JP2002114293A - Capper and capping method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To sterilize by means of ultraviolet ray a fitting protrusion and its vicinity of a cap conveyer placed on a previous stage of a cap mounting and fastening machine, a chuck of a capping head or the like by using an ultraviolet sterilization means to prevent bacteria or the like from attaching to a cap via the fitting protrusion, the chuck or the like. SOLUTION: The capper comprises the cap mounting and fastening machine 12 having the capping head 40 to which a bottle 6 filled with contents is fed and which mounts a cap 1 on a mouth 6a of the bottle 6, the cap conveyer 14 having the fitting protrusion 20 to be fitted into a hole of the cap 1 for carrying the cap 1 held on the protrusion 20 to a catching position 32b where it is captured by the capping head 40, and an ultraviolet sterilizer 70 for radiating ultraviolet rays at least to the fitting protrusion 20 of the conveyer 14 for sterilization.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a bottle (resin, glass,
Ceramic or metal. The present invention relates to a cap mounting apparatus and a cap mounting method for mounting a cap (regardless of resin or metal) at the mouth of ().
The present invention relates to a cap mounting apparatus and a cap mounting method for maintaining a portion in contact with the cap and a peripheral portion thereof in a hygiene period from immediately before holding the cap to mounting the cap on the mouth of the bottle.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In general, as containers for natural water, coffee drinks, fruit drinks, milk, health drinks, drugs (solutions, tablets, powders, etc.), processed foods, etc., there are resin bottles, glass bottles, and the like. And metal cans are widely used. Among such containers, for example, a PET bottle, which is an example of a resin bottle, is configured by a combination of a bottle formed using polyethylene terephthalate as a main material and a resin cap of the same type or a different type. Also when using this PET bottle, the bottle and the cap are used after being sterilized individually, similarly to other containers such as a glass bottle.

[0003] Conventional PET bottles are used as containers for contents such as beverages, for example, as follows. In this case, the resin bottle and the resin cap are manufactured separately and independently, carried into a manufacturing plant for beverages, etc., and supplied to the manufacturing line at a time. First, the resin bottle is sterilized by, for example, ultraviolet rays, chemicals, sterilized water or hot water, and then sufficiently washed with pure water or the like, and then supplied to a rotary filling machine (filler) to remove the contents. Will be filled. The bottle filled with the contents is transferred to a cap mounting tightening machine (cap seamer) which is the next cap mounting step via a bottle supplying machine.

On the other hand, resin caps are similarly sterilized by direct heating or indirect heating with ultraviolet rays, chemicals, sterilizing water or hot water, and washed with pure water or the like as necessary. The cap thus sterilized is transferred to a cap mounting and tightening machine by a cap chute.
The cap sent to the cap mounting and tightening machine is put on the mouth of the bottle, and is wound and fixed by the capping head.

In this case, when the cap is a conventional resin cap or aluminum cap having no mechanical band, the opening of the cap can be hooked and fitted to the mouth of the bottle. The work of attaching to the part is easy. By turning the cap with the capping head and tightening it in the cap fitted state in which the cap is attached to the mouth, the cap can be easily attached to the mouth of the bottle.

However, a need has arisen to visually clarify (tamper-evidence) whether or not the cap has been opened since a certain time (the case of toxic contamination). ) Is provided with a mechanical band portion. For this reason, some catching systems for old resin caps or aluminum caps (hereinafter referred to as "old caps") without a mechanical band portion may be used.
It is no longer possible to install the new cap.
Fig. 2 shows the mechanical band of this new cap.
0 will be described.

FIG. 20 shows a cross section of a part of the new type cap. The new cap 1 includes a cylindrical cap body 2 having a closed upper surface, and a ring-shaped mechanical band portion 3 formed continuously and integrally with the opening side of the cap body 2. Cap body 2
A cut 4 like a perforation is provided at the boundary between the mechanical cap 3 and the mechanical band 3 so that the new cap 1 can be easily broken from the cut 4.

A seal member 5 which abuts on the end face of the mouth of the bottle and provides top pressure is provided in close contact with the inner surface of the upper surface of the cap body 2 and is integrally provided therewith. A screw portion 2a is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the cap body 2 by continuously intermittently spirally projecting a convex portion having a mountain-shaped cross section. On the other hand, a large number of tab-like projections 3a projecting inward in the radial direction are provided on the inner peripheral surface of the mechanical band portion 3. By engaging these projections 3a with the flange provided at the mouth of the bottle, the mouth is sealed by the cap body 2, and the new cap 1 is integrally attached to the mouth of the bottle.

In this case, when the cap body 2 and the mechanical band portion 3 are connected by the connecting portion of the cut 4, it is possible to clearly recognize visually that the cap has not been opened. On the other hand, by grasping and turning the cap body 2, the new type cap 1 is broken from the cut 4 and separated into the cap body 2 and the mechanical band portion 3. Thereby, while the mechanical band part 3 remains at the mouth of the bottle, the cap main body 2 is detached from the mouth and the opening of the bottle is exposed.

In the new type cap 1 having such a configuration, the projections 3a provided on the mechanical band portion 3 are projected radially inward over the entire circumference, and the inner diameter of the projections 3a is equal to the inner diameter of the bottle mouth. Because it is smaller than the outer diameter,
When the cap was attached, the new cap 1 could not be hooked on the mouth of the bottle and fitted. Therefore, in the new cap 1, it was difficult to attach the cap to the mouth of the bottle using the conventional cap-in-head method as described above.

Therefore, a new cap-in-head system corresponding to the new cap 1 has been devised. In the new cap-in-head system, in a mass processing apparatus, a plurality of capping heads sequentially grasp caps one by one, move the capping head above the bottle, and move the capping head to a predetermined position on the movement trajectory. It is configured to attach caps one by one to the mouth of the bottle at the position. In an apparatus for small-quantity processing, one cap is gripped by one capping head, a bottle is transferred directly below the capping head, and a cap is attached to the mouth of the bottle to perform capping one by one. It is configured as follows.

For example, in the case of a mass processing apparatus having a plurality of capping heads, the cap is transferred in synchronization with the rotational movement of the capping head. At the end of the cap transfer line, the cap is transferred by the plurality of capping heads. Caps are successively held one by one. The bottle is transported in synchronization with the rotational movement of the capping head holding the cap, the capping head moves above the bottle, and the cap is aligned with the mouth of the bottle. Further, in the case of a small-volume processing apparatus to which one capping head is attached, the capping head can only move up and down without rotating. Then, the bottle is transferred directly below the capping head, and the cap is aligned with the mouth. From this aligned state, the cap is pressed against the mouth of the bottle while rotating the capping head, and the protrusion of the mechanical band is elastically deformed so as to get over the flange. Thus, the new cap can be attached to the mouth of the bottle.

For this reason, at a catching position where the cap is gripped by the capping head, a cap transfer machine is provided as a preceding stage of the cap mounting and tightening machine. The cap transfer device transfers the sterilized cap discharged from the cap chute to the catching position in synchronization with the movement of the capping head. Therefore, the cap transfer device of the mass processing apparatus includes a base plate on which the cap is placed, and a transfer member that slides on the base plate to transfer the cap to a catching position. Further, the cap transfer device of the apparatus for small-quantity processing is provided with a transfer lever for transferring the sterilized cap discharged from the cap chute to the position of the capping head. The transfer lever has a fitting protrusion fitted into the hole of the cap, and the cap is gripped by fitting the fitting protrusion into the hole of the cap.

Thus, the sterilized or clean cap discharged from the cap chute is slid on the base plate by the rotation of the transfer member of the cap transfer machine, or is fitted to the fitting projection by the rotation of the transfer lever. It moves while being held together and is transported to the catching position. When the cap is transferred to the catching position, the cap of the capping head is gripped by the chuck of the capping head and the bottle is filled with the contents to be transferred through the bottle transfer line, and the capping head is set in timing. Or the bottle is moved just below the capping head. In this alignment state, the capping head approaches the bottle and presses the cap gripped by the chuck against the mouth, so that the mechanical band can get over the flange,
A new cap can be attached to the mouth of the bottle.

The one having the capping head is a cap mounting and tightening machine. The product container (bottle with cap) with the cap mounted and sealed by the cap mounting and tightening machine is taken out of the cap mounting and tightening machine by the container discharger. And it is conveyed on a discharge line by a container discharger, and is conveyed to the next process as a drink in a container which is a product filled with contents.

[0016]

However, in the conventional cap mounting apparatus as described above, the sterilized cap is supplied from a cap chute to a cap transfer machine, and the cap mounted on the base plate is transferred to the transfer member. In this case, the transfer lever is slid on the base plate and transferred to the catching position, or the cap is fitted and held on the fitting protrusion of the transfer lever and transferred to the catching position. Then, the cap is gripped by the chuck of the capping head at the catching position, and the gripped cap is attached to the mouth of the bottle.

Therefore, when the slide is transferred on the base plate, the surface on the hole side of the cap comes into sliding contact with the surface of the base plate. Alcohol particles for sterilization and bacteria remaining in the air fall and adhere to the surface of the base plate, and bacteria remaining on the sliding portion and the piping portion of the cap transfer machine move and adhere to the surface. Then, the cap may be contaminated by the bacteria and the like via the base plate. In addition, when the cap is fitted and held by the fitting protrusion and transferred, the fitting protrusion is inserted into the hole of the cap, so that the surface of the fitting protrusion contacts the inner surface of the hole of the cap. Will be. As a result, bacteria and the like that adhere to the opening of the cap or the inner surface of the hole, or adhere to the inner surface of the hole due to static electricity, may be rubbed against the top surface of the mouth of the bottle by attaching the cap, or the inside of the filled contents. There is a problem that it may fall to

To explain this point in detail, an alcohol or a disinfectant (for example, chlorinated water) may be provided on the base plate of the cap transfer machine or on the transfer lever for a fixed time or periodically before the start of the work, during the work or during a break time. , Peracetic acid, hydrogen peroxide, chlorine dioxide, etc.) is generally considered by an operator's manual so as to sterilize by spraying, and to maintain the base plate and the transfer member or the transfer lever in a hygienic manner. In particular, alcohol is frequently used in large quantities because it is easy to use, has a high sterilizing effect, and it is easy to maintain a sanitary production line.

However, the above-mentioned germicides and alcohols produce aldehydes and residues that cause allergies. In particular, aldehyde is highly toxic and bad for the liver, which is one of the causes of allergy. For this reason, alcohol and bactericides are not used, but as described above, alcohol has bactericidal activity,
At first glance, it is hygienic, so it is a reality that use is continuing. In the future, these toxic substances will be regularly inspected to ensure safety, data will be collected, and they will be considered as one item for quality control. In addition, it is considered that these inspections are required by the manufacturer, and the inspection accuracy is ppm (parts per million: parts per million).
million) to ppb (parts per billion).

On the other hand, when sterilizing using alcohol or the like,
In some cases, some time after sterilization,
Contaminated again due to reduced or disappearing germicidal effect.
Will be. For example, alcohol sterilization before work
Even if the bacterial count becomes zero,
30 minutes or 1 hour later,
Bacteria that have fallen into the fitting projection of the transfer lever (airborne bacteria;
This includes spraying of sterilizing alcohol, operation of the sliding parts of the machine,
Due to the convection of air generated due to heat radiation from the heat source, etc.
Bacteria in the air fall and adhere. ) By bacteria
Number 10-10 ^TwoIncrease to pieces. In particular, bacterial growth is intense
In spring, the number of bacteria is 10^Three-10^FourIncrease to
May be added.

In addition, these bacteria are not limited to those described above, and even when the cap is sterilized, 100
% Sterilization is not possible, for example, 99.99%
In a sterilized cap, bacteria are brought in at a rate of one in 10,000. The carry-in rate is such that, for example, in a filling line that processes 30 pieces per minute, bacteria are brought in within 6 hours from the start of work.

For this reason, conventionally, sterilization treatment is performed by spraying alcohol or the like at regular intervals with a fixed time or at an appropriate time before or after the start of the work. Is troublesome, and sometimes there is a risk that the operation of performing the sterilization process may be forgotten, or that the operation may be performed without understanding the purpose of the operation. These mistakes in work and lack of awareness of workers are not favorable from a sanitary point of view.In particular, in recent years, it has become an essential requirement that workers who always work in a sanitary environment have a consciousness. Was.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of such a conventional problem, and has been developed in consideration of a fitting projection of a cap transfer machine installed in a stage preceding a cap mounting and tightening machine, a peripheral portion thereof, a capping head, and the like. It is an object of the present invention to solve the above-mentioned problem by sterilizing with ultraviolet rays by ultraviolet sterilizing means and preventing bacteria and the like from attaching to the cap via a transfer lever or the like.

[0024]

Means for Solving the Problems In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and the like and to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention relates to claim 1 of the present application.
The cap mounting device described above is provided with a cap mounting tightening machine having a capping head for supplying a bottle filled with contents and mounting a cap at the mouth of the bottle, and a fitting fitted into a hole of the cap. A cap transfer device having a convex portion and transferring the cap to the catching position gripped by the capping head while holding the cap on the fitting convex portion; and irradiating at least the fitting convex portion of the cap transfer device with ultraviolet light for sterilization. And an ultraviolet sterilizer.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the cap mounting apparatus, the cap transfer device includes a transfer lever having a fitting convex portion into which a cap supplied from the cap chute is fitted, and the transfer lever having a cap chute. Transfer means for reciprocating between a cap supply position and a catching position.

The cap mounting device according to claim 3 of the present application heats the fitting projection of the transfer lever by irradiating infrared rays from the outside or by supplying power to a built-in heater. Features.

In the cap mounting device according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, at least the fitting projection of the transfer lever is formed of a fluororesin material which is strong against heat and transmits ultraviolet rays, or is covered with the fluororesin material. It is characterized by having.

In the cap mounting apparatus according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the ultraviolet sterilizing means has an ultraviolet lamp arranged on the side or above the transfer lever, and holds the ultraviolet lamp and is opened on the transfer lever side. It is characterized by having a lamp housing provided with an opening, and an ultraviolet-transparent cover sheet covering the opening.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the cap mounting apparatus, the ultraviolet sterilizing means is formed of an ultraviolet lamp disposed laterally or above the transfer lever and an ultraviolet transparent resin, or an ultraviolet transparent resin. And a lamp cover formed to cover the ultraviolet lamp.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the cap mounting apparatus, the ultraviolet sterilizing means includes a lamp housing having an opening on one surface and a lamp insertion hole provided on a surface orthogonal to the surface having the opening. A cover sheet attached to the lamp housing so as to close the opening, an ultraviolet lamp into which at least an ultraviolet light emitting portion is inserted into the lamp housing from the lamp insertion hole, and a connection portion of the ultraviolet lamp, which is pressed down from the lamp housing. A lamp holding plate for preventing the ultraviolet lamp from coming off.

In the cap mounting apparatus according to the present invention, the ultraviolet sterilizing means includes a mounting frame on which the lamp housing is superimposed, and the mounting frame includes a side of the frame which is aligned with the opening of the lamp housing. An opening is provided, and the lamp housing is attached to the mounting frame with a cover sheet interposed therebetween.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the cap mounting apparatus, the ultraviolet sterilizing means has a flexible tube supporting the lamp housing and having flexibility, and the direction of the opening of the lamp housing is defined by the flexible tube. It is characterized by being able to change freely.

[0033] The cap mounting apparatus according to the tenth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that a cleaning means for supplying a cleaning medium to the fitting convex portion, the peripheral portion of the fitting convex portion or the capping head for cleaning is provided. And

In the cap mounting method according to the present invention, the cap is caught from a cap supply position by a cap transfer machine that fits and holds a fitting projection in a hole of a cap to be sterilized and transferred in advance. Transfer the bottle to the position and hold the cap at the catching position with the capping head, then move the bottle filled with the contents directly below the capping head and attach the cap to the mouth of the bottle or fill the contents. When the capping head is moved above the bottle and the cap is attached to the mouth of the bottle, ultraviolet rays are applied to the fitting convex portion holding at least the cap of the cap transfer machine and sterilized, and sterilized by the ultraviolet light. The cap is fitted to the processed fitting projection and transferred, and the transferred cap is moved. It is characterized in that so as to mount the mouth portion.

In the cap mounting method according to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, the sterilization treatment using ultraviolet light is performed on the fitting convex portion of the cap transfer machine, the peripheral portion of the fitting convex portion, and the capping head. It is characterized by.

With this configuration, in the cap mounting apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, the cap mounting tightening machine, the cap transfer machine, and the ultraviolet sterilizing means are provided, and at least the cap transferring machine is provided by the ultraviolet sterilizing means. Since the fitting projection is irradiated with ultraviolet light to sterilize, the cap is prevented from being contaminated by bacteria through the fitting projection fitted into the hole of the cap, and the cap is sanitized. Can be maintained and used to seal the bottle mouth.

In the cap mounting apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention, the cap transfer machine has a transfer lever and a transfer means, and the cap is transferred between the cap supply position and the catching position by the cap transfer means. With this configuration, the chance of bacteria adhering to the cap can be minimized, and the cap supplied from the cap chute can be reliably held and transferred.

In the cap mounting device according to the third aspect of the present application, the fitting projection of the transfer lever is heated by irradiating infrared rays or energizing the heater, so that the bacteria (mold) having resistance to ultraviolet rays are used. Etc.) adheres to the fitting projections, preventing or suppressing the growth of the bacteria, or sterilizing the bacteria by using ultraviolet light and heating in combination, making the fitting projections sanitary. Condition can be maintained.

In the cap mounting device according to claim 4 of the present application, at least the fitting projection of the transfer lever is formed of a fluororesin or covered with a fluororesin.
Ultraviolet rays can also be applied to the inside of the hole of the cap, which is hardly irradiated with the ultraviolet rays emitted from the ultraviolet sterilizing means provided outside, and the bacteria attached to the hole of the cap can be sterilized by the ultraviolet rays.

In the cap mounting device according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the ultraviolet sterilizing means is constituted by an ultraviolet lamp, a lamp housing and a cover sheet, and the ultraviolet sterilizing means is arranged on the side or above the transfer lever. Therefore, the transfer range of the transfer lever can be reliably sterilized by ultraviolet light with a simple configuration, and the glass pieces can be prevented from scattering to the outside even when the ultraviolet lamp is damaged.

In the cap mounting apparatus according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the ultraviolet sterilizing means is constituted by an ultraviolet lamp and a lamp cover, and the ultraviolet sterilizing means is arranged on the side or above the transfer lever, so that it is simple. With this configuration, the transfer range of the transfer lever can be reliably sterilized with ultraviolet light, and the glass pieces can be prevented from scattering to the outside even when the ultraviolet lamp is damaged.

In the cap mounting apparatus according to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the ultraviolet sterilizing means includes a lamp housing, a cover sheet, an ultraviolet lamp, and a lamp pressing plate, and the ultraviolet sterilizing means is disposed near the cap transfer device. With this configuration, it is possible to reliably sterilize the fitting projections with ultraviolet light while having a simple configuration, and also to prevent the glass pieces from scattering to the outside even when the ultraviolet lamp is damaged, thereby improving safety. Higher maintenance can be facilitated.

In the cap mounting apparatus according to the present invention, a mounting frame having a frame-side opening is provided, and a cover sheet is interposed between the mounting frame and the lamp housing. It is easy to disassemble, can be easily attached to existing equipment, and can use a flexible sheet member as a rigid surface member.

The cap mounting apparatus according to the ninth aspect of the present invention includes the mounting frame having the opening on the frame side, and the cover sheet is interposed between the mounting frame and the lamp housing. It is easy to disassemble, can be easily attached to existing equipment, and can use a flexible sheet member as a rigid surface member.

In the cap mounting apparatus according to the tenth aspect of the present invention, since the cap transfer device is cleaned by the cleaning means, the cleaning medium is fitted by operating the cleaning means at a predetermined time or any time. It can be supplied to the mating convex portion or its peripheral portion or the capping head for cleaning, and can prevent bacteria from adhering to the fitting convex portion or the like, or can kill bacteria adhering to these.

In the cap mounting method according to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, at least the fitting projections of the cap transfer device are sterilized with ultraviolet rays, so that bacteria are prevented from adhering to the fitting projections and growing. Then, transfer the cap to the capping position while holding the cap with the fitting convex part without bacteria attached,
A hygienic cap can be attached to the mouth of the bottle.

In the cap mounting method according to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, since the fitting projection and its peripheral portion and the capping head are sterilized by ultraviolet rays, bacteria adhere to the fitting projection and its peripheral portion. To prevent proliferation
Hold the cap with the mating projection where bacteria does not adhere,
The sanitary cap can be transferred to the capping position.

[0048]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. 1 to 19 show an embodiment of the present invention. That is, FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a first embodiment of the schematic configuration of the cap mounting device, and FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a second embodiment of the schematic configuration of the cap mounting device. 3 is a front view showing a first embodiment of a transfer lever of a cap transfer machine according to the cap mounting apparatus of the present invention, FIG. 4 is a side view of the same transfer lever, and FIG. 5 is a second embodiment of the transfer lever. 6A and 6B are a partially sectional front view and a perspective view showing a third embodiment of the transfer lever. FIG. 7 is a sectional side view showing a main part of a second embodiment of the cap chute according to the cap mounting apparatus of the present invention, and FIG. 8 is a front view of the same.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the capping head according to the present invention, FIGS. 10A to 10C are explanatory views showing the state of the cap being tightened by the capping head, and FIG. 11 is a first embodiment of the ultraviolet sterilizing means according to the present invention. FIG. 12 is a plan view of the same, FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XX of FIG.
15 is a front view, FIG. 15 is a sectional view taken along line YY of FIG. 12, FIG. 16 is an exploded perspective view, FIG. 17 is an exploded perspective view showing a second embodiment of the ultraviolet sterilizing means according to the present invention, FIG. FIG. 19 is a perspective view showing a third embodiment of the ultraviolet sterilizer according to the present invention, and FIG. 19 is an explanatory view showing a cross section of a main part of the ultraviolet sterilizer shown in FIG.

In a cap mounting apparatus 10 according to a first embodiment of the schematic configuration of the present invention shown in FIG. 1, a cap mounting and tightening machine has three capping heads, and the three capping heads rotate. The apparatus is configured as a mass processing apparatus in which caps are sequentially attached to bottles that are continuously supplied while moving. In addition, in the cap mounting apparatus 100 showing the second embodiment of the schematic configuration of the present invention shown in FIG. 2, the cap mounting and tightening machine has only one capping head, and the one capping head is required. The apparatus is configured as a small-volume processing apparatus in which a cap is attached to a bottle that is supplied while being moved up and down.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the cap mounting apparatus 10, 100 of the present invention is a rotary filling machine for filling bottles with mineral water, black tea, green tea, oolong tea, fruit juice, coffee beverage and other contents. (Filler) 11 is provided at the subsequent stage. The only difference between these cap mounting devices 10 and 100 is the configuration of the cap mounting and tightening machine, and the other configurations are the same.

That is, the cap mounting device 10 of the first embodiment
Is a cap mounting and tightening machine 12 having three capping heads 40 for mounting the resin cap 1 on the mouth 6a of the bottle 6, and a cap mounting and tightening the bottle 6 filled with the contents by the rotary filling machine 11. A bottle feeder 13 for supplying to the machine 12, a cap transfer machine 14 for transferring the sterilized cap 1 at a predetermined transfer timing and supplying the cap 1 to the cap mounting and tightening machine 12, and a cap mounting and tightening machine 12
The container 6 includes a container discharger 15 for taking out a container with a cap (hereinafter referred to as a “product container”) 7 in which the cap 1 is attached to the mouth 6 a of the bottle 6. On the other hand, the cap mounting device 100 of the second embodiment
Is configured to include a cap mounting and tightening machine 12 having one capping head 40, a bottle supplying machine 13, a cap transferring machine 14, a container discharging machine 15, and the like.

Reference numeral 110 shown in FIG. 1 denotes an air-conditioning room including partitions, walls, doors, and the like for partitioning a region of an appropriate size. By installing the cap mounting device 10 in the air conditioning room 110, the number of bacteria floating in the air can be reduced and the bacteria can be prevented or suppressed from being enclosed in the bottle. It is a matter of course that the cap mounting device 100 shown in FIG.

First, the cap 1 and the bottle 6 used in the cap mounting device 10 will be described. Cap 1
As shown in FIG. 20, a cap body 2 having an upper surface closed and opened at a lower surface, and a mechanical band portion 3 provided continuously and integrally with a lower end portion of the opening of the cap body 2 which is a hole. have. A seal member 5 that abuts on the end surface of the mouth 6 a of the bottle 6 and provides top pressure is provided in close contact with the upper surface in the hole of the cap body 2, and is integrally provided. At the opening end of the cap body 2, a notch 4 like a perforation is provided extending in the circumferential direction at a predetermined width from the end face and extending inward, whereby the mechanical band portion 3 is provided. The cap body 2 is formed continuously and integrally.

A screw portion 2a is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the cap body 2 by continuously providing a convex portion having a mountain-shaped cross section in a spiral manner. Further, on the inner peripheral surface of the mechanical band portion 3, a large number of tab-shaped protrusions 3a protruding inward in the radial direction are provided. By engaging these projections 3a with a band support provided on the mouth 6a of the bottle 6, the hole of the mouth 6a is sealed by the cap body 2, and the cap 1 is attached to the mouth 6a and It is attached. As a material of the cap 1 having such a configuration, not only a plastic material or a composite material of a synthetic resin, but also a metal such as aluminum or steel can be used.

The bottle 6 to which the cap 1 is attached is
A cylindrical body, a conical cylindrical shoulder continuous with the upper end of the body, and a cylindrical mouth 6a continuous with the upper end of the shoulder
And a bottom for closing the lower end of the body. Bottle 6
A screw portion extending in a spiral shape and a band support portion for supporting the mechanical band portion 3 of the cap 1 are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the mouth portion 6a. Further, a flange portion which is outwardly developed is provided at a portion where the mouth 6a and the shoulder are continuous. A hole provided in the mouth 6a and opening on the upper surface is a spout. The spout is filled with the contents described above by a filling machine, and the contents are poured out at the time of eating and drinking.

The material of the bottle 6 is, for example, PE
Not only plastics represented by TP (polyethylene terephthalate) but also glass, pottery, aluminum, steel and other various materials can be applied. Further, the shape of the bottle 6 is not limited to a bottle having a narrower mouth portion than a body portion, but is a so-called wide-mouth bottle in which the mouth portion is formed to have the same or substantially the same size as the body portion. It can also be applied to

The bottle 6 having such a configuration is supplied to a rotary filling machine (filler) in a pre-process (not shown), which is subjected to a predetermined sterilization treatment and almost completely disinfected. In the rotary filling machine (filler) 11, the contents are filled into the bottle 6 from the filling port through the opening 6a. The rotary filling machine 11 has a plurality of bottle grippers 11a for gripping the supplied bottles 6 one by one on an outer peripheral surface at a regular interval. Each bottle gripper 11a has a filling unit (not shown). A mouth is provided. This bottle gripper 1
By holding the bottle 6 at 1a and transferring it by a predetermined distance, a predetermined amount of contents is filled into the bottle 6 from the filling port during that time.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the bottle 6 filled with a predetermined amount of contents is taken out of the rotary filling machine 11 by the bottle feeder 13, and the cap mounting tightening machine (cap-in-head seamer) is used. Transferred to 12 or 120. The bottle feeder 13 has a rotating unit in which a plurality of bottle holding units 13a for holding the bottle 6 filled with the contents held by the bottle holding unit 11a of the rotary filling machine 11 are provided at equal intervals on the outer peripheral surface. are doing. The bottle 6 transferred at the same timing by the bottle feeder 13
Is supplied to the cap mounting tightening machine 12 or 120.

A cap mounting and tightening machine 1 according to the first embodiment.
2 is three capping heads 4 arranged at equal intervals
0, and these three capping heads 40 are configured to rotate on a predetermined trajectory. The cap transfer device 1 is placed on the movement locus of the capping head 40.
By the operation of 4, the caps 1 are supplied one by one. Further, the cap mounting and tightening machine 12 has a rotary transfer unit in which three bottle holding units 12a for holding and transferring the bottles 6 supplied from the bottle supply unit 13 are provided at three locations at equal intervals. ing. Capping heads 40 are installed in each bottle holding part 12a so as to form a pair with each other,
The bottle 6 held by the bottle holding unit 12a is rotated together with the capping head 40.

The cap mounting and tightening machine 12, the bottle supplying machine 13 and the cap transfer machine 14 are configured to operate in synchronization with each other. That is, the cap mounting and tightening machine 12 and the bottle supplying machine 13 are intermittently rotatable relative to each other.
At the catching position 32b where 3a meets, the cap mounting and tightening device 12 and the bottle supply device 13 are both stopped from rotating, and the bottle 6 held by the bottle gripper 13a can be transferred to the bottle holder 12a. The bottle 6 transferred from the bottle holding portion 13a to the bottle holding portion 12a at the catching position 32b is transported in the circumferential direction until the next bottle holding portion 12a and the bottle holding portion 13a meet at the catching position 32b.

When the bottle 6 is held and transferred by the bottle holding portion 12a, the capping head 40 which moves synchronously is operated, and the held cap 1 is attached to the mouth 6a of the bottle 6. Thus, the capping operation of the cap 1 by the capping head 40 is performed. At this time, at the catching position 32b, the next bottle 6 is transferred from the bottle gripper 13a to the bottle holder 12a.

Further, the cap mounting and tightening machine 120 according to the second embodiment has one capping head 40, and the capping head 40 is configured to be movable only in the vertical direction at a predetermined position. The cap mounting and tightening machine 120 includes a plurality of (six in this embodiment) bottle holding units 12a for holding and transferring bottles 6 supplied from the bottle supply unit 13 one by one. Part. Like the cap mounting and tightening machine 12, the cap mounting and tightening machine 120 is also configured to operate in synchronization with the bottle feeder 13 and the cap transfer machine 14, but in this embodiment, catching and tightening are performed. Position 3
In 2b, the process from delivery of the bottle 6 to mounting of the cap 1 is performed.

That is, when the bottle 6 transported by the bottle feeder 13 reaches the catching position 32b, the rotation of the bottle feeder 13 and the cap mounting and tightening machine 120 are both stopped, and the bottle 6 is held by the bottle gripper. 1
3a to the bottle holding unit 12a. At the same time or before or after this, the cap 1 transferred by the cap transfer machine 14 is supplied below the capping head 40 at the catching position 32b. The cap 1 is held by the capping head 40, and the cap 1 is attached to the mouth 6a of the bottle 6 held by the bottle holding unit 12a.

As such a capping head 40, for example, Alcoa Closure Systems International, Inc.
re Systems International, Inc.) 's Cap-In-Head Capping System
m) The Alcoa Magna torque headset used in m) can be used. This Alcoa (ALCO
The magna torque headset A) has a configuration as shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 9, a capping head 40 configured as a magna torque headset
A chuck 81 attached via a clutch mechanism 80 of a permanent magnet is provided, and a spindle shaft 43 is provided.
Attached to. This capping head 40
Has a sleeve 82 attached to the spindle shaft 43, a head body 83, a pressure adjusting ring 84, a load spring 85, a chuck holder 86, and the like. The chuck 81 is detachably attached to the chuck holder 86. Then, the head body 83 and the chuck holder 86
, A clutch mechanism 80 is provided, and the rotational force of the head main body 83 is transmitted to the chuck holder 86 via the clutch mechanism 80.

The spindle shaft 43 is arranged with the axis thereof oriented vertically, and a sleeve 82 is fitted to the lower part of the spindle shaft 43. The sleeve 82 and the spindle shaft 43 are connected by a threaded portion. A threaded portion 82a having a reduced shaft diameter is provided at one axial end of the sleeve 82, and a flange portion 82b having a larger shaft diameter is provided at the other end. Is provided. A screw hole provided at the center of the pressure adjusting ring 84 is screwed into the screw portion 82 a of the sleeve 82, and an annular convex portion 84 for regulating the position of the load spring 85 is provided on one end surface.
a is provided. One end of a load spring 85 is seated outside the annular projection 84a of the pressure adjusting ring 84.

A cylindrical head body 83 is rotatably fitted to the sleeve 82 so that the flange 82 b
By providing an inner flange portion 83a at one end in the axial direction, which comes into contact with the head body 83, the head body 83 is prevented from coming off. An outer flange 8 is provided at the other axial end of the head body 83.
3b, and the other end of the load spring 85 is seated on the inner end surface of the outer flange portion 83b. The load spring 85 is mounted in a compressed state, and the head body 83 is constantly urged in a direction away from the pressure adjusting ring 84 by the spring force of the load spring 85.

A ball bearing 87 is mounted inside the outer flange portion 83b of the head main body 83, and a chuck holder 86 is rotatably supported via the ball bearing 87. The chuck holder 86 is formed of a cylindrical body having a flange portion 86a projecting outward.
The inner race of the ball bearing 87 is fitted on the outer peripheral surface. The flange portion 86a of the chuck holder 86 includes:
A movable-side magnet 88 is provided which is configured by alternately arranging a plurality of (for example, 12) permanent magnets with S poles and N poles on the same circumference.

A head cap 90 having a fixed magnet 89 is attached to the tip of the head main body 83 so as to correspond to the movable magnet 88 so as to be movable in the axial direction. The head cap 90 is made of a ring-shaped member that can cover the tip of the head main body 83, and the fitting depth can be adjusted by screw means.
A set bolt 91 is attached to the head cap 90 so that the head cap 90 can be fixed at an arbitrary fitting depth.
Is attached. The screw hole into which the set bolt 91 is screwed is provided on the end surface of the head cap 90 on the same circumference corresponding to the end surface of the tip of the head body 83. A lock nut 92 is attached to the set bolt 91 so that the head cap 90 can be fixed at an arbitrary rotation position.

At the position corresponding to the movable magnet 88 on the end face of the head cap 90, the movable magnet 8
A fixed magnet 89 having the same configuration as that of the fixed magnet 8 is provided. That is, the fixed magnet 89 is formed by arranging the same number of permanent magnets on the same circumference alternately with S poles and N poles. The movable magnet 88 and the fixed magnet 89 constitute a clutch mechanism 80 for the chuck 81.

The tip end of the chuck holder 86 passes through the center hole 90a of the head cap 90. The hole of the chuck holder 86 has a diameter of 3 in the axial direction.
The disk spring spring plate 93 and the cylindrical pressure member 94 are loosely fitted to the middle diameter portion at the center. A pressure spring 95 is interposed between the spring receiving plate 93 and the pressure member 94 in a compressed state.
The pressure member 94 is constantly urged in a direction away from the spring receiving plate 93 by the spring force of the pressure spring 95. The pressure member 94 has a flange portion 94a fitted to the large diameter portion of the hole of the chuck holder 86, and the chuck 81 is detachably attached to the opening side of the large diameter portion.

The chuck 81 has a tapered fitting hole 81a.
At the center. At one end in the axial direction of the chuck 81, a screw portion 81b screwed to a screw portion provided on the opening side of the hole of the chuck holder 86 is provided. The fitting hole 81a of the chuck 81 has a size suitable for the target cap 1, and a knurl corresponding to a knurl provided on an outer peripheral surface of the cap 1 is provided on an inner peripheral surface thereof. The cap 1 is held by the chuck 81 by engaging the cap-side knurl with the chuck-side knurl.

Thus, in the clutch mechanism 80, when the opposite poles face each other, the torque (rotational force) is transmitted between the movable-side magnet 88 and the fixed-side magnet 89 that are installed to face each other. . In the process of tightening the cap 1 around the mouth, the tightening torque exceeds a preset attractive force between the magnets, so that the clutch is disengaged and the head body 83 idles, and the further tightening torque is applied. Does not catch on the chuck 81.

The spindle shaft 43 can be driven to rotate, and can move up and down in the vertical direction. By providing a sleeve 82 so as to be able to move up and down between the head main body 83 and the spindle shaft 43, it is possible to absorb an impact force when the cap 1 is chucked.

The cap transfer device 14 is driven in conjunction with the intermittent rotation of the cap mounting and tightening devices 12 and 120, and is capable of reciprocating within a predetermined range.
That is, the cap transfer device 14 fits and holds the cap 1 at the cap supply position 32a, and moves the cap 1 at a predetermined timing to transfer the cap 1 to the catching position 32b. The cap 1 is gripped by the capping head 140 at the cap supply position 32a, and is provided for a capping operation. On the other hand, the cap transfer device 14 from which the cap 1 has been removed returns from the catching position 32b to the cap supply position 32a, and prepares for the next cap 1 to be fitted and held.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the cap transfer device 14 can be moved between the cap supply position 32a and the catching position 32b, and the catching device 14 is used for catching with respect to the cap supply position 32a. It is also possible to move between it and an initial position 32c set on the opposite side of the position 32b. The initial position 32c is provided to allow the cap transfer device 14 to escape from the cap supply position 32a. Therefore, the cap transfer machine 14
When it is not necessary to release the cap from the cap supply position 32a, the initial position 32c does not need to be set, and a configuration may be adopted in which the cap is simply moved between the cap supply position 32a and the catching position 32b.

The cap transfer device 14 has a transfer lever for detachably fitting and holding the cap 1 and the transfer lever between the cap supply position 32a and the catching position 32b (including the initial position 32c if necessary). It is provided with transfer means (not shown) for transferring the cap 1 by reciprocating operation.

The transfer means (not shown) includes, for example, a support mechanism that movably supports the transfer lever, an electric motor that generates power, and an output of the electric motor that is transmitted to the transfer lever to be transferred to the transfer lever. It can be composed of a moving mechanism for performing a predetermined transfer operation. As such a moving mechanism, for example, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the transfer lever 18 may be configured to be rotated in a horizontal direction and moved in a curved manner. It can also be configured to move linearly in the direction, or to move in a combination of curved motion and linear motion. Further, the moving mechanism may be configured to perform a movement obtained by adding a vertical movement to the horizontal movement.

The caps 1 that have been sterilized by ultraviolet sterilization or heat sterilization in a preprocessing step (not shown) are supplied one by one from the cap chute 17 to the transfer lever of the cap transfer machine 14 at predetermined intervals. .
A specific embodiment of the transfer lever will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show a first embodiment of the transfer lever according to the cap transfer machine 14. FIG. FIG. 3 shows the positional relationship between the cap chute 17 and the transfer lever 18, and is an explanatory view of the transfer lever 18 as viewed from the front, and FIG. 4 is an explanatory view of the transfer lever 18 as viewed from the side. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the transfer lever 18 has an L-shape, and has a mounting portion 18 a extending in the horizontal direction.
The support portion 18a has a pillar portion 18b which is continuously raised upward on one side of the mounting portion 18a. A reinforcing rib 18c is provided at a portion where the mounting portion 18a and the column 18b of the transfer lever 18 are continuous. The rib 18c
Can be provided when necessary, and can be omitted when sufficient strength can be obtained only by the mounting portion 18a and the support portion 18b.

Further, a fitting protrusion which fits into a hole of the cap 1 supplied from the cap chute 17 to detachably hold the cap 1 is provided substantially at the center of the upper surface of the mounting portion 18a of the transfer lever 18. A part 20 is provided. The fitting projection 20 is formed of a truncated cone-shaped projection that protrudes upward, and is detachably screwed and fixed to the mounting portion 18a using, for example, screw means. The fitting projection 20 may be configured to be fixed to the mounting portion 18a by using a press-fitting unit, a bonding unit, or the like. As a material of such a transfer lever 18, for example, a metal such as stainless steel or steel is suitable, but a plastic or other material can also be used.

FIG. 5 shows a second embodiment of the transfer lever. The transfer lever 18A is similar to the transfer lever 18 described above.
The cover portion 19 is provided for the purpose of protecting the fitting projection 20 and its vicinity and irradiating ultraviolet rays into the hole of the cap 1 by irregularly reflecting ultraviolet rays. The difference between the transfer lever 18A and the transfer lever 18 is that a coating portion 19 is provided.
That is, the mounting portion 18a, the support portion 18b, and the reinforcing rib portion 1
8c is common.

The cover 19 of the transfer lever 18A is formed in a sheet shape or a film shape by using an ultraviolet ray transmitting resin (for example, an ultraviolet ray transmitting fluororesin) having a property of transmitting ultraviolet rays as a material. It may be configured to cover the mating convex portion 20 and the vicinity thereof, or may be configured to coat by coating the fitting convex portion 20 and the vicinity thereof with an ultraviolet-permeable fluororesin like a paint.

The transfer lever 18A having such a configuration
By using, it is possible to utilize the property of the ultraviolet-permeable resin for fitting and holding of the cap 1, for example,
The fitting projection 20 can eliminate the possibility of damaging the inside of the hole of the cap 1, and the surface of the mounting portion 18a is formed as a surface that reflects ultraviolet light so that the ultraviolet light is irregularly reflected, so that the inner surface of the cap 1 is exposed to ultraviolet light. Irradiation, the inner surface of which can be sterilized by ultraviolet light.

The covering portion 19 may cover only the fitting projection 20 or may cover the upper surface of the mounting portion 18a and the fitting projection 20. Of course. Further, the material of the covering portion 19 is not limited to an ultraviolet-transparent resin, and a synthetic resin that does not transmit ultraviolet light or hardly transmits ultraviolet light can be used.

FIGS. 6A and 6B show a third embodiment of the transfer lever. In the transfer lever 180, the mounting portion 18a and the column 18b of the above-described transfer lever 18 are formed as separate members, and the mounting portion 181 is assembled to the column 182 to be integrally formed. The mounting portion 181 includes the fitting protrusion 20.
A fitting projection 183 having the same size and shape as that of the above is integrally provided. Further, an insertion hole for screwing to the column 182 is provided on one side of the mounting portion 181 in the longitudinal direction. The mounting portion 181 integrated with the fitting convex portion is
It is preferable to use an ultraviolet-permeable fluororesin that is resistant to heat and has ultraviolet transparency. Thus, the fitting projection 1
By forming the 83-integrated mounting portion 181 from an ultraviolet-permeable fluororesin, the mounting portion 181 can transmit ultraviolet light to irradiate the inner surface of the cap 1 with ultraviolet light. The inside of the cap 1 can be sterilized by ultraviolet rays.

The support portion 182 is provided with a support portion 182a for supporting the mounting portion 181, and a reinforcing rib portion 182b. The support portion 182a is provided with an insertion hole for screwing the mounting portion 181. With the mounting portion 181 mounted on the support portion 182a, a fixing screw 184 is inserted into the matching insertion holes, and a fixing nut 185 is screwed into the screw portion to be tightened and fixed. Thus, a transfer lever 180 in which the mounting portion 181 and the support portion 182 are coupled via the screw means is configured.

The material of the mounting portion 181 of the transfer lever 180 is not limited to the ultraviolet-permeable fluororesin,
Synthetic resins that are difficult to transmit ultraviolet light can also be used.
In addition, as a material of the support portion 182, an ultraviolet-permeable fluororesin or other synthetic resin may be used, and a metal such as stainless steel or steel may be used.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the cap chute 17 is installed to face a guide rail 17a having a U-shaped cross section that is continuous in the longitudinal direction so as to close the opening side of the guide rail 17a. Rail cover 17b,
There is a spacer or the like for maintaining a predetermined interval between the guide rail 17a and the rail cover 17b. The cap 1 is conveyed in the space surrounded by the guide rails 17a and the like by its own weight, a pressure feeding force by air, and the like. The opening on the tip side of the cap chute 17 is a cap supply position 32a.

Further, at the tip of the guide rail 17a,
A pressing piece 17c is provided to press the cap 1 covered on the fitting projection 20 and securely fit the fitting projection 20. The pressing piece 17 c extends in a direction substantially parallel to the mounting portion 18 a of the transfer lever 18, and is provided at a position facing the fitting projection 20. The distance between the holding piece 17c and the mounting portion 18a is set to be substantially the same as the thickness of the cap 1. As a result, for example, as shown in FIG. 3, even when the edge of the hole of the cap 1 is caught by the edge of the fitting projection 20 and the fitting is incomplete, the transfer lever 18 is indicated by the arrow S1. So that the cap supply position 32
By moving in a direction away from a, the top surface of the cap 1 is pressed by the pressing piece 17c, and is firmly fitted to the fitting projection 20 as shown by the two-dot chain line.

As described above, the fitting projection 20 of the transfer lever 18 is located at the cap supply position 32a of the cap chute 17.
Approach, and the cap 1 is held by the transfer lever 18 by fitting the hole into the fitting projection 20. To secure the fitting operation of the cap 1, the cap chute 17 A passage control means (not shown) for controlling passage of the cap 1 is provided at the distal end. The passage control means includes, for example, a stopper pin which is protruded on the movement trajectory of the cap 1 so as to be capable of moving forward and backward and controls the passage of the cap 1 and a cap supply position which is pressed one by one at the tip end. 32a.

In this case, by protruding the stopper pin on the movement trajectory of the cap 1, the movement of the cap 1 can be restricted at the tip end and stopped in the cap chute 17. On the other hand, the cap 1 can be passed by moving the stopper pin backward and removing it from the movement trajectory. In the retracting operation state of the stopper pin, one cap 1 is pushed out to the cap supply position 32a by operating the cap pressing device.

As such a cap pressing device, for example, an air nozzle having a blowing port facing the cap supply position 32a and an amount of air blown from the air nozzle are adjusted to change a pressing force by the air. It can be constituted by an air regulating valve or the like. The cap 1 pushed out to the cap supply position 32a by the operation of the cap presser is dropped onto the fitting protrusion 20 of the transfer lever 18, and the fitting protrusion 20 enters the hole of the cap 1. Then, when the transfer lever 18 passes below the holding piece 17c, the cap 1 is pressed by the holding piece 17c and is firmly fitted to the fitting projection 20.

In the state where the cap 1 is firmly fitted to the fitting projection 20, the transfer lever 18 is moved by the transfer means of the cap transfer machine 14 as shown by the arrow S2. As a result, the mounting portion 18a of the transfer lever 18
Is held at the cap supply position 32.
a to the catching position 32b. The cap transported to the catching position 32b causes the capping head 40 to enter above the mounting portion 18a of the transfer lever 18. The state in which the capping head 40 has moved above the cap 1 is shown in FIG.

At this catching position 32b, the cap 1 is gripped by the chuck 81 of the capping head 40 and lifted from the mounting portion 18a. Then, the cap 1 is held while being held by the chuck 81.
Is the bottle feeder 1 which is another bottle transport route
3 and is transferred above the bottle 6 at the same timing as the transfer of the bottle 6. As a result, the cap 1 faces the mouth 6a of the bottle 6.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show the cap chute 17.
Another embodiment of the passage control means for controlling the passage of the cap 1 supplied from the cap supply position 32a of FIG. The passage control means 140 includes a stopper lever 141 for preventing the cap 1 from jumping out, and the stopper lever 141
And a support bracket 142 for rotatably supporting the support bracket 142. The stopper lever 141 has a stopper pin 143, a rotating arm 144, and a rotating shaft 145. The rotating arm 144 is made of a member such as a flat claw, and a stopper pin 143 is fixed to one end in the longitudinal direction by fixing means such as press-fitting, and the rotating shaft 145 is fixed to the other end by fixing means such as press-fitting. ing.

The stopper pin 143 protrudes from one surface of the rotation arm 144, and the rotation shaft 145 protrudes from the other surface of the rotation arm 144. The axis of the stopper pin 143 and the axis of the rotating arm 144 are parallel to each other. The rotation shaft 145 is rotatably supported by the tip of the support bracket 142. And the rotating shaft 1
A split pin 145a is engaged with a portion of the 45 protruding outward from the support bracket 142, thereby preventing the pivot shaft 145 from coming off. Furthermore, the rotating shaft 1
The coil portion of the torsion coil spring 146 is loosely fitted in the portion 45.

The elastic piece at one end of the torsion coil spring 146 is locked by the stopper pin 143, and the elastic piece at the other end is locked by the support bracket 142. The stopper lever 141 is moved by the spring force of the torsion coil spring 146.
It is urged in a direction to shut off the cap supply position 32a. Then, the movement of the stopper lever 141 in the direction of blocking the cap supply position 32a is
2 is limited by a locking pin 147 attached by fixing means such as press fitting. Support bracket 142
Consists of an L-shaped member formed to protrude laterally from the rail cover 17b of the cap chute 17,
The mounting portion 18a of the transfer lever 18 passes through the inside.

The operation of the passage control means 140 is, for example, as shown in FIG. In this case, the transfer lever 18
(Or 18A, 180) etc. are the cap supply positions 32a
Are configured to endlessly circulate at six positions (from T1 to T6) indicated by the symbol ◎ including. At the upper right end position T1, the transfer lever 18 and the like are in the catching position 3
2B, the cap 1 is removed by the capping head 40 at the upper right end position T1.

Next, the transfer lever 18 and the like move an appropriate distance downward from the upper right end position T1, and move to the lower right end position T2. Next, the transfer lever 18 and the like move largely horizontally from the lower right end position T2 toward the cap chute 17 and pass below the cap supply position 32a to move to the lower left end position T3.

Next, the transfer lever 18 and the like move a predetermined distance upward from the lower left end position T3, and move to the upper left end position T4. The upper left end position T4 is horizontally rearward of the cap supply position 32a. At this time, the fitting projection 20 does not abut on the lower end of the cap chute 17. Next, the transfer lever 18 and the like move from the upper left end position T4 to the cap supply position 32a side, and move to the cap supply position 32a.
The fitting protrusion 20 hooks the cap 1 at the upper left intermediate position T5, which is a.

At this time, the tip of the cap 1 located at the forefront of the cap chute 17 is locked by the stopper pin 143 of the passage control means 140, and the rear end of the cap 1 is the tip of the rail cover 17b. Part. For this reason, the cap 1 is placed in the cap supply position 3 with the opening, which is the opening, directed obliquely downward.
2a. The upper part of the fitting projection 20 provided on the mounting portion 18a of the transfer lever 18 or the like enters into the hole of the cap 1.

Next, the transfer lever 18 and the like slightly move horizontally from the upper left intermediate position T5 toward the catching position 32b. At this time, at the upper left middle position T5, a stopper pin 143 is disposed in front of the moving direction of the cap 1 and the transfer lever 1 is moved by the stopper pin 143.
Although the movement of the cap 8 and the like 8 is restricted, the stopper pin 143 is urged by the spring force of the torsion coil spring 146. Therefore, the stopper pin 143 is pressed against the spring force of the torsion coil spring 146 via the cap 1 by the moving force of the transfer lever 18 or the like, so that the stopper pin 143 rotates around the rotation shaft 145 in the clock of FIG. Pivoted in the direction. This allows
The stopper pin 143 is mounted on the mounting portion 18a of the transfer lever 18 or the like.
The cap 1 is pushed downward, and the movement trajectory of the cap 1 is opened.

At the same time, when the cap 1 passes below the pressing piece 17c of the cap chute 17,
The upper surface of the cap 1 is pressed against the mounting portion 18a by the lower surface of the holding piece 17c. As a result, the posture of the cap 1 is corrected by the pressing force of the pressing piece 17c, and the cap 1 is securely fitted to the fitting projection 20 and is horizontally placed on the placement portion 18a. With the correct horizontal posture of the cap 1, the transfer lever 18 reaches the upper right intermediate position T6.

Next, the transfer lever 18 and the like are further moved horizontally from the upper right intermediate position T6 to the upper right end position T1.
(Catching position 32b). This allows
One cycle of the movement of the transfer lever 18 and the like is completed. As described above, the transfer lever 18 and the like are moved from the position T1 to T2, T3,
The transfer cycle through T4, T5 and T6 and returning to T1 is repeated. By repeating this transfer cycle,
For each transfer cycle, the fitting protrusion 20 such as the transfer lever 18 is used.
The caps 1 are securely fitted and held one by one from the cap supply position 32a (T5) to the catching position 32b.
Until (T1), it is reliably transferred at a predetermined timing.

Then, the catching position 32b (T1)
In FIG. 9, the capping head 40 having the above-described configuration is lowered from the state shown in FIG.
1 holds the cap 1 fitted and held in the fitting projection 20 of the mounting portion 18a. Alternatively, the transfer lever 18 or the like is raised from the state shown in FIG.
The chuck 1 of the capping head 40 grips the cap 1 fitted and held in the capping head 40. Thereafter, after the capping head 40 is raised to a predetermined height, as shown in FIG. 9A, the capping head 40 rotates in the horizontal direction and moves above the bottle 6. Alternatively, the bottle 6 is transferred below the capping head 40 after the transfer lever 18 or the like moves outward while the capping head 40 remains as it is.

At this time, the bottles 6 supplied from the bottle gripper 13a of the bottle feeder 13 to the cap mounting and tightening machine (cap-in-head seamer) 12 or 120 are held one by one in each bottle holder 12a. . That is, in the bottle holding portion 12a, a rubber belt for rotation prevention is pressed and fixed to the body of the bottle 6. At the same time,
As shown in FIG. 10A, a neck ring portion 6b provided below the mouth 6a of the bottle 6 is supported from below by guide rails 45 that are opposed to each other so as to sandwich the bottle 6 from both sides. Alternatively, the bottle holding portion 12a may be set to have a shape that matches the outer shape of the bottle 6, and the rotation of the bottle 6 may be prevented by the shape of the bottle holding portion 12a without using a rubber belt for preventing rotation.

Next, as shown in FIG. 10B, the capping head 40 is lowered, and the hole of the cap 1 held by the chuck 81 is pressed against the mouth 6 a of the bottle 6. As a result, the protrusion 3a of the mechanical band 3 of the cap 1 is elastically deformed, so that the screw 3 of the mouth 6a can be overcome. The capping head 40 is rotated in conjunction with the pressing operation of the cap 1. As a result, the threaded portion of the cap 1 meshes with the threaded portion of the mouth 6a, and the cap 1 can be tightened.

Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 10C, by raising the capping head 40 to a predetermined height,
The work of tightening the cap 1 by the capping head 40 is completed. Thus, the new cap 1 having the mechanical band 3 can be securely and quickly attached to the mouth 6a of the bottle 6. As a result, a container (product container) 7 with a cap, in which the mouth 6a of the bottle 6 is sealed by the cap 1 having the tamper-evident property (tamper evidence) for clearly judging whether it has been opened or not.
Is manufactured.

In the manufacture of such a product container 7, the sticking to the transfer lever 18 and the like (particularly the fitting projection 20) and the tip of the cap chute 17 which is the periphery thereof, and the capping head 40 (particularly the chuck 81). In order to sterilize the germs with ultraviolet rays, the ultraviolet rays sterilize the movement trajectory of the transfer lever 18 and the like (at least from the cap supply position 32a to the catching position 32b) and the movement trajectory of the capping head 40 (at least the catching position 32b). Sterilization means are provided.

In order to prevent the ultraviolet rays from directly entering the operator's eyes, the ultraviolet sterilizing means can move around the transfer lever 18 and the capping head 40 in an appropriate range (from the cap supply position 32a to the catching position 32b). Until necessary, the cap mounting position 41 is included.). Further, a configuration may be adopted in which a stop switch for urgently stopping the cap mounting devices 10, 100 when any trouble occurs is provided. Further, the opening / closing portions of doors and doors provided for the purpose of allowing the worker to enter and leave the cap mounting devices 10 and 100 and the hands and the like are detected to detect the opened state, and the ultraviolet irradiation of the ultraviolet sterilizing means is performed. It is also possible to provide a detection sensor (for example, a limit switch or a proximity switch) for stopping the operation.

As the ultraviolet sterilizing means, for example, those having the structure shown in FIGS. 11 to 19 can be applied. Ultraviolet sterilizer 70 shown in FIGS.
Shows a first specific example of the ultraviolet sterilizing means, which will be described in detail later. The outline thereof is as follows. The lamp housing 51, the ultraviolet lamp 52, the lamp pressing plate 53, the cover sheet 54, the mounting frame 55 It is composed of The cover sheet 54 covers the opening of the lamp housing 51, and is used to prevent broken glass from scattering from the opening to the outside when the ultraviolet lamp 52 is broken. The mounting frame 55 is for mounting the lamp housing 51, and also has a role of pressing the cover sheet 54 in this embodiment.

The cover sheet 54 and the mounting frame 55
Is not indispensable as a constitution of ultraviolet sterilization means,
An ultraviolet sterilizer can be constructed without using these. That is, the lamp housing 51 and the ultraviolet lamp 52
By using the lamp holding plate 53 and the lamp holding plate 53, it is possible to form a simple type of ultraviolet sterilizer in which the configuration of the above-described ultraviolet sterilizer 70 is simplified.

This ultraviolet sterilizer 70 (the same applies to a simple ultraviolet sterilizer) is used for the cap transfer machine 1.
The reason for installation in No. 4 is as follows. That is, the cap 1 conveyed to the cap supply position 32a by the cap chute 17 is fitted to the fitting projection 20 and transferred to the catching position 32b by the transfer lever 18 or the like, where it is moved by the chuck 81 of the capping head 40. Is grasped. Then, the bottle 6 is transferred to a predetermined position by the capping head 40 or stopped at the position where it is gripped, and the mouth 6a of the bottle 6 transferred by another route.
Attached to. For this reason, the fitting protrusion 20 such as the transfer lever 18 and the chuck 81 of the capping head 40 may be contaminated with bacteria for the following reasons, and may become unsanitary.

For example, in a factory or the like that manufactures bottled beverages by filling fruit beverages, coffee beverages and other beverages into bottles, the process of filling beverages is performed in a so-called aseptic room or in a nearly aseptic space. . However,
It is difficult to maintain a completely aseptic condition even in a sterile room or the like, and many bacteria are present in a floating state in the air due to a worker entering or leaving the room. The bacteria in this air
Due to the convection of air in the room, the flow of air due to the operation of a machine, or the like, it falls onto the fitting projection 20 or adheres to the chuck 81 (hereinafter referred to as “airborne bacteria”). The fitting protrusion 20 of the transfer lever 18, the chuck 81 of the capping head 40, and its peripheral portion may be contaminated by the airborne bacteria.

If these parts are contaminated by falling bacteria in the air and the contamination is transmitted to the cap 1, it becomes unsanitary in the cap mounting stage after filling the beverage or the like. Then, the transfer lever 18 (18
A, 180), chuck 81 of capping head 40
And the like are subjected to ultraviolet sterilization. Thereby, not only the step of filling the bottle 6 with the contents and the subsequent step of attaching the cap 1 to the mouth 6a of the bottle 6, but also during the movement of the cap 1 during that, the cap transfer line including the cap 1 and The purpose is to maintain a sanitary condition by irradiating ultraviolet rays to the peripheral portion, the capping head 40 and the like.

The ultraviolet sterilizer 70 used to achieve the above object will be described in detail. The ultraviolet sterilizer 70 has a shape and a structure as shown in FIGS. As shown in FIG. 16 and the like, the lamp housing 51 is formed of a cubic box, and an opening 56 is formed over substantially the entire surface of the lamp housing 51 except for both ends in the longitudinal direction.
Is provided. A square fitting frame 51 a is provided on the surface of the lamp housing 51 on the opening 56 side so as to surround the opening 56. Further, flange portions 51b, 51b that are continuous in the longitudinal direction are provided on both sides in the width direction of the surface of the lamp housing 51 where the opening portion 56 is located. Each of the flange portions 51b is provided with a plurality of insertion holes 58a for screwing the lamp housing 51 to the mounting frame 55.

The opening 56 of the lamp housing 51
A connecting member 57 to which a cooling pipe is connected is screwed to one end in one longitudinal direction of a surface orthogonal to the surface having the holes. For example, piping parts such as rubber hoses and copper pipes are connected to the connecting tool 57, and are connected to an air supply source (not shown) via the piping. Air indicating one specific example of the cooling medium is introduced from the air supply source into the lamp housing 51 via the pipe and the connection tool 57. The air introduced into the lamp housing 51 is exhausted to the outside through an exhaust hole 59 provided at the other end in the longitudinal direction of the surface of the lamp housing 51 opposite to the surface having the opening 56.

Further, a lamp insertion port 60 into which the ultraviolet lamp 52 is inserted is provided on the surface of the lamp housing 51 facing the longitudinal direction, which is near the exhaust hole 59. A two-sided width portion 60 a for preventing rotation of the ultraviolet lamp 52 is provided inside the lamp insertion opening 60. The inner surface of this lamp housing 51
It is preferable to perform mirror finishing or the like so as to reflect the ultraviolet rays radiated from the ultraviolet lamp 52 well and efficiently emit the ultraviolet rays from the opening 56 to form a reflecting surface.

The ultraviolet lamp 52 inserted from the lamp insertion port 60 has an ultraviolet light having a wavelength in the range of about 1 to 400 nm (nanometers), and particularly has a wavelength of about 254 nm (strictly, 253.7 nm). A germicidal lamp that emits a germicidal line having a strong line spectrum. The ultraviolet lamp 52 is made of, for example, quartz glass or ultraviolet transmitting glass U that transmits light of 290 nm or less.
A glass tube 52a formed in a V-shape,
a, an electrode 52c attached to the connector 52b for closing the end on the opening side of the connector 52a, a glass tube 52a
It is composed of mercury vapor or the like sealed inside.

The ultraviolet sterilizing means, which is a source of the ultraviolet light, is not limited to the ultraviolet lamp 52 of this embodiment. For example, an ultraviolet light emitting method using a semiconductor laser, a laser beam is transmitted using an optical fiber. Various light-emitting methods capable of emitting ultraviolet light, such as a method of irradiating with ultraviolet light, can be applied.

In order to prevent the ultraviolet lamp 52 from rotating around the lamp housing 51 and to fix it, the connector 52b is provided with cutouts on both sides corresponding to the width across flats 60a of the lamp insertion opening 60. By providing this notch in the connector 52b, a flange 52d for positioning in the lamp insertion direction is provided at the end of the connector 52b opposite to the glass tube 52a. The thickness of the flange portion 52d is formed to be substantially the same as the depth of the lamp insertion port 60. The UV lamp 52 is prevented from being removed from the lamp housing 51 by a lamp holding plate 53.

The lamp holding plate 53 is provided for the lamp housing 5.
It is formed of a rectangular plate 53a having a size substantially the same as the surface on which the one lamp insertion opening 60 is located, and a pair of hook pieces 53b, 53b fixed to the plate 53a. The pair of hook pieces 53b, 53b are fixed to two opposing sides of the plate 53a by fixing means such as welding.
The hook portions are formed so as to be curved outward so as to be separated from each other. At a substantially central portion of the lamp pressing plate 53, a through hole 61 for projecting the electrode 52c of the ultraviolet lamp 52 is provided.

The lamp holding plate 53 is connected to the lamp housing 51.
In order to removably attach to the lamp housing 51, clamps 63 are respectively attached to two corresponding surfaces of the lamp housing 51. The fastening member 63 has a wire ring 63a detachably engaged with the hook piece 53b of the lamp holding plate 53, and an operation piece 63b for moving the wire ring 63a to perform a tightening and loosening operation. I have. By hooking the wire ring 63a on the hook piece 53b and pressing the operation piece 63b backward, the clamps 63 are tightened, and the lamp holding plate 5 is tightened.
3 can be fixed to the lamp housing 51 by pressing.

[0126] The cover sheet 54 is
The first opening 56 is covered to prevent a piece of glass or the like from passing through the opening 56. This cover sheet 54
Can be formed of an ultraviolet-permeable plastic sheet that can transmit ultraviolet light well, for example, an ultraviolet-permeable fluoro resin sheet. The cover sheet 54 is formed in a size that can cover the entire opening 56 of the lamp housing 51. The cover sheet 54 is provided with a bulged portion 54a by bulging the inside of the cover sheet 54 in a rectangular shape while leaving the peripheral portion in a frame shape. A fitting frame 51a of the lamp housing 51 is fitted into a recess formed inside the bulging portion 54a. Further, a peripheral flange portion 54b surrounding the bulging portion 54a
Are provided with the same number of similar insertion holes 58b corresponding to the insertion holes 58a of the lamp housing 51.

Further, the mounting frame 55 is attached to the cover sheet 54.
Are held between the lamp housing 51 and the lamp housing 51 and the like are mounted at appropriate positions. The mounting frame 55 is provided in the lamp housing 5.
It comprises a rectangular frame portion 55a having substantially the same size as the fixed side including the one flange portion 52d, and flange portions 55b, 55b provided on both sides in the width direction of the frame portion 55a. By forming the frame portion 55a as a frame, the bulging portion 54a of the cover sheet 54 is formed inside the frame portion 55a.
There is provided an opening 64 into which is fitted. Further, the frame portion 55a is provided with the same number of screw holes 58c corresponding to the insertion holes 58b of the cover sheet 54. And
Each of the flange portions 55b is provided with a plurality of insertion holes 65 for mounting the mounting frame 55.

The ultraviolet sterilizer 7 having such a configuration
0 can be assembled as follows, for example. First, the ultraviolet lamp 52 is attached to the lamp housing 51. In this case, the ultraviolet lamp 52 is inserted into the lamp insertion opening 60 of the lamp housing 51 from the glass tube 52a side, and the notch of the connecting tool 52b is engaged with the two-face width portion 60a and inserted to a predetermined depth.

Next, after the lamp holding plate 53 is applied to the outside of the connecting tool 52b, the wire rings 63a of the pair of fastening members 63, 63 are engaged with the left and right hook pieces 53b, 53b. Then, the operation piece 63b is operated to apply tension to the wire ring 63a, and the lamp pressing plate 53 is tightened and fixed. Thus, a simple ultraviolet sterilizer before the cover sheet 54 and the mounting frame member 55 are assembled is configured.

Next, the bulging portion 54a of the cover sheet 54 is fitted into the opening 64 of the mounting frame 55, and the cover sheet 5
4 is mounted on the mounting frame 55. This cover sheet 54
And a lamp housing 51 to which an ultraviolet lamp 52 and the like are attached. The screw portion of the mounting screw (not shown) is inserted into the insertion hole 58a of the lamp housing 51.
And, it is inserted into the insertion hole 58 b of the cover sheet 54 and screwed into the screw hole 58 c of the mounting frame 55. The assembly operation is completed by tightening the mounting screws, and the ultraviolet sterilizer 70 is configured as shown in FIGS.

FIG. 17 shows a modified embodiment of the ultraviolet sterilizer 70 shown in FIGS. In the ultraviolet sterilizer 72, the lamp housing 51 in the above embodiment is divided into a housing main body 73 and a housing lid 74, and the ultraviolet lamp 52 can be exchanged only by attaching and detaching the housing lid 74. .
This ultraviolet sterilizer 72 is the same as the ultraviolet sterilizer 70 described above.
The only difference is that the housing body 73 and the housing lid 74 are the same, and the other ultraviolet lamps 52, the lamp pressing plate 53, the cover sheet 54, and the mounting frame 55 remain unchanged. Therefore, here, the housing body 73 and the housing lid 74 will be described, and the other components will be denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted.

The housing lid 74 is formed by two surfaces of the lamp housing 51 of the above-described embodiment, that is, the back surface 74a having the exhaust hole 59 and the front surface 74b having the lamp insertion opening 60. Also, the housing body 73
Is formed by removing a portion corresponding to the rear portion 74a and a portion corresponding to the front portion 74b from the lamp housing 51. Therefore, a lamp housing similar to the lamp housing 51 is formed by overlapping the housing lid 74 on the housing main body 73.

In order to screw the housing cover 74 to the housing main body 73, a nut portion 75 is provided on the surface of the housing main body 73 opposite to the lamp pressing plate 53 so as to protrude inward. Then, the housing lid 74
A hole 76 with a seat is provided at a position corresponding to the nut portion 75. In a state where the housing cover 74 is overlapped with the housing body 73, the shaft portion of a fixing screw (not shown) is inserted through the seated hole 76 and screwed into the screw hole of the nut portion 75, so that the housing cover 74 is It can be fastened and fixed to the main body 73.

The width of the two-sided width portion 60a attached to the inner surface of the housing lid 74 is made to match the width of the two side portions of the housing body 73 facing each other in the width direction. The housing cover 74 with respect to the housing body 73 can be formed simply by engaging the surface width portion 60a.
Can be positioned in the width direction.

FIGS. 18 and 19 show another embodiment of an ultraviolet sterilizer as an ultraviolet sterilizer. The ultraviolet sterilizer 150 has a flexible arm structure in which the lamp housing 151, which is a light emitting part of ultraviolet rays, is supported by a flexible tube so that the posture of the lamp housing 151 can be freely changed. The ultraviolet sterilizer 150 includes a flexible metal pipe (flexible metal pipe) 152 showing a specific example of a flexible pipe, two connection joints 153 attached to both ends of the flexible metal pipe 152, and a support bracket 154 on the housing side.
And a fixed-side mounting bracket 155.

Although the lamp housing 151 has the same basic structure as the lamp housing 51 shown in FIG.
The difference is that the use of the connecting tool 57 and the two fasteners 63 is eliminated, while the mounting of the support bracket 154 is enabled. Therefore, the lamp housing 1
The differences between the lamp housing 51 and the lamp housing 51 will be described, and the same portions will be denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted. The lamp housing 151 has a lamp insertion port 60 provided on one side surface in the longitudinal direction, and a support bracket 154 is attached so as to cover the lamp insertion port 60.

[0137] As shown in FIG.
4 has a U-shape in plan view, and is provided with a cylindrical portion 154a protruding in the opposite side of the side piece at substantially the center of the center piece. The cylindrical portion 154a of the support bracket 154
Is provided with a screw portion on its outer peripheral surface. Further, each side piece is provided with two insertion holes into which the screw shaft portions of the fixing screws 156 are inserted, and screw holes are provided in the lamp housing 151 corresponding to these insertion holes. . The support bracket 1 is provided on one side of the lamp housing 151.
The fixing screw 156 is attached, and the fixing screw 156 is screwed into the screw hole through the aligned insertion hole. Thus, the lamp housing 151 is fixed to the support bracket 154 via the four fixing screws 156.

The connection joint 153 is formed by a first joint member 153a and a second joint member 153b, both of which form a ring. The first joint member 153a has an inner thread portion provided on the inner peripheral surface and an outer thread portion provided on the outer peripheral surface. By screwing the inner thread portion of the first joint member 153a to the tubular portion 154a, the first joint member 153a
3a is detachably connected to the support bracket 154.
The second joint member 153b has an inner thread portion provided on the inner peripheral surface. By screwing the inner thread portion of this second joint member 153b to the outer thread portion, the second joint member 153b is formed.
b is detachably connected to the first joint member 153a.

[0139] Sleeve-shaped connecting members 152a are fixed to both ends of the flexible metal tube 152. An outward flange portion is provided on an end surface of the connection tool 152a, and an inward flange portion provided on the second joint member 153b is engaged with the flange portion. This connector 15
A seal member 157 such as an O-ring is interposed between 2a and the first joint member 153a, and the connection joint 153 is sealed by the seal member 157.

A plurality of electric wires 160 are inserted through the flexible metal tube 152, and a pin connector 161 is attached to the tip of each electric wire 160. Furthermore,
The pin connector 161 has a lead wire 1 of the socket 162.
63 are connected respectively. And socket 16
2 is connected to the electrode 52c of the ultraviolet lamp 52 protruding from the lamp insertion opening 60 of the lamp housing 151.

The other end of the flexible metal tube 152 is also connected to a mounting bracket 155 via a connection joint 153. This mounting bracket 155 is used for the flexible metal tube 15.
It supports the weight of the entire light emitting unit including the light emitting unit 2, and is attached to an arbitrary attachment surface such as a machine, a partition, or a wall by a plurality of fixing screws. The mounting bracket 155 is formed of a rectangular plate-like member, and has insertion holes at four corners through which fixing screws are inserted. Further, the mounting bracket 15
At a substantially central portion of 5, a cylindrical portion 155a projecting to one surface side is provided. A connection joint 153 is attached to the cylindrical portion 155a.
The first joint member 153a is detachably connected.

The ultraviolet sterilizer 1 having such a configuration
According to 50, by bending the flexible metal tube 152 at an arbitrary position, the opening 64 of the lamp housing 151 fixed to the tip can be directed in an arbitrary direction. Thus, the light emitting unit can be stopped at a spatial position where the movement of the cap mounting devices 10 and 100 is not hindered, and ultraviolet rays can be emitted from the position in a desired direction.

The transfer path moves on the opening-side surface of the cap 1 fitted and transferred to the fitting projection 20 sterilized by the ultraviolet sterilizer 70 (or 72, 150) as described above. In this case, there is no possibility that dirt, bacteria, and the like are newly attached. Therefore, the cap 1 transported to the cap transfer device 14 via the cap chute 17 is
It is transported in a sanitary state without contamination while maintaining a clean state up to the catching position 32b gripped by the chuck 81 of the capping head 40. The cap 1 maintained in a clean and sanitary state is used for the next capping operation.

In the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the capping operation by the capping head 40 is synchronized with the bottle 6 after the cap mounting and tightening machine 12 receives the bottle 6 from the bottle feeder 13. This is performed by the capping head 40 that rotates. Further, in the case of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 2, after the cap mounting and tightening machine 12 receives the bottle 6 from the bottle feeder 13, the bottle 6 that stops at that position can only be moved up and down at that position. This is performed by the capping head 40 that has been set. Here, the bottle 6 with the cap 1 attached thereto is rotated and moved away from the capping head 40.

This capping operation causes the cap 1
Is completely attached to the mouth 6a of the bottle 6, whereby the product container 7 is assembled. Then, a beverage in a container with a cap is manufactured as a final product, which is a product container 7.
Then, the container is conveyed to the next container discharger 15 by the cap mounting and tightening machine 12.

The container discharging machine 15 is a cap mounting and tightening machine 1.
At the transfer position intersecting with the transfer container 2, the product container 7 is received from the cap mounting and tightening machine 12, 120, is held by the container grip 15 a, and is transferred to the discharge position 67.
One end of a transport conveyor 68 is provided at the discharge position 67, and the product container 7 is placed on the transport conveyor 68. The product container 7 placed on the conveyor 68
Is transported to the next step such as a packaging step.

[0147] Such cap mounting devices 10, 100
According to this, the completely sterilized cap 1 is held and moved by the transfer levers 18, 18A and 180 until it is introduced from the cap supply position 32a of the cap transfer machine 14 and transferred to the catching position 32b. But
The transfer lever 18 (or 18A, 180), particularly the fitting projection 20 and the cap 1, are provided with an ultraviolet sterilizer 70,
Ultraviolet rays radiated from 72 and 150 are applied.
Further, the capping head 40 for gripping and transferring the cap 1, particularly the chuck 81 thereof, is also provided with the ultraviolet sterilizer 70.
(Or 72, 150) ultraviolet rays are irradiated.

As described above, the fitting protrusions 2 such as the transfer lever 18 are provided.
By irradiating ultraviolet rays to the zero and the chuck 81 of the capping head 40 and the entire periphery thereof, the bacteria falling in the air can be sterilized by the ultraviolet rays, and the growth by the bacteria falling in the air can be prevented. Therefore, it is possible to prevent bacteria from adhering to the contact surface of the cap 1 that comes into contact with the fitting projection 20, and to maintain the sanitary state of the sterilized cap 1 in the pretreatment step, , Can be transferred to the capping process. Further, since the chuck 81 of the capping head 40 is also irradiated with ultraviolet rays, the cap 1 is not contaminated by the chuck 81, and the sanitary condition is maintained while the cap 1 is being moved to the mouth 6a of the bottle 6. Can be installed.

Further, a cleaning means is provided in addition to the ultraviolet sterilizer 70 (or 72, 150) of the cap transfer machine 14 described above, so that the cap transfer machine 14 is cleaned simultaneously with or separately from the ultraviolet sterilization. Can also. Here, the cleaning means means the transfer lever 18 (or 18A, 18A).
By supplying a cleaning medium to 0) and its peripheral portion or the capping head 40, the bacteria and the like that have fallen on the fitting convex portion 20, the chuck 81, and the like are washed away or blown off to be cleaned.

This cleaning means can be used simultaneously with the above-mentioned ultraviolet sterilizer 70 (or 72, 150), but when both are used at the same time, the running cost becomes higher, and therefore the economical efficiency is reduced. In consideration of the above, it is preferable to use the device in a short time before starting the operation or when the operation is temporarily interrupted. However, there is no problem with simultaneous use for increased security. Furthermore,
The cleaning means may be a single use of hot water, hot water, hot air or high-temperature steam, or a combination of any of these may cause no problem.

By providing such a cleaning means,
Fitting projection 20 of transfer lever 18 (or 18A, 180)
Bacteria, dirt, and the like adhering to the peripheral portion thereof, the chuck 81 of the capping head 40, and the like can be washed away or blown away using a cleaning medium such as hot water or hot air. In this case, since the bacteria and the like disappear by being washed away or the like, it is not necessary to have a long time until the bacteria are killed by ultraviolet rays. Therefore, the content filling line can be moved at an early stage, and wasted time before the start of work can be reduced. In the case of hot water and steam, since drying properties are good and drainage is quick, there is no possibility that a problem will occur even if these are used as a cleaning medium.

In the above-described embodiment, as a specific example of the passage control means, a stopper lever 141 having one stopper pin 143 extending in the lateral direction, and the stopper lever 141 are rotatably supported. Support bracket 1
42, and the stopper pin 143 is rotated in the vertical direction while keeping the horizontal state to control the passage and prevention of passage of the cap 1, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, three stoppers The pins 143 are arranged at equal angular intervals in the circumferential direction, and are rotated in one direction in accordance with the flow of the cap 1 and the movement of the transfer lever 18 and the like.
While passing the next stopper pin to the next cap 1
To prevent the cap 1 from passing therethrough. Further, a pair of claw members for preventing the movement of the cap 1 are provided on both sides of the outlet of the cap chute,
The opening and closing operation of the pair of claw members may be configured to allow the caps 1 to pass one by one.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. For example, in the above-described embodiment, an example in which an ultraviolet lamp in which a glass tube extends linearly has been described. UV lamps of various shapes can be used, such as a UV lamp formed in a circular shape or a glass tube obtained by rolling a glass tube into a ball shape. Thus, the present invention can be variously modified without departing from the spirit thereof.

[0154]

As described above, claim 1 of the present application.
According to the cap mounting device described, the cap mounting tightening machine, the cap transfer device and the ultraviolet sterilizing means are provided, and at least the fitting convex portion of the cap transfer device is irradiated with ultraviolet light and sterilized by the ultraviolet sterilizing device. , Preventing the cap from being contaminated by bacteria through the fitting projection fitted into the hole of the cap, and keeping the cap in a sanitary condition, which can be used to seal the bottle mouth. The effect can be obtained.

According to the cap mounting device of the present invention, the cap transfer device has the transfer lever and the moving means, and the cap is transferred between the cap supply position and the catching position by the cap transfer means. With this configuration, it is possible to minimize the chance of bacteria adhering to the cap, and also to obtain an effect that the cap supplied from the cap chute can be reliably held and transferred.

According to the cap mounting device of the third aspect of the present invention, the fitting convex portion of the transfer lever is configured to be heated by irradiating infrared rays or energizing the heater. Even when (molds, etc.) adhere to the fitting projection, the growth of the bacteria can be prevented or suppressed, or the bacteria can be sterilized by using ultraviolet light and heating in combination. The effect of being able to maintain a sanitary state is obtained.

According to the cap mounting device of the fourth aspect of the present invention, since at least the fitting projection of the transfer lever is formed of a fluororesin or covered with a fluororesin coating, it is installed outside. Ultraviolet rays can be applied to the inside of the hole of the cap, which is hardly irradiated with the ultraviolet rays emitted from the ultraviolet sterilizing means, and the effect that bacteria adhered to the inside of the hole of the cap can be sterilized by the ultraviolet rays can be obtained.

According to the cap mounting apparatus of the present invention, the ultraviolet sterilizing means is constituted by the ultraviolet lamp, the lamp housing, and the cover sheet, and the ultraviolet sterilizing means is arranged on the side or above the transfer lever. With this configuration, the transfer range of the transfer lever can be reliably sterilized with ultraviolet light while having a simple configuration, and the glass pieces can be prevented from scattering to the outside even when the ultraviolet lamp is damaged. can get.

According to the cap mounting apparatus of the present invention, the ultraviolet sterilizing means is constituted by the ultraviolet lamp and the lamp cover, and the ultraviolet sterilizing means is arranged on the side or above the transfer lever. With a simple structure, the transfer range of the transfer lever can be reliably sterilized with ultraviolet light, and the glass pieces can be prevented from scattering outside even when the ultraviolet lamp is broken.

According to the cap mounting device of the present invention, the ultraviolet sterilizing means is constituted by the lamp housing, the cover sheet, the ultraviolet lamp and the lamp pressing plate, and the ultraviolet sterilizing means is provided near the cap transfer machine. With the arrangement, the fitting projections can be reliably sterilized by ultraviolet light with a simple structure, and even if the ultraviolet lamp is broken, the glass pieces can be prevented from scattering to the outside. Therefore, the effect that the maintenance performance can be improved and the maintenance management can be facilitated can be obtained.

According to the cap mounting device of the present invention, the mounting frame having the opening on the frame side is provided, and the cover sheet is interposed between the mounting frame and the lamp housing. The effect of being easy to assemble and disassemble, being able to be easily attached to an existing device, and using a flexible sheet member as a rigid surface member is obtained.

According to the cap mounting device of the ninth aspect of the present invention, since the mounting frame having the frame side opening is provided and the cover sheet is interposed between the mounting frame and the lamp housing, The effect of being easy to assemble and disassemble, being able to be easily attached to an existing device, and using a flexible sheet member as a rigid surface member is obtained.

According to the cap mounting apparatus of the tenth aspect of the present invention, since the cap transfer device is cleaned by the cleaning means, the cleaning means is operated at a predetermined time or at an arbitrary time. The medium can be supplied to the fitting convex portion or its peripheral portion or the capping head for cleaning, thereby preventing bacteria from adhering to the fitting convex portion or the like, or killing bacteria attached to these. The effect is obtained.

According to the cap mounting method described in claim 11 of the present application, since at least the fitting projection of the cap transfer machine is sterilized by ultraviolet rays, bacteria adhere to the fitting projection and grow. Is prevented, the cap is held by the fitting projection to which no bacteria adhere, and the cap is transferred to the capping position, so that a hygienic cap can be attached to the mouth of the bottle.

According to the cap mounting method according to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, since the fitting projection and its peripheral portion and the capping head are sterilized by ultraviolet rays, bacteria are present on the fitting projection and its peripheral portion. The effect is obtained that it is possible to prevent the cap from being attached and proliferating, and to hold the cap with the fitting projection to which no bacteria are attached, and to transfer the sanitary cap to the capping position.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory view showing a first embodiment of a schematic configuration of a cap mounting device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory view showing a second embodiment of the schematic configuration of the cap mounting apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a first specific configuration of the cap transfer device and the cap chute according to the cap mounting device shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of the embodiment of FIG.

4 is a first specific configuration of the cap transfer device and the cap chute according to the cap mounting device shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory view of the embodiment of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a second specific configuration of the cap transfer device and the cap chute according to the cap mounting device shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;
FIG. 5 is an explanatory view of the embodiment of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a third specific configuration of the cap transfer device and the cap chute according to the cap mounting device shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;
FIG. 1A is a side view in which a part is sectioned, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view.

FIG. 7 is a second specific configuration of the cap transfer device and the cap chute according to the cap mounting device shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of the embodiment of FIG.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory side view of a second embodiment of the specific configuration of the cap transfer device according to the cap mounting device shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view showing an embodiment of a capping head of the cap mounting apparatus according to the present invention.

10 illustrates the operation of the capping head shown in FIG. 9; FIG. 10A illustrates a state in which the cap is gripped by the chuck; FIG. 10B illustrates a state in which the cap gripped by the chuck is attached to the mouth of the bottle; FIG. C is an explanatory view showing a state where capping is completed and the capping head is separated from the cap.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a state in which the first embodiment of the ultraviolet sterilizer used in the cap transfer machine shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is assembled.

FIG. 12 is a plan view of the ultraviolet sterilizer shown in FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a section taken along line X-X of the ultraviolet sterilizer shown in FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a front view of the ultraviolet sterilizer shown in FIG. 11;

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing a section taken along line YY of the ultraviolet sterilizer shown in FIG. 12;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing a state in which the first embodiment of the ultraviolet sterilizer shown in FIG. 11 is disassembled.

FIG. 17 is an exploded perspective view showing a second embodiment in which a part of the ultraviolet sterilizer shown in FIG. 16 is modified.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing a third embodiment of the ultraviolet sterilizer used in the cap transfer machine shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram showing a cross section of a main part of the ultraviolet sterilizer shown in FIG. 18 as viewed from above.

FIG. 20 is a partially sectional perspective view showing a specific example of a cap used in the cap mounting device shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

[Explanation of symbols]

1 cap, 6 bottle, 6a mouth, 7 product container, 10,100 cap mounting device, 11
Rotary filling machine (filler), 12,120 cap mounting and tightening machine (cap-in-head seamer), 13 bottle feeder, 14 cap transfer machine, 15 container discharger, 17 cap chute, 18, 18A, 18
0 transfer lever, 20,183 fitting projection, 32a
Cap supply position, 32b Catching position,
40 capping head, 51, 151 lamp housing, 52 ultraviolet lamp, 53 lamp holding plate, 54 cover sheet, 55 mounting frame material, 60
Lamp insertion slot, 63 fasteners, 70, 72, 15
0 UV sterilizer (UV sterilizer), 80 clutch mechanism, 81 chuck, 141 stopper lever, 152 flexible metal tube (flexible tube), 153
Connection joint, 154 support bracket, 181 mounting part

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) B65G 25/02 B65B 55/08 A // B65B 55/08 55/10 E 55/10 55/24 55 / 24 A61J 1/00 315D (72) Inventor Ken Shimizu 3-49-16 Honcho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Inside the Toyoshin Science & Technology Center, Inc. (72) Inventor Masafumi Oji 3-49-16 Honcho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo F-term in Toyoshin Science & Technology Center (reference) 3E080 AA07 AA20 BB02 CD03 CD05 CF02 CF15 DD12 DD17 DD29 FF11 FF15 3F036 BA02 DB01 4C058 AA16 BB06 EE22 EE23 EE26 EE29 KK02 KK05 KK22 KK50

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. A cap mounting tightening machine having a capping head for supplying a bottle filled with contents and mounting a cap on the mouth of the bottle, and a fitting protrusion fitted into a hole of the cap. A cap transfer device that has a portion and transfers the cap to the catching position gripped by the capping head while holding the cap on the fitting protrusion, and irradiates at least the fitting protrusion of the cap transfer device with ultraviolet light. And a UV disinfection means for disinfection. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cap transfer device includes a transfer lever having the fitting protrusion to which the cap supplied from the cap chute is fitted, and moving the transfer lever to a cap supply position of the cap chute and the catching position. 2. A cap mounting device according to claim 1, further comprising: a transfer unit for reciprocating between the first and second caps. 3. The cap according to claim 1, wherein the fitting convex portion of the transfer lever is heated by irradiating infrared rays from the outside or energizing a built-in heater. Mounting device. 4. The transfer lever according to claim 1, wherein at least the fitting projection is formed of a fluororesin material that is strong against heat and transmits ultraviolet rays, or is covered with the fluororesin material. The cap mounting device as described in the above. 5. The ultraviolet sterilizing means includes: an ultraviolet lamp disposed laterally or above the transfer lever; a lamp housing holding the ultraviolet lamp and having an opening opened on the transfer lever side; The cap mounting device according to claim 1, further comprising: an ultraviolet-transparent cover sheet that covers the opening. 6. The ultraviolet sterilizing means is an ultraviolet lamp disposed on the side or above the transfer lever, and is formed of an ultraviolet transmitting resin or is coated with an ultraviolet transmitting resin and is formed of the ultraviolet light. The cap mounting device according to claim 1, further comprising: a lamp cover that covers the lamp. 7. The ultraviolet sterilizing means includes a lamp housing having an opening on one surface and a lamp insertion hole provided on a surface orthogonal to the surface having the opening, and the lamp so as to close the opening. A cover sheet attached to the housing, an ultraviolet lamp into which at least an ultraviolet light emitting part is inserted into the lamp housing from the lamp insertion hole, and a connection portion of the ultraviolet lamp to press out the ultraviolet lamp from the lamp housing. The cap mounting device according to claim 1, further comprising a lamp presser plate for preventing the cap. 8. The ultraviolet sterilizing means includes a mounting frame on which the lamp housing is superimposed, the mounting frame having a frame-side opening that matches the opening of the lamp housing. 6. The cap mounting device according to claim 5, wherein the lamp housing is mounted on the body with the cover sheet interposed therebetween. 9. The ultraviolet disinfection means has a flexible tube supporting the lamp housing and having flexibility, and the direction of the opening of the lamp housing can be freely changed by the flexible tube. 9. The cap mounting device according to claim 5, wherein: 10. A cap mounting according to claim 1, further comprising a cleaning means for supplying a cleaning medium to the fitting convex portion, a peripheral portion of the fitting convex portion, or the capping head for cleaning. apparatus. 11. A cap transfer device for transferring a cap from a cap supply position to a catching position by a cap transfer device that fits and holds a fitting projection in a hole of a cap that is transferred before being sterilized and transferred at the catching position. After the cap is gripped by the capping head, the bottle filled with the contents is moved directly below the capping head and the cap is attached to the mouth of the bottle, or the bottle is filled with the contents. When the capping head is moved and the cap is attached to the mouth of the bottle, at least the fitting convex portion of the cap transfer machine that holds the cap is irradiated with ultraviolet light to sterilize, and sterilized by the ultraviolet light. The cap is fitted to the fitting projection and transported, and the transported key is moved. Cap mounting method characterized by the-up was as attached to the mouth portion. 12. The sterilization process using the ultraviolet light is performed on the fitting projection, the peripheral portion of the fitting projection, and the capping head of the cap transfer device. The described cap mounting method.