Paper carton container molding and filling machine

Abstract

To provide a paper pack container forming and filling machine that enables only one worker in the loading room to take out cartons from a cardboard box filled with cartons and efficiently replenish cartons into the carton magazine of a paper pack container forming and filling machine installed in a clean room.SOLUTION: Carton case conveyor 20 is provided with a longitudinal stopper 24 that restrains the movement of carton case 21 in the transport direction and a lateral gripping mechanism 25 that restrains the movement in the lateral direction. Carton case 21 is provided with notches 21a on both sides through which the contacting part 32 of carton gripper 30 can pass. And the initial position of carton gripper 30 is set to a position where the contacting part 32 can pass through the notch 21a and grip the carton 22 when the carton case 21 is positioned on the carton case conveyor 20 and the carton gripper 30 in the open position descends a predetermined distance Z0 to close.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a paper container forming and filling machine, and more particularly to a paper container forming and filling machine that allows efficient replenishment of cartons to the carton magazine of the paper container forming and filling machine installed in a clean room, where only one operator working in a carry-in room can take cartons out of the corrugated box packed with cartons.

Background Art

[0002] As containers for filling alcohol products such as Japanese sake, synthetic sake and shochu, fresh cream, milk beverages, juices and the like, a rectangular paper container with a gable-top upper portion shaped like a triangular roof (hereinafter referred to as "paper container") is widely used. A filling and sealing device that performs a series of processes from forming this paper container to filling contents and sealing (hereinafter referred to as "paper container forming and filling machine" or simply "filling machine") is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] Paper containers are made from flattened rectangular prismatic frames with both ends open that have creases, which are called "cartons". Cartons are normally packed in corrugated boxes and transported by carriers from carton manufacturers to beverage manufacturers that are users of paper container forming and filling machines.

[0004] FIG. 11 is an explanatory view showing a process of replenishing cartons to a carton magazine in a conventional paper container forming and filling machine. Corrugated boxes packed with cartons transported by carriers are stored in a carry-in room adjacent to a clean room. Since the clean room where the paper container forming and filling machine is installed is maintained and managed at a predetermined cleanliness level (for example, the number of particles of 0.5 μm or more is about 10,000 per cubic foot), corrugated boxes packed with cartons cannot be transported into the clean room.

[0005] Therefore, the first worker in the receiving room unpacks the cardboard boxes and transfers the cartons into dedicated carton cases. The carton cases filled with cartons are transported into the cleanroom by a carton case conveyor that connects the receiving room and the cleanroom. An air shower room is provided between the receiving room and the cleanroom, and the cartons packed in the carton cases are subjected to an air shower for a predetermined time to maintain a predetermined level of cleanliness before being transported into the cleanroom.

[0006] Inside the cleanroom, a second worker wearing a dustproof suit removes cartons from carton cases and sets them into the carton magazine of the paper pack molding and filling machine. The paper pack molding and filling machine has a processing capacity of approximately 150 to 400 units per minute. Therefore, the second worker sets cartons into the carton magazine according to the filling machine's processing capacity. Empty carton cases are returned to the first worker in the receiving room via a carton case conveyor, and the first worker, upon receiving the empty carton cases, removes the cartons from the cardboard boxes and repackages them into the carton cases. The filled carton cases are then transported back into the cleanroom via a carton case conveyor connecting the receiving room and the cleanroom. The above carton replenishment process continues as long as the paper pack molding and filling machine is in operation.

[0007] On the other hand, there is a known carton conveying device configured such that a robot equipped with a suction head (suction device) and side holding arms at its tip removes bundles of cartons from a container (carton case) filled with cartons, transfers them to a capsule with an open body, and then uses air pressure to transport the capsule containing the bundles of cartons through an air pipe, thereby supplying cartons to a carton magazine (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

[0008] Grooves are continuously formed along the longitudinal direction (axial direction) on the inner surface of the air pipe, and protrusions that fit into these grooves are formed on the outer surface of the capsule. The grooves are formed on the lower part of the inner surface of the air pipe near the starting point and on the upper part of the inner surface of the air pipe near the ending point. In other words, the capsule rotates 1 / 2 turn when moving from the starting point to the ending point, or from the ending point to the starting point. As a result, the opening of the capsule body faces upward near the starting point of the air pipe and downward near the ending point of the air pipe. This allows the capsule to receive the carton by gravity at the starting point of the air pipe and to hand over the carton by gravity at the ending point of the air pipe. The empty capsule, after handing over the carton, is moved in the reverse direction within the air pipe by air pressure to return to its original position and receive the carton again. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0009] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 4334115 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 60-6521 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 63-12533 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0010] Thus, with conventional paper carton molding and filling machines, a total of two workers are required—one in the loading room and one in the cleanroom—to set the cartons into the carton magazine of the paper carton molding and filling machine.

[0011] Users of paper carton molding and filling machines (beverage manufacturers) have requested that "one worker be able to transfer cartons from cardboard boxes to carton cases, transport the carton cases filled with cartons into a cleanroom, and then remove cartons from the carton cases within the cleanroom to replenish the carton magazine of the paper carton molding and filling machine."

[0012] On the other hand, while the carton conveying device described in Patent Document 2 above can fulfill the user's requirements with only one operator, because the body of the capsule is open, when the capsule containing the carton moves through the air pipe, a part of the carton may rub against the inner surface of the air pipe and become damaged.

[0013] Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the problems of the prior art described above, and its purpose is to provide a paper pack container molding and filling machine that enables only one worker in the loading room to remove cartons from cardboard boxes filled with cartons and efficiently replenish the cartons in the carton magazine of a paper pack container molding and filling machine installed in a clean room. [Means for solving the problem]

[0014] The first feature of the paper pack container molding and filling machine according to the present invention for achieving the above objective is a paper pack container molding and filling machine (1) that molds cartons (22) supplied from a carton magazine (60) into paper pack containers, fills the molded paper pack containers with liquid, and seals the top of the liquid-filled paper pack containers, wherein the paper pack container molding and filling machine (1) comprises a carton container (21) that contains cartons (22), a loading room into which "cardboard boxes filled with cartons (22) are brought," and a clean room where "a predetermined level of cleanliness is maintained and the filling machine (1) itself is installed." The system comprises a conveyor (20) capable of moving back and forth between the two, a carton gripping mechanism (30) for removing cartons (22) from the carton container (21) filled with cartons (22) transported from the loading room, and a moving mechanism (40) for moving the carton gripping mechanism (30) to the carton magazine (60) while moving or swinging it along a predetermined coordinate axis, wherein the conveyor (20) has positioning mechanisms (24, 25) for determining the position of the carton container (21) filled with cartons (22) being transported to the clean room.

[0015] In the above configuration, one worker in the loading room transfers the cartons (22) from the cardboard boxes to a stationary carton container (21) on the conveyor belt (20), and the carton container (21) filled with cartons (22) is transported into the cleanroom by the conveyor belt (20). Once the carton container (21) filled with cartons (22) has been transported into the cleanroom, it is positioned on the conveyor belt (20), and the cartons (22) inside the carton container (21) are grasped by the carton gripping mechanism (30). The cartons (22) grasped by the carton gripping mechanism (30) are moved to the carton magazine (60) by the moving mechanism (40), released in the carton magazine (60), and the cartons (22) are automatically replenished in the carton magazine (60). In this way, a single worker can replenish the carton magazine (60) of the paper pack container molding and filling machine with cartons (22).

[0016] A second feature of the paper carton container molding and filling machine according to the present invention is that the carton gripping mechanism (30) has two clamping plates (31) that move in opposite directions to each other, and the carton container (21) has a notch (21a) through which the clamping plates (31) can pass.

[0017] In the above configuration, the carton gripping mechanism (30) can stably grip the carton (22).

[0018] A third feature of the paper pack container molding and filling machine according to the present invention is that the initial position of the carton gripping mechanism (30) is such that when the carton container (21) filled with cartons (22) is positioned on the conveyor (20) by the positioning mechanisms (24, 25), the carton gripping mechanism (30) is in an open state and descends by a predetermined distance (Z0) before closing, allowing it to pass through the notch (21a) and grasp the carton (22).

[0019] In the above configuration, the carton gripping mechanism (30) can stably grip the carton (22) simply by lowering it by a predetermined distance (Z0) in the open state and then closing it.

[0020] A fourth feature of the paper carton container molding and filling machine according to the present invention is that the conveyor (20) is configured to transport the empty carton container (21) to the loading room based on the timing at which the carton gripping mechanism (30) grips and lifts the carton (22) inside the carton container (21).

[0021] In the above configuration, while the moving mechanism (40) moves the carton gripping mechanism (30) to the carton magazine (60), the workers in the receiving room can pack the cartons (22) into the carton containers (21). As a result, by the time the carton gripping mechanism (30) returns to its initial position, the carton containers (21) filled with cartons (22) are positioned on the conveyor (20) by the positioning mechanisms (24, 25). This allows the next carton replenishment process to start quickly, improving work efficiency.

[0022] A fifth feature of the paper pack container molding and filling machine according to the present invention is that the conveyor (20) is configured to convey the carton container (21) filled with cartons (22) from the carry-in chamber into the clean room based on the timing at which the carton gripping mechanism (30) gripping the carton (22) releases the carton (22) in the carton magazine (60).

[0023] In the above configuration, while the moving mechanism (40) moves the carton gripping mechanism (30) to the initial position, the carton container (21) filled with cartons (22) is conveyed into the clean room and positioned on the conveyor (20) by the positioning mechanisms (24, 25), which improves working efficiency. Effects of the Invention

[0024] According to the paper pack container molding and filling machine of the present invention, it is possible for only one operator in the carry-in chamber to efficiently replenish cartons to the carton magazine of the paper pack container molding and filling machine installed in the clean room after taking out the cartons from the cardboard box filled with cartons. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0025] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an external view of a paper pack container molding and filling machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the operation of the paper pack container molding and filling machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing the main part of the liquid filling section of the paper pack container molding and filling machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing the main part of the carton loader section of the paper pack container molding and filling machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing the main part of the carton gripper of the carton loader section. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing the support mechanism of the swing cylinder of the carton loader section. [Figure 7] This is an explanatory diagram showing the gripping action of the carton loader section on the carton. [Figure 8] This is an explanatory diagram showing the oscillation of the carton loader section relative to the carton gripper. [Figure 9] This is an explanatory diagram showing the home position return operation of the carton loader section. [Figure 10] This is an explanatory diagram showing the carton replenishment process in the paper pack container molding and filling machine of the present invention. [Figure 11] This is an explanatory diagram showing the carton replenishment process in a conventional paper carton molding and filling machine. [Figure 12] This is an explanatory diagram showing the unfolded top section of a carton for paper carton containers. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0026] Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings.

[0027] Figures 1 and 2 are explanatory diagrams showing a paper carton container forming and filling machine 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 is an external view of the paper carton container forming and filling machine 1. Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the operation of the paper carton container forming and filling machine 1. Note that there are two separate parallel lines for the container forming and filling line, from setting the carton to discharging the product (paper carton container filled with contents). That is, there are two identical components. For the sake of explanation, only one container forming and filling line is shown here. Also, in Figure 2, for the sake of explanation, the rotation plane of the mandrel is shown parallel to the horizontal plane, but in reality, the rotation plane of the mandrel is perpendicular to the horizontal plane.

[0028] As shown in Figure 1, this paper carton container forming and filling machine 1 includes a carton bottom forming section 2 for forming a bottomed carton, a spout attachment section 3 for attaching a spout that serves as the outlet for the contents (filling liquid), a primary carton top folding section 4 for unfolding the folds at the top of the carton and temporarily widening the opening at the top of the carton, a liquid filling section 100 for filling the bottomed carton with contents (filling liquid), a secondary carton top folding section 5 for temporarily shaping the opening at the top of the carton so that it fits into the nozzle of the carton top heating device 6, and the inner circumferential surface of the top of the carton The system comprises a carton top heating device 6 that heats the outer surface of the carton, a carton top pressing unit 7 that presses and seals the top of the carton, a container unloading unit 8 that removes the paper pack container filled with contents to the outside, a contents storage unit 9 that stores the contents to be filled into the paper pack container, and a carton loader unit 10 that automatically removes cartons 22 transported from an uncleanliness-controlled receiving room (Figure 10) into a cleanroom (Figure 10) with controlled cleanliness from the carton case 21 and replenishes them in the carton magazine 60. Each component will be described below.

[0029] As shown in Figure 2, the carton case 21 filled with cartons 22 is transported by the carton case conveyor 20 from the loading room into the cleanroom where the paper pack container molding and filling machine 1 is installed. Inside the cleanroom, the carton case 21 is positioned by a vertical stopper 24 and a horizontal gripping mechanism 25, and the cartons 22 are removed from the carton case 21 by the carton gripper 30. The carton gripper 30, which is gripping the cartons 22, is moved to a predetermined position in the carton magazine 60 by the carton gripper moving mechanism 40, where the carton gripper 30 releases the cartons 22. Details of this carton loader 10 will be described later with reference to Figures 4 to 9. The cartons 22 that have been replenished in the carton magazine 60 are then transported by a moving mechanism (not shown) to the carton drawer section of the carton bottom molding section 2.

[0030] In the carton bottom forming section 2, cartons are pulled out one by one from a carton drawer section where multiple flat cartons are stacked, by a lever with a vacuum device (not shown), and placed on a carton conveyor. As the cartons are placed on the conveyor, the furthest corners of the cartons fit into L-shaped pieces, thereby forming them from a flat shape into a rectangular prism frame shape with openings at both ends.

[0031] Next, the cartons, which have been formed into a rectangular prism frame shape with openings at both ends, are inserted into the mandrel by a carton conveyor. The mandrel is set up so that its rotating surface is perpendicular to the horizontal plane, and is arranged radially at equal intervals (for example, at 60° intervals) along the radial direction. Therefore, the cartons inserted into the mandrel undergo the following process: 60° rotation → first bottom heater → 60° rotation → second bottom heater → 60° rotation → bottom fold → 60° rotation → bottom press → 60° rotation → carton lowering.

[0032] The carton is heated at the bottom in two stages by a first bottom heater and a second bottom heater. Heating the bottom in two stages minimizes heat damage to the carton. The carton is then rotated 60° and the bottom of the carton is folded along the crease by a bottom breaker (not shown). After another 60° rotation, the bottom of the carton is pressed vertically (longitudinally) upward by a bottom press (not shown). This forms a bottomed carton.

[0033] After being rotated another 60°, the carton is lowered from the mandrel by a lifting device (not shown) and transported by a pair of internal conveyors 70.

[0034] The spout attachment section 3 presses a preheated spout against the spout opening at the top of the carton (T9 in Figure 12(b)) and welds it to the inner surface of the carton using ultrasonic vibration. Note that the spout attachment section 3 is inactive when forming and filling cartons without spouts.

[0035] The primary folding section 4 at the top of the carton presses the intersections of the folds at the top of the carton (dotted lines T1, T5, T3, T7 in Figure 12(b)) (near the × marks in Figure 12(b)) inward, creating a crease in the folds at the top of the carton (where the pressed parts are indented inward). Then, the top of the carton is pushed outward along the conveying direction to widen the opening at the top of the carton. The carton is then conveyed to the upper right of the diagram along a conveying path (Figure 1) sandwiched between a pair of internal conveyors 70, with its posture stably maintained by the separator pieces of the internal conveyors.

[0036] The liquid filling unit 100 fills a predetermined amount of contents (filling liquid) into a bottomed carton (paper pack container). The contents (filling liquid) are supplied from the contents storage unit 9 to the liquid filling unit 100 via a predetermined line by gravity or by a pump. Filling the paper pack container is performed by the filling piston 111 (Figure 3) moving a predetermined stroke amount, thereby filling a predetermined amount of filling liquid from the filling nozzle unit 120 (Figure 3) into the paper pack container.

[0037] The secondary folding section 5 at the top of the carton pushes the folds at the top of the carton (dotted lines T2, T6, T4, T8 in Figure 12(b)) inward again in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction, thereby creating a crease in the folds at the top of the carton (where the pressed area is indented inward). After that, the secondary folding section 5 at the top of the carton slightly widens the opening at the top of the carton. This is to ensure that the top of the carton fits snugly into the nozzle from which hot air is blown in the subsequent carton top heating device 6.

[0038] The carton top heating device 6 heats the inner and outer surfaces of the top of the carton.

[0039] The carton top pressing section 7 seals the top of the carton by pressing it in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction. In this embodiment, the pressing is performed in three stages: preliminary pressing → first pressing → second pressing.

[0040] The container discharge section 8 discharges sealed paper cartons to the outside via a discharge conveyor. A gentle slope (Figure 1) is provided at the joint between the transport path (Figure 1) and the discharge conveyor. As a result, the sealed paper cartons are smoothly transported to the discharge conveyor by the feeding force of the internal conveyor 70 and their own weight.

[0041] Figure 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the main parts of the carton loader section 10 of a paper carton container molding and filling machine 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the main parts of the carton gripper 30. This carton loader unit 10 comprises a carton case conveyor 20 that transports carton cases 21 filled with cartons 22 from the loading room (Figure 10) into the clean room (Figure 10), a carton gripper 30 that removes cartons 22 from the carton cases 21, a carton gripper moving mechanism 40 that moves and swings the carton gripper 30 in the XYZ axis direction, and a carton magazine 60 that is installed in the paper pack container molding and filling machine 1 and stores cartons 22. Each component will be described in more detail below.

[0042] The carton case conveyor 20 can use a Platop® chain type, for example, in which a top plate (not shown) that receives the carton cases 21 and a chain (not shown) that transmits power are integrally molded. Alternatively, instead of the Platop® chain type, a free roller conveyor (gravity conveyor) that does not have a power source to rotate the chain can be used.

[0043] The chain is wrapped around the sprocket 27 and is rotationally driven by the conveyor motor 23. For example, when the conveyor motor 23 rotates forward, the carton cases 21 are transported from the loading room into the cleanroom. When the conveyor motor 23 rotates backward, the carton cases 21 are transported from the cleanroom back to the loading room.

[0044] Furthermore, the carton case 21 is fixed in a vertical position (Y coordinate position) by a vertical stopper 24 and in a horizontal position (X coordinate position) by a horizontal gripping mechanism 25. In other words, the carton case 21 being transported from the loading room into the clean room is positioned at a predetermined location on the carton case conveyor 20 by the vertical stopper 24 and the horizontal gripping mechanism 25. The "predetermined location" here refers to, for example, the position where, when the carton gripper 30 is opened and lowered by a predetermined distance Z0 in the Z-axis direction, the gripping plate 31 passes through the notch 21a and grips the carton 22. The position of the carton gripper 30 before being lowered by a predetermined distance Z0 in the Z-axis direction will be called the "initial position" or "origin".

[0045] Furthermore, the carton case conveyor 20 is supported by columns 26 and is configured to allow for height adjustment.

[0046] As shown in Figure 5(a), the carton gripper 30 consists of left and right clamping plates 31, 31 that are close to each other and grip a bundle of cartons 22, left and right contact parts 32, 32 that press the bundle of cartons 22 together to prevent it from coming undone, and a gripper slider 33 that drives the left and right clamping plates 31, 31 to move closer together or further apart.

[0047] The clamping plate 31 consists of a horizontal section 31a, a vertical section 31c that supports the contact section 32, and a slanted section 31b that connects the horizontal section 31a and the vertical section 31c. The clamping plate 31 is also fixed to the slide base 33a of the gripper slider 33 by bolts.

[0048] Returning to Figure 4, the contact portion 32 is made of a rectangular plate having the same width as the clamping plate 31. As shown in Figure 5(a), the plate thickness t2 of the contact portion 32 is thicker than the plate thickness t1 of the clamping plate 31.

[0049] The gripper slider 33 comprises two slide bases 33a that move in opposite directions to each other, and a gripper motor 33b that drives the slide bases 33a. The rotational power of the gripper motor 33b is reversed by 180° by a left and right lead screw (not shown) and transmitted to the slide bases 33a.

[0050] Returning to Figure 4, the carton gripper moving mechanism 40 includes a Z-axis slider 41 for moving the carton gripper 30 in the Z-axis direction (vertical direction), a carton gripper support plate 42 for supporting the carton gripper 30, a first bearing base 43 having a fitting hole that fits onto the carton gripper swing shaft 42a located vertically below the carton gripper support plate 42, a fixing plate 44 to which the first bearing base 43 is fixed, a swing cylinder 45 for swinging the carton gripper 30 around the carton gripper swing shaft 42a, and a cylinder locking shaft provided at the tip of the swing cylinder 45. The device comprises a second bearing base 46 having a hole into which 45a fits, a cylinder gripping member 47 having a cylinder pivot shaft 47a, a bearing plate 48 that receives the cylinder pivot shaft 47a, a cylinder support plate 49 to which the bearing plate 48 is attached, a Y-axis slider 50 that moves the carton gripper 30 in the Y-axis direction (horizontal direction), an X-axis slider 51 and an X-axis auxiliary slider 52 that move the carton gripper 30 in the X-axis direction perpendicular to both the Z-axis and the Y-axis, and a first Y-axis slider fixing base 53 and a second Y-axis slider fixing base 54 that fix the Y-axis slider 50.

[0051] Figure 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the cylinder support mechanism (cylinder gripping member 47, bearing plate 48, cylinder support plate 49). The cylinder gripping member 47 and bearing plate 48 are shown in cross-section. For the sake of explanation, the carton gripper support plate 42 and the oscillating cylinder 45 are also shown.

[0052] The cylinder gripping members 47 are U-shaped members, and a pair of them grip and fix the body of the oscillating cylinder 45. The two cylinder gripping members 47 are fixed together by two connecting bolts 47b, one above the other. Note that only the lower connecting bolt 47b is shown in Figure 6.

[0053] Furthermore, a pin bolt 47a, which has a pin and a threaded portion formed on one side, is provided between the two upper and lower connecting bolts 47b. The pin bolt 47a becomes the cylinder pivot shaft 47a of the oscillating cylinder 45 and is rotatably fitted into the bearing (circular tube) 48a of the bearing plate 48.

[0054] The bearing plate 48 is a rectangular member and has a bearing (circular tube) 48a that rotatably supports the pin bolt 47a. The bearing plate 48 is fixed to the cylinder support plate 49 by two bearing plate fixing bolts 48b.

[0055] The cylinder support plate 49 is attached to the side of the carton gripper support plate 42 and supports the oscillating cylinder 45 via the bearing plate 48.

[0056] Figures 7 to 9 are explanatory diagrams showing the operation of the carton loader unit 10. For the sake of explanation, the Y-axis slider 50, X-axis slider 51, and carton case conveyor 20 are omitted from the illustration. Figure 7 shows the carton loader unit 10 gripping a carton 22. Figure 8 shows the carton loader unit 10 replenishing the carton magazine 60 with cartons 22. Figure 9 shows the carton loader unit 10 returning to its home position. Furthermore, the operation of each actuator (Z-axis slider 41, Y-axis slider 50, X-axis slider 51, oscillating cylinder 45, gripper slider 33, lateral gripping mechanism 25, etc.) is configured to be controlled by a dedicated controller (not shown). The operation of each is described below.

[0057] As shown in Figure 7(a), the carton gripper 30 is configured to come to an initial position (origin) when attempting to grip a carton 22. The "initial position (origin)" here refers to the position where, with the carton case 21 filled with cartons 22 in contact with the vertical stopper 24 and fixed by the horizontal gripping mechanism 25, the open carton gripper 30 is lowered vertically downward (in the Z-axis direction) by a predetermined distance Z0, allowing the contact portion 32 of the carton gripper 30 to pass through the notch 21a of the carton case 21 and grip the carton 22.

[0058] The carton case 21, filled with cartons 22 that have been transported into the cleanroom by the carton case conveyor 20, first comes into contact with the vertical stopper 24. When the carton case 21 comes into contact with the vertical stopper 24, a sensor (not shown) built into the vertical stopper 24 detects it. The sensor can be any sensor that can detect the carton case 21, and the detection principle is not particularly limited. For example, a limit switch, proximity switch, photoelectric switch, displacement sensor, etc. can be used.

[0059] When the limit switch detects movement, the lateral gripping mechanism 25 activates to fix the position of the carton case 21. Simultaneously, the Z-axis slider 41 lowers the carton gripper support plate 42 and the carton gripper 30 lowers the carton 22 vertically to a gripping position. In this case, the travel distance Z0 of the carton gripper support plate 42 is predetermined.

[0060] As shown in Figure 7(b), when the carton gripper support plate 42 descends vertically downward by a predetermined distance Z0, the carton gripper 30 closes and grips the carton 22.

[0061] As shown in Figure 7(c), when the carton gripper 30 grasps the carton 22, the Z-axis slider 41 raises the carton gripper 30 to its initial position. When the Z-axis slider 41 raises the carton gripper 30 to its initial position, the controller releases the lateral gripping mechanism 25 and reverses the rotation of the conveyor motor 23 to transport the empty carton cases 21 to the loading room (Figure 10).

[0062] As shown in Figure 8(a), the controller drives the Y-axis slider 50 (Figure 4) or the X-axis slider 51 (Figure 4) to move the carton gripper 30, which is holding the carton 22, vertically upward from the carton magazine 60. In this case, the first virtual central axis L1, which connects the carton gripper pivot axis 42a and the cylinder locking axis 45a, is parallel to the Y-axis. The second virtual central axis L2, which connects the cylinder locking axis 45a and the cylinder pivot axis 47a, is parallel to the Z-axis and perpendicular to the first virtual central axis L1.

[0063] As shown in Figure 8(b), the extension of the oscillating cylinder 45 rotates the carton gripper 30 by an angle θ around the carton gripper oscillating axis 42a. Incidentally, this angle θ is equal to the inclination angle θ of the carton magazine 60.

[0064] As shown in Figure 8(c), the Z-axis slider 41 lowers the carton gripper support plate 42 in the Z-axis direction by a predetermined distance so that the cartons 22 gripped by the carton grippers 30 can be placed into the carton magazine 60. After the carton grippers 30 have lowered by the predetermined distance, the carton grippers 30 open, and the cartons 22 are replenished in the carton magazine 60. When the carton grippers 30 open, the controller rotates the conveyor motor 23 in the forward direction to transport the carton cases 21 filled with cartons 22 from the loading room into the clean room (Figure 10).

[0065] As shown in Figure 9(a), the Z-axis slider 41 raises the open carton gripper 30, which is tilted with respect to the horizontal, by a predetermined distance in the Z-axis direction.

[0066] As shown in Figure 9(b), the carton gripper 30 returns to the horizontal direction as the oscillating cylinder 45 retracts during the return to the origin. In this case, the first virtual central axis L1 is parallel to the Y-axis, and the second virtual central axis L2 is parallel to the Z-axis.

[0067] As shown in Figure 9(c), when the carton gripper 30 returns to its home position, the carton case 21, now filled with new cartons 22, is positioned at a predetermined location on the carton case conveyor 20 by the vertical stopper 24 and the horizontal gripping mechanism 25.

[0068] Referring to Figure 10, the above can be summarized as follows: First, (1) a worker in the loading room takes carton 22 out of cardboard and packs it into carton case 21. When the worker finishes packing the carton 22, they press the ON switch (not shown) of the carton case conveyor 20. As a result, the carton case 21 filled with carton 22 (hereinafter referred to as "full carton case 21") is transported into the clean room by the carton case conveyor 20.

[0069] When a full carton case 21 is transported into the cleanroom, it comes into contact with the vertical stopper 24, which turns on the horizontal gripping mechanism 25, and the carton case conveyor 20 turns off. As a result, the full carton case 21 is positioned in a predetermined location on the carton case conveyor 20. With the horizontal gripping mechanism 25 turned on, the Z-axis slider 41 begins to lower the carton gripper 30.

[0070] (2) When the Z-axis slider 41 lowers the carton gripper 30 by a predetermined distance Z0, the carton gripper 30 closes. As a result, the carton gripper 30 grasps the carton 22 inside the full carton case 21.

[0071] (3) The Z-axis slider 41 then raises the carton gripper 30 by a predetermined distance Z0 with the carton gripper 30 closed (gripping the carton 22). When the carton gripper 30 returns to the origin, the carton case conveyor 20 is turned ON. The conveying direction of the carton case conveyor 20 is from the cleanroom towards the loading room. As a result, the empty carton cases 21 are returned to the loading room.

[0072] (4) The Y-axis slider 50 moves the carton gripper 30 above the carton magazine 60. During the movement, the oscillating cylinder 45 tilts the carton gripper 30 by an angle θ.

[0073] (5) The Z-axis slider 41 then lowers the carton gripper 30, which is tilted at an angle θ while gripping the carton 22, by a predetermined distance. The carton gripper 30 then opens, and the carton 22 is replenished into the carton magazine 60.

[0074] Subsequently, the Z-axis slider 41 raises the open carton gripper 30 by a predetermined distance. Then, the Y-axis slider 50 moves the carton gripper 30 back to the origin. During this movement, the oscillating cylinder 45 oscillates the carton gripper 30 by an angle θ in the opposite direction to bring it to a horizontal position.

[0075] As described above, the paper carton container molding and filling machine 1 of the present invention has been explained with reference to the drawings, but the present invention is not limited to the above. That is, various modifications, changes, and additions can be made without departing from the technical scope of the present invention. For example, the carton gripper moving mechanism 40 can be configured with a Z-axis slider 41 and a Y-axis slider 50, omitting the X-axis slider 51 and the X-axis auxiliary slider 52. Also, the gripping plate 31 of the carton gripper 30 can be equipped with a mechanism to support the lower part of the carton 22 (for example, a fork, multiple long claws, etc.). [Explanation of Symbols]

[0076] 1. Paper carton molding and filling machine (paper container molding and filling machine) 2. Carton bottom molding section (paper container assembly device) 3. Part for attaching the spout 4. Primary folding section at the top of the carton (folding machine) 5. Secondary folding section at the top of the carton (folding machine) 6. Carton top heating device 7. Carton top pressing section (pressure device) 8. Container Discharge Section 9. Contents storage section (liquid storage section) 10 Carton loader section 20 Carton Case Conveyor (Conveyor) 21 Carton Cases (Carton Containers) 21a Notch 22 cartons 23 Electric motors for conveyors 24. Vertical stopper (positioning mechanism) 25 Lateral gripping mechanism (positioning mechanism) 26 Posts 27 sprocket 30. Carton Gripper (Carton Gripping Mechanism) 31 Clamping plate 31a Horizontal part 31b Hypotenuse part 31c Vertical section 32 Contact part 33 Gripper Slider 33a Sliding base 33b Electric motor for gripper 40. Carton gripper moving mechanism (moving mechanism) 41 Z-axis slider 42 Carton Gripper Support Plate 43. First bearing base 44 Fixed plate 45 Oscillating Cylinder 46. ​​Second bearing base 47 Cylinder gripping member 47a Pin bolt (cylinder pivot shaft) 48 Bearing plate 49 Cylinder support plate 50 Y-axis slider 51 X-axis slider 52 X-axis auxiliary slider 53. First Y-axis slider mounting base 54. Second Y-axis slider mounting base 60 carton magazines 70 Internal conveyor 100 Liquid filling section (filling device) 110 Filling cylinder section 120 Filling nozzle section 130 Suction Valve 140 Nozzle Valves 131 Spring 132, 142 valve bodies 133, 143 axis 134, 144 clips 135, 145 valve seats 136 Bearing member 140 Nozzle valve (nozzle valve section) 146 Chamber 180, 190 Linear Actuators

Claims

1. A paper carton molding and filling machine (1) that molds cartons (22) supplied from a carton magazine (60) into paper carton containers, fills the molded paper carton containers with liquid, and seals the top of the paper carton containers filled with liquid, The aforementioned paper carton container molding and filling machine (1) includes a carton container (21) that houses cartons (22), A conveyor (20) capable of moving the carton container (21) back and forth between a loading room into which "cardboard boxes filled with cartons (22) are brought" and a cleanroom where "a predetermined level of cleanliness is maintained and the filling machine (1) itself is installed," A carton gripping mechanism (30) for removing cartons (22) from the carton container (21) which is filled with cartons (22) that have been transported from the loading room, The carton gripping mechanism (30) is moved or oscillated along a predetermined coordinate axis, and a moving mechanism (40) moves the carton gripping mechanism (30) into the carton magazine (60). The conveyor (20) has positioning mechanisms (24, 25) that determine the position of the carton container (21) filled with cartons (22) that are being transported to the clean room. The positioning mechanisms (24, 25) are a vertical stopper (24) against which the transported carton container (21) makes contact, and a horizontal gripping mechanism (25) into which the carton container (21) is fixed. A paper carton container molding and filling machine characterized by the following features.

2. In the paper carton container molding and filling machine according to claim 1, The carton gripping mechanism (30) has two clamping plates (31) that move in opposite directions to each other. The carton container (21) has a notch (21a) through which the clamping plate (31) can pass. A paper carton container molding and filling machine characterized by the following features.

3. In the paper carton container molding and filling machine according to claim 2, The initial position of the carton gripping mechanism (30) is such that when the carton container (21) filled with cartons (22) is positioned on the conveyor (20) by the positioning mechanisms (24, 25), the carton gripping mechanism (30) is in the open state and moves a predetermined distance (Z ０ This is the position where the carton (22) can be grasped by passing through the notch (21a) when it is lowered and closed by only that much. A paper carton container molding and filling machine characterized by the following features.

4. In the paper carton container molding and filling machine according to claim 1, The conveyor (20) is configured to transport the empty carton container (21) to the receiving room based on the timing at which the carton gripping mechanism (30) grips and lifts the carton (22) inside the carton container (21). A paper carton container molding and filling machine characterized by the following features.

5. In the paper carton container molding and filling machine according to claim 1, The conveyor (20) is configured to transport carton containers (21) filled with cartons (22) from the loading room into the clean room based on the timing at which the carton gripping mechanism (30), which grips the cartons (22), releases the cartons (22) in the carton magazine (60). A paper carton container molding and filling machine characterized by the following features.

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