JP2001315715A - Apparatus for carrying and feeding container having mouth member - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To smoothly and reliably carry and feed a container to a filling machine even when the shape of a flange is small. SOLUTION: In this apparatus for carrying and feeding the container 2 with a mouth member 3 having a flange part 6a mounted thereon to a container body 5 formed of a flexible sheet, a carrying passage 14 for locking the flange part 6a is formed by a pair of guide bodies 15a and 15b with a predetermined space therebetween so that the container 2 is suspended and carried while regulating the rotation of the container body 5 around the mouth member 3, the carrying passage 14 comprises a first carrying passage 14a on the upstream side and a second carrying passage 14b bent at substantially right angles from the first carrying passage 14a, and a holding means movable at the holding position for holding the flange part 6a together with one guide body 15a and the passing position for permitting the retraction and the passage of the container 2 is provided at an intersection of the first carrying passage 14a with the second carrying passage 14b.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus for transporting a container with a port member for sequentially transporting the containers by suspending a port member attached to a container body formed by forming a sheet into a bag shape. About.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for example, as shown in FIG.
The container (pouch) 53 to which is attached is first formed with a container body 50 in the bag making machine 55 shown in FIG. 6 and the container body 50 is provided with a mouth member 51 having a function as a straw and a filling port. Insert between sheets and attach with heat seal. Each of the pouches 53 is supplied to a filling device 57 for filling contents such as beverages by the transport / supply device 56 with the container main body 50 being flat.

As shown in FIG. 5, the conveying / supplying device 56 includes a pair of guides 61a, 61b having a predetermined interval so as to lock a flange portion 60 formed on the mouth member 51.
The transport path 63 is formed by the first transport path 63a on the upstream side and the first transport path 63a. A second transport path 63b that is bent at a substantially right angle from the transport path. In addition, the mouth member 5
The lower portion (guide portion on which the locking portion slides) 64 than the first flange portion 60 is formed in a rectangular shape or the like so that the pouch 53 to be conveyed does not rotate around the mouth member 51. I have.

Here, the pouch 53 is conveyed without rotating for the following reason. The container body 50 of the pouch 53 made by the bag making machine has a flat shape. It is preferable to convey the flat container body 50 so that both sides face in the conveying direction so that a large number of pouches 53 can be stocked in the first conveying path 63a connected to the bag making machine.

On the other hand, in the filling machine 57, since a predetermined portion of the pouch 53 is held by the holding means provided on the rotating rotary 66, the pouch 53 is in a state where both sides of the flattened container body 50 face the transport direction. To the filling machine. Therefore, the pouches 53 are transported in the first transport path 63a in a state where the container body is turned left and right, and the pouches 53 are transported in the second transport path 63b so that each pouch 53 can be reliably supplied to the filling machine 57. 53 is transported at right angles to the first transport path 63a.

[0006]

In the above-mentioned conventional apparatus, the connecting portion (intersection) 68 between the first conveying path 63a and the second conveying path 63b is substantially at a right angle.
If the shape (outer diameter) of the first flange portion 60 is sufficiently larger than the interval between the respective transport paths, the transition from the first transport path 63a to the second transport path 63b is possible (FIG. 5).
If the shape of the flange portion 60 is large, the flange portion of the pouch 53 conveyed in the press-down state rides on the flange portion of another pouch 53, so that it becomes difficult to separate the respective pouches 53. The transition from the first transport path 63a to the second transport path 63b could not be performed smoothly.

To solve the above problem, FIG.
As shown in (b), it is conceivable to make the shape of the flange portion 60 circular or small, but in such a case, the flange portion 6 is formed at the intersection of the first transport path 63a and the second transport path 63b.
Since the 0 cannot be locked securely, it falls.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned conventional problems, and enables a container to be smoothly and reliably conveyed and supplied to a filling machine even when the shape of a flange is reduced. As an issue.

[0009]

The technical measures taken by the present invention to solve the above problems are as follows. That is, the container body 5 formed from a flexible sheet
A container 2 to which a mouth member 3 having a flange portion 6a is attached and fed, wherein the container 2 is suspended and the container main body 5 is prevented from rotating around the mouth member 3. A pair of guides 15a and 15b having a predetermined interval form a transport path 14 for locking the flange portion 6a so that the transport path 14 can be transported.
Is a first transport path 14a on the upstream side and the first transport path 14a
And a second conveying path 14b that is bent substantially at a right angle from the first conveying path 14a and a second conveying path 14b, at a crossing portion thereof, a holding position for holding the flange portion 6a with one guide body 15a, A holding means is provided which is movable back and forth to a passage position allowing passage of the container 2.

When the container 2 reaches the intersection of the first conveying path 14a and the second conveying path 14b, the holding means at the holding position holds the container 2 with the guide body 15a.
The container 2 can be prevented from falling. In addition, when the container 2 moves on the second transport path 14b, the holding means is retracted, so that the movement of the container 2 is not hindered.

Further, the holding means is provided with the flange portion 6.
a lever body 20 which is swingably provided to be locked to a.
An elastic body 22 for urging the lever body 20 to the holding position is preferably provided.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIGS. 1 to 3 show an apparatus for transporting an irregular-shaped container with a mouth member as an embodiment of the present invention.

Reference numeral 1 denotes one or a plurality of bag making machines for manufacturing an indefinite container (pouch) 2 with a mouth member. The pouch 2 manufactured by the bag making machine 1 includes a cylindrical mouth member 3 and a container body 5 to which the mouth member 3 is attached.

The container body 5 is formed by forming a flexible sheet (film) into a bag shape, and the mouth member 3 is fixed to an upper edge portion thereof by heat sealing. still,
The container main body 5 is in a flat state when the contents are not filled therein.

The portion protruding above the mouth member 3 includes:
For example, a circular upper flange portion 6a and a lower flange portion 6
b are formed respectively. The portion (guide portion) 7 between the two flange portions 6a and 6b is formed, for example, in a rectangular shape having a non-circular cross-sectional shape.

The pouch 2 produced by the bag making machine 1 is supplied to a filling machine 9 disposed at a downstream position by a container transport / supply device 10. Such a transport supply device 1
Reference numeral 0 denotes a first transport unit (stacking conveyor unit) 11 for transporting the pouch 2 in a posture in which the flat container body 5 is on both sides in the transport direction, and the pouch 2 transported by the first transport unit 11. And a second transport section (separation conveyor section) 13 for transporting the container body 5 in a transport direction state (front-back direction).

The accumulation conveyor section 11 and the separation conveyor section 13 have a pair of left and right guide bodies 15a and 15b having a predetermined interval from each other. Both guide members 15a,
15b are arranged at a predetermined interval to form the transport path 14. The transport path 14 is configured to be bent at substantially right angles from the first transport path 14a of the accumulation conveyor section 11 and the second transport path 14b of the separation conveyor section 13. Here, the predetermined interval between the two conveying paths 14a and 14b is smaller than the diameter of the upper and lower flange portions 6a and 6b of the mouth member 3 of the pouch 2 and larger than the diameter of the guide portion 7. . Moreover, the thickness of the edge of each of the guide members 15a and 15b for locking the upper flange portion 6a is smaller than the distance between the upper and lower flange portions 6a and 6b.

Therefore, the leading edge portions of both the guide members 15a and 15b are connected to the upper flange portion 6a and the lower flange portion 6b.
The pouches 2 are movably suspended by being interposed therebetween, and the edges of the guides 15a and 15b slide on the opposing side surfaces of the guide portion 7 of the mouth member 3. For this reason, pouch 2
The direction of the container body 5 is regulated in a predetermined direction so that the pouch 2 does not rotate carelessly.

At a position downstream of the first transport section 11 of the apparatus,
A screw 17 as separating means is provided so as to engage with the mouth member 3. Such a screw 17
Since a plurality of pouches 2 are conveyed in a pressed and pressed state approaching each other, the pitch of each of the pouches 2 is to slightly widen from the pressed and pressed state. The screw 17 is intermittently rotated one rotation at a time by a driving means 18 such as a clutch brake motor, a stepping motor or a servomotor, and sends out the pouches 2 one by one to stop at a predetermined standby position.
The screw 17 is connected to the upper flange portion 6a of the mouth member 3.
Attachment part 3 above which cap is attached, for example
a.

The standby position for stopping the pouch 2 is at the intersection of the first transport path 14a and the second transport path 14b. A belt 29 is wound around a pulley 26 on the screw 17 side and a pulley 27 on the driving means 18 side, and the sensor 30 detects the rotational position of the pulley 27 on the driving means 18 side.

The one guide 15a has a lever 2
0 is pivotally supported. That is, the lever 20
In order to prevent the pouch 2 positioned at the standby position by the screw 17 from dropping, a holding position where the pouch 2 is held by the one guide body,
It is swingable so that the position can be changed to a passing position (a position indicated by a virtual line in FIG. 1) that allows the passage of 4b.

In the holding position, the lever 20 is in a posture parallel to the edge of the one guide body 15a and at the same interval as the first conveyance path 14a so as to abut on the mounting portion 3a of the mouth member 3. Becomes A return spring 22 that urges the lever 20 to the holding position is externally fitted to a support shaft 21 that supports the lever 20, and the lever 20 and the return spring 22 mainly constitute a holding unit. I have. Incidentally, reference numeral 24 denotes a stopper for positioning the lever 20 at the holding position, which is provided so as to protrude from the one guide body 15a.

Numeral 25 is a container feeding device, which is a slide 32 movably provided along a guide rail 31 arranged in parallel with the second transport path 14b,
2 and a cylinder device 33 attached to the second cylinder device.
In the cylinder device 33, an extrudable body 34 is provided at a position behind the mouth member 3 of the pouch 2 so as to be able to protrude and retract.

Next, an example of use of the above-mentioned device will be described. First, the pouches 2 manufactured by the bag making machine 1 are sequentially conveyed by the conveying / supplying device 10. At this time,
The pouch 2 has a flat shape, and both ends of the container body 5 face both sides in the transport direction. Both guides 15a, 15b lock the upper flange 6a, suspend the pouch 2, and slide the side of the guide 7 of the mouth member 3 of the pouch 2 to restrict the pouch 2 in a predetermined direction. , Not to rotate. In order to move each pouch 2 along the first transport path 14a, it is possible to sequentially extrude the pouches 2;
The moving bodies respectively engaged with the mouth members of the
It may be configured to rotate endlessly along.

Further, even when a plurality of pouches 2 are conveyed in a press-and-press state, by making the diameters of the flange portions 6a and 6b small, it becomes difficult for the respective flange portions to climb and move. Problems can be solved, and there is no hindrance to transport. When the pouch 2 reaches the screw 17, the screw 17 conveys each pouch 2 at a predetermined interval. That is, the screw 17 is intermittently rotated by one rotation by the driving means 18,
Each pouch 2 is transported to the standby position.

On the other hand, the lever 20 is connected to the other guide 15
Since the pouch arrives at the standby position since it is located on the extension of the edge portion of the guide member 15b, the upper flange portion 6a has the other guide member 15b.
Even if they are not engaged, the lever 20 is held by the one guide body 15a that locks the flange portion 6a, so that it does not fall.

Further, the extruded body 34 of the cylinder device 33 is
It protrudes rearward of the mouth member 3. The cylinder device 33 moves to the filling machine 9 side along the guide rail 31 together with the slide 32, and conveys the pouch 2 at the standby position to the filling machine 9. At this time, the pouch 2 moves along the second transport path 14b substantially perpendicular to the first transport path 14a. However, since the pouch is restricted in a predetermined direction and does not rotate, the container body 5 Maintain the state facing the transport direction. still,
The pouch 2 that has moved from the first transport path 14a to the second transport path 14b is received by a conventionally known transport device (not shown) and transported at a predetermined interval.

Accordingly, the filling machine 9 holds the pouch 2 while the container body is in the conveying direction, and the rotary device 9a
When the container is rotary-conveyed, the contents are filled into the container body 5 through the mouth member 3, and a cup is screwed into the attachment portion 3 a of the mouth member 3 to close the mouth member 3.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and the specific configuration of each part such as the shape and size of the container can be freely changed in design.

[0030]

As described above, according to the present invention, a pair of guide members having a predetermined interval are provided so that the container can be conveyed while the container is suspended and the container body is restricted from rotating around the mouth member. A transport path for locking the flange portion is formed, the transport path includes an upstream first transport path, and a second transport path bent at a substantially right angle from the first transport path. And at the intersection of the second transport path, a holding position for holding the flange portion with one guide body in the first transport path,
Since the holding means is provided so as to be retractable and movable to a passage position allowing passage of the container, even if the shape of the flange portion is a small diameter, the flange portion of the container is moved between the first conveyance path and the second conveyance path. Since the container can be locked without dropping at the intersection, the transfer of the container from the first transport path to the second transport path can be performed smoothly, and the container can be reliably supplied to the filling machine.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic front view of the same.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the entire schematic.

FIG. 4 is a front view of a pouch showing a conventional example.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are plan views showing a pouch conveyance state.

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing the overall outline.

[Explanation of symbols]

2 ... pouch (container), 5 ... container body, 6a ... upper flange part, 6b ... lower flange part, 14 ... conveyance path, 14a ...
1st conveyance path, 14b ... 2nd conveyance path, 15a ... One guide body, 15b ... The other guide body, 20 ... Lever body, 22
… Return spring (elastic body)

Claims (2)

[Claims] An apparatus for transporting and supplying a container (2) in which a mouth member (3) having a flange portion (6a) is attached to a container body (5) formed of a flexible sheet. A pair of guides (15a) having a predetermined interval so that the container (2) can be conveyed while suspending the container (2) and restricting rotation of the container body (5) about the mouth member (3). , (15b), a transport path (14) for locking the flange portion (6a) is formed. The transport path (14) includes an upstream first transport path (14a) and the first transport path (14a). (14a) and a second transport path (14b) bent at a substantially right angle, and at the intersection of the first transport path (14a) and the second transport path (14b), one guide body (15a).
Characterized in that a holding means is provided which is movable between a holding position for holding the flange portion (6a) and a passage position for allowing the passage of the container (2) by retreating. Transportation supply device. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the holding means is provided with the flange portion (6).
a) a swingable lever body (2)
0) and an elastic body (22) for urging the lever body (20) to the holding position.