JP2001328724A - Can body handling device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To shorten a rise time of rotation of a can body at a processing stage. SOLUTION: A can body C is held at a transport mechanism 5, transporting can bodies C in and out from an inspection stage (a processing stage), by rotary pedestals 13 situated in a plurality of spots on an outer periphery, and a turret 12 (a first turret) on the transportation side to transport, in order, the can bodies C through rotation in a peripheral direction. A rotary mechanism 16 to rotate the can bodies C transported by the transport mechanism 5 is provided with an endless belt B wound around the outer periphery of the turret 12 on the conveyance side and making contact with the rotary pedestal 13 holding at least the can body, transported in the inspection stage, of the can bodies C and the outer periphery of the rotary pedestal 13 holding the can body C transported to a spot right in front of the inspection stage, and a motor 17 (a drive device) to rotate the endless belt B. By rotating the endless belt B by the motor 17, the can bodies C are rotated in the one and same direction around an axis and the endless belt B is brought into contact with the can bodies C.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a processing apparatus used in a manufacturing process of a beverage can, for example, a coating apparatus for coating a can body or a can body handling apparatus used for a surface inspection apparatus for inspecting the surface of a can body. About.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A process for manufacturing a beverage can includes, for example, a process of painting the outer and inner surfaces of a can body, and a process of inspecting a molding failure of a can body or a defective painting of a surface (surface inspection). Here, the coating of the can body is performed, for example, by rotating a can body having a bottomed cylindrical shape around its axis on a processing stage, and applying an outer surface (for example, a bottom outer surface) or an inner surface or both of the can body by a coating mechanism. This is done by spraying paint. In the surface inspection of the can body, for example, the can body is rotated around its axis on a processing stage, and the outer peripheral surface of the can body is photographed with a line camera (imaging device) over the entire circumference. A good can and a bad can are determined based on the image.

[0003] In such a process, a can body handling device is used to automate the processing of the can body. The conventional can body handling device includes a transfer device that takes in the can body from the previous process and sequentially carries it into the processing stage, and sequentially takes out the processed can body from the processing stage and sends it to the subsequent process. And a rotation mechanism for rotating the can body carried into the container about its axis.

[0004]

In the above-described process, the can body is rotated at a high speed in order to increase the processing speed and improve the productivity. In addition, in order to ensure the quality of the coating or to prevent the image captured by the line camera from being distorted, the processing of the can body is performed with the rotation speed of the can body being substantially constant. However, when the can body is rotated after being carried into the processing stage, in addition to the time required for processing the can body, the rotation speed of the can body reaches a range suitable for the processing in addition to the time required for processing the can body. Time (rise time) is required. For this reason, it takes a long time to process the can body, and at present, the processing efficiency of the can body has leveled off.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a can body handling apparatus capable of shortening the rise time of rotation of the can body in a processing stage.

[0006]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a can body handling apparatus for use in a processing apparatus for processing a bottomed cylindrical can body rotating about an axis on a processing stage. A drum handling device, wherein a transport mechanism sequentially loads the can cylinder before processing into the processing stage and sequentially unloads the processed can cylinder from the processing stage, and the can cylinder transported by the transport mechanism. A rotating mechanism for rotating the can body about its axis, and the transport mechanism holds the can body at a plurality of locations on its outer periphery, and sequentially transports the can body by rotating in a circumferential direction. A turret, the rotation mechanism includes an endless belt wound around the outer periphery of the first turret, and a driving device for rotating the endless belt, wherein the endless belt is attached to the first turret. Among the can bodies held, at least the can body carried into the processing stage and the can body conveyed immediately before the processing stage are in contact with each other, and the endless belt is rotated by the driving device. Thus, it is characterized in that these can bodies are rotated in the same direction around the axis, and are brought into contact with these can bodies.

In the thus configured can body handling apparatus, the can body is held by the first turret of the transport mechanism and sequentially carried into the processing stage. Of these can bodies, at least the can body carried into the processing stage and the can body conveyed immediately before the processing stage are rotated in the same direction around the axis by rotating the endless belt by the driving device. Further, since these can bodies are rotated by the same endless belt, their rotation speeds are substantially the same.

[0008] In the can body handling device according to the second aspect, the first turret holds a plurality of axial ends of the can body and is rotatable with the can body around the axis. A rotating pedestal, the rotating pedestal having a belt abutting portion on its outer periphery for receiving the endless belt, and the endless belt abutting on the can of the can, instead of abutting on the can body; And the rotary pedestal is rotated with the can body. In the thus configured can body handling device, the endless belt of the rotating mechanism is brought into contact with the rotating pedestal holding the can body, and the driving force of the driving device is transmitted to the can body via the rotating means. .

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the can body handling device, a brake mechanism for suppressing rotation of the can body carried out of the processing stage by the transfer mechanism is provided, and a brake mechanism is provided between the processing stage and the brake mechanism. Independently from the brake mechanism, a pre-stage brake mechanism for suppressing rotation of the can body carried out of the processing stage is provided.

In the can body handling apparatus, the can body carried out of the processing stage by the transport mechanism is transferred to, for example, a can body receiving means and sent to a subsequent processing step. Here, if the rotation given by the rotation mechanism is not completely stopped, there is a danger that the can body will slip with respect to the can body receiving means when the can body is delivered, thereby damaging the surface of the can body. there were. In order to solve such inconvenience, it is conceivable to provide the can body handling device with a brake mechanism for suppressing rotation of the can body carried out of the processing stage, for example. However, simply providing a brake mechanism may not sufficiently suppress the rotation of the can body.For example, even if the rotation of the can body is completely stopped before the delivery of the can body, Since it takes a long time to completely stop the rotation, the processing efficiency of the can body reaches a peak. In the can body handling device of the present invention, the rotation of the can body carried out of the processing stage is suppressed by the pre-stage brake mechanism before being subjected to braking by the brake mechanism for suppressing the rotation of the can body.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the can body handling device, further comprising a brake mechanism for suppressing rotation of the can body carried out of the processing stage by the transfer mechanism, wherein a brake mechanism is provided between the processing stage and the brake mechanism. Independently of the brake mechanism, the brake mechanism has a front brake mechanism for suppressing rotation of the can body unloaded from the processing stage, and the brake mechanism and the front brake mechanism each have a frictional resistance capable of contacting the rotary pedestal. It is characterized by having an application member. In the thus configured can body handling device, the rotation of the can body is suppressed by bringing the frictional resistance applying member into contact with the rotating pedestal holding the can body. In the can body handling device according to the fifth aspect, at least one of the brake mechanism and the front brake mechanism can be brought into contact with the rotary pedestal at an outer periphery and rotate in its own circumferential direction. It has a wheel that can be used and a load means for applying a load to the rotation of the wheel. In the thus configured can body handling device, by rotating the outer periphery of the wheel against the rotating pedestal, the rotational energy of the can body and the rotating pedestal is transmitted to the wheel and converted into rotational energy of the wheel. As a result, the rotation of the can body and the rotating pedestal is suppressed. At this time, the wheel rotates together with the rotating pedestal, and the rotational energy of the can body and the rotating pedestal substantially acts only to rotate the wheel. Then, a load is applied to the wheel for rotation by the load means, and even if it receives the rotational energy of the can body and the rotating base, the rotational energy is consumed and the rotational speed of the wheel is suppressed, so that the subsequent can body and The rotary pedestal is similarly braked.

[0012] In the can body handling device according to claim 6, after receiving the processed can body from the transport mechanism,
It has a transport direction switching mechanism for selectively sending out to one of the plurality of transfer paths, and the transport direction switching mechanism holds the can body at a plurality of locations on its outer periphery and rotates in a circumferential direction. A second turret that sequentially conveys the can body toward a first transfer path, and a second turret is provided from the orbit of the can body conveyed to the second turret to another transfer path, and the can body is A vacuum conveyor that can be transported to the transfer path, and a control device that controls holding and release of the can body by the second turret, wherein the control device includes the second turret By continuing or canceling the holding of the can body transported on the vacuum conveyor, the can body is switched in the transport direction. .

As a conventional can body handling device, for example, a transport direction switching mechanism for selectively sending a processed can body to one of a plurality of transfer paths for sorting good and bad cans, etc. Some have. As a transport direction switching mechanism, for example, there is a mechanism using a turret that holds a can body at a plurality of locations on an outer periphery and sequentially transports the can body by rotating in a circumferential direction. In this case, the transfer paths are arranged side by side in the rotation direction of the turret. In such a transfer direction switching mechanism, when the turret conveys the can body to near the target transfer path, the holding of the can body is released, and the can body is freely dropped or the centrifugal force generated by the rotation of the turret is released. By throwing the can body, the can body is sent out to a target transfer path. However, in the method in which the can body is freely dropped and sent out,
It takes time from release of holding to separation from the turret. Then, there is a possibility that the can body is pushed out in the rotation direction of the turret by the turret or a subsequent can body due to the rotation of the turret, so that the turret may not be correctly fed into a target transfer path. Of these transfer paths, a guide for guiding the can body can be provided on the last transfer path to ensure that the can body is fed into the transfer path. Such a guide cannot be provided because it is necessary to be able to transfer the can body to the subsequent transfer path. For this reason, the processing speed of the transport direction switching mechanism is limited, and the transport speed of the can body by the can body handling device has reached a plateau at present. Further, as a can body handling device, there is an apparatus that intermittently transports the can body, and in this case, the turret is also intermittently rotated. For this reason, centrifugal force does not work on the can body even if it is sent out using the centrifugal force, or even if it works, the can body has almost the same behavior as when it is dropped and sent out. Is shown. In the can body handling device of the present invention, the can body is transported toward the first transfer path by the second turret. When the can body held by the second turret is transported to the first transfer path, the can body is directly transported to the first transfer path by the second turret. When the can body is transported to another transfer path, the control device releases the holding of the can body by the second turret when the can body is transported onto the vacuum conveyor leading to the target transfer path. Being
The can body is delivered to the vacuum conveyor and sent out to a target transfer path. Here, a vacuum conveyor may also be provided between the second turret and the first transfer path, but since it is not necessary to transport the can body further downstream in the first transfer path, simply the can It is only necessary to provide a guide for guiding this to the transfer path.

[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS First Embodiment A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. Here, in the present embodiment, an apparatus used for a surface inspection apparatus (processing apparatus) for inspecting the surface of a can body is shown as a can body handling apparatus. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The handling device may be used, for example, in a coating device for coating a can body. FIG. 1 is a front view schematically showing a surface inspection device using the can body handling device of the present embodiment, FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a main part of the can body handling device shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a brake mechanism and a front brake. FIG. 4 is a side sectional view showing the shape of a rotary pedestal used in the can body handling device of the present invention, FIG. 5 is a side sectional view showing the structure of the transport mechanism, and FIG. FIG. 7 is a plan view showing the structure of the mechanism, and FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG.

As shown in FIG. 1, a can body handling device 1 constitutes a part of a surface inspection device 2,
A supply mechanism 4 for taking in the can body C from the preceding step and a can body C taken in from the supply mechanism 4 are sequentially carried into an inspection stage (processing stage) on a substantially box-shaped base 3 standing on the floor. A transport mechanism 5 for sequentially carrying out the can body C, whose surface has been inspected, from the inspection stage, and a can body (defective can) having an abnormality after receiving the inspected can body C from the transport mechanism 5, There is a transport direction switching mechanism 6 for sending out to the independent first transfer path 6a and sending out the can body (good can) without abnormality to the second transfer path 6b leading to the subsequent process. The surface inspection device 2 is, for example, a can body C on an inspection stage.
Is rotated around its axis, and the outer peripheral surface of the can body C is photographed by a line camera V (imaging device) over the entire circumference, and the image photographed by the line camera V is compared with a reference image. The inspection of the surface of the torso C is performed. In the present embodiment, as the surface inspection device 2, an inspection stage is provided at two places, and the surface inspection of the can body C is performed twice.

As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG.
Has a supply-side turret 11 that holds the can body C taken in from the previous step at a plurality of locations on the outer periphery and intermittently rotates the can body C to the transport mechanism 5 by intermittently rotating by a predetermined angle. are doing. The supply-side turret 11 holds the outer peripheral surface of the can body C. As shown in FIG. 2, the transport mechanism 5 intermittently rotates the transport turret 12 (first turret) intermittently rotating by a predetermined angle, and substantially equidistantly surrounds the outer circumference of the transport turret 12 in the circumferential direction. And a plurality of substantially disk-shaped rotating pedestals 13. These rotating pedestals 13 have the same outer diameter, and are rotatable around the axis thereof together with the can body C while holding one end of the can body C in the axial direction. The turret 12 is intermittently moved in the rotation direction α. As shown in FIG. 4, a belt contact portion 13a for receiving an endless belt B, which will be described later, is formed on the outer periphery of the rotating pedestal 13 over the entire periphery.
In the rotating pedestal 13, a flange 13b for guiding the endless belt B to the belt contact portion 13a is formed on both sides of the belt contact portion 13a. Here, the transport side turret 1
In 2, the outer peripheral portion including the rotating pedestal 13 is provided at a position closer to the base 3 than the supply side turret 11, so that the supply side and the transfer side turrets 11 and 12 do not interfere with each other.

A plurality of support shafts 12a for supporting the rotary pedestal 13 are provided on the outer periphery of the transport side turret 12 at substantially equal intervals in the circumferential direction, and each rotary pedestal 13 is attached to the support shaft 12a. On the other hand, it is mounted via a bearing 12b or the like, and is rotatable around the axis of the support shaft 12a. In the present embodiment, the support shaft 12a is provided substantially in parallel with the rotation axis of the transport-side turret 12, and the rotary pedestal 13 is rotatable about an axis substantially parallel to the rotation axis of the transport-side turret 12. ing. The rotating pedestal 13 has a supply side, a transfer side turret 11,
With the rotation of 2, the can body C is sequentially supplied from the supply side turret 11. Here, among the places where these intermittently moved rotating pedestals 13 temporarily stay,
The inspection stage is at least a portion that has moved at least one stage in the rotation direction α from a location where the delivery of the can body C from the supply mechanism 4 is performed (first delivery position P1). In the present embodiment, an example in which two inspection stages are provided is shown, and a position moved two stages in the rotation direction α from the delivery position P1 is defined as a first inspection stage S1, and is rotated more than the first inspection stage S1. A portion moved one step in the direction α is defined as a second inspection stage S2.

The transport direction switching mechanism 6 has a delivery turret 14 (second turret) as can body receiving means for sequentially receiving the can bodies C from the transport mechanism 5. The delivery-side turret 14 has a structure capable of holding the can body C at a plurality of locations on the outer periphery thereof, intermittently rotates by a predetermined angle, sequentially receives the can body C from the transport mechanism 5, and rotates in the circumferential direction. By doing so, the can body C is sequentially conveyed toward the first transfer path 6a. Here, the sending turret 14
A position where the transfer of the can body from the first transfer path 6a to the first transfer path 6a is performed is referred to as a third transfer position P3. Further, the delivery-side turret 14 holds the outer peripheral surface of the can body C. In the transport-side turret 12, the outer peripheral portion including the rotary pedestal 13 is provided at a position closer to the base 3 than the delivery-side turret 14. Have been. Thus, the transport side and the sending side turrets 12 and 14 do not interfere with each other. The sending-side turret 14 is a portion where the rotary pedestal 13 temporarily stays, at least a portion that has moved at least two stages in the rotation direction α from the inspection stage (second transfer position P2).
And receives the can body C from the rotary base 13. In the present embodiment, the rotation direction α
The third transfer position P2 is the second transfer position P2. These supply side, transport side, and delivery side turrets 11, 1
Reference numerals 2 and 14 are connected to a drive device (not shown), and are intermittently driven to rotate in synchronization with each other. Between these, the delivery of the can body C is performed according to the rotation.

Further, the can body handling device 1 comprises a rotating mechanism 16 for rotating the rotating pedestal 13 held on the transport side turret 12 around the axis of the can body C held by each.
have. The rotation mechanism 16 includes a motor 17 (drive device) having a drive pulley 17b provided on a drive shaft 17a;
It has a plurality of driven pulleys and an endless belt B wound around the outer periphery of the drive pulley 17b, the driven pulley, and the transport side turret 12. The drive pulley 17b and the driven pulley are rotatable about an axis substantially parallel to the rotation axis of the rotary base 13.

The endless belt B is formed by a belt contact portion 13a of the rotating pedestal 13 carried at least to the first and second inspection stages S1 and S2 of the rotating pedestal 13 of the transport side turret 12, and a first inspection. It is wound around the belt contact portion 13a of the rotating pedestal 13 that is transported immediately before the stage S1. An endless belt B is provided on these rotating pedestals 13.
The rotation of the drive shaft 17a of the motor 17 is transmitted via the motor 17 to rotate in the same direction. here,
Among the places where the rotating pedestal 13 temporarily stays, a place where the rotating pedestal 13 is rotated in the preceding stage of the inspection stage is referred to as a preceding stage driving position D. In the present embodiment, the rotation mechanism 16 is provided with a belt tensioner 26 that adjusts the tension of the endless belt B within an appropriate range.

In this embodiment, the driven pulley is
The first and second driven pulleys 18a and 18b are used, the driving pulley 17b is disposed near the first transfer position P1, and the first driven pulley 18a is disposed near the preceding braking position G to be described later. , The second driven pulley 18b
Is arranged near the second transfer position P2. As a result, the endless belt B is moved at least to the first delivery position P1 on the rotation direction α side from the pre-stage braking position G described later.
The guide is guided so as to be separated from the rotating pedestal 13 within the range up to. A portion of the endless belt B located between the first and second driven pulleys 18a and 18b is guided so as to abut on an endless belt 44 (described later) of the front brake mechanism. Here, in the present embodiment, the second driven pulley 18b is connected to the sending-side turret 1
4 is attached to the rotating shaft 14a. The second driven pulley 18b is attached to the rotary shaft 14a via a bearing or the like, and is rotatable independently of the rotation of the rotary shaft 14a.

In this embodiment, the motor 17 is provided with an encoder (not shown) for detecting the rotation speed of the drive shaft 17a, and the encoder is provided with a control device 37 (shown in FIG. 2). )). The first motor 17 is subjected to feedback control by the control device 37 based on information on the rotation speed of the drive shaft 17a sent from the encoder, and is controlled to keep the rotation speed of the drive shaft 17a constant (the encoder is , And may be provided on any of the first and second driven pulleys 18a and 18b).

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the can body handling device 1 has a brake near the second delivery position P2 for suppressing the rotation of the can body C transported to the second delivery position P2. A mechanism 41 is provided. Further, a front brake mechanism 42 that suppresses rotation of the rotary pedestal 13 transported to the second transfer position P2 is provided upstream of the brake mechanism 41. In the present embodiment, the brake mechanism 41 and the front brake mechanism 42 are arranged between the transport-side turret 12 and the endless belt B of the rotation mechanism 16. Here, among the places where the rotating pedestal 13 stays for a while, the place where the rotation of the rotating pedestal 13 is suppressed by the front brake mechanism 42 is defined as a front braking position G. The front-stage braking position G is a position that is moved at least one stage backward in the rotation direction of the transport-side turret 12 from at least the second transfer position P2, and in the present embodiment, the second transfer position P
A position moved one step backward from the position 2 in the rotation direction is defined as a front braking position G.

As shown in FIG. 3, these brake mechanisms 4
The first and front brake mechanisms 42 have substantially the same configuration (they may have different configurations). In the present embodiment, a plurality of front-stage brake mechanisms 42 (or brake mechanisms 41) are provided on the panel 3 a on the front side of the base 3 so as to be rotatable around an axis substantially parallel to the rotation axis of the rotary base 13. Pulley 43 and these pulleys 4
Endless belt 4 that can be brought into contact with the outer periphery of the rotating pedestal 13, for example, the belt contact portion 13 a, which is wound around the belt 3 and conveyed to the preceding braking position G (or the second transfer position P 2).
4 (frictional resistance imparting member). These pulleys 43 are located on the outer peripheral side of the transport side turret 12 so as not to interfere with the movement of the rotary pedestal 13, and two of these pulleys 43 are connected to the front braking position G (or the second transfer position P2). ) In the rotation direction α (these are referred to as a front pulley 43a and a rear pulley 43b, respectively).

The endless belt 44 has these front portions,
The portion located between the rear pulleys 43a and 43b can be brought into contact with the outer periphery of the rotary pedestal 13 carried into the front braking position G (or the second transfer position P2). As the endless belt 44, for example, a rubber belt having a large frictional resistance is used. In addition, the front brake mechanism 42
The (brake mechanism 41) is provided with a belt tensioner 45 for adjusting the tension of the endless belt 44. By adjusting the tension of the endless belt 44, the magnitude of the resistance applied when the pulley 43 rotates can be adjusted. Has become. In the present embodiment, one of the pulleys 43 of the front brake mechanism 42 (this is referred to as a pulley 43c).
Is provided near the endless belt B of the rotating mechanism 16. Thereby, the pulley 4 of the endless belt 44 is
The portion wound around 3c is in contact with the endless belt B, and the endless belt 44 transmits a driving force in a direction to offset the rotation of the rotating pedestal 13 from the endless belt B.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the transport mechanism 5 has a mechanism for holding the can body C on each of the rotating pedestals 13. The can body C has a substantially annular projecting portion T which is substantially concentric with the can body C on the bottom side, which is an axial end thereof. A positioning groove 46 for receiving the portion T and positioning the can body C is formed. The positioning groove 46 is, for example, a V-groove or a trapezoidal groove, and by receiving the protrusion T of the can body C, the can body C is positioned, and between the bottom surface of the can body C and the rotary pedestal 13. The space O to be formed is sealed.

An intake means K for sucking air in a space O formed between the can body C and the rotary base 13 is connected to a portion of the rotary base 13 located on the inner peripheral side of the positioning groove 46. The can body C is held on the rotating base 13 by suction. As the suction means K, for example, a blower or the like can be used. In the present embodiment, the support shaft 12 a is inserted through the center of the rotary pedestal 13, and the distal end surface of the support shaft 12 a is exposed on the inner peripheral side of the positioning groove 46 of the rotary pedestal 13. On the support shaft 12a,
First ventilation path 12 leading from the tip surface to the end on the base 3 side
The first ventilation path 12c is connected to a second ventilation path 12e provided in the transport side turret 12 via a pipe 12d.

As shown in FIG. 5, the transport side turret 12
A substantially annular first sliding plate 51 which is substantially concentric with the transport side turret 12 is fixed to the end surface of the base 3 side. Further, the transport side turret 12 is formed with a plurality of second air passages 12e that extend from the outer peripheral side surface to the surface of the first sliding plate 51 on the base 3 side. These second air passages 12e are respectively connected to the first air passages 1 of the respective support shafts 12a.
2c, they are arranged at substantially equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the first sliding plate 51.
It is connected to the corresponding first ventilation path 12c via 2d. Here, in the transport-side turret 12, each support shaft 12a and the second air passage 12e connected to the first air passage 12c of the support shaft 12a are displaced in the circumferential direction. In the drawings, they are shown in the same figure in order to explain how these connections are made.

A first support plate 52 is provided on the panel 3a of the base 3, and the first support plate 52
A first ventilation plate 53 that is in contact with a surface of the first sliding plate 51 on the base 3 side is fixed. In the first ventilation plate 53,
A substantially arc-shaped first ventilation groove 53a is formed on the contact surface with the first sliding plate 51 over a predetermined angle range with respect to the rotation center of the first sliding plate 51 (FIG. 2). reference).
The angle range in which the first ventilation groove 53a exists is equal to the angle range from the first transfer position P1 to the rotation center of the first slide plate 51 in the rotation direction to immediately before the second transfer position P2 ( In the present embodiment, these phases are shifted by a predetermined angle with respect to the rotation center.) The first ventilation groove 53a has a range from the first delivery position P1 to the rotation direction just before the second delivery position P2 in the second ventilation path 12e opened in the first sliding plate 51. It is configured to be connected to a second ventilation path 12e communicating with the support shaft 12a located inside.

As shown in FIG. 5, the first ventilation groove 53a
Is a third air passage 52a formed in the first support plate 52.
Through the intake means K. The first sliding plate 51 and the first ventilation plate 53 are brought into close contact with each other, and the first sliding plate 51 keeps airtightness with the first ventilation plate 53 in the first state. Slidable in the rotation direction of the transport-side turret 12 with respect to the ventilation plate 53. Here, in the present embodiment, in the first ventilation plate 53, the first ventilation groove 53a extends from a position separated by a predetermined distance from one end of the first ventilation groove 53a to a position separated by a predetermined distance from the other end.
A second ventilation groove 53b that draws an arc concentric with a is provided (see FIG. 2), and an air supply means L (not shown in FIGS. 2 and 5) is connected to the second ventilation groove 53b. (For example, a blower or the like can be used as the air supply means L). The second ventilation groove 53b is formed in the second ventilation path 12e opened in the first sliding plate 51 from immediately after the second delivery position P2 to immediately before the first delivery position P1 in the rotation direction. It is adapted to be connected to a second ventilation path 12e leading to the support shaft 12a in the range. This allows
Air is sent from the air supply means L into the space O formed between the rotating pedestal 13 and the can body C conveyed in this range, and the suction of the can body C to the rotating pedestal 13 is released. This is done reliably.

As shown in FIG. 6, the transport direction switching mechanism 6 includes a delivery turret 14 for sequentially transporting the can body C toward the first transfer path 6a, and a can body C transported by the delivery side turret 14. And a control device 37 for controlling the holding and releasing of the holding of the can body C by the delivery-side turret 14 from the track on the second transfer path 6b to the second transfer path 6b. The control device 37 continues or cancels the holding of the can body C transported on the vacuum conveyor 56 among the can bodies C held by the delivery-side turret 14, thereby changing the transport direction of the can body C to the first direction. It switches to one of the first transfer path 6a and the second transfer path 6b. Here, the position where the delivery of the can body C from the sending-side turret 14 to the vacuum conveyor 56 is performed is referred to as a fourth delivery position P4. A guide 5 for guiding the can body C transported to the third transfer position P3 to the first transfer path 6a is provided on the first transfer path 6a.
7 are provided. The transport path switching mechanism 6 includes
A sensor 37 which detects which of the first transfer path 6a and the second transfer path 6b the can body C received by the sending-side turret 14 has been transferred to and sends it to the control device 37 as a signal.
a is provided. In the present embodiment, near the guide 57, a sensor 37a for detecting the can C transported to the first transfer path 6a by the sending-side turret 14 is provided.

The vacuum conveyor 56 has a belt shape formed in an endless annular shape, and has a conveyor belt in which a large number of through holes penetrated in the thickness direction are formed. The suction means is provided on the inner peripheral side of the conveyor belt. By connecting K and sucking outside air through the through holes, the can body C is adsorbed to the outer peripheral surface of the conveyor belt. Here, as shown in FIG. 7, the vacuum conveyor 56 is connected to the sending turret 14.
It is provided closer to the base 3 and adsorbs the bottom surface of the can body C held by the sending-side turret 14 so as not to interfere with the sending-side turret 14. Further, the suction force of the vacuum conveyor 56 is set lower than the force of the sending-side turret 14 holding the can body C, and when the holding of the can body C by the sending-side turret 14 is not released, the feeding is performed. The side turret 14 conveys the can body C to the first transfer path 6a as it is.

The delivery turret 14 has a plurality of pockets 14b on its outer periphery for holding the can body C. Pocket 1
4b has a curved surface portion corresponding to the outer peripheral surface of the can body C. The curved surface portion is formed with a groove 14c to which the suction means K is connected, so that the can body C can be held in the pocket 14b by suction. It has become. As shown in FIG. 7, a second annular slide plate 58 substantially concentric with the feed-side turret 14 is fixed to an end surface of the feed-side turret 14 facing the side opposite to the base 3. Have been. A plurality of fourth ventilation paths 14d are formed in the delivery turret 14 from the groove 14c of each pocket 14b to the surface of the second sliding plate 58 facing the side opposite to the base 3. . These fourth ventilation passages 14d are bifurcated on the side communicating with the second sliding plate 58, and communicate with two places where the circumferential position of the sending side turret 14 is equal and the radial position is different. ing. Here, in the fourth ventilation path 14d,
The opening end opened to the inner peripheral side of the second sliding plate 58 is defined as the inner peripheral opening end 14e, and the opening end opened to the outer peripheral side is defined as the outer peripheral opening end 14f.

The base 3 is provided with a support 59 that extends from above the base 3 to the end face of the sending-side turret 14 that faces away from the base 3. The second ventilation plate 60 is fixed to the surface of the second sliding plate 58 facing the side opposite to the base 3. In the second ventilation plate 60, the contact surface 60 with the second sliding plate 58
a, a third ventilation groove 60b is formed along at least one of the paths on which the inner peripheral opening end 14e and the outer peripheral opening end 14f move as the second sliding plate 58 rotates. (See FIG. 6). The third ventilation groove 60b is connected to the suction means K, and is located at a third rotation direction from the rotation center of the second sliding plate 58 just before the second transfer position P2. The third ventilation groove 60b is formed in the range immediately before the delivery position P3 (in the present embodiment, the third ventilation groove 60b is divided into two). Here, the third ventilation groove 60b is positioned at least in the same position as the fourth transfer position P4 with respect to the rotation center of the second slide plate 58, and in the position immediately before the third transfer position P3. Then
It is provided only at one of a position facing the trajectory of the inner peripheral side open end 14e and a position facing the trajectory of the outer peripheral side open end 14f. The second sliding plate 58 and the second ventilation plate 60 are in close contact with each other, and the second sliding plate 58
Is slidable relative to the second ventilation plate 60 in the rotation direction of the sending-side turret 14 while maintaining airtightness with the second ventilation plate 60.

The third ventilation groove 60b is provided in the second sliding plate 58
Of the fourth air passage 14d opened to the pocket 14b in a range from immediately before the second transfer position P2 to immediately before the third transfer position P3 in the rotational direction. The pocket 14b located in this range is adapted to adsorb the can body C.

The contact surface 60a of the second ventilation plate 60 has the same phase as the fourth transfer position P4 with respect to the rotation center of the second sliding plate 58, and has the inner peripheral opening end 14e. The air hole 60c is provided at one of the position facing the orbit and the position of the outer peripheral side open end 14f.
The ventilation hole 60c is provided on a side different from the side on which the third ventilation groove 60b is provided, among positions opposed to the trajectory of the inner peripheral opening end 14e or the trajectory of the outer peripheral opening end 14f. The ventilation hole 60c is connected to the air supply means L and the air intake means K through a pipe 60d.
Is provided with a switching valve 61 for switching the connection between the air supply means L and the air intake means K to the ventilation hole 60c. The switching operation of the switching valve 61 is controlled by the control device 37 (in addition to this, for example, the ventilation hole 60c is connected only to the air supply means L, and the piping 60d is
Instead of the switching valve 61, a valve whose opening and closing are controlled by the control device 37 may be provided).

The ventilation hole 60c is provided between the fourth ventilation path 14d opened in the second sliding plate 58 and the fourth ventilation path 1d communicating with the pocket 14b located at the fourth transfer position P4.
4d. In the pocket 14b conveyed to this position, when the air supply means L is connected to the air hole 60c, air is sent from the air supply means L into the fourth air passage 14d through the air hole 60c. Since the internal pressure of the fourth ventilation path 14d and the groove 14c increases, the suction of the can body C is released, or at least the force for adsorbing the can body C decreases. When the intake means K is connected to the ventilation hole 60c, the air in the fourth ventilation path 14d is sucked into the intake means K through both the third ventilation groove 60b and the ventilation hole 60c. The force for attracting the can body C to the pocket 14b is further increased.

Further, the contact surface 60a of the second ventilation plate 60
In addition to the third ventilation groove 60b, the inner peripheral side open end 14
e, a fourth ventilation groove 60e is formed along at least one of the orbits of the outer peripheral side opening end 14f.
The fourth ventilation groove 60e is formed with respect to the rotation center of the second sliding plate 58 over a range from immediately before the third delivery position P3 to near the second delivery position P2 in the rotation direction. In addition, among the positions facing the trajectory of the inner peripheral side opening end 14e or the trajectory of the outer peripheral side opening end 14f, it is provided on a side different from the side where the third ventilation groove 60b is provided. The fourth ventilation groove 60e extends from the position immediately before the third delivery position P3 to the vicinity of the second delivery position P2 in the rotation direction in the fourth ventilation path 14d opened in the second sliding plate 58. Is connected to a fourth ventilation path 14d which leads to the pocket 14b within the range of. The fourth ventilation groove 60e is connected to the air supply means L, or is simply connected to the outside of the second ventilation plate 60, so that the third delivery position P3 of the pocket 14b is connected. In the pocket 14b within the range from immediately before to the vicinity of the second transfer position P2 in the rotation direction, the fourth ventilation path 1
Air is sent (or taken) into 4d,
The suction of the can body C is released, or at least the force for adsorbing the can body C is reduced.

Hereinafter, the operation flow of the can body handling apparatus 1 configured as described above will be described. First,
The can body C taken into the supply mechanism 4 from the previous step is:
When the supply turret 11 rotates intermittently, the turret 11 is transferred to the rotating pedestal 13 of the transport turret 12 at the first transfer position P1. The projecting portion T formed on the bottom surface side of the can body C transferred to the rotating pedestal 13 is received by the positioning groove 46 of the rotating pedestal 13. At this time, the air in the space O formed between the rotating pedestal 13 and the can body C is sucked by the suction means K and the can body C
Is attracted to the rotating base 13. As a result, the bottom of the can body C is held by the rotating base 13.

The rotating turret 12 intermittently rotates, so that the rotating pedestal 1 receiving the can body C is rotated.
3 is carried into the front drive position D, and the belt contact portion 1
The endless belt B of the rotation mechanism 16 abuts on 3a. As a result, the rotating base 13 is rotated by receiving the driving force of the motor 17 via the endless belt B. The can body C carried into the former driving position D in this manner is rotated at a predetermined rotation speed before being carried into the first inspection stage S1. Here, by setting the feed direction of the endless belt B to the direction opposite to the rotation direction α of the transport side turret 12, when the transport side turret 12 rotates intermittently,
Endless belt B by the rotation speed of the transfer side turret 12
And the relative speed of the rotating base 13 with respect to
When the rotary pedestal 13 is carried into the preceding-stage driving position D, the rotation speed of the rotary pedestal 13 in a substantially stationary state can be quickly increased. At the same time, the rotary pedestal 13 located behind the rotary pedestal 13 in the rotation direction of the transport-side turret 12 is transported to the first transfer position P1 and transferred from the supply mechanism 4 to the can body C. Hereinafter, the other rotating pedestals 13 including this rotating pedestal 13
2 is rotated by a predetermined angle, the first rotating base 13 is sequentially rotated.
Will go through the same process.

The rotating pedestal 13 rotated at the pre-stage driving position D is carried into the first inspection stage S1 by further rotating the transport side turret 12. The rotating pedestal 13 has an endless belt B even in the first inspection stage S1.
And rotated. First inspection stage S1
Since the rotating pedestal 13 carried in the first inspection stage has been rotated at the previous-stage driving position D in advance, adjustment of the rotation speed by the rotating mechanism 16 in the first inspection stage S1 is unnecessary or minimal. Here, the first motor 17 is controlled to maintain a constant rotation speed, whereby the rotation speed of the rotation pedestal 13 carried into the first inspection stage S1 is adjusted to be within an appropriate range. Is done.

The surface inspection apparatus 2 waits for a predetermined time required for adjusting the rotation speed (this time can be changed by setting) after the rotation pedestal 13 is carried into the first inspection stage S1. A surface inspection of the can body C held by the rotating pedestal 13 is performed. Here, the surface inspection device 2 repeatedly performs imaging of the same can C as needed. And
After finishing the surface inspection of the can body C in the first inspection stage S1 (or after a lapse of a predetermined time), the first inspection stage S1
The rotating pedestal 13 carried into the turret 1 again
2 is carried into the second inspection stage S2 by being rotated by a predetermined angle. In the second inspection stage S2, the surface inspection of the can body C is performed in the same manner as in the first inspection stage S1. After finishing the surface inspection (or after a lapse of a predetermined time), the rotating pedestal 13 carried into the second inspection stage S2 is again rotated by the predetermined angle by the transport side turret 12, so that the second inspection stage S2 is rotated. It is carried out from.

Then, the rotary pedestal 13 carried out of the second inspection stage S2 is transported to the pre-braking position G by being moved two steps in the rotation direction α by the rotation of the transport turret 12. Here, by setting the feed direction of the endless belt B to the same direction as the rotation direction α of the transport side turret 12, when the transport turret 12 rotates intermittently, only the rotation speed of the transport turret 12 is sufficient. In addition, the speed of the endless belt B becomes relatively slower than the rotation speed of the rotating pedestal 13, and a braking force acts on the rotating pedestal 13.
As a result, at the position where the rotating pedestal 13 is separated from the endless belt B, the rotating pedestal 13 is separated from the endless belt B in a decelerated state. The rotation speed can be reduced in advance. The outer periphery of the rotating pedestal 13 carried into the pre-braking position G is brought into contact with the endless belt 44 of the pre-braking mechanism 42. As a result, a frictional resistance is applied to the rotating base 13 from the endless belt 44, and the endless belt 44 is pulled in the circumferential direction by the rotation of the rotating base 13 due to the frictional force. It is sent out in the circumferential direction while causing extension in the direction. The rotational energy of the rotating pedestal 13 and the can body C is used to cause the endless belt 44 to extend and to rotate the pulley 43 via the endless belt 44, and the rotating pedestal 13 and the can body C are rotated. Rotation is suppressed,
The rotation is decelerated or stopped. At this time, since the endless belt 44 is sent out in the circumferential direction by the rotating pedestal 13, the endless belt 44 always comes into contact with the subsequent rotating pedestal 13 at a different portion. As a result, the endless belt 44 is not locally worn, has a long service life, and is able to make the braking force on the rotating pedestal 13 hard to decline. Further, in the present embodiment, the rotation mechanism 1 is attached to the pulley 43 c around which the endless belt 44 is wound in the front brake mechanism 42.
The endless belt B is wound around the endless belt 44.
Since the driving force is transmitted in such a direction as to suppress the rotation of the rotary pedestal 13, the braking force on the rotary pedestal 13 can be further increased.

Then, when the transport side turret 12 rotates again by a predetermined angle, the rotary pedestal 13 transported to the pre-braking position G is transported to the second transfer position P2. The outer periphery of the rotating pedestal 13 transported to the second transfer position P <b> 2 abuts on the endless belt 44 of the brake mechanism 41. Thus, the rotating pedestal 13 previously decelerated or stopped by the preceding brake mechanism 42 is further braked. Then, the rotating pedestal 13 is moved by the brake mechanism 41.
After the rotation of the can body C is suppressed, the transfer of the can body C from the rotary base 13 to the transport direction switching mechanism 6 is performed.

The delivery of the can body C is performed by the turret 1 on the transport side.
2 is further rotated to move the rotary pedestal 13 from the second transfer position P2 in the rotation direction α to release the suction of the can body C by the suction means K, and at the same time, the transfer of the transport direction switching mechanism 6 This is performed by receiving the can body C by the side turret 14. Here, since the rotation of the can body C is suppressed by the pre-brake mechanism 42 before being conveyed to the brake mechanism 41, the rotation of the can body C can be stopped more reliably, and the surface of the can body C Scratches can be reduced.

The can body C delivered to the transport direction switching mechanism 6
Is based on the inspection results in the first and second inspection stages S1 and S2, based on the inspection results, the defective cans pass through a first transfer path 6a provided separately from the production line, and the good cans pass through a subsequent processing step. It is sent out to the second transfer path 6b. Transfer side turret 1
The delivery-side turret 14 that has received the can body C from 2 holds the can body C by suctioning the outer peripheral surface thereof, and conveys the can body C toward the first transfer path 6a.

Then, the control device 37 controls the surface inspection device 2
In the case where the can body C is a good can, the switching valve 61 is operated at the time when the can body C is transported to the fourth transfer position P4 to communicate with the air supply means L. Pores 60c
And connect. As a result, air is supplied into the fourth ventilation path 14d communicating with the pocket 14b holding the can body C, and the suction of the can body by the sending-side turret 14 is released or the can body C is sucked. Since the force is lower than the force of the vacuum conveyor 56 adsorbing the can body C, the can body C is transferred to the vacuum conveyor and transported to the second transfer path 6b.

If the can C is defective, the control device 37 operates the switching valve 61 to connect the intake means K to the vent hole 60c. Thus, the suction of the can body C in the pocket 14b located at the fourth transfer position P4 is continued, and the can body C, which is a defective can, is removed from the first transfer path 6a.
Conveyed toward. Here, the intake means K and the vent hole 60
c is connected to the pocket 1 for holding a defective can.
Since the air in the fourth ventilation path 14d communicating with the fourth ventilation path 4b is sucked through both the third ventilation groove 60b and the ventilation hole 60c, the force for attracting the can body C to the pocket 14b is sufficiently secured, and It becomes difficult to release the adsorption of C carelessly. Here, the can body C conveyed from the fourth transfer position P4 to the third transfer position P3 is detected by the sensor 37a as to whether the can 37 is reliably conveyed toward the first transfer path 6a. The sensor 37
If the passage of the defective can is not detected by a, the control device 37 stops the can body handling device 1 because there is a possibility that the defective can is dropped or sent to the second transfer path 6b. .

Then, the pocket 14b for holding the defective can
Reaches the vicinity of the third transfer position P3, the fourth ventilation path 14d communicating with the pocket 14b is connected to the fourth ventilation groove 60e. As a result, air is supplied into the fourth ventilation path 14d communicating with the pocket 14b holding the can body C, and the suction of the can body by the sending-side turret 14 is released. Then, the can body C released from the suction to the pocket 14b is guided by the guide 57 to the first transfer path 6a and is sent into the first transfer path 6a.

In this way, the cans C are sorted into good and bad cans, and the good cans are sent out to the second transfer path 6b and the bad cans are sent out to the first transfer path 6a. Here, the control device 37 stores at least the inspection results of the defective cans among the inspection results of the can body C, and the defective cans are sent to the first transfer path 6a in the order of the inspection. It is possible to know which can body C has what kind of defect, and use it for investigating the cause of the defect in the manufacturing process of the can body.

According to the thus-configured can body transporting apparatus 1, the can body C is preliminarily rotated at a stage preceding the inspection stage (previous stage driving position D), and therefore, the rise time of the rotation of the can body at the inspection stage. (Adjustment time) can be reduced. This makes it easy or unnecessary to adjust the rotation speed of the can body C in the inspection stage, and stabilizes the rotation of the can body C, thereby improving the accuracy and efficiency of surface inspection. In addition, the driving force of the motor 17 of the rotation mechanism 16 is transmitted to the rotating pedestal 13 via the endless belt B, and the endless belt B does not contact the can body C. Does not damage the surface.

The rotation of the can body C carried out from each inspection stage is suppressed by the pre-stage brake mechanism 42 before being subjected to braking by the brake mechanism 41 for suppressing the rotation of the can body C. The rotation of the cylinder is more reliably suppressed, and the surface of the cylinder C is less likely to be damaged when the cylinder C is transferred from the transport mechanism 5 to the delivery turret 14. In the brake mechanism 41 and the front brake mechanism 42, the rotation of the can body is suppressed by bringing the endless belt 44 into contact with the rotating pedestal 13 holding the can body C, and the endless belt 44 does not directly contact the can body. Therefore, when suppressing the rotation of the can body C, the surface of the can body C is not damaged.

When the can body conveyed to the delivery-side turret 14 is transferred to a second transfer path 6b provided at an intermediate position of the track on which the can body C is conveyed, the can body C is transferred to the vacuum conveyor 56. Is transferred to the second transfer path 6b, the can body C can be reliably transferred to the second transfer path 6b, and the can body C sent out to the second transfer path 6b is sent out by the vacuum conveyor 56. Since it is quickly separated from the side turret 14, it is possible to avoid interference with the subsequent can body C and the delivery-side turret 14, and it is possible to increase the transport speed of the can body C by the can body handling device 1.

Here, in the above-described embodiment, an example is shown in which the transport direction switching mechanism 6 sends out a defective can to the first transfer path 6a and sends a good can to the second transfer path 6b. Without being limited to this, good cans may be sent out to the first transfer path 6a, and defective cans may be sent out to the second transfer path 6b. In the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which the brake mechanism 41 and the front brake mechanism 42 are configured by the plurality of pulleys 43 and the endless belt 44 wound around these pulleys 43. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. A rubber roller that can contact the outer periphery of the pedestal 13 may be used, or a brake pad that can contact the outer periphery of the rotating pedestal 13 may be used. Further, the brake mechanism 41 and the preceding brake mechanism 42 may be configured by different mechanisms.

[Second Embodiment] Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG.
Is a plan view showing a configuration of a front brake mechanism of the can body handling device of the present embodiment, FIG. 9 is a side sectional view showing a configuration of the front brake mechanism of the present embodiment, and FIG. FIG. 2 is an enlarged plan view showing the configuration. The main feature of the can body handling device 71 of the present embodiment is that a front brake mechanism 72 is provided instead of the front brake mechanism 42 in the can body handling device 1 described in the first embodiment. In the following, in the can body handling device 71, the same or similar members as those of the can body handling device 1 shown in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

The front brake mechanism 72 is disposed between the transport side turret 12 and the endless belt B of the rotating mechanism 16 adjacent to the front brake position G on the front panel 3a of the base 3. A rotating shaft 73 provided on the front side of the panel 3a so as to be substantially parallel to the rotating axis of the rotating pedestal 13 of the transport side turret 12 and rotatable around its own axis. It is provided coaxially and has a belt contact portion 13a of the rotating base 13 at the outer periphery.
A wheel 74 that can be brought into contact with
And a load mechanism 75 for applying a load to the rotation about the axis of. In the present embodiment, the front brake mechanism 7
2 is provided with a wheel position adjusting mechanism 76 for adjusting the relative position of the wheel 74 with respect to the transport side turret 12, and by adjusting the relative position of the wheel 74 with respect to the transport side turret 12, The contact pressure with respect to the rotating pedestal 13 can be adjusted so as to be within an appropriate range.

The rotating shaft 73 is attached to the panel 3a via a wheel position adjusting mechanism 76. The rotating shaft 73 is moved by the wheel position adjusting mechanism 76 together with the wheel 74 so as to approach or separate from the transport side turret 12. It is possible to move. The end of the rotating shaft 73 on the side of the base 3 is supported by a wheel position adjusting mechanism 76 via a bearing 77, whereby the rotating shaft 73 is rotatable around the axis. In this embodiment, the bearing 77 is a sealed bearing having a higher rotational resistance than a normal bearing, and the bearing 77 constitutes a load mechanism 75 for applying a load to the rotation of the rotating shaft 73, that is, the rotation of the wheel 74. are doing.

The wheel 74 has a substantially disc shape, and a ring-shaped frictional resistance applying member 79 made of a material having a high friction coefficient such as rubber is fixedly and removably attached to the outer peripheral surface thereof. Have been. Also, the wheel 74
A flange portion 74a for holding the frictional resistance applying member 79 is provided along the entire circumference at both ends in the axial direction on the outer peripheral surface of the member. Here, the wheel 74 including the frictional resistance imparting member 79 may be made heavier (weight may be added), the weight may be distributed so that the outer peripheral side is heavier than the inner peripheral side, or the outer diameter may be increased. Thus, the inertial force in the rotational direction is larger than that of the rotary pedestal 13 including the can body C.

The frictional resistance applying member 79 has a ring shape that is wide in the axial direction. In the present embodiment, the outer peripheral portion 79a and the inner peripheral portion 79b of the frictional resistance applying member 79 are formed by different members. ing. The outer peripheral portion 79a which receives the outer periphery of the rotating pedestal 13 is relatively hard (for example, hardness of 85 ° to 95 °) such as hard rubber or rubber mixed with metal powder so that abrasion due to contact with the rotating pedestal 13 is suppressed. A material having high abrasion resistance is used. Further, in order to absorb the shock when the frictional resistance applying member 79 comes into contact with the rotating base 13 and improve the contact with the rotating base 13, the inner peripheral portion 79b has a relatively soft material such as soft rubber (for example, soft rubber). Hardness 5
0 ° ~ 60 °) and shock absorption performance (vibration absorption performance)
High material is used. Here, the inner peripheral portion 79b is pressed into the inner peripheral side of the outer peripheral portion 79a so that the outer peripheral portion 7b is pressed.
9a so that no slippage occurs between the outer peripheral portion 79a.
a. As a result, when the outer peripheral portion 79a is worn due to contact with the rotating pedestal 13, the outer peripheral portion 7
By replacing only 9a and reusing the inner peripheral portion 79b, the cost for replacing the frictional resistance applying member 79 can be reduced.

The wheel position adjusting mechanism 76 is provided on the panel 3a of the base 3 and extends in the radial direction of the transport side turret 12 provided so as to penetrate from the front side to the inside of the base 3.
and a slide plate 81 provided inside the base 3 of the panel 3a so as to straddle the elongated hole 3b in the width direction and to adjust the position of the elongated hole 3b along the longitudinal direction. . A bearing 77 for supporting the rotating shaft 73 is provided on the slide plate 81 at a position facing the elongated hole 3b.
And is supported by the panel 3a via the slide plate 81.

In the slide plate 81, at a position facing the long hole 3b, it projects to the front side of the panel 3a through the long hole 3b, engages with the inner surface of the long hole 3b, and
Engaging portion 81a for guiding the first member 1 along the longitudinal direction of the long hole 3b
Is provided. In addition, a slot-shaped insertion hole 81b penetrating from the front side to the inside of the base 3 and extending along the longitudinal direction of the slot 3b is formed at a position facing the panel 3a on the slide plate 81. The slide plate 81 is
It is fixed to the panel 3a by being screwed to the panel 3a by a bolt 82 inserted into the insertion hole 81b. When the bolt 82 is loosened, the slide plate 81 relatively moves the bolt 82 along the longitudinal direction of the insertion hole 81b, and is guided by the engaging portion 81a in the longitudinal direction of the elongated hole 3b. The rotary shaft 73 can be moved along the longitudinal direction of the elongated hole 3b.

On the front surface of the panel 3a,
A guide member 83 is provided on the opposite side of the transport-side turret 12 across the engagement portion 81a. The guide member 83 has, on the side facing the engaging portion 81a, a guide surface 83a inclined with respect to an end surface 81c of the engaging portion 81a facing the side opposite to the transport side turret 12. In the present embodiment, the guide surface 83a is inclined with respect to the end surface 81c when viewed from the front side of the panel 3a. The angle between the surface 84a facing the engaging portion 81a and the surface 84b facing the guide member 83 is between the engaging portion 81a and the guide member 83, and the angle between the end surface 81c and the guide surface 83a.
And a wedge member 84 which is substantially equal to the angle formed by the wedge member 84 is provided. The position of the wedge member 84 can be adjusted by the wedge member position adjustment mechanism 85 along the guide surface 83a of the guide member 83 and along the direction in which the distance between the end surface 81c and the guide surface 83a changes. In the present embodiment, the wedge member position adjusting mechanism 85
a, a screw shaft 85b having one end inserted through the bearing 85a and the other end attached to the wedge member 84, and a wedge member 84 in the bearing 85a. And a nut 85c provided on the surface facing the opposite side and screwed to the screw shaft 85b.

In the wheel position adjusting mechanism 76, the screw shaft 85b is moved in the axial direction by operating the nut 85c of the wedge member position adjusting mechanism 85, and the wedge member 84 is moved.
Along the guide surface 83a with the end surface 81c and the guide surface 83.
By moving in the direction in which the interval of a becomes narrow, the engaging portion 81a is pressed toward the transport-side turret 12 by the surface 84a of the wedge member 84 facing the engaging portion 81a, and the rotating shaft 73 and the slide plate 81 together. The wheel 74 can be moved toward the transport side turret 12.

In the thus configured can body handling device 71, the outer periphery of the wheel 74 is brought into contact with the rotating pedestal 13 via the frictional resistance applying member 79, so that the frictional resistance applying member 79 and the rotating pedestal As a result, a frictional force acts on the wheel 74 and the wheel 74 rotates together with the rotating base 13. Thus, the can body C and the rotating pedestal 13
Is transmitted to the wheel 74 and is converted into rotational energy of the wheel 74, so that the rotation of the can body C and the rotary pedestal 13 is suppressed. At this time,
The rotational energy of the can body C and the rotating pedestal 13 substantially acts only to rotate the wheel 74. Then, a load for rotation is applied to the wheel 74 by the load mechanism 75, and even if the rotation energy of the can body C and the rotation pedestal 13 is received, the rotation energy is consumed and the rotation speed of the wheel 74 is suppressed. Subsequent can body C and rotating pedestal 13 are similarly braked.

Here, the rotary pedestal 13 is, for example, 1500
It is rotated at a high speed of about rotation / min. In the pre-brake mechanism 42 shown in the first embodiment, the rotational energy of the rotating pedestal 13 and the can body C is stored in the endless belt 4.
4 is also used to cause extension, so that a slip may occur between the rotating base 13 and the endless belt 44. On the other hand, in the pre-brake mechanism 72 used in the can body handling apparatus 71 of the present embodiment, the wheel 74 rotates together with the rotating base 13, so that the rotating base 1
The rotation energy of the wheel 3 acts almost only to rotate the wheel 74, so that a slip does not easily occur between the rotary base 13 and the frictional resistance applying member 79, and the rotation of the can body C and the rotary base 13 is more effective. Can be suppressed.
Further, as described above, the rotating base 13 and the frictional resistance applying member 79
And the rotational energy of the rotary pedestal 13 acts almost only to rotate the wheel 74. Therefore, the load applied to the frictional resistance applying member 79 is reduced to reduce wear, and the frictional resistance applying member is reduced. 79 can have a longer life.

The configuration of the front brake mechanism 72 that brakes the rotary pedestal 13 at the front brake position G may be applied to a brake mechanism that brakes the rotary pedestal 13 at the second transfer position P2. Rotary pedestal 1 at transfer position P2
The rotation speed of the rotation base 3 is sufficiently reduced, while the braking mechanism is required to have the ability to reliably stop the rotation of the rotation base 13 rather than the ability to decelerate the rotation base 13. It is desirable to adopt the configuration shown in the embodiment.

The load mechanism 75 can have any structure, for example, the structure shown in the side sectional view of FIG. Hereinafter, the example shown in FIG. 11 will be described. In this example, instead of the bearing 77 with a seal that supports the rotating shaft 73, the bearing 7 that supports the rotating shaft 73 in a state where the rotating shaft 73 is inserted inside the base 3.
A guide rod 86 is provided fixedly at the end of the rotation shaft 73 inside the base 3 so as to be coaxial with the rotation shaft 73 and protrude further inside the base 3 than the bearing 77a. The inner surface of the base 3 of the slide portion 81 is surrounded by a gap around the inner end of the base 3 of the rotating shaft 73 while forming a gap, so that the inner surface of the wall 8 has a substantially cylindrical shape.
7 are provided, and an elastic body 88 is provided over the entire inner periphery of the wall portion 87. In the present embodiment, an O-ring is used as the elastic body 88.

The guide rod 86 is provided with a pressing member 89 having a substantially annular flat base 89a through which the guide rod 86 is inserted, and a cylindrical portion 89b extending from the base 89a toward the panel 3a. I have. The cylindrical portion 89b
The inner diameter is larger than the outer diameter of the rotating shaft 73, and the outer peripheral surface is smaller in diameter at the front end on the panel 3a side than the inner diameter of the elastic body 88 in the wall portion 87, and moves from the front end toward the base 89a side. The diameter is gradually increased so that the base portion 89 has a substantially conical surface shape whose diameter is larger than the inner diameter of the elastic body 88. The guide rod 86 is provided with a detent 86a that engages with the base 89a to prevent the base 89a from rotating relative to the guide rod 86 in the circumferential direction. In the guide rod 86, a coil spring 91 is inserted into the base 3 inside the pressing member 89, and a washer 92 that receives an end of the coil spring 91 is inserted into the base 3 inside the coil spring 91, Further, a nut 93 for receiving the washer 92 and preventing the washer 92 from dropping off the guide rod 86 is screwed to the base 3 inside the washer 92. Here, the coil spring 91 is provided in a compressed state between the pressing member 89 and the washer 92, and the pressing member 89 is provided between the outer peripheral surface of the distal end portion of the cylindrical portion 89b and the wall portion 87. Elastic body 8
8 is urged toward the inner peripheral surface of the wall portion 87 by the coil spring 91 in a state where the position 8 is located.

In this configuration, since the pressing member 89 is urged by the coil spring 92 in a direction to insert the cylindrical portion 89b into the wall portion 87, the elastic body 88 is formed by the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 89b. Of the pressing member 89 and the wall portion 87, frictional resistance is generated between the pressing member 89 and the wall portion 87. Since the rotation of the pressing member 89 with respect to the guide rod 86 is restricted, the pressing member 8 and the wall 8
The friction between the guide rod 86 and the guide rod 86
, That is, the rotation of the rotating shaft 73 is subjected to a load. The magnitude of the load can be adjusted by adjusting the urging force of the pressing member 89 by the coil spring 92. For example, by increasing the urging force of the pressing member 89 by the coil spring 92, the elastic body 88 is pressed more strongly against the inner surface of the wall portion 87 by the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 89 b, and between the pressing member 89 and the wall portion 87. The generated frictional resistance can be increased. The coil spring 9
By reducing the urging force of the pressing member 89 by 2, the force of pressing the elastic body 88 against the inner surface of the wall portion 87 by the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 89 b is reduced, and between the pressing member 89 and the wall portion 87. The generated frictional resistance can be reduced. In this example, the bearing 77a may be a sealed bearing.

[0070]

According to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.
According to the can body handling device of the first aspect, the rise time can be reduced as compared with the conventional can body handling device in which the can body is rotated only at the processing stage as in the related art. Further, since the rotation of the can body in the processing stage is stabilized, adjustment of the rotation speed of the can body in the processing stage becomes easy or unnecessary, and the rising time can be further reduced.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the driving force of the rotating mechanism is transmitted to the rotary pedestal holding the can body via the endless belt, and the endless belt does not contact the can body. When rotating the body, the surface of the can body is not damaged.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the rotation of the can body conveyed from the processing stage can be suppressed by the front brake mechanism before being subjected to braking by the brake mechanism for suppressing the rotation of the can body. In addition, the rotation of the can body by the brake mechanism is more reliably suppressed, and the surface of the can body is less likely to be damaged when the can body is transferred from the transport mechanism to, for example, the can body receiving means.

According to the can body handling device of the fourth aspect, the rotation of the can body is suppressed by bringing the frictional resistance applying member into contact with the rotating pedestal holding the can body, and the frictional resistance applying member is rotated. Does not directly contact the surface of the can body, so that the surface of the can body is not damaged when the rotation of the can body is suppressed.

According to the can body handling device of the present invention, the wheel receives the rotational energy of the can body and the rotating base and rotates together with the rotating base by bringing the outer periphery of the wheel into contact with the rotating base. It will be. In this manner, the rotation energy of the rotating pedestal is transmitted to the wheel and converted into the rotating energy of the wheel, whereby the rotation of the can body and the rotating pedestal is suppressed. Further, since the wheel rotates together with the rotating pedestal, the rotational energy of the rotating pedestal acts almost only to rotate the wheel, so that slipping does not easily occur between the rotating pedestal and the wheel, and rotation of the can body and the rotating pedestal. Can be suppressed more effectively. Further, since a load for rotation is applied to the wheel by the load means and rotational energy is consumed, even if rotational energy is received from the can body and the rotating base, the rotational energy is consumed and the rotational speed of the wheel is increased. Therefore, the subsequent can body and the rotary base can be similarly braked.

According to the can body handling device of the sixth aspect, when the can body conveyed to the second turret is transferred to the transfer path from a midway point of the conveyed track, the can body is moved to the vacuum conveyor. As a result, the can body can be reliably transported to the target transfer path. Also, since the can body sent to the transfer path is quickly separated from the second turret by the vacuum conveyor, interference with the subsequent can body and the second turret can be avoided, and the can body can be handled by the can body handling device. The transport speed can be increased.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view schematically showing a surface inspection device using a can body handling device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a main part of the can body handling device shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a plan view illustrating a structure of a brake mechanism and a front brake mechanism according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a side sectional view showing a shape of a rotary pedestal used in the can body handling device of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a side sectional view showing a structure of a transport mechanism.

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing the structure of a transport direction switching mechanism.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a front view showing a configuration of a main part of a can body handling device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a side sectional view showing a configuration of a front brake mechanism according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged front view showing a configuration of a front brake mechanism according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a side sectional view showing another example of the configuration of the front brake mechanism.

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference Signs List 1 can body handling device 2 surface inspection device (processing device) 5 transport mechanism 6 transport direction switching mechanism 6a first transport path 12 transport side turret (first turret) 13 rotating pedestal 13a belt contact portion 14 delivery side turret ( Second turret) 16 Rotary mechanism 17 Motor (drive device) 37 Control device 41 Brake mechanism 42, 72 Pre-stage brake mechanism 44 Endless belt (friction resistance imparting member) 56 Vacuum conveyor 74 Wheel 75 Load mechanism B Endless belt C Can body S1 , S2 First and second inspection stages (processing stages)

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor: Hiroshi Hama, Katsuhiro Hino, Ichino-cho, Asago-gun, Hyogo Prefecture 985, Ino-no-no, 9-1 Ino, Mitsubishi Materials Corporation (72) Inventor: Shinichi Kiyota, Ikuno-cho, Asago-gun, Hyogo Kaku Ginya character Ino 985 No. 1 Mitsubishi Materials Corporation Ikuno Works (72) Inventor Yasuka Tachibana Hyogo prefecture Asago-gun Ikuno Town Ichino Ino No. 985 No. 1 Mitsubishi Materials Corporation Ikuno Works F-term (Reference) 3F072 AA07 AA27 GB07 GB10 GE02 GE03 GE09 KC02 KC07 KC09 KC12 KC14 KE12 KE13

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A can body handling apparatus used in a processing apparatus for performing processing on a bottomed cylindrical can body rotating around an axis on a processing stage, wherein the can body before processing is sequentially placed on the processing stage. A transport mechanism for carrying in and sequentially carrying out the processed can body from the processing stage, and a rotating mechanism for rotating the can body transported by the transport mechanism around an axis thereof, wherein the transport mechanism includes: A first turret that holds the can body at a plurality of locations on its outer periphery and sequentially conveys the can body by rotating in a circumferential direction, the rotating mechanism is wound around the outer periphery of the first turret. An endless belt to be turned, and a driving device for rotating the endless belt, wherein the endless belt is, among the can bodies held by the first turret, a can body carried into at least the processing stage. The endless belt is in contact with the can body conveyed immediately before the processing stage, and the endless belt is rotated by the driving device to rotate these can bodies in the same direction around the axis thereof, A can body handling device which is in contact with these can bodies. 2. The first turret has a plurality of rotating pedestals that hold an end of the can body in the axial direction and are rotatable together with the can body about the axis thereof. A belt abutting portion for receiving the endless belt on the outer periphery, wherein the endless belt is wound around the belt abutting portion of the rotating pedestal instead of abutting on the can body, and the rotating pedestal is 2. The can body handling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the body is rotated together with the can body. 3. A brake mechanism for suppressing rotation of a can body carried out of the processing stage by the transfer mechanism, wherein the brake mechanism is provided between the processing stage and the brake mechanism independently of the brake mechanism. The can body handling apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a front brake mechanism for suppressing rotation of the can body carried out of the processing stage. 4. A brake mechanism for suppressing rotation of the can body carried out of the processing stage by the transfer mechanism, wherein the brake mechanism is provided between the processing stage and the brake mechanism independently of the brake mechanism. A pre-brake mechanism for suppressing rotation of the can body carried out of the processing stage, wherein the brake mechanism and the pre-brake mechanism each include a frictional resistance applying member capable of contacting the rotating pedestal. The can body handling device according to claim 2, wherein 5. A brake mechanism for suppressing rotation of a can body carried out of the processing stage by the transport mechanism, wherein the brake mechanism is provided between the processing stage and the brake mechanism independently of the brake mechanism. A pre-brake mechanism for suppressing rotation of the can body unloaded from the processing stage, of the brake mechanism or the pre-brake mechanism,
At least one of the wheels has an outer periphery that can be brought into contact with the rotary pedestal, and has a wheel that is rotatable in its own circumferential direction, and a load unit that applies a load to the wheel with respect to its rotation. The can body handling device according to claim 2, wherein 6. A transport direction switching mechanism that receives the processed can body from the transport mechanism and selectively sends out the processed can body to one of a plurality of transport paths. A second turret that holds the can body at a plurality of locations and sequentially conveys the can body toward a first transfer path by rotating in a circumferential direction, and the can that is conveyed to the second turret A vacuum conveyor that is provided from the orbit of the drum to another transfer path and is capable of transporting the can drum to the transfer path; and a control that controls holding and release of the can drum by the second turret. The control device, the control device, of the can body held by the second turret, by continuing or releasing the holding of the can body transported on the vacuum conveyor, the can Conveying direction of body Can body handling apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that is adapted to perform switching 5.