lower-side device supports the protective material placed on the lower-side device with the vertical adjustment unit, moves the vertical adjustment unit relatively vertically with respect to the horizontal adjustment unit, and positions the upper surface of the protective material supported by the vertical adjustment unit and the upper surface of the horizontal adjustment unit on the same plane. The protective material is sandwiched by the horizontal adjustment unit from at least two or more directions, the container placed on the protective material is pressed from above by the upper-side device, and the vertical adjustment unit is moved relatively vertically with respect to the horizontal adjustment unit until the container can be sandwiched by the horizontal adjustment unit, and the container is sandwiched by the horizontal adjustment unit from at least two or more directions, so that the alignment between the protective material and the container can be configured as a packaging container manufacturing apparatus.

[0014] To align the container and the protective material on the same axis, it can be configured as in these inventions.

[0022] The third invention is A packaging container manufacturing apparatus for aligning a container and a protective material that protects the bottom surface of the container, wherein the packaging container manufacturing apparatus has a lower device that supports the container and the protective material, and an upper device that holds the container, wherein the vertical axes of the upper device are arranged on the same axis, with a first vertical axis and a second vertical axis spaced apart from each other, and when the second vertical axis holds the container from above, the distance between the first vertical axis and the second vertical axis decreases, and the second vertical axis holds the container. This is a packaging container manufacturing device.

[0023] The 4 The invention is as described above. 3 In the present invention, when the second vertical axis presses down on the container from above, the distance between the first vertical axis and the second vertical axis decreases, and the packaging container can be configured such that the container is pressed down from above by the biasing force of the elastic body provided on the second vertical axis.

[0024] The 5 The invention is as described above. 3 In the invention, the upper device has a horizontal shaft with a lifting control unit at one end for controlling the vertical movement of the vertical shaft, a bearing is attached to the lower end of the first vertical shaft, the vertical shafts are spaced apart on the same axis inside the bearing, the second vertical shaft is movable vertically inside the bearing, the diameter of the flange located near the upper end of the second vertical shaft is longer than the diameter of the through hole through which the second vertical shaft is inserted, which is drilled in a recess on the inner surface of the bearing, and the second An elastic body is attached to the vertical shaft and the bearing or the first vertical shaft, and with the container placed below the second vertical shaft, the lifting control unit moves the first and second vertical shafts vertically to press down on the container from above, and after the second vertical shaft comes into contact with the container, the second vertical shaft moves in the opposite direction to shorten the distance between the first and second vertical shafts, and the elastic body biases the second vertical shaft to press down on the container from above, thus creating a packaging container manufacturing apparatus.

[0025] There are slight differences in the height of the containers, and they are not always at a uniform height. Therefore, by configuring the device as described in these inventions, the distance between the first and second vertical axes can be adjusted when the second vertical axis presses down on the container from above, allowing the container to be pressed down even if there are differences in height. [Effects of the Invention]

[0032] By using the packaging container manufacturing apparatus and packaging container manufacturing method of the present invention, the positioning of the container and protective member can be accurately performed for packaging. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0033] [Figure 1] This is a schematic block diagram illustrating an example of the overall configuration of the packaging container manufacturing apparatus of the present invention. [Figure 2] This diagram schematically shows an example of a container and protective material. [Figure 3] This diagram schematically shows a protective material and a container placed on top of the protective material. [Figure 4] This diagram schematically shows the length relationship between the bottom surface of the container and the top and bottom surfaces of the protective material. [Figure 5] This figure shows an example of a container supplied by a container supply device, covered with heat-shrinkable film before shrinkage. [Figure 6] This is a perspective view of a packaging device. [Figure 7] This is a perspective view of the packaging device, showing only three upper and three lower components. [Figure 8] This is an enlarged perspective view of the area around the upper and lower components. [Figure 9] This is a side view of the area near the upper and lower components. [Figure 10] This is a side view of the packaging device, showing one upper unit and one lower unit. [Figure 11] This is a perspective view of the lower device. [Figure 12] This is a plan view of the lower part of the device. [Figure 13] This is a side view of the lower device. [Figure 14] This is a perspective view of the upper device. [Figure 15] This is a bottom view of the upper device. [Figure 16] This is a side view of the upper device. [Figure 17]This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the upper device. [Figure 18] This diagram schematically shows the relationship between the height position regulating section of the upper device and the size of the container and heat-shrinkable film. [Figure 19] This is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing in a packaging device. [Figure 20] This diagram schematically shows an example of the operating sequence of the upper and lower components in a packaging machine. [Figure 21] This diagram schematically shows an example of the operating sequence of the upper and lower components in a packaging machine. [Figure 22] This diagram schematically shows how the height of the heat-shrinkable film is regulated at the height position regulation section. [Figure 23] This diagram schematically shows a container and protective material packaged in a heat-shrinkable film. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0034] Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram illustrating the overall configuration of the packaging container manufacturing apparatus 1 of the present invention. The packaging container manufacturing apparatus 1 includes a packaging device 2, a protective material supply device 3, a container supply device 4, a removal device 5, and a heating device 6.

[0035] Figure 2 shows an example of a container C and protective material 7 packaged using the packaging container manufacturing apparatus 1 of the present invention. Container C is a container for storing liquids, gases, solids, etc., and is an example of a vial for storing pharmaceuticals. Container C is often made of glass, but may also be made of plastic or other materials. An example of a container C being a vial is shown in Figure 2(a). In the case of a vial, container C has a body part C1 and a lid part C2, with the top surface of the body part C1 being open and sealed by the lid part C2. The container C in Figure 2(a) is a typical shape for a vial, but is not limited to this shape.

[0036] The protective material 7 is in the shape of a cylinder, a frustum of a cone or a substantially frustum of a cone, preferably a frustum of a cone or a substantially frustum of a cone, but is not limited thereto as long as it satisfies the length relationship shown in FIG. 4 described later. FIG. 2(b) shows the case where the protective material 7 is in the shape of a frustum of a cone. It is preferable that the upper surface and the bottom surface of the protective material 7 are formed in a flat shape without irregularities for the purpose of aligning the bottom surface of the container C. When the protective material 7 is in the shape of a frustum of a cone or a substantially frustum of a cone, it has a tapered shape in which the diameter of the upper surface is shorter than the diameter of the bottom surface. Further, the protective material 7 is preferably made of plastic, more preferably polypropylene. The protective material 7 is not limited to plastic, and any material such as resin may be used as long as it can absorb the impact applied to the container C.

[0037] FIG. 3 schematically shows the protective material 7 and the container C placed on the upper surface of the protective material 7. FIG. 4 schematically shows the length relationship between the protective material 7 and the bottom surface of the container C placed on the upper surface of the protective material 7. Let the diameter of the bottom surface of the container C be R c and the diameter of the upper surface of the protective material 7 be r u . When c >, R u > r d . Also, from the viewpoint of the stability of the protective material 7 and the container C, when the diameter of the bottom surface of the protective material 7 is r c , it is preferable that the length relationship is R d ≦ r d ≧ r u . Note that the diameter R c of the bottom surface of the container C and the diameter r u of the upper surface of the protective material 7 are, as described above, preferably R c > r u , but R c ≧ r u may also be acceptable.

[0038] When the protective material 7 is cylindrical, R c > r u = r dIt is preferable that the diameter of the top surface of the protective material is shorter than the diameter of the bottom surface of the container C. This allows the heat-shrinkable film F to cover the protective material 7 without getting caught on it when it moves downward relative to the container C, as the heat-shrinkable film F moves downward. Note that the sides are not limited to flat surfaces, but may also be curved.

[0039] Furthermore, if the protective material 7 is a frustum or a roughly frustum, R c >r u , r u <r d It is preferable that this be the case. That is, the diameter r of the upper surface of the protective material 7 u The diameter R of the bottom surface of container C. c The following is preferable, but the diameter r of the bottom surface of the protective material 7 d The diameter R of the bottom surface of container C. c The above is also acceptable. If the protective material 7 is a frustum or approximately a frustum, its side is tapered, so if the heat shrink film F does not get caught on the top surface of the protective material 7, the diameter r of the bottom surface of the protective material 7 d The diameter R of the bottom surface of container C c This is because even if the length is longer, the heat-shrinkable film F will not get caught. u >r d This may be the case, but from the viewpoint of the stability of container C and protective material 7, r u <r d This is preferable. Also, r u <r d or r u >r d The side surface in this case is not limited to a flat surface, but may also be a curved surface.

[0040] The packaging device 2 is the central device of the packaging container manufacturing device 1. A heat-shrinkable film F that covers part or all of the container C placed on the protective material 7 is heated by the heating device 6, causing the heat-shrinkable film F to shrink, and the container C and protective material 7 are packaged with the heat-shrinkable film F. The configuration of the packaging device 2 will be described later.

[0041] The protective material supply device 3 is a device that supplies protective material 7, which protects the bottom surface of container C, to the packaging device 2.

[0042] The container supply device 4 supplies containers C covered with heat-shrinkable film F before shrinkage to the packaging device 2. An example of a container C covered with heat-shrinkable film F before shrinkage, supplied by the container supply device 4, is shown in Figure 5. Figure 5(a) is a side view, and Figure 5(b) is a top view (view from above). Note that the heat-shrinkable film F covering the container C does not have to be cylindrical; it can cover the container C in any way as long as it shrinks when heated.

[0043] The removal device 5 removes the container C, which is wrapped in the shrunk heat-shrinkable film F, from the packaging device 2 and transports it to the outside of the packaging container manufacturing device 1.

[0044] Figure 6 shows a perspective view of the packaging device 2. The packaging device 2 includes a shaft portion 20, at least one lower device holder portion 21 that rotates around the shaft portion 20, at least one upper device holder portion 22 that rotates around the shaft portion 20, at least one lower device 23 attached to the lower device holder portion 21, and at least one upper device 24 attached to the upper device holder portion 22. Figure 6 shows the packaging device 2 equipped with 48 lower devices 23 and 48 upper devices 24, but the number of lower devices 23 and upper devices 24 may be other numbers. Figure 7 shows a perspective view of the packaging device 2 when only 3 lower devices 23 and 3 upper devices 24 are shown. Figure 8 is an enlarged perspective view of the area around the lower devices 23 and upper devices 24 in Figure 7, and Figure 9 is a side view of the area around the lower devices 23 and upper devices 24. Figure 10 is a side view of the packaging device 2, showing one lower device 23 and one upper device 24.

[0045] The shaft portion 20 is located near the center of the packaging device 2 and rotates the lower device holder portion 21 and the upper device holder portion 22 in a predetermined direction by a predetermined drive device (not shown), such as a motor.

[0046] The lower device holder 21 holds the lower device 23, which will be described later, and rotates the lower device 23 in a predetermined direction by rotational drive by the shaft 20. Figure 6 shows the case where the lower device holder 21 is made of a single disc, but it can be made of one or more discs. Furthermore, any shape or structure other than a disc is acceptable as long as it holds the lower device 23 and allows the lower device 23 to rotate by rotational drive by the shaft 20. In the case of the packaging device 2 configuration shown in Figure 6, multiple holes are provided along the circumference of the lower device holder 21, and the lower device 23, which will be described later, is inserted and fixed therein, but the lower device 23 may be fixed by other methods.

[0047] The upper device holder 22 holds the upper device 24, which will be described later, and rotates the upper device 24 in a predetermined direction by rotational drive by the shaft 20. Figure 6 shows a case where the upper device holder 22 is composed of three discs, but it only needs to be one or more. Furthermore, any shape or structure other than discs is acceptable as long as it holds the upper device 24 and allows the upper device 24 to rotate by rotational drive by the shaft 20. In the case of the packaging device 2 configuration shown in Figure 6, multiple holes are provided along the circumference of the upper device holder 22, and the upper device 24, which will be described later, is inserted and fixed therein, but the upper device 24 may be fixed by other methods.

[0048] The lower device 23 and the upper device 24 are devices that align the center of the container C, which is placed on the lower device 23 and covered with protective material 7 and heat-shrinkable film F before shrinkage. For this reason, it is preferable that the lower device 23 and the upper device 24 be installed in opposing positions.

[0049] Figure 11 shows a perspective view of the lower device 23, Figure 12 shows a plan view, and Figure 13 shows a side view.

[0050] The lower device 23 aligns the center of the protective material 7 with the container C covered with the heat-shrinkable film F before shrinkage. The lower device 23 has a main body 230 and an alignment part 231.

[0051] The main body 230 controls the lower device 23. Specifically, it controls the horizontal movement of the horizontal adjustment units 231b and 231c, and the vertical movement of the vertical adjustment unit 231a in the alignment unit 231, which will be described later.

[0052] The alignment section 231 has an opening near its center, and the horizontal adjustment sections 231b and 231c, described later, move left and right to allow for horizontal position adjustment. The size of the opening 232 can be adjusted by moving the horizontal adjustment sections 231b and 231c. Furthermore, by sandwiching the protective material 7 from both sides in the opening 232, the center of the protective material 7 and the container C covered with the heat shrink film F before shrinkage are aligned. The alignment section 231 has a vertical adjustment section 231a and horizontal adjustment sections 231b and 231c.

[0053] The vertical adjustment unit 231a adjusts the vertical position of the protective material 7 placed on the alignment unit 231. The vertical adjustment unit 231a preferably has a hole near its center, and the position of the protective material 7 is fixed by suction from the bottom surface of the protective material 7 through this hole. The vertical adjustment unit 231a moves up and down, moving the protective material 7, the container C covered with the heat shrink film F before shrinking, the container C after the heat shrink film F has shrunk and packaged, etc., in the vertical direction.

[0054] The horizontal adjustment sections 231b and 231c have a V-shape near their center and adjust the size of the opening 232 by moving horizontally (towards the center of the alignment section 231 or in the opposite direction). By moving horizontally, the horizontal adjustment sections 231b and 231c clamp the container C, which is covered with the protective material 7 and the heat shrink film F before shrinkage, and align its center. The area near the center of the horizontal adjustment sections 231b and 231c does not have to be V-shaped, as long as the vertical adjustment section 231a can protrude above the horizontal adjustment sections 231b and 231c.

[0055] Although the horizontal adjustment sections 231b and 231c show the case where the protective material 7 is sandwiched from two directions, it may also be configured to sandwich it from three or more directions.

[0056] Figure 14 shows a perspective view of the upper device 24, Figure 15 shows a bottom view, Figure 16 shows a side view, and Figure 17 shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view.

[0057] The upper device 24 holds down the container C, which is covered with protective material 7 and heat shrink film F before shrinking, from above, and is held by the lower device 23. In addition, the vertical adjustment part 231a of the lower device 23 moves upward to regulate the height position of the heat shrink film F. The upper device 24 has a vertical shaft 240, a bearing 241, an elastic body 242, a height position adjustment part 243, a horizontal shaft 244, and a cam 245.

[0058] The vertical axis 240 presses down from above the container C, which is covered with protective material 7 and heat-shrinkable film F before shrinkage, and is held by the lower device 23 in the upper device 24. The vertical axis 240 has a first vertical axis 2401 and a second vertical axis 2402, and the first vertical axis 2401 and the second vertical axis 2402 are located on the same axis. Preferably, the first vertical axis 2401 and the second vertical axis 2402 are spaced apart, and the vertical distance between the first vertical axis 2401 and the second vertical axis 2402 is adjustable.

[0059] A bearing 241 is provided around the vertical axis 240. The bearing 241 includes a first bearing 2411 located around the first vertical axis and a second bearing 2412 located around the second vertical axis.

[0060] The first bearing 2411 has a through hole through which the first vertical shaft 2401 is inserted. Similarly, the second bearing 2412 also has a through hole through which the second vertical shaft 2402 is inserted.

[0061] The second bearing 2412 is preferably connected to the first vertical shaft 2401 and is capable of moving vertically in conjunction with the first vertical shaft 2401. The second bearing 2412 has a recess 2413 on its inner bottom surface. The aforementioned through hole is drilled near the center of the bottom surface of the recess 2413. The diameter of this through hole is shorter than the diameter of the flange bolt 2403 at the upper end of the second vertical shaft 2402, and longer than the diameter of the second vertical shaft 2402. As a result, the flange bolt 2403 of the second vertical shaft 2402 is locked at the bottom surface of the recess 2413, preventing the second vertical shaft 2402 from moving downward. In addition, the second vertical shaft 2402 is provided with a flange-shaped fixing part 2404, and an elastic body 242 such as a spring is attached between the outer bottom surface of the second bearing 2402 and the fixing part 2404. The biasing force of the elastic body 242 allows the vertical shaft 240 (second vertical shaft 2402) to firmly press down on the lid C2 of container C from above. However, if the second vertical shaft 2402 can press down on the lid C2 of container C from above due to the biasing force of the elastic body 242, the elastic body 242 may be attached to another part, such as the first vertical shaft 2401, instead of the second bearing 2402.

[0062] The height adjustment section 243 has a recessed portion 2431, and a through hole is provided near the center of the bottom surface of the recessed portion 2431. The second vertical shaft 2402 is inserted through the recessed portion 2431 and the through hole. Below the recessed portion 2431, there is a height regulating section 2433 with an opening 2432 on the bottom surface side of the through hole.

[0063] Figure 18 schematically shows the size relationship between the height position regulating section 2433, the container C, and the heat shrink film F. Figure 18(a) is a bottom view of the height position regulating section 243, and Figure 18(b) is a top view (plan view) of the container C covered with the heat shrink film F before shrinkage. The inner diameter of the height position regulating section 2433 (diameter of the opening 2432) R T1 The outer diameter R of the lid portion C2 of container C is C2 Larger than the diameter R of the heat-shrinkable film F before shrinkage. F Smaller than. Outer diameter R of height position regulating part 2433 T2 The diameter R of the heat-shrinkable film F before shrinkage. FIt is greater than R. C2 <R T1 <R F <R T2 This relates to the relationship between sizes.

[0064] Because the height position regulating section 2433, the container C, and the heat shrink film F have this size relationship, when the vertical adjustment section 231a of the lower device 23 moves the container C upward, a part of the container C is inserted into the opening 2432 in the through hole of the height position adjustment section 243 of the upper device 24. However, the upward movement of the heat shrink film F before shrinkage is restricted by the height position regulating section 2433, and it cannot rise above the outer bottom surface of the height position regulating section 2433. On the other hand, the container C and the protective material 7 rise due to the vertical adjustment section 231a. As a result, the position of the heat shrink film F moves downward relative to the container C and also extends below the bottom surface of the protective material 7. Therefore, when the heat shrink film F shrinks, it becomes possible to cover part or all of the container C and the bottom surface of the protective material 7.

[0065] The horizontal axis 244 is a primarily horizontal axis connected to the vertical axis 240 (first vertical axis 2401). The horizontal axis 244 is connected at one end to the lifting control unit 245, which will be described later, and transmits the vertical movement by the lifting control unit 245 to the vertical axis 240.

[0066] Furthermore, the horizontal axis 244 is provided with bearings 2440 around the vertical axis 240, allowing the vertical axis 240 to rotate horizontally along its axis.

[0067] The lifting control unit 245 is a cam or the like, and is connected to the horizontal shaft 244. The lifting control unit 245 controls the vertical movement of the vertical shaft 240 via the horizontal shaft 244. Note that the lifting control unit 245 is not limited to a cam, as long as it can control the vertical movement of the vertical shaft 240.

[0068] As described above, the packaging device 2 has the lower device 23 and upper device 24 installed at corresponding positions along the circumferential direction of the lower device holder 21 and upper device holder 22, respectively. Then, by the rotation of the shaft 20, the lower device 23 installed in the lower device holder 21 and the upper device 24 installed in the upper device holder 22 rotate horizontally.

[0069] The heating device 6 is a heater installed circumferentially on the outside of the packaging device 2. Preferably, multiple heating devices 6 are installed at predetermined intervals. While the container C and heat shrink film F placed on the packaging device 2 rotate near the heating device 6, the heat from the heating device 6 causes the heat shrink film F to shrink, packaging the container C and protective material 7.

[0070] Next, an example of packaging a container C and part or all of the protective material 7 with a heat-shrinkable film F using the packaging container manufacturing apparatus 1 of the present invention will be described. Figure 19 shows a flowchart illustrating an example of processing in the packaging container manufacturing apparatus 1, and Figures 20 and 21 schematically show an example of the operating sequence of the upper device 24 and lower device 23 in the packaging apparatus 2. Note that the operating sequence of the upper device 24 and lower device 23 is just one example, and the order of processing, vertical and horizontal movements, etc., can be changed as appropriate as long as the same objective as the present invention is achieved.

[0071] The protective material supply device 3, the container supply device 4, and the removal device 5 rotate in the opposite direction to the packaging device 2. For example, if the packaging device 2 rotates counterclockwise, the protective material supply device 3, the container supply device 4, and the removal device 5 rotate clockwise. Furthermore, the protective material supply device 3, the container supply device 4, and the removal device 5 rotate at a rotational speed synchronized with the respective lower devices 23 of the packaging device 2. Synchronization of the rotational speeds of the protective material supply device 3, the container supply device 4, and the removal device 5 with the respective lower devices 23 of the packaging device 2 means that the protective material supply device 3 places the protective material 7 on the alignment section 231 of each lower device 23 of the packaging device 2, the container supply device 4 places the container C covered with the heat shrink film F before shrinking, and the removal device 5 extracts the container C with the heat shrink film F shrunk from the alignment section 231 of each lower device 23 of the packaging device 2. This does not necessarily mean that they rotate at the exact same rotational speed. The rotation speed of each device can be set arbitrarily under the above conditions.

[0072] The horizontal adjustment sections 231b and 231c of the alignment section 231 in the lower device 23 of the packaging device 2 are located inward and closed until the protective material 7 is placed from the protective material supply device 3 (Figure 20(1)). In this state, the tip of the vertical adjustment section 231a is located on the same plane as the horizontal adjustment sections 231b and 231c. The process shown in Figure 20(1) is performed while the lower device 23 is moving from the removal device 5 to the position where the protective material 7 is supplied by the protective material supply device 3.

[0073] The protective material supply device 3 places the protective material 7 near the center of the alignment section 231 (near the position of the vertical adjustment section 231a) in the lower device 23 of the packaging device 2, in accordance with the rotation of the shaft section 20 of the packaging device 2, using a known method (S100) (Figure 20(2)).

[0074] When the protective material 7 is placed on the alignment unit 231 by the protective material supply device 3, the horizontal adjustment units 231b and 231c start the process of centering the protective material 7 (S110).

[0075] As part of the process of aligning the center of the protective material 7 by the horizontal adjustment units 231b and 231c, first, the vertical adjustment unit 231a supports the protective material 7 by sucking it with the suction port provided at its tip, preventing it from falling. Then, the horizontal adjustment units 231b and 231c move outward and open (Figure 20(3)). At this time, the horizontal adjustment units 231b and 231c open wider than the diameter of the protective material 7.

[0076] The vertical adjustment section 231a then lowers to a predetermined height, preferably a height approximately equal to the thickness of the protective material 7, so that the protective material 7 supported by the vertical adjustment section 231a can be horizontally sandwiched by the horizontal adjustment sections 231b and 231c (Figure 20(4)). For example, when the vertical adjustment section 231a lowers by the thickness of the protective material 7, the upper surface of the protective material 7 and the horizontal adjustment sections 231b and 231c are located on the same plane.

[0077] Then, the horizontal adjustment units 231b and 231c move inward, sandwiching the protective material 7 from the left and right sides, thereby aligning the center of the protective material 7 (Figure 20(5)).

[0078] When the lower device 23 moves to the position of the container supply device 4, the container supply device 4 places the container C, covered with the heat-shrinkable film F before shrinkage, near the center of the alignment portion 231 in the lower device 23 of the packaging device 2, i.e., near the top of the protective material 7, by a known method (S120). At this time, the vertical axis 240 (second vertical axis 2402) of the upper device 24 protrudes from the height position adjustment portion 243 and presses down on the lid portion C2 of the container C from above (Figure 20(6)). At this time, as the second vertical axis 2402 presses down on the lid portion C2 of the container C from above, the second vertical axis 2402 moves slightly upward via the elastic body 242. At this time, the flange bolt 2403 near the upper end of the second vertical axis 2402 separates from the bottom surface of the recess 2413 of the second bearing 2412 and moves upward. This reduces the distance between the first vertical axis 2401 and the second vertical axis 2402.

[0079] As described above, the vertical position of the container C can be fixed by the vertical axis 240 of the upper device 24 and the vertical adjustment part 231a of the lower device 23.

[0080] When the container C, covered with the heat shrink film F before shrinkage, is placed on the alignment unit 231 by the container supply device 4, the horizontal adjustment units 231b and 231c start the process of aligning the center of the container C covered with the heat shrink film F before shrinkage (S130).

[0081] As part of the process of aligning the center of the container C covered with the heat-shrinkable film F before shrinkage by the horizontal adjustment parts 231b and 231c, first, the horizontal adjustment parts 231b and 231c move outward and open (Figure 20(7)). At this time, the horizontal adjustment parts 231b and 231c open wider than the diameter of the heat-shrinkable film F before shrinkage.

[0082] The vertical adjustment unit 231a lowers to a predetermined height, that is, the height necessary to align the center position of the container C (Figure 20(8)). The vertical adjustment unit 231a lowers so that the upper surface of the protective material 7 supported by the vertical adjustment unit 231a is positioned below the horizontal adjustment units 231b and 231c, and the horizontal adjustment units 231b and 231c lower it to a position where the container C, covered with the heat-shrinkable film F before shrinkage, can be sandwiched from both sides. For example, when the vertical adjustment unit 231a has been lowered by the thickness of the protective material 7 to about 3 mm, it may be lowered by another 5 mm or so. Note that the lowering of the vertical adjustment unit 231a of the lower device 23 and the lowering of the vertical axis 240 via the horizontal axis 244 by the lifting control unit 245 are controlled to be synchronized.

[0083] Then, the horizontal adjustment units 231b and 231c move inward, sandwiching the container C, which is covered with the heat-shrinkable film F before shrinkage, from both sides, thereby aligning the center of the container C (Figure 20(9)).

[0084] As described above, by sandwiching the protective material 7 and the container C covered with the heat-shrinkable film F before shrinkage from the left and right sides using the horizontal adjustment parts 231b and 231c, respectively, the two can be aligned on the same axis and their center positions can be aligned.

[0085] After aligning the center of the protective material 7 with the container C covered with the heat-shrinkable film F before shrinkage, the horizontal adjustment parts 231b and 231c move outward and open (Figure 20(10)).

[0086] Then, the vertical adjustment unit 231a rises, and the process of adjusting the vertical position of the heat shrink film F is performed (S140).

[0087] For example, the tip of the vertical adjustment section 231a of the lower device 23 moves above the upper surface of the horizontal adjustment sections 231b and 231c, and the vertical axis 240 of the upper device 24 moves upward by the same distance. This is schematically shown in Figure 22(a). Note that the upward movement of the vertical adjustment section 231a of the lower device 23 and the upward movement of the vertical axis 240 via the horizontal axis 244 by the lifting control unit 245 are controlled to be synchronized.

[0088] If the container C is not wrapped with heat-shrinkable film F up to the top surface of the lid C2, the vertical adjustment section 231a of the lower device 23 and the vertical axis 240 of the upper device 24 move upward, inserting a portion of the container C covered with the heat-shrinkable film F before shrinking, for example up to the vicinity of the lid C2, into the opening 2432 of the height position regulating section 2433 of the upper device 24. At this time, the diameter R of the heat-shrinkable film F before shrinking... F The outer diameter R of the height position regulating part 2433 of the upper device 24. T2 Because it is smaller, the upward movement of the heat-shrinkable film F before shrinking is restricted, and the heat-shrinkable film F before shrinking is positioned below the protective material 7 (Figure 21(11)). Therefore, the heat-shrinkable film F can wrap up to the bottom surface of the protective material 7. This is schematically shown in Figure 22(b). Figure 23(a) shows a container C in which part of the main body C1 and the protective material 7 are covered with heat-shrinkable film F.

[0089] Furthermore, when wrapping the container C up to the top surface of the lid C2 with heat-shrinkable film F, the vertical adjustment section 231a of the lower device 23 and the vertical axis 240 of the upper device 24 are moved upward to an appropriate position where the container C, covered with the heat-shrinkable film F before shrinking, is not inserted into the opening 2432 of the height position regulating section 2433 of the upper device 24. In this case as well, similarly, the diameter R of the heat-shrinkable film F before shrinking F The outer diameter R of the height position regulating part 2433 of the upper device 24. T2 Because it is smaller, the upward movement of the heat-shrinkable film F before shrinkage is restricted, and the heat-shrinkable film F before shrinkage is positioned below the protective material 7. Therefore, the heat-shrinkable film F can wrap up to the bottom surface of the protective material 7. Also, since the upper surface of the lid C2 of the container C is not inserted into the opening 2432 of the height position restricting section 2433, the upper end of the heat-shrinkable film F is positioned above the lid C2, so the lid C2 can also be covered with the heat-shrinkable film F. This is schematically shown in Figure 22(c). Furthermore, Figure 23(b) shows a container C in which the main body C1, a part of the lid C2, and the protective material 7 are covered with heat-shrinkable film F. Note that in this case, the height position restricting section 2433 does not need to have an opening 2432.

[0090] With the vertical position of the heat-shrinkable film F adjusted, the container C, covered with the heat-shrinkable film F before shrinking, is heated in the heating section (S150) while rotating around the vertical adjustment section 231a and the vertical axis 240 as the central axis, causing the heat-shrinkable film F to shrink onto the container C (Figures 21(12) and 21(13)). The container C rotates the vertical adjustment section 231a of the lower device 23 and the vertical axis 240 of the upper device 24 at the same rotational speed. This is achieved by providing timing pulleys at predetermined locations on the lower device 23 and the upper device 24, and rotating the timing belt by motor-driven contact with the timing pulley. The timing pulley of the lower device 23 is linked to the vertical adjustment section 231a of the lower device 23, and the timing pulley of the upper device 24 is linked to the vertical axis 240 of the upper device 24. In addition, the horizontal adjustment sections 231b and 231c of the lower device 23 move inward. The vertical axis 240 of the upper device 24 rotates smoothly in the horizontal direction by bearing 2440 located between it and the horizontal axis 244.

[0091] Because the heat-shrinkable film F is positioned below the protective material 7, the heat-shrinkable film F also shrinks to the bottom surface of the protective material 7, allowing the protective material 7 and the container C to be packaged as a single unit.

[0092] After the heat-shrinkable film F shrinks, the vertical adjustment section 231a of the lower device 23 and the vertical axis 240 of the upper device 24 descend. The vertical adjustment section 231a of the lower device 23 descends until its tip is flush with the horizontal adjustment sections 231b and 231c of the lower device 23 (Figure 21(14)) (S160). The descent of the vertical adjustment section 231a of the lower device 23 and the descent of the vertical axis 240 via the horizontal axis 244 by the lifting control unit 245 are controlled to be synchronized. Then, the vertical axis 240 is raised via the horizontal axis 244 by the lifting control unit 245 of the upper device 24, and the pressure on the lid C2 of the container C is released (Figure 21(15)).

[0093] Then, when the lower device 23 moves to the position of the removal device 5, the removal device 5 removes the container C (container C and protective material 7 wrapped in heat-shrinkable film F) which is placed on the lower device 23 from the packaging device 2 to the outside (Figure 21(16)) (S170).

[0094] By performing the above process in the packaging device 2, the protective material 7 and the container C can be packaged with the heat-shrinkable film F while maintaining their center positions.

[0095] In the above description, the case in which the vertical adjustment section 231a of the lower device 23 moves up and down was described, but it is sufficient for the relative positions of the vertical adjustment section 231a and the horizontal adjustment sections 231b and 231c of the lower device 23 to change. Therefore, when moving the vertical adjustment section 231a of the lower device 23 downward or upward, the positioning section 231 and the horizontal adjustment sections 231b and 231c may be moved upward or downward to change their relative positional relationship.

[0096] Similarly, although the case where the vertical axis 240 of the upper device 24 moves up and down has been described, it is sufficient for the relative positions of the vertical axis 240 of the upper device 24 and the height position regulating unit 2433 to change. Therefore, when moving the vertical axis 240 of the upper device 24 downward or upward, the height position adjustment unit 243 or the height position regulating unit 2433 may be moved upward or downward to change their relative positional relationship.

[0097] In the above description, the lower device 23 aligns the centers of the container C and the protective material 7 by sandwiching the protective material 7 and the container C (container C covered with heat-shrinkable film F before shrinking) from at least two directions. However, the method for aligning the centers of the container C and the protective material 7 is not limited to the above, and various methods can be used. For example, the container supply device 4 may place the container C on the protective material 7 so that the centers of the protective material 7 and the container C are on the same axis, and the upper device 24 may press down on the container C from above. This also aligns the centers of the container C and the protective material 7. Alternatively, the horizontal adjustment parts 231b and 231c in the alignment part 231 of the lower device 23 may be given sufficient thickness, and the centers of the protective material 7 and the container C may be aligned by sandwiching them together from at least two directions simultaneously. In addition to these, various other methods can be used to relatively align the centers of the container C and the protective material 7.

[0098] The rotation of the shaft 20 of the packaging device 2 may be continuous, or it may be discrete, rotating and stopping repeatedly at regular intervals.

[0099] In the packaging apparatus 2 of the above embodiment, the case in which the container C is packaged with heat-shrinkable film F was described. However, this method is not limited to the case in which the container C is packaged with heat-shrinkable film F. It can also be applied to the center alignment of the container C and protective material 7 when the container C and protective material 7, which have been center-aligned, are packaged with packaging material made of any material, such as polypropylene film with adhesive applied to part or all of the back surface. [Industrial applicability]

[0100] By using the packaging container manufacturing apparatus 1 and packaging container manufacturing method of the present invention, the container C and the protective material 7 can be accurately aligned and packaged. [Explanation of symbols]

[0101] 1: Packaging container manufacturing equipment 2: Packaging equipment 3: Protective material supply device 4: Container feeding device 5: Take-out device 6:Heating device 7: Protective material 20: Shaft 21: Lower device holding part 22: Upper device holding part 23: Lower device 24: Upper device 230: Main body 231: Alignment section 231a: Vertical adjustment section 231b, 231c: Horizontal adjustment section 232: Opening 240: Vertical axis 241: Bearings 242: Elastic body 243: Height adjustment section 244: Horizontal axis 245: Lifting and lowering control unit 2401: 1st vertical axis 2402:Second vertical axis 2403: Flange bolt 2404: Fixed part 2411: First bearing 2412: Second bearing 2413: Recess 2431: Recess 2432: Opening 2433: Height position regulation section 2440: Bearing

Claims

1. A packaging container manufacturing apparatus for aligning a container with a protective material that protects the bottom surface of the container, The aforementioned packaging container manufacturing apparatus, It has a lower device that supports the container and the protective material, and an upper device that holds the container in place. The lower device is, It has a vertical adjustment unit for adjusting the vertical position and a horizontal adjustment unit for adjusting the horizontal position. The protective material placed on the lower device is supported by the vertical adjustment section. The vertical adjustment unit is moved vertically relative to the horizontal adjustment unit, and the protective material and the container located on the upper surface of the protective material are clamped by the horizontal adjustment unit from at least two directions, thereby aligning the protective material and the container. A packaging container manufacturing apparatus characterized by the following features.

2. The lower device is, The protective material placed on the lower device is supported by the vertical adjustment section. The vertical adjustment section is moved vertically relative to the horizontal adjustment section so that the upper surface of the protective material supported by the vertical adjustment section and the upper surface of the horizontal adjustment section are positioned on the same plane, and the horizontal adjustment section clamps the protective material from at least two directions. The container placed on the protective material is pressed down from above by the upper device. The vertical adjustment section is moved vertically relative to the horizontal adjustment section to a position where the container can be clamped by the horizontal adjustment section, and the protective material and the container are aligned by clamping the container from at least two directions with the horizontal adjustment section. The packaging container manufacturing apparatus according to feature 1.

3. A packaging container manufacturing apparatus for aligning a container with a protective material that protects the bottom surface of the container, The aforementioned packaging container manufacturing apparatus, It has a lower device that supports the container and the protective material, and an upper device that holds the container in place. In the upper device, the vertical axes are arranged such that the first vertical axis and the second vertical axis are spaced apart on the same axis. When the second vertical axis presses down on the container from above, the distance between the first vertical axis and the second vertical axis decreases, and the second vertical axis presses down on the container. A packaging container manufacturing apparatus characterized by the following features.

4. When the second vertical axis presses down on the container from above, the distance between the first vertical axis and the second vertical axis decreases, and the biasing force of the elastic body provided on the second vertical axis presses down on the container from above. The packaging container manufacturing apparatus according to feature 3.

5. The upper device is, It has a horizontal shaft with a lifting control unit at one end that controls the vertical movement of the aforementioned vertical shaft, A bearing is attached to the lower end of the first vertical shaft. Inside the bearing, The aforementioned vertical axes are arranged such that the first vertical axis and the second vertical axis are spaced apart on the same axis, and the second vertical axis is movable vertically inside the bearing. The diameter of the flange located near the upper end of the second vertical shaft is greater than the diameter of the through hole drilled in the recess on the inner surface of the bearing through which the second vertical shaft is inserted. An elastic body is attached to the second vertical shaft and the bearing or the first vertical shaft. With the container placed below the second vertical axis, the lifting control unit moves the first and second vertical axes vertically to press down on the container from above, and after the second vertical axis comes into contact with the container, the second vertical axis moves in the opposite direction to shorten the distance between the first and second vertical axes, and the elastic body biases the second vertical axis to press down on the container from above. The packaging container manufacturing apparatus according to feature 3.

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