Heated forming apparatus

Abstract

To improve workability during maintenance while increasing heating efficiency by covering a space heated by a heater from an outside.SOLUTION: A heating part 3 of a heat molding apparatus includes an upper heater 31a, a lower heater 32a, and a heater lifting device 39 that moves the upper heater 31a in a vertical direction. An upper frame 31b that supports the upper heater is provided with an upper heat insulating cover 33 that protrudes below a lower surface of the upper heater 31a and is located on a side of a heating space R of a resin sheet S.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a thermoforming apparatus that heats a resin sheet to mold it into a desired shape.

Background Art

[0002] For example, when molding a resin sheet into a desired shape, a thermoforming apparatus as disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2 may sometimes be used. The thermoforming apparatus of Patent Document 1 is configured such that after a foamed polypropylene sheet is heated in a sealed oven to soften it into a moldable state, it can be molded into a desired shape in a subsequent molding zone.

[0003] Further, the thermoforming apparatus of Patent Document 2 includes a heating device having an upper heater unit, a lower heater unit, and a frame that supports the upper heater unit and the lower heater unit in a vertically movable manner. After a resin sheet is passed between the upper heater unit and the lower heater unit and heated, the apparatus is configured to be capable of molding the resin sheet into a desired shape by a downstream molding device. In Patent Document 2, a wall member having a heat insulating material is arranged to cover the entire heating device and is attached to the frame.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problem to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Incidentally, when heating a resin sheet, it is necessary to heat it uniformly and quickly, so it is preferable to heat the resin sheet from above using an upper heater device as in Patent Document 2, and also heat the resin sheet from below using a lower heater device. Furthermore, heating efficiency can be improved by providing a sealed oven as in Patent Document 1, or a wall member that covers the entire heating device as in Patent Document 2.

[0006] However, maintenance of the heater device may be necessary in some cases. When performing this maintenance, if the oven is sealed, as in Patent Document 1, it may be difficult and time-consuming to replace or clean the internal parts. Also, in Patent Document 2, the wall members are attached to the frame so as to cover the entire heating device, so the wall members must be removed from the frame before heater maintenance can be performed, which is time-consuming.

[0007] This disclosure is made in view of the above points, and its purpose is to improve heating efficiency by covering the heating space with a heater from the outside, while also improving workability during maintenance. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] To achieve the above objective, one aspect of the present disclosure may be based on a heat molding apparatus comprising a heating section for heating a resin sheet conveyed horizontally, and a molding section for molding the resin sheet heated by the heating section. The heating section comprises an upper heater positioned opposite the upper surface of the resin sheet, a lower heater positioned opposite the lower surface of the resin sheet, and a heater drive section for moving the upper heater vertically. The apparatus has an upper frame that moves vertically by the heater drive section with the upper heater attached, and the upper frame is provided with an upper heat-insulating cover that protrudes below the lower surface of the upper heater, positioned to the side of the heating space of the resin sheet by the upper heater and the lower heater.

[0009] In this configuration, the resin sheet is heated from both the upper and lower sides by the upper and lower heaters, so the temperature of the resin sheet rises to the desired temperature quickly. During heating, the upper heat-insulating cover is located to the side of the heating space and protrudes below the lower surface of the upper heater, so the opening area on the side of the heating space is reduced, which reduces the amount of heat escaping from the sides of the heating space, especially from above, and improves heating efficiency.

[0010] On the other hand, when performing maintenance on the heaters, the heater drive unit moves the upper frame and upper heater upward, widening the gap between the upper and lower heaters and providing ample workspace for maintenance work. When the upper heater is moved upward, the upper insulation cover, which is attached to the upper frame, also moves upward at the same time. As a result, the upper insulation cover does not get in the way of maintenance, improving work efficiency during maintenance.

[0011] In another embodiment, the upper frame may be provided with an insulating material positioned above the upper heater. This makes it more difficult for heat to escape from the heating space from above, further improving heating efficiency.

[0012] In another embodiment, the heater frame may be provided, which is not movable in the vertical direction. In this case, the heater frame may be provided with a lower heat-insulating cover located on the side of the heating space. This further reduces the opening area on the side of the heating space, thereby further improving heating efficiency.

[0013] The lower heat-insulating cover may protrude below the upper surface of the lower heater. This ensures that the lower heat-insulating cover covers a wide area, making it more difficult for heat to escape from the sides of the heated space.

[0014] In another embodiment, the lower insulation cover and the upper insulation cover are arranged to overlap each other in a side view, and the upper part of the lower insulation cover may protrude above the lower part of the upper insulation cover. This reduces the amount of heat escaping between the lower insulation cover and the upper insulation cover, thereby further improving heating efficiency.

[0015] An upper heat-insulating cover according to another embodiment may include a fixing plate portion fixed to the upper frame and projecting laterally away from the upper heater, and a heat-insulating plate portion projecting downward from the tip of the fixing plate portion in the projecting direction. In this case, the upper part of the lower heat-insulating cover can be positioned closer to the upper heater than the heat-insulating plate portion, and can be positioned facing the lower surface of the fixing plate portion. As a result, the fixing plate portion, heat-insulating plate portion of the upper heat-insulating cover and the lower heat-insulating cover make it difficult for air from the top of the heated space to flow out to the outside, thus making it difficult for heat from the top of the heated space to escape. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] As explained above, by providing an upper insulation cover on the upper frame that supports the upper heater so that it can move vertically, the heating space created by the heater can be covered from the outside, improving heating efficiency while also improving workability during maintenance. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0017] [Figure 1] This is a side view of a heat molding apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a side view of the heating section. [Figure 3] This is a side view showing the upper heating device, lower insulation cover, and lower heating device separated in the vertical direction. [Figure 4] This is a cross-sectional view along line IV-IV in Figure 2. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0018] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The following description of preferred embodiments is essentially merely illustrative, and is not intended to limit the present invention, its applications or its uses.

[0019] FIG. 1 is a side view of a thermoforming apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The thermoforming apparatus 1 is an apparatus capable of drawing a long resin sheet S (also simply referred to as sheet S) to obtain a container 100. Examples of the container 100 include various containers having an open upper end when in use, such as cups, bowls, boxes, and the like. The size of the container 100 is not particularly limited. For example, the container 100 having a depth of about 5 cm to 15 cm and a diameter of about 5 cm to 10 cm can be molded, and the container 100 having such a depth can be obtained by drawing or deep-drawing a so-called sheet S. The sheet S only needs to be a sheet conventionally used for drawing, and a sheet made of polypropylene or the like, a sheet obtained by laminating a plurality of types of resins, or the like can be used. Such a sheet S has a length of several tens of meters or more, and can be supplied to the forming apparatus 1 in a coiled state.

[0020] The sheet S is fed from the right side to the left side in FIG. 1. On the right side of FIG. 1, the coiled sheet S is indicated by an imaginary line. On the left side of FIG. 1, a state where the sheet S after completion of molding of the container 100 is wound (collected state) is indicated by an imaginary line. In the description of this embodiment, when defining the direction of the thermoforming apparatus 1, the upstream side and the downstream side are defined based on the feeding direction of the sheet S. The upstream side is the right side in FIG. 1, and the downstream side is the left side in FIG. 1. In addition, when the thermoforming apparatus 1 is viewed from the upstream side in the feeding direction of the sheet S, the left side is referred to as the left side of the thermoforming apparatus 1, and the right side is referred to as the right side of the thermoforming apparatus 1. The left-right direction of the thermoforming apparatus 1 is the width direction of the thermoforming apparatus 1.

[0021] (Overall Configuration of Thermoforming Apparatus 1) A thermoforming apparatus 1 includes a sheet feeding unit 2, a sheet heating unit 3, a forming unit 4, an unloading unit 5, a suction unit 6, and a control panel 7. The sheet S fed by the sheet feeding unit 2 is heated by the sheet heating unit 3. When the heated sheet S is fed to the forming unit 4, the forming unit 4 forms the container 100 into a desired shape, and the formed container 100 is automatically unloaded to the unloading unit 5 by the feeding operation of the sheet S. The container 100 unloaded to the unloading unit 5 is sucked by the suction unit 6 and conveyed to another location. The containers 100 conveyed by the suction unit 6 are stacked and accumulated at a predetermined location.

[0022] On the upstream side of the sheet feeding unit 2 of the thermoforming apparatus 1, an upstream support base 8 that supports the coiled sheet S so that the sheet S can be unwound is provided. On the downstream side of the unloading unit 5 of the forming apparatus 1, a downstream support base 9 that supports the sheet S on which the forming of the containers 100 has been completed in a wound state is provided. The upstream support base 8 and the downstream support base 9 are also members constituting the forming apparatus 1.

[0023] (Configuration of Sheet Feeding Unit 2) The forming apparatus 1 includes a base 10 fixed to, for example, a factory floor 200 or the like. The sheet feeding unit 2 is disposed on the upstream side of the forming apparatus 1, and in this embodiment, is located between the upstream support base 8 and the sheet heating unit 3. The sheet feeding unit 2 is fixed to the upper part of the base 10, and the sheet feeding unit 2 is disposed at a position higher than the upstream support base 8. Accordingly, the sheet S is set on the sheet feeding unit 2 so as to extend upward from the upstream support base 8 toward the downstream side to the sheet feeding unit 2.

[0024] The sheet feeding unit 2 is comprised of a feeding device for feeding the sheet S downstream. For example, there are feeding devices that use rollers that are rotated around a horizontal axis to press against the sheet S and utilize the frictional force between the outer surface of the rollers and the surface of the sheet S to feed it, but the device is not limited to this, and various types of feeding devices can be used. The sheet feeding unit 2 is connected to a control panel 7, which controls the start, stop, and adjustment of the feeding speed of the sheet S. Although not shown in the figures, the molding apparatus 1 is provided with guide members that guide both ends of the sheet S in the width direction (left-right direction of the heat molding apparatus 1) in the horizontal direction, and the sheet S is fed from the upstream side to the downstream side in a posture that extends in a substantially horizontal direction, as shown by dashed lines in Figure 2.

[0025] Furthermore, the sheet feeding unit 2 does not necessarily have to be located upstream of the heat molding apparatus 1; for example, it may be located in the middle or downstream of the sheet S in the feeding direction of the molding apparatus 1.

[0026] (Configuration of the sheet heating section 3) The sheet heating unit 3 is located downstream of the sheet feeding unit 2, and in this embodiment, it is positioned between the sheet feeding unit 2 and the molding unit 4. The sheet heating unit 3 is fixed to the upper part of the base 10 downstream of the sheet feeding unit 2, and the sheet heating unit 3 is positioned higher than the upstream support base 8.

[0027] The seat heating unit 3 comprises a heater base 30, an upper heating device 31, a lower heating device 32, and a heater lifting device (heater drive unit) 39. The heater base 30 is fixed to the base 10 and is immovable in the vertical direction, and is configured to protrude upward from the top of the base 10. The heater lifting device 39 is provided on the heater base 30. The heater lifting device 39 comprises a wire 39a, a pulley 39b around which the wire 39a is wound, and a motor (not shown) that rotates the pulley 39b in forward and reverse directions.

[0028] As shown in Figure 2, which shows an enlarged view of a part of the sheet heating section 3, the upper heating device 31 has a plurality of upper heaters 31a and an upper frame 31b that supports the upper heaters 31a. The upper frame 31b extends from the upstream side to the downstream side of the heater base 30, and also extends in the left-right direction. Each upper heater 31a is positioned to radiate heat downwards and is attached to the lower surface of the upper frame 31b. The upper heaters 31a are arranged in a line from the upstream side to the downstream side of the upper frame 31b, and also from the left side to the right side of the upper frame 31b.

[0029] The lower heating device 32 also includes a plurality of lower heaters 32a and a lower frame 32b that supports the lower heaters 32a. The lower frame 32b, like the upper frame 31b, extends from the upstream side to the downstream side of the heater base 30, and also extends in the left-right direction. Each lower heater 32a is positioned to radiate heat upward and is mounted on the upper surface of the lower frame 32b. The lower heaters 32a are arranged in a line from the upstream side to the downstream side of the lower frame 32b, and also from the left side to the right side of the lower frame 32b.

[0030] The upper frame 31b of the upper heating device 31 is fixed to one end of the wire 39a. The upper heater 31a of the upper heating device 31 is an electric heater positioned to face the upper surface of the sheet S and heats the sheet S from above. On the other hand, the lower frame 32b of the lower heating device 32 is fixed to the other end of the wire 39a. The lower heater 32a of the lower heating device 32 is an electric heater positioned to face the lower surface of the sheet S and heats the sheet S from below. When the pulley 39b is rotated, the wire 39a is fed, and the feeding of the wire 39a allows the upper heating device 31 and the lower heating device 32 to be raised and lowered.

[0031] Furthermore, the heater drive unit that moves the upper heating device 31 and the lower heating device 32 in the vertical direction may be configured in a manner other than using the wire 39a described above, and may use a power generation unit such as a chain or a fluid pressure cylinder device. Also, the upper heating device 31 and the lower heating device 32 may be configured to be individually movable in the vertical direction. Alternatively, the lower heating device 32 may be fixed to the heater base 30, and only the upper heating device 31 may be configured to move in the vertical direction.

[0032] As shown by the solid line in Figure 1, when the upper heating device 31 is moved to its raised position, the lower heating device 32 moves to its lowered position, causing both the upper heating device 31 and the lower heating device 32 to move away from the seat S and into a retracted state. When the pulley 39b is rotated and the upper heating device 31 is moved to its lowered position, as shown by the dashed line in Figure 1, the lower heater 32a moves to its raised position, causing both the upper heating device 31 and the lower heating device 32 to move closer to the seat S.

[0033] In this embodiment, the upper heating device 31 and the lower heating device 32 can be raised and lowered to switch between a state close to the sheet S and a state retracted from the sheet S. This prevents the width of the heating molding device 1 from increasing compared to the case where the heater is moved in the width direction of the heating molding device 1.

[0034] The upper heating device 31 and lower heating device 32 of the sheet heating unit 3, and the motor for rotating the pulley 39b, are connected to a control panel 7 and controlled by this control panel 7. For example, the output of the upper heating device 31 and lower heating device 32 can be adjusted so that the sheet S reaches a temperature suitable for molding, and the upper heating device 31 and lower heating device 32 can be retracted from the sheet S when heating is not required, and brought closer to the sheet S when heating is required. In addition, the upper heating device 31 and lower heating device 32 can be retracted from the sheet S during maintenance of the sheet heating unit 3.

[0035] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the heat molding apparatus 1 is equipped with an upper heat-insulating cover 33 and a lower heat-insulating cover 35 as members to suppress heat from escaping from the heating space R to the outside. Figure 3 is a side view showing the upper heating device 31, the lower heat-insulating cover 35, and the lower heating device 32 separated in the vertical direction. As shown in Figure 4, when the upper heating device 31 and the lower heating device 32 are close to the sheet S, a heating space R is formed between the upper heating device 31 and the lower heating device 32.

[0036] Specifically, an upper heat-insulating cover 33 is attached to the left side of the upper frame 31b, protruding below the lower surface of the upper heater 31a. The upper heat-insulating cover 33 is positioned to the left of the heating space R of the sheet S provided by the upper heater 31a and the lower heater 32a. More specifically, the upper heat-insulating cover 33 comprises a fixed plate portion 33a fixed to the lower left surface of the upper frame 31b and protruding away from the upper heater 31a to the left, and a heat-insulating plate portion 33b protruding downward from the leading edge (left end) of the fixed plate portion 33a. The fixed plate portion 33a is positioned so as not to cover the heat-dissipating surface of the upper heater 31a. The heat-insulating plate portion 33b is positioned to the left and outward from the left side surface of the upper frame 31b. The fixing plate portion 33a and the heat-insulating plate portion 33b can be obtained by press-forming a single plate material, but are not limited to this, and may be constructed by combining two plate materials. The upper heat-insulating cover 33 extends continuously from the upstream side to the downstream side of the upper frame 31b. This allows the upper heat-insulating cover 33 to be provided over a wide area.

[0037] The upper insulation cover 33 can be made of, for example, a metal plate such as a steel plate or a heat-resistant resin material. In the case of a steel plate, a heat-resistant paint can be applied to the surface. Although not shown in the figures, a similar upper insulation cover is also provided on the right side of the upper frame 31b.

[0038] The upper frame 31b is provided with a plate-shaped insulating material 34 positioned above the upper heater 31a. The insulating material 34 is located above the upper heater 31a and is fixed to the upper surface of the upper frame 31b. A wide area of ​​the upper surface of the upper frame 31b, from left to right and from upstream to downstream, is covered by the insulating material 34. In this example, multiple insulating materials 34 are shown fixed to the upper surface of the upper frame 31b, but this is not limited to this, and a single insulating material 34 may be fixed to the upper surface of the upper frame 31b. Furthermore, the area in which the insulating material 34 is provided can be set arbitrarily. The insulating material 34 can be made of, for example, glass wool or flame-retardant foam, or it may be glass wool or flame-retardant foam covered with a steel plate.

[0039] As shown in Figure 4, the heater frame 30 is provided with a lower insulation cover 35 located to the left of the heating space R. The lower insulation cover 35 comprises a cover body 35a, a mounting portion 35b, and a bracket 35c. The cover body 35a extends vertically and in the direction of the sheet S being fed, and is located to the right of the insulation plate portion 33b of the upper insulation cover 33, i.e., closer to the heating space R. The mounting portion 35b is provided in the middle of the left side of the cover body 35a (opposite the heating space R) in the vertical direction, and protrudes to the left from the left side of the cover body 35a. The bracket 35c is fixed to the upper part of the mounting portion 35b. The bracket 35c protrudes to the left from the left side of the mounting portion 35b, and the left end of the bracket 35c is fixed to the heater frame 30.

[0040] The cover body 35a protrudes below the upper surface of the lower heater 32a. That is, when the upper heating device 31 and the lower heating device 32 are brought close to the sheet S and placed in the heating position to heat the sheet S, the lower part of the cover body 35a is located below the upper surface of the lower heater 32a on the left side of the lower frame 32b.

[0041] Furthermore, when the upper heating device 31 and the lower heating device 32 are in the heating position, the cover body 35a of the lower heat-insulating cover 35 and the heat-insulating plate portion 33b of the upper heat-insulating cover 33 are arranged to overlap each other in a side view, with the cover body 35a positioned to the right of the heat-insulating plate portion 33b, that is, between the heat-insulating plate portion 33b and the heating space R. The upper part of the cover body 35a protrudes above the lower part of the heat-insulating plate portion 33b of the upper heat-insulating cover 33, thereby widening the overlapping area between the cover body 35a and the heat-insulating plate portion 33b in a side view.

[0042] The upper part of the cover body 35a of the lower insulation cover 35 is closer to the upper heater 31a than the insulation plate portion 33b of the upper insulation cover 33, and is positioned to face the lower surface of the fixing plate portion 33a. Also, the lower part of the insulation plate portion 33b of the upper insulation cover 33 is positioned to face the bracket 35c of the lower insulation cover 35.

[0043] (Configuration of the molded section 4) As shown in Figure 1, the molding unit 4 is located downstream of the sheet heating unit 3 and comprises an upper mold 40, a lower mold 41, and a mold drive device 42. The upper mold 40 is positioned on the sheet S. Although not shown, the upper mold 40 has a molding recess that opens downwards for molding the outer surface of the container 100. Multiple suction holes (not shown) are formed on the inner surface of the molding recess. Vacuum piping 4a is connected to these suction holes. Negative pressure is applied to the suction holes via the vacuum piping 4a, and the sheet S is deformed and molded by the negative pressure so that it adheres tightly to the inner surface of the molding recess. This enables vacuum forming. On the lower surface of the upper mold 40, upper cutting blades (not shown) are continuously formed so as to surround the lower end opening of the molding recess.

[0044] The lower mold 41 has a plug 41b and is positioned directly below the upper mold 40, i.e., below the sheet S. The lower mold 41 has a plug housing recess (not shown) formed in the lower mold so as to be recessed downwards, for housing the plug 41b. The plug housing recess is open upwards, and the upper end opening of this plug housing recess is approximately coincided with the lower end opening of the molding recess of the upper mold 40. An air discharge hole (not shown) is formed on the inner surface of the plug housing recess. An introduction pipe 4b for introducing compressed air is connected to the air discharge hole. Compressed air can be introduced into the plug housing recess via the introduction pipe 4b and the air discharge hole, and the sheet S is deformed and molded by the compressed air so as to be in close contact with the inner surface of the molding recess of the upper mold 40. This enables pressure molding. The molding apparatus 1 according to this embodiment is a vacuum pressure molding machine capable of molding using the vacuum of the upper mold 40 and the compressed air of the lower mold. Alternatively, molding may be performed using only one of the vacuum of the upper mold 40 or the compressed air of the lower mold.

[0045] On the upper surface of the lower mold 41, a lower cutting blade (not shown) is continuously formed so as to surround the upper end opening of the plug housing recess. For example, when the mold is closed, the lower cutting blade and the upper cutting blade apply a shearing force to the sheet S, and this shearing force allows the portion of the sheet S that will become the peripheral edge of the container 100 to be cut.

[0046] Below the lower mold 41, a plug drive device 43 is provided to drive the plug 41b in the vertical direction. The plug drive device 43 can be made up of, for example, a fluid pressure cylinder or a feed screw device, and is connected to and controlled by a control panel 7. The lower part of the plug 41b is fixed to the upper part of the plug drive device 43.

[0047] The plug drive device 43 is for switching the plug 41b between a molding position where it protrudes from the upper surface of the lower mold 41 and a storage position where it is housed in the plug housing recess of the lower mold 41. The plug drive device 43 is configured to set the plug 41b to the molding position when molding the container 100, and to the storage position when feeding the sheet S. When the upper surface of the plug 41b in the molding position is pressed against the sheet S from below, the sheet S is stretched upward and approaches the inner surface of the molding recess of the upper mold 40. The movement of the plug 41b can be controlled so that the plug 41b is housed when feeding the sheet S.

[0048] The mold drive unit 42 is a device for driving the upper mold 40 and the lower mold 41 toward and toward each other, and is connected to and controlled by the control panel 7. The mold drive unit 42 includes an upper mold drive unit 44 that drives the upper mold 40 in the vertical direction, and a lower mold drive unit 45 that drives the lower mold 41 in the vertical direction. The system is configured to switch between a state where the mold is open, with the upper mold drive unit 44 moving the upper mold 40 upward and the lower mold drive unit 45 moving the lower mold 41 downward, and a state where the mold is closed, with the upper mold drive unit 44 moving the upper mold 40 downward and the lower mold drive unit 45 moving the lower mold 41 upward. The upper mold drive unit 44 and the lower mold drive unit 45 are controlled and synchronized by the control panel 7.

[0049] Furthermore, the molding section 4 is not limited to the configuration described above, and can be configured as a molding apparatus capable of molding a resin sheet S using an upper mold 40 and a lower mold 41 that move toward and away from each other.

[0050] (Configuration of the unloading section 5) As shown in Figure 1, the discharge section 5 is located downstream of the molding section 4 and includes a support base 50, a container mounting member 51, and a mounting member drive device 52. The support base 50 is fixed to the floor surface 200. The mounting member drive device 52 is fixed to the upper surface of the support base 50. The container mounting member 51 is fixed to this mounting member drive device 52. The container mounting member 51 is located downstream of the upper mold 40 and lower mold 41 in the feeding direction of the sheet S and is positioned below the sheet S. The container mounting member 51 is close to the upper mold 40 and lower mold 41 so that the container 100 does not fall between the container mounting member 51 and the upper mold 40 and lower mold 41.

[0051] The container support member 51 is designed to support the container 100 immediately after it has been molded, as it is sent downstream along with the sheet S from between the upper mold 40 and the lower mold 41. The container support member 51 can be made of, for example, a horizontally extending plate. The downstream end of the container support member 51 can be bent or inclined downward. This makes it easier for the container 100, which is placed on the upper surface of the container support member 51, to move downstream from the upper surface of the container support member 51.

[0052] The mounting member drive device 52 is a device for moving the container mounting member 51 vertically to switch between a lower position and an upper position, and can be made up of, for example, a fluid pressure cylinder or a lead screw device. The mounting member drive device 52 is connected to the control panel 7 and controlled by the control panel 7. The mounting member drive device 52 is configured to set the container mounting member 51 to the lower position before the container 100 is placed on it, and to switch it to the upper position after the container 100 is placed on it.

[0053] (Configuration of the adsorption unit 6) The suction unit 6 is positioned above the upper end of the container 100, which is placed on the container mounting member 51, and is a device for suctioning and transporting the container 100. A vacuum piping 6a is connected to the suction unit 6, and negative pressure is applied to the lower end of the suction unit 6. The suction unit 6 also has an arm 6b that is fixed to, for example, a transport device (not shown), and with this arm 6b fixed to the transport device, the container 100 can be transported to any location by the transport device. The transport device may be, for example, a robot.

[0054] (Configuration of control panel 7) The control panel 7 is a control device that controls the sheet feeding unit 2, sheet heating unit 3, molding unit 4, discharge unit 5, and suction unit 6, and can be configured, for example, with a conventionally known microcomputer or sequencer. The control panel 7 is capable of storing the operating timing, operating speed, and operating order of the sheet feeding unit 2, sheet heating unit 3, molding unit 4, discharge unit 5, and suction unit 6 as a program. The control panel 7 operates the sheet feeding unit 2, sheet heating unit 3, molding unit 4, discharge unit 5, and suction unit 6 according to the stored program, as described later.

[0055] (Manufacturing method) Next, a method for molding the container 100 using the molding apparatus 1 configured as described above will be explained. The method described below can be implemented by a program stored in the control panel 7, but it may also be performed by an operator.

[0056] First, the sheet S is set in the sheet feeding unit 2. This is done by the operator. Then, when the operator operates the control panel 7, the sheet feeding unit 2 feeds the sheet S to the predetermined position. Next, the upper heater 31a and lower heater 32a of the sheet heating unit 3 are turned ON and power is supplied to begin. After preheating is complete, the upper heater 31a is set to the lowered position and the lower heater 32a is set to the raised position. As a result, the upper heater 31a and lower heater 32a approach the sheet S and heat the sheet S until it reaches a predetermined temperature suitable for molding. The sheet S may soften and deform by bending as it is heated by the upper heater 31a and lower heater 32a.

[0057] During heating, the upper heat-insulating cover 33 and the lower heat-insulating cover 35 are provided on the sides of the heating space R, reducing the opening area on the sides of the heating space R and decreasing the amount of heat escaping from the sides of the heating space R, thereby improving heating efficiency. In particular, the upper part of the upper heat-insulating cover 33 and the upper part of the lower heat-insulating cover 35 overlap in a side view, improving the heat retention effect. Furthermore, the presence of the insulating material 34 on the upper frame 31b reduces the amount of heat escaping to the outside from above the heating space R, further improving heating efficiency.

[0058] Furthermore, the molding section 4 is kept in an open position by the mold drive device 42. At this time, the upper mold drive device 44 moves the upper mold 40 upward, and the lower mold drive device 45 moves the lower mold 41 downward, so that the upper mold 40 and lower mold 41 do not come into contact with the upper and lower surfaces of the sheet S. This prevents interference between the sheet S and the upper mold 40 and lower mold 41 when the sheet S is being fed.

[0059] After stopping the feeding of the sheet S by the sheet feeding unit 2, the upper mold 40 is moved downward by the upper mold drive unit 44, and the lower mold 41 is moved upward by the lower mold drive unit 45 to close the mold. A shearing force is applied to the sheet S by the lower cutting blade and the upper cutting blade, and this shearing force completely cuts the portion of the sheet S that will become the peripheral edge of the container 100. At this time, the portion that will become the peripheral edge of the container 100 can be held in the thickness direction between the peripheral edge of the molding recess of the upper mold 40 and the peripheral edge of the plug housing recess of the lower mold 41. The timing of cutting the sheet S does not need to be until the mold opens, and cutting may not be performed until the molding of the container 100 is complete. After the molding of the container 100 is complete, the upper mold 40 may be moved downward or the lower mold 41 may be moved upward to apply a shearing force to the sheet S and cut it.

[0060] Subsequently, the plug drive device 43 raises the plug 41b to a molding position where it protrudes from the upper surface of the lower mold 41. As a result, the sheet S is stretched upward by the upper surface of the plug 41b and approaches the inner surface of the molding recess of the upper mold 40.

[0061] Next, the upper mold 40 is moved upward by the upper mold drive device 44, and the lower mold 41 is moved downward by the lower mold drive device 45 to open the mold. During this time, the container 100 is gradually cooled and the resin that makes up the container 100 hardens. When opening the mold, although not shown in the diagram, as is well known, the container 100 is pushed downward by a demolding pin or the like provided on the upper mold 40 to release it from the upper mold 40. Once released from the upper mold 40, the lower end of the container 100 (which will be the upper end when the container 100 is in use) is placed on the upper surface of the lower mold 41 by the weight of the container 100, and the container 100 is supported from below by the lower mold 41, preventing it from falling. As described above, the lower mold 41 is lowered by the lower mold drive device 45 so that the upper surface of the lower mold 41 is below the sheet S, so the lower end of the container 100 is below the lower surface of the sheet S.

[0062] The container 100, removed from between the upper mold 40 and the lower mold 41 by the operation of the sheet feeding unit 2, is placed on the upper surface of the container mounting member 51. After the container 100 is placed on the upper surface of the container mounting member 51, the container 100 is attracted to the suction unit 6.

[0063] Subsequently, the containers 100 are transported to a desired location by a conveying device and stacked. Since the containers 100 are molded with an opening at the bottom, they can be stacked and stored in their original state without having to be inverted.

[0064] (Effects of the embodiment) As described above, according to the heat molding apparatus 1 of this embodiment, the sheet S is heated from both the upper and lower surfaces by the upper heater 31a and the lower heater 32a, so the temperature of the sheet S rises to the desired temperature quickly. During heating, the upper heat-insulating cover 33 is located to the side of the heating space R and protrudes below the lower surface of the upper heater 31a, so the opening area on the side of the heating space R is reduced, the amount of heat escaping from the side of the heating space R is reduced, and the heating efficiency is improved.

[0065] Furthermore, since the heater frame 30 is provided with a lower heat-insulating cover 35 located on the side of the heating space R, the opening area on the side of the heating space R is further reduced, and the heating efficiency is further improved.

[0066] When performing maintenance on heaters 31a, 32a, etc., the upper heater 31a can be moved upward and the lower heater 32a downward using, for example, the heater lifting device 39. This increases the distance between the upper heater 31a and the lower heater 32a, providing ample workspace for maintenance work. When the upper heater 31a is moved upward, the upper insulation cover 33, which is installed on the upper frame 31b, also moves upward at the same time. As a result, the upper insulation cover 33 does not get in the way of maintenance, improving work efficiency during maintenance.

[0067] The embodiments described above are merely illustrative in all respects and should not be interpreted restrictively. Furthermore, any modifications or changes that fall within the equivalent scope of the claims are all within the scope of the present invention. [Industrial applicability]

[0068] As described above, the heat molding apparatus according to the present invention can be used when molding a resin sheet after it has been heated and softened. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0069] 1 Heat forming equipment 3 Sheet heating section 4 Molding section 30 Heater mount 31a Upper heater 31b Upper frame 32a Lower heater 33 Upper insulation cover 33a Fixed plate part 33b Heat insulation plate part 34. Insulation 35 Lower insulation cover 39. Heater lifting device (heater drive unit) R heating space S Resin sheet

Claims

1. A heat molding apparatus comprising a heating section for heating a resin sheet that is conveyed horizontally, and a molding section for molding the resin sheet that has been heated by the heating section, The heating unit comprises an upper heater positioned opposite the upper surface of the resin sheet, a lower heater positioned opposite the lower surface of the resin sheet, and a heater drive unit that moves the upper heater in the vertical direction. It is equipped with a heater mount that cannot move in the vertical direction, The upper frame has an upper heater that moves vertically by the heater drive unit with the upper heater attached, The upper frame is provided with an upper heat-insulating cover that protrudes below the lower surface of the upper heater, positioned to the side of the heating space of the resin sheet by the upper heater and the lower heater. The upper heat-insulating cover comprises a fixing plate portion fixed to the upper frame and protruding laterally away from the upper heater, and a heat-insulating plate portion protruding downward from the tip of the fixing plate portion in the protruding direction. The heater frame is provided with a lower heat-insulating cover located on the side of the heating space. The lower insulation cover protrudes below the upper surface of the lower heater, The lower insulation cover and the upper insulation cover are arranged so as to overlap each other when viewed from the side. The heating and molding apparatus is characterized in that the upper part of the lower heat-insulating cover protrudes above the lower part of the upper heat-insulating cover, is closer to the upper heater than the heat-insulating plate portion, and is positioned to face the lower surface of the fixing plate portion.

2. In the heat molding apparatus according to claim 1, The heat molding apparatus is characterized in that the upper frame is provided with an insulating material positioned above the upper heater.

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