JP2000118675A - Can carrying device and method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To efficiently carry cans even if the outer diameters of the cans to be carried are changed. SOLUTION: A carrying device 1 has screws 3 supported on a bearing 6 in a rotatable manner wherein cans 2 are carried to the downstream sides by the rotation of the screws 3 while engaging the cans 2 with grooves 8 spirally formed in the surfaces of the screws 3. The grooves 8 have circular arc surfaces with two curvatures consisting of large circular arc surfaces 9 and small circular arc surfaces 10 to cause two types of large-diameter cans 2a and small-diameter cans 2b to be stably engaged with the respective circular arc surfaces. Even if the outer diameters of the cans 2 to be carried are changed, the cans 2 can be efficiently carried without replacing the screws 3.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for transporting cans in the process of manufacturing cans for soft drinks and the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a step of filling a can with contents, there is a case where a can is conveyed at regular intervals by a conveying device having a screw as shown in FIG.

In FIG. 7, a can 50 conveyed to the downstream side while being guided by a guide 54 is engaged with a groove 52 of a screw 51 rotatably supported by a bearing 57, and then is rotated by the rotation of the screw 51. Transported to the side. In this case, the screw 51 is the entry end 5 of the screw 51.
It is rotated clockwise when viewed from the side 1a. The groove 52 spirally provided on the surface of the screw 51 is formed in a circular arc shape having a cross section substantially the same diameter as the outer diameter of the can 50, and the can 50 is stably engaged with the groove 52. It is supposed to be.

[0004]

The cans 50 conveyed by the conveying device having such a screw 51 are sent at regular intervals. However, as the number of types of cans 50 conveyed increases, the outer diameter of the cans 50 also increases. Wide variety. Therefore, in order to stably engage the can 50 with the groove 52 of the screw 51,
Each time the outer diameter of the can 50 to be conveyed changes, it must be replaced with a screw 51 having a groove 52 conforming to the shape of the can 50. For this reason, the workability is reduced, and the screws 51 must be manufactured for the cans 50 having several types of outer diameters, which causes a problem that the cost increases.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and can efficiently and stably transport cans without changing screws even if the outer diameter of the transported cans changes. It is an object of the present invention to provide a device and a method for transporting cans.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention comprises a screw having a spirally formed groove, and driving means for rotating the screw. A can transport device for transporting the can to the downstream side by rotating the screw while combining, wherein the groove is formed by overlapping a plurality of arc surfaces having different curvatures, By rotating the screw while engaging a can having an outer diameter along the arc surface with the arc surface, the can can be transported to the downstream side.

According to the present invention, in a screw having a spirally formed groove, a plurality of arc surfaces having different curvatures are formed so as to overlap the same portion inside the groove, so that the screw is conveyed. Even when the outer diameter of the can changes, the can can be engaged with the arc surface having the different curvature, so that the can can be flexibly supported without being replaced without changing screws. It is transported efficiently and stably to the downstream side.

[0008] The most upstream groove of the screw is
Since the arcuate surfaces having different curvatures are formed from different circumferential positions at the entry end of the screw, the arcuate surfaces having different curvatures which alternately appear when the screw is rotated are opposed to each other. Thus, the can conveyed to the entry end of the screw, even if a can having a different diameter is introduced into the screw, the screw stably stuck to the entry end of the screw. A can having a diameter can be entered.

[0009] Then, in the introduction part near the most upstream side of the screw, which is the part where the can is introduced into the screw,
With respect to the center of the small arc surface having a small curvature, the large arc surface having a large curvature shifted upstream is formed in the same groove, so that when a small diameter can is transported, the large arc surface is Even when engaged, it is sent to and engaged with the small arc surface formed on the downstream side in the same groove, and when a large-diameter can is conveyed, similarly, the small arc surface Side and is locked by contact with the end face of the small arc surface. Therefore, the can introduced into the screw is stably engaged regardless of the diameter.

The screw is rotated synchronously so that a small arc surface formed at the entrance end of the screw and the small diameter can to be conveyed face each other, and at the entrance end of the screw. The large-diameter can to be introduced into the screw, so that the large-diameter can is entered after waiting until the large-diameter can and the large arc surface formed at the entrance end of the rotating screw are opposed to each other. The can is stably introduced into the screw regardless of its diameter. In other words, when the can to be conveyed is a small-diameter can, the screw rotates so that the groove having a small arc surface faces the small-diameter can in synchronization with the conveyance of the small-diameter can to the entry end of the screw. As a result, the small diameter can is stably engaged with the groove at the entry end. On the other hand, when the can entering the entrance end is a large-diameter can, the can of the entrance end facing the large-diameter can is rotated so as to form a large arc surface, and then the large-diameter can is reached. By entering the can, unstable engagement can be prevented. In this case, conversely, when the screw is rotated in synchronization with the conveyance of the large-diameter can, when the small-diameter can is conveyed, the small-diameter can is bitten on the large arc surface at the entrance end, and the can is Although the case in which the screw is not stably conveyed may occur, the can is reliably conveyed because the screw is rotated in synchronization with the conveyance of the small-diameter can.

[0011]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a can conveying apparatus and method according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 1 is a view showing one embodiment of a can conveying device of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a groove formed in a screw in FIG.

In FIG. 1, the transport device 1 includes a screw 3 for transporting the can 2 and a guide 4 for holding the can 2 to be transported.

The screw 3 is provided with a shaft 5 along the longitudinal direction so as to pass through the center of the cross section. The screw 3 is rotatably supported by a bearing 6. At this time,
As shown by an arrow A in FIG. 1, the screw 3 is driven to rotate clockwise by a driving unit (not shown) as viewed from the entry end 3a of the screw 3.

The screw 3 is formed such that an inlet end 3a on the upstream side is thinner than an outlet end 3b on the downstream side. Grooves 8 formed in a substantially semicircular shape are provided spirally with an interval therebetween. And the interval between the grooves 8 is
It is formed so as to gradually widen toward the exit side end 3b.

As shown in FIG. 2, the groove 8 spirally provided on the surface of the screw 3 is located so as to be connected to a large arc surface 9 having a large curvature 9a and the center of the cross-sectional end of the large arc surface 9. A small arc surface 10 having a small curvature 10a having a curvature smaller than the large curvature 9a, and the large arc surface 9 and the small arc surface 10 extend along the spirally formed groove 8 so that the wall surfaces thereof are connected. It is provided as follows. The large arc surface 9 and the small arc surface 10 having different curvatures have
The large-diameter can 2a and the small-diameter can 2b having two different outer diameters to be conveyed are respectively engaged.

As shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, the groove 8a of the entry end 3a, which is the most upstream side of the screw 3, has a large arc surface 9 and a small arc surface 10 on the entry side of the screw 3. The large arc surface 9 and the small arc surface 10 respectively face the can 2 conveyed to the entrance end 3a as the screw 3 is rotated as the end 3a is formed from different circumferential positions. It is supposed to be. A groove 8b including a large arc surface 9 and a small arc lake surface 10 is provided adjacent to the downstream side of the groove 8a. The groove 8b includes a large arc surface 9 formed on the upstream side inside the groove 8b, and a small arc surface 10 formed on the downstream side so as to be connected to the large arc surface 9.
Further, in the groove 8c formed further downstream, the small arc surface 10 is gradually located near the center of the cross section of the groove 8c, and the small curvature 10
The small arc surface 10 having a is located at the center of the tip of the large arc surface 9 as shown in FIG.

In the transport device 1 thus formed, the can 2 is introduced and transported from the entry end 3a side of the screw 3 as shown in FIG. The groove 8a at the entry end 3a of the screw 3 has a large arc surface 9 and a small arc surface
Are formed from different circumferential positions of the entry side end 3a, and the can 2 introduced into the entry side end 3a is a large-diameter can 2a.
And a small-diameter can 2b. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, when the screw 3 is rotated, a large arc surface 9 and a small arc surface 10 are formed in a portion where the can 2 and the groove 8 a of the entry side end 3 a face each other. Appears. The can 2 conveyed to the screw 3 is stably engaged with the groove 8a regardless of its diameter.

The screw 3 is rotated synchronously so that the small arc surface 10 formed on the entry end 3a of the screw 3 and the small diameter can 2b to be conveyed face each other.
That is, when the can 2 to be conveyed is the small-diameter can 2b, the screw 3 synchronizes with the small-diameter can 2b being conveyed to the entry-side end 3a of the screw 3 so that the small arc surface 1
The small-diameter can 2b is stably engaged with the groove 8a of the entry-side end 3a since the small-diameter can 2b is rotated so that the surface of the small-diameter can 2 faces the small-diameter can 2b. Then, as the screw 3 is further rotated, as shown in FIG. 4, the small-diameter can 2b is transported to the downstream side.

On the other hand, when the can 2 introduced into the screw 3 is a large-diameter can 2a, the large-diameter can 2a is formed in the large-diameter can 2a and the groove 8a of the entry end 3a of the rotating screw 3. The large arc surface 9 waits until the large arc surface 9 faces, and then enters. Then, as the screw 3 is further rotated, as shown in FIG. 5, the large-diameter can 2a is transported to the downstream side.

At this time, conversely, when the screw 3 is rotated in synchronization with the transport of the large-diameter can 2a, when the small-diameter can 2b is transported, the small-diameter can 2b is out of the groove 8a of the entry-side end 3a. When the screw 2 is rotated in synchronization with the transfer of the small-diameter can 2b, the can 2 may not be stably conveyed. Regardless of the size of the paper.

Then, the can 2 is conveyed downstream by the rotation of the screw 3. At this time, in the groove 8 of the introduction portion 11, a large arc surface 9 having a large curvature 9a is gradually formed inside the same groove 8 toward the downstream side, and the large arc surface 9 is formed at the center of the small arc surface 10. On the other hand, by being formed shifted to the upstream side in the same groove 8, the transported can 2 is stably engaged with the groove 8. That is, since the large arc surface 9 is formed on the upstream side, for example, even when the small diameter can 2b is conveyed and abuts against the large arc surface 9 in the groove 8, it is formed on the downstream side inside the same groove 8. Small arc surface 1
0 to be engaged, and the small-diameter can 2b is stably engaged. In addition, even when the large-diameter can 2a is transported, as shown in FIG.
Is sent to the downstream small arc surface 10 and is locked by contacting the end surface of the small arc surface 10. In this way, the can 2 introduced into the screw 3 is engaged with the groove 8 regardless of its diameter.

The can 2 guided to the entry side end 3a of the screw 3 by the guide 4 is rotated clockwise as viewed from the entry side end 3a as shown by an arrow A in FIG. Thereby, the introduction unit 11 is transported to the downstream side while maintaining the upright state. At this time, the cross-sectional shape of the groove 8 formed in the screw 3 is such that the small arc surface 10 provided on the downstream side inside the groove 8 gradually becomes larger as the downstream side of the screw 3 becomes larger. After passing through the introduction portion 11, a small arc surface 10 is formed at the center of the distal end of the large arc surface 9 as shown in the cross-sectional shape of the groove 8 in FIG. Become like Thus, the can 2 having passed through the introduction portion 11 of the screw 3 is transported to the downstream side.

When the large-diameter can 2a is transported,
By simply shifting the position of the guide 4, the can 2 can be transported without replacing the screw 3.

As described above, the cross-sectional shape of the groove 8 spirally formed on the surface of the screw 3 is such that the large arc surface 9 and the small arc surface 10 having two different curvatures of the large curvature 9a and the small curvature 10a overlap. The large-diameter can 2a and the small-diameter can 2b having different outer diameters on the screw 3
Even if is transported, the can 2 is engaged with the large arc surface 9 and the small arc surface 10, respectively, so that it is possible to flexibly cope with the transported can 2 without replacing the screw 3, and the can 2 is efficiently used. Good and stable transport to downstream side.

[0025]

According to the present invention, the apparatus and method for transporting cans are:
It has the following effects. (1) In a screw having a spirally formed groove, a plurality of arc surfaces having different curvatures are formed so as to overlap the same portion inside the groove, so that the outer diameter of the can to be conveyed is reduced. Even in the case of change, the can is engaged with the arc surface having the different curvature, so that it can flexibly cope with the conveyed can without changing the screw, and the can is efficiently and stably downstream. Transported to the side. (2) Since the arcuate surface having the different curvature is formed from a different circumferential position at the entry end of the screw, the groove on the most upstream side of the screw is alternately formed by rotating the screw. The cans conveyed to the entry end of the screw are stable even when cans with different diameters are introduced into the screw. As a result, the cans having the different diameters can enter the entry end of the screw. (3) A large arc surface having a large curvature deviating upstream from a center of a small arc surface having a small curvature at an introduction portion near the most upstream side of the screw, which is a portion where the can is introduced into the screw. Is formed in the same groove, so when the small diameter can is transported, even when engaged with the large arc surface, it is sent to the small arc surface formed downstream in the same groove. When the large-diameter can is conveyed, the large-diameter can is similarly sent to the small-arc surface side and locked by contacting the end surface of the small-arc surface. Therefore, the can introduced into the screw is stably engaged regardless of the diameter. (4) The screw is rotated synchronously so that the small arc surface formed at the entry end of the screw and the conveyed small diameter can face each other, and is introduced into the entry end of the screw. The large-diameter can is allowed to enter after waiting until the large-diameter can and the large arc surface formed at the entrance end of the rotating screw face each other, so that the can conveyed to the screw Is stably introduced into the screw regardless of its diameter. In other words, when the can to be conveyed is a small-diameter can, the screw rotates so that the groove having a small arc surface faces the small-diameter can in synchronization with the conveyance of the small-diameter can to the entry end of the screw. As a result, the small diameter can is stably engaged with the groove at the entry end. On the other hand, when the can entering the entrance end is a large-diameter can, the can of the entrance end facing the large-diameter can is rotated so as to form a large arc surface, and then the large-diameter can is reached. By entering the can, unstable engagement can be prevented. In this case, conversely, if the screw is rotated in synchronization with the conveyance of the large-diameter can, when the small-diameter can is conveyed, the small-diameter can is bitten on the large arc surface at the entrance end, and the can is Although the case in which the screw is not stably conveyed may occur, the can is reliably conveyed because the screw is rotated in synchronization with the conveyance of the small-diameter can.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a view showing an example of an embodiment of a can transporter of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a groove formed in a screw.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the vicinity of an introduction portion of a screw.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a small-diameter can is introduced into a screw.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a large-diameter can is introduced into a screw.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a large arc surface and a small arc surface inside a groove.

FIG. 7 is a view illustrating a conventional can transporter.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Conveying apparatus 2 Can 2a Large diameter can 2b Small diameter can 3 Screw 3a Entrance end 4 Guide 5 Shaft 6 Bearing 8 Groove 9 Large arc surface 9a Large curvature 10 Small arc surface 10a Small curvature 11 Introduction part

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A screw having a spirally formed groove, and a driving means for rotating the screw, wherein the can is rotated downstream by rotating the screw while engaging the can with the groove. A conveying device of a can for conveying, wherein the groove is formed by overlapping a plurality of arc surfaces having different curvatures, and the arc surface has a can having an outer diameter along the arc surface. A can transporter, wherein the can is transported downstream by rotating the screw while being engaged. 2. The groove on the most upstream side of the screw, wherein the arc surface having the different curvature is formed from a different circumferential position on the entry side end of the screw, and the most upstream side groove of the screw. A large arc surface having a large curvature deviating upstream from the center of the small arc surface having a small curvature is formed in the same groove in the vicinity of the introduction portion of the can. 2. The can conveying device according to 1. 3. A can having a helical groove formed by overlapping a plurality of circular arc surfaces having different curvatures by driving means, the circular arc surface having an outer diameter along the circular arc surface. A method of transporting a can to transport a can to the downstream side by rotating the screw while engaging the screw, wherein the screw has a small diameter that is transported with a small arc surface formed at an entrance end of the screw. The large-diameter can introduced into the inlet end of the screw is rotated in synchronization with the can so as to face the large-diameter can, and the large-diameter can formed at the inlet end of the screw rotating with the large-diameter can. A method for transporting cans, wherein the container is made to enter after being made to wait until the arc surface is opposed.