JP2002166484A - Sheet feeder for sheet molding machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent overturning of linear elements provided in a holding means even when the means is pulled to its inside by a resin sheet in a heater. SOLUTION: A sheet feeder for a sheet molding machine comprises the heat arranged on a conveying path of the resin sheet 17 to heat the sheet 17, guides 33a and 33b in the heater at a right side and a left side of both sides of the path in the heater, and the holding means opened or closed by a vertical movable shaft to hold both the ends of the sheet 17. The sheet feeder further comprises an overturning preventive guide having linear elements 37a and 37b raveling along the guide surface of the sheet 17 side of the guides 33a and 33b in the heater, and supporting a side face of the shaft at a lower end from the side of sheet 17.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a sheet feeding device for a sheet forming machine.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a continuous resin sheet is formed,
2. Description of the Related Art In a resin sheet molding line for molding a resin molded product such as a container for storing foods, beverages, electric parts, daily necessities, medicines, and the like, and a lid (lid) of the container, the resin sheet is fed into a sheet molding machine. A sheet feeder is used.

[0003] The sheet forming machine is an apparatus for forming a molded product on the continuous resin sheet by a thermoforming method.
It is conveyed intermittently by the length required for forming a shot, and sent to the sheet forming machine. A trimming device is provided on the downstream side of the sheet forming machine in the conveying direction of the resin sheet. In the trimming device, the molded product is cut from the resin sheet, separated, collected, packed, packed in a box, and the like. Is sent to the post-process.

Here, the sheet feeding device includes a belt,
Numerous holding means such as pins and clips attached to a linear body such as a chain, guide means for a linear body composed of guide rails and pulleys arranged on the left and right along a resin sheet conveyance path, the wire Driving means for moving the body, etc.,
The holding means conveys the resin sheet while holding both side edges of the resin sheet.

On the other hand, a heating device is disposed on the upstream side of the sheet forming machine in the conveying direction of the resin sheet. In the heating device, the resin sheet is heated to a temperature suitable for forming, and is heated by the sheet forming machine. Sent in. The heating device generally has radiant heaters disposed above and below a resin sheet conveying path, and heats the resin sheet by radiant heat from the radiant heater.

The radiant heater is at a high temperature of about 500 to 600 ° C. during operation, and a large amount of radiant heat is applied to the resin sheet. In an extreme case, the fuel may come into contact with the radiant heater disposed immediately below and burn. Further, if the resin sheet is fed into the sheet forming machine in a hanging state without contact with the radiation heater, wrinkles (wrinkles) are generated in the resin sheet during molding, and molding failure occurs. .

In view of the above, the guide means of the sheet feeder is provided so that the distance between the left and right guide means is increased from the entrance side to the exit side of the heating apparatus in a predetermined range in the heating apparatus. As the resin sheet is conveyed, both side edges of the resin sheet are pulled in the width direction by the holding means.

Therefore, the resin sheet is heated and softened by receiving the radiant heat from the radiant heaters arranged vertically in the heating device, but is expanded in the width direction by being pulled in the width direction by the holding means. Therefore, it does not hang down due to its own weight (Japanese Patent Publication No. 59-23535, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2-194923, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open
No. 8543).

[0009]

However, in the sheet feeding device of the conventional sheet forming machine, the linear body falls down due to the pulling of the resin sheet in the heating device, and the linear body and the guide means are biased. May wear.

That is, on the upstream side of a predetermined range in the heating device in the resin sheet conveying direction, the left and right guide means are disposed in parallel, and the interval therebetween is constant. On the other hand, also on the downstream side of the predetermined range in the heating device in the conveying direction of the resin sheet, the left and right guide means are arranged in parallel and their intervals are constant, Is getting wider. Then, in a predetermined range in the heating device, the left and right guide means are:
The path connecting the left and right guide means upstream and downstream of a predetermined range of the heating device is arranged in a straight line.

Here, the predetermined range corresponds to a range in which the resin sheet is heated and softened by receiving the radiant heat from the radiant heater in the heating device. It is prevented from hanging down by being pulled in the width direction by the holding means. Since the distance between the left and right guide means changes linearly, that is, linearly, the amount by which the both ends of the resin sheet are pulled in the width direction by the holding means changes linearly. On the other hand, the change in the degree to which the resin sheet is heated and softened by the radiation heat from the radiation heater is not necessarily linear.

That is, the total amount of heat received from the radiant heater by the resin sheet is known, and the degree of softening of the resin sheet that has received a certain amount of heat can be easily known based on the material and dimensions of the resin sheet. Accordingly, the distance between the left and right guide means provided downstream of a predetermined range in the heating device in the resin sheet conveying direction can be appropriately determined. However, the amount of heat applied to the resin sheet at which it begins to soften greatly varies depending on the material and dimensions of the resin sheet. Further, since the resin sheet is intermittently conveyed and repeatedly stopped and advanced in the heating device, the relationship between the degree of increase in the amount of heat received by a certain portion of the resin sheet and the amount of conveyance is not linear. Therefore, in a predetermined range in the heating device, the relationship between the degree of softening of the resin sheet and the transport amount is not linear but extremely complicated.

Accordingly, since the amount of pulling in the width direction by the holding means on both side edges of the resin sheet changes linearly, the amount by which both side edges of the resin sheet are pulled in the width direction by the holding means softens the resin sheet. At a location larger than the degree, the holding means may be pulled inward by the resin sheet, and the linear body to which the holding means is attached and the guide means for the linear body may be unevenly worn. If the linear body and the guide means are unevenly worn, the life of those members is shortened, the linear body does not run smoothly, and noise increases.

On the other hand, in order to prevent the holding means from being pulled inward by the resin sheet and the linear body from falling down, the amount by which both ends of the resin sheet are pulled in the width direction by the holding means is determined. If the degree of softening is smaller than the degree of softening, the resin sheet may hang down due to its own weight, and may come into contact with the radiant heater disposed immediately below and burn.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems of the sheet feeding device of the conventional sheet forming machine, and comprises:
The guide means for connecting the guide means provided on the upstream side of the heating device and the guide means provided on the downstream side is connected to the wire even if the holding means of the linear body is pulled inward by the resin sheet. Means for preventing the linear body from falling down or inclining, and when the linear body comes off the guide means by an amount by which both sides of the resin sheet are pulled in the width direction by the holding means, the sheet feeding is performed. Not only equipment but also without stopping the sheet forming line,
An object of the present invention is to provide a sheet feeding device of a sheet forming machine.

[0016]

For this purpose, in the sheet feeder of the sheet forming machine according to the present invention, the right and left guides are arranged at predetermined intervals on both sides of the resin sheet conveyance path. And a linear body that opens and closes with a movable shaft that can move up and down and that holds both ends of the resin sheet, and that runs along a guide surface on the resin sheet side of the guide section, The guide portion includes a plurality of guide members, and the guide member includes a fall prevention guide that supports the side surface of the lower end of the movable shaft from the resin sheet side.

In another aspect of the present invention, the guide member includes a slide base, a chain guide for guiding a chain roller provided on the slide base, and a guide on the chain guide. A top plate provided; an upper roller guide provided on the top plate for sandwiching a chain roller with the chain guide; and a fall prevention guide provided on the slide base and guiding the movable shaft.

In a sheet feeding apparatus for a sheet forming machine according to another aspect of the present invention, the linear member is a chain in which chain pieces are connected, and each of the chain pieces is fixed to the movable shaft and moves up and down. Holding means comprising a possible upper clip member and a lower clip member fixed to said chain piece.

In still another aspect of the present invention, the guide portion includes a plurality of guide members, and the plurality of guide members are arranged so as to be adjustable in the width direction of the resin sheet. You.

[0020]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a plan sectional view schematically showing a sheet feeder of a sheet forming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, and is a view taken along the line AA of FIG. 2, and FIG. FIG. 2 is a side sectional view schematically showing a sheet feeding device of the sheet forming machine.

In the figure, reference numeral 10 denotes a heating device, and a continuous resin sheet 17 stores foods such as cup noodles (skin), sashimi, jelly, drinks such as fruit juice, carbonated water, electric parts, daily necessities, medicines and the like. In a resin sheet molding line for molding a resin molded article 18 such as a container to be molded and a lid (lid) of the container, the sheet molding machine 20 is disposed upstream of the sheet molding machine 20 in the resin sheet conveying direction. Is heated to a temperature suitable for molding the resin sheet 17 fed into the substrate.

The resin sheet 17 according to the present embodiment
May be any, for example, P
VC (polyvinyl chloride), PS (polystyrene), expanded polystyrene, PP (polypropylene), PE (polyethylene), PET (polyethylene terephthalate), P
C (polycarbonate), ABS resin, methacrylic resin, biodegradable resin and the like are used. In addition, a sheet in which a plurality of types of resins are laminated can be used in consideration of water resistance, gas barrier properties, and the like.

The sheet forming machine 20 is provided with a resin sheet 1 by a thermoforming method such as vacuum forming, pressure forming, draw forming, press forming and matched mold forming.
7. An upper mold 21 having a plurality of, for example, 4 × 2 rows of male dies, and a lower mold 23 having a plurality of female dies corresponding to the male dies. Consists of The upper mold 21 may have a female mold, and the lower mold 23 may have a male mold. Here, the upper mold 21 and the lower mold 23 include an upper mold driving device 22 and a lower mold driving device 24.
The resin sheet 17 is moved downward and upward, respectively, and the resin sheet 17 is clamped by a male mold and a female mold to form the molded article 18 on the resin sheet 17.

The resin sheet 17 is intermittently conveyed, and stops when the male and female molds of the sheet forming machine 20 perform mold clamping. When the male mold and the female mold perform one-time clamping, that is, when the sheet molding machine 20 performs a one-shot molding operation, a plurality of, for example, 4 (pieces) are formed on the resin sheet 17. × 2
(Rows) = 8 (pieces) of molded articles 18 are molded.

The heating device 10 is connected to the sheet forming machine 2.
However, in this case, since the temperature of the resin sheet 17 sent out from the heating device 10 is reduced, the heating device 10 and the sheet forming machine 20 may be disposed from the viewpoint of thermal efficiency. Are preferably arranged close to each other, and in the present embodiment, the common frame 13
Attached to.

The heating device 10 has an upper heater device 11 disposed above the resin sheet 17 transport path and a lower heater device 12 disposed below the resin sheet 17 transport path. Here, the upper heater device 11 and the lower heater device 12 have an upper heater unit and a lower heater unit, respectively. Here, the upper heater unit and the lower heater unit are provided as a whole sheet heater by arranging a plurality of unit heaters including a sheathed heater, a porcelain heater, an infrared light bulb heater, and the like on the same surface. The resin sheet 17 by radiant heat.
Are heated from above and below, respectively.

The sheath heater, porcelain heater,
Which of the infrared bulb heaters etc. is selected
The heating temperature, the performance of the heater, the material of the resin sheet 17 and the like are taken into consideration. In general, when the resin sheet 17 is a PP, PE, PS, or ABS resin, a sheathed heater is selected. In the case of foamed polystyrene or a thick sheet, it is desirable to select a porcelain heater. The temperature of the upper heater unit and the lower heater unit is about 500 to 700 ° C. when the unit heater is a sheathed heater, and about 300 to 500 ° C. when the unit heater is a porcelain heater. It is desirable.

A trimming device (not shown) is provided downstream of the sheet forming machine 20 in the resin sheet conveying direction. In the trimming device, the molded product 18 is cut from the resin sheet 17, separated, and collected. After that, it is sent to a post-process such as packaging and boxing.

The resin sheet 17 is composed of linear members 37a and 37b having a plurality of holding means,
a and 37b, the sheet forming apparatus 2 is gripped at both ends by a sheet feeding device 30 having driving means (not shown) for moving the linear bodies 37a and 37b.
The sheet is intermittently conveyed by the length required for forming one shot of 0, and sent from the heating device 10 to the sheet forming machine 20. In the present embodiment, the linear member 37 is used.
a and 37b are composed of chains having clips as holding means (see Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 63-20664).
Other means such as a belt may be used. The guide means includes a guide member such as a width adjustment block, a rotating wheel, and the like.

Here, the sheet feeding device 30 is a
As shown in the figure, a right side portion disposed on the right side of the resin sheet 17 in the transport direction and having an upstream guide portion 31a, a downstream guide portion 32a, and a guide portion 33a in a heating device, And a left side portion having an upstream guide portion 31b, a downstream guide portion 32b, and a guide portion 33b in the heating device.

In this case, the upstream guide portions 31a, 3a
1b is disposed on the upstream side of the heating device 10 in the conveying direction of the resin sheet 17, and the downstream side guide portion 32a,
32b is disposed on the downstream side of the heating device 10, and the upstream guide portions 31a and 31b and the downstream guide portion 3
A part of 2a, 32b may be located in a region 16 described below corresponding to the heating device 10, as shown in FIG. Then, the upstream guide portions 31a, 31
b and guide surfaces (not shown) for guiding the linear bodies 37a and 37b are formed on the resin sheet 17 side and the opposite side to the resin sheet 17 on the downstream side guide portions 32a and 32b, respectively.

The right side upstream guide portion 31a,
And the resin sheet 17 of the upstream side guide portion 31b of the left side portion
The guide surfaces on the sides are parallel to the center line of the resin sheet 17 in the transport direction, and are spaced a little wider than the width of the resin sheet 17.

Also, the downstream side guide portion 32a of the right portion,
And the resin sheet 17 of the downstream side guide portion 32b of the left side portion
The guide surfaces on the sides are also parallel to the center line of the resin sheet 17 in the transport direction. Further, the distance between the guide surface on the resin sheet 17 side of the downstream guide portion 32a in the right portion and the guide surface on the resin sheet 17 side of the downstream guide portion 32b in the left portion is determined by the resin of the upstream guide portion 31a in the right portion. The guide surface on the seat 17 side and the upstream guide portion 31 on the left side portion
The distance b is wider than the distance from the guide surface on the resin sheet 17 side.

Here, the guide portion 3 in the heating device in the right portion.
The guide surface 3a on the resin sheet 17 side connects the guide surface on the resin sheet 17 side of the upstream guide portion 31a on the right portion and the guide surface on the resin sheet 17 side of the downstream guide portion 32a, and the heating device on the left portion. The guide surface of the inner guide portion 33b on the resin sheet 17 side is the left side upstream guide portion 31b.
Guide surface on the resin sheet 17 side and the downstream side guide portion 32b
And the guide surface on the resin sheet 17 side.

Therefore, the guide surface on the resin sheet 17 side of the guide section 33a in the heating device on the right side and the guide surface on the resin sheet 17 side of the guide section 33b in the heating device on the left side are centered in the transport direction of the resin sheet 17. It is possible to incline in directions opposite to each other with respect to the line. The interval can be increased from upstream to downstream in the transport direction of the resin sheet 17.

The upstream guide portions 31a, 31
b is an upstream rotating wheel 35a, 35 comprising a pulley, a gear, etc.
b, and the downstream side guide portion 32a,
32b is also a downstream rotating wheel 36a composed of pulleys, gears, etc.
36b. Here, the upstream rotating wheel 3
5a, 35b and / or downstream rotating wheels 36a, 36b are rotated by a driving source such as a motor (not shown),
The upstream rotating wheels 35a and 35b and the downstream guide portion 32
The linear members 37a and 37b stretched between the members a and 32b are rotated.

The upstream guide portions 31a, 31b
Is provided on the upstream slide guide 14 with the resin sheet 17.
The guide surface of the right side upstream guide portion 31a on the side of the resin sheet 17 and the left side portion of the upstream side guide portion 31b on the side of the resin sheet 17 are slidably mounted in the width direction (vertical direction in FIG. 1). The distance from the guide surface can be adjusted. However, the guide surface on the resin sheet 17 side of the upstream side guide portion 31a on the right side and the resin sheet 17 on the upstream side guide portion 31b of the left side portion.
The side guide surfaces are kept parallel to each other.

Further, the downstream guide portions 32a, 32
b, the resin sheet 1 is attached to the downstream slide guide 15.
7, a gap between the guide surface of the downstream guide portion 32a in the right portion on the resin sheet 17 side and the guide surface of the downstream guide portion 32b in the left portion on the resin sheet 17 side. Is adjustable. However, the guide surface on the resin sheet 17 side of the downstream guide portion 32a on the right side and the guide surface on the resin sheet 17 side of the downstream guide portion 32b on the left side are kept parallel to each other.

The upstream guide portions 31a, 31b
The drive means (not shown) for sliding the downstream guide portions 32a and 32b in the width direction of the resin sheet 17 includes an actuator including a pneumatic cylinder device, a hydraulic cylinder device, a manual screw / nut device, and a screw / nut using a pulse motor. Although it is a device etc., any device may be used. Further, by the driving means for sliding, the upstream guide portion 31a of the right portion and the upstream guide portion 31b of the left portion, and the downstream guide portion 32a of the right portion and the downstream guide portion 32b of the left portion.
Are desirably linked so as to slide at equal distances in opposite directions to each other, but may be individually slid without being linked.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 16 denotes an area corresponding to the heating device 10, and reference numeral 25 denotes a sheet forming machine 2;
The area corresponding to 0 is shown.

Next, the configuration of the sheet feeding device 30 will be described in detail. Since the right and left portions of the sheet feeder 30 are symmetrical with respect to the center line of the resin sheet 17 extending in the conveying direction, only the right portion will be described below, and the left portion will be described. Is omitted.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged plan view of the guide portion in the heating device according to the embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 4 is an enlarged side view of the guide portion in the heating device in the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG.
6, FIG. 6 is a view taken along the line CC in FIG. 5, FIG. 7 is a view taken along the line DD in FIG. 5, and FIG. 8 is an enlarged view taken along the line EE in FIG.

In the drawing, reference numeral 41 denotes a common base plate of the guide section 33a in the heating device. Both ends are connected to the upstream guide section 31a and the downstream guide section via an upstream rotation shaft 44 and a downstream rotation shaft 47, respectively. Each is rotatably attached to the portion 32a. The upstream rotation shaft 44
The downstream rotation shaft 47 is fixed to the upstream guide portion 31a and the downstream guide portion 32a, respectively. Further, the mounting position of the common base plate 41 to the upstream rotation shaft 44 is a long hole, and allows the common base plate 41 to move in the transport direction (the left-right direction in FIG. 3) of the resin sheet 17.

On the common base plate 41, an upstream width adjusting block 42, which is a guide member for guiding the linear body 37a, is provided. Here, FIG.
And 4, the upstream width adjustment block 4
The second end of the resin sheet 17 on the upstream side in the transport direction is connected to the upstream guide portion 31 via the upstream rotation shaft 44.
a so as to be rotatable. The downstream end of the upstream width adjustment block 42 in the transport direction of the resin sheet 17 is rotatably attached to the upstream slide block 48 via the upstream slide rotation shaft 45.
As shown in FIG. 5, the upstream slide rotation shaft 45 is attached to an upstream slide block 48 that slides on the common base plate 41 in the width direction of the resin sheet 17 (vertical direction in FIG. 3). Installed. Therefore, the upstream width adjustment block 42 uses the upstream rotation shaft 44 as a pivot to rotate the common base plate 4.
1. Swing over.

On the common base plate 41, a downstream width adjusting block 43, which is a guide member for guiding the linear member 37a, is provided. Here, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the downstream width adjustment block 43 is used.
The downstream end of the resin sheet 17 in the transport direction is
The downstream guide portion 32a is connected to the downstream guide shaft 32 via the downstream rotation shaft 47.
To be rotatable. The upstream end of the downstream width adjustment block 43 in the transport direction of the resin sheet 17 is rotatably attached to the downstream slide rotation shaft 46. The downstream slide rotation shaft 46 is
As shown in FIG. 5, it is attached to a downstream slide block 49 that slides on the common base plate 41 in the width direction of the resin sheet 17. Therefore, the downstream width adjustment block 43 is provided with the downstream rotation shaft 4.
7 is pivoted on the common base plate 41.

Further, the upstream width adjustment block 42 and the downstream width adjustment block 4 on the common base plate 41
A plurality (for example, five) of intermediate width adjusting blocks 54, which are guide members for guiding the linear body 37a, are provided between the intermediate width adjusting block 54 and the intermediate member 3. Here, as shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, each of the intermediate width adjusting blocks 54 slides on the common base plate 41 along the slide rail 59 fixed on the common base plate 41 in the width direction of the resin sheet 17. Slide independently of each other. Since the intermediate width adjusting block 54 is regulated by the slide rail 59, it cannot move in the vertical direction in FIG.

On the side surface of the common base plate 41 opposite to the resin sheet 17, an upstream adjustment bolt support is provided at a position corresponding to the upstream slide block 48, the downstream slide block 49 and the intermediate width adjustment block 54. Plate 51, downstream adjustment bolt support plate 52
And the intermediate adjustment bolt support plate 53 are fixed respectively.

Here, the upstream adjustment bolt support plate 51 and the downstream adjustment bolt support plate 52 are formed with screw holes each having a female screw, and adjustment screw 55 is screwed into each of these screw holes. Are combined. On the other hand, the ends of the adjustment bolts 55 on the resin sheet 17 side are respectively attached to the upstream slide block 48 and the downstream slide block 49 so as to be rotatable and immovable in the axial direction. Therefore, the adjustment bolt 55
By rotating the upstream slide block 4
8 and the downstream slide block 49 can be moved in the axial direction of the adjustment bolt 55, that is, in the width direction of the resin sheet 17. The adjusting bolt 55 includes
It is desirable that a lock nut be screwed into a position sandwiching the upstream adjustment bolt support plate 51 and the downstream adjustment bolt support plate 52 so that the adjusted state can be maintained.

The intermediate adjustment bolt support plate 5
3 has a plurality of screw holes formed with female threads, and adjustment bolts 55 are screwed into the plurality of screw holes, respectively. On the other hand, the end of the adjustment bolt 55 on the resin sheet 17 side is rotatable with respect to the intermediate width adjustment block 54, and
Each is mounted immovably in the axial direction. Therefore, by rotating each adjustment bolt 55, the corresponding intermediate width adjustment block 54 is adjusted by the adjustment bolt 55.
, That is, in the width direction of the resin sheet 17 independently. It is desirable that a lock nut be screwed into each adjustment bolt 55 at a position sandwiching the intermediate adjustment bolt support plate 53 so that the adjusted state can be maintained.

The adjusting bolt 55 is manually rotated, but may be rotated by a rotary drive source such as a pulse motor. Further, instead of the adjusting bolt 55, an actuator having a shaft member that moves forward and backward, such as a pneumatic cylinder device or a hydraulic cylinder device, can be used.

Then, each intermediate width adjusting block 5
4 is a common base plate 41 as shown in FIG.
A slide base 61 slidably provided on the top,
It has a chain guide 62 on the slide base 61, a top plate 64 on the chain guide 62, and a connection bolt 67 for connecting and fixing the slide base 61, the chain guide 62 and the top plate 64 to each other. Further, a chain bottom guide 63 is fixed on the slide base 61 on both sides in FIG. 8, and an upper roller guide 65 is fixed below the top plate 64 on both sides in FIG. Also,
On the resin sheet 17 side (the right side in FIG. 8) of the slide base 61, a chain fall prevention guide 66 is fixed.

Here, the linear member 37 in the present embodiment is used.
As shown in FIG. 8, a is composed of a chain in which a number of chain pieces 71 having rollers on the upper and lower sides are connected, and each chain piece 71 has a lower clip member 74 protruding to one side and the lower clip member 74. Each has an upper clip member 73 opposed to the upper clip 74. Although the lower clip member 74 is fixed to the chain piece 71, the upper clip member 73 is fixed to the movable shaft 72 and can move up and down. Further, the movable shaft 72 is connected to the lower clip member 74.
8 is urged downward by a spring 75 while being inserted vertically into a hole formed in the upper clip member 73. , Is pressed against the lower clip member 74. Thus, the upper clip member 73 and the lower clip member 74 function as holding means for holding the end of the resin sheet 17.

The chain guide 62 is formed with a ridge and a ridge extending in the conveying direction of the resin sheet 17.
To guide the chains running in opposite directions along the transport direction of the chain. Further, the upper roller guide 65, together with one of the ridges, moves the upper roller of the chain piece 71 of the chain to the chain guide 62.
To prevent the chain piece 71 from coming off. Also, on the upper surface of the chain bottom guide 63,
A concave strip extending in the transport direction of the resin sheet 17 is formed,
The lower end of the chain piece 71 fits. Further, the chain overturn prevention guide 66 supports the side surface of the lower end of the movable shaft 72 from the resin sheet 17 side so that the chain piece 71 does not fall down to the resin sheet 17 side.

Although the chain is not shown in FIGS. 3 to 5 for convenience of explanation, in FIGS. 6 and 7, the running state of the chain with respect to the respective intermediate width adjusting blocks 54 is easily understood. 3 shows the positions of the chain piece 71 and the movable shaft 72, and a part of the upper clip member 73.

Here, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the side surfaces of the chain guide 62 and the upper roller guide 65 are curved in the conveying direction of the resin sheet 17, and the chain guide 62 and the upper roller guide 65 are curved. The width of the path of the roller on the upper side of the chain piece 71 constituted by the 65 side surfaces is wide at both ends (the left and right ends in FIGS. 6 and 7) of the intermediate width adjusting blocks 54 in the transport direction of the resin sheet 17. It is becoming. The same applies to the path of the lower roller of the chain piece 71 and the path of the lower end of the movable shaft 72.
Thus, even if the position of the adjacent intermediate width adjustment block 54 in the width direction of the resin sheet 17 is shifted, the chain piece 71 and the movable shaft 72 are moved in the conveyance direction of the resin sheet 17 of the respective intermediate width adjustment blocks 54. Since the chain does not catch at the end, the chain can run smoothly.

The sectional structures of the upstream width adjusting block 42 and the downstream width adjusting block 43 are almost the same as the sectional structure of the intermediate width adjusting block 54 shown in FIG. Guide 63,
It has members having the same configuration as the top plate 64, the upper roller guide 65, and the chain overturn prevention guide 66. Then, at the downstream end of the upstream width adjustment block 42 and the upstream end of the downstream width adjustment block 43, the upper roller, the lower roller, and the movable shaft 72 of the chain piece 71 are provided.
The width of the passage at the lower end is wider.

Accordingly, the chain, which is the linear body 37a, is formed on the side of the resin sheet 17 side of the upstream width adjustment block 42, the downstream width adjustment block 43, and the intermediate width adjustment block 54 for guiding the linear body 37a. It travels along the envelope surface (the envelope in FIGS. 3, 6 and 7).

The sheet feeding device 30 of the sheet forming machine 20 has a control device (not shown). The control device has arithmetic means such as a CPU and an MPU, storage means such as a semiconductor memory and a magnetic disk, input means such as a mouse, a keyboard and a touch panel, display means such as a CRT and a liquid crystal display device, and an input / output interface. The operation of all or a part of the sheet feeding device 30 of the sheet forming machine 20 is generally controlled. The control device is not an independent device. For example, the control device is integrated with another control device as a part of a control device that controls devices such as a heating device 10, a sheet forming machine 20, and a trimming device in a resin sheet forming line. It can also be used.

Since the inside of the heating device 10 reaches a considerably high temperature, the sheet feeding device 30 of the sheet forming machine 20 is formed of a member made of a heat-resistant material, particularly in the region 16. There is a need.

Next, the operation of the sheet feeding device 30 of the sheet forming machine 20 having the above configuration will be described.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged plan view showing a first example of a guide portion in the heating device according to the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 10 is a second example of a guide portion in the heating device according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is an enlarged plan view shown. 9 and 10, the positional relationship between the upstream width adjustment block 42, the downstream width adjustment block 43, and the intermediate width adjustment block 54 is shown.

First, in the resin sheet forming line, the resin sheet 17 is fed out from a device such as a feeding roll (not shown) disposed upstream (left side in FIG. 1) of the heating device 10 and fed into the sheet feeding device 30. It is. Then, in the sheet feeder 30, the resin sheet 17 is gripped at both ends by the upper clip member 73 and the lower clip member 74 as holding means for the linear members 37a and 37b, and is intermittently conveyed in the downstream direction. .

Here, the upper clip member 73 is normally pressed against the lower clip member 74 by the force of the spring 75, but when the upper clip member 73 passes through the upstream rotating wheels 35a, 35b of the upstream guide portions 31a, 31b. The lower end of the movable shaft 72 is moved upward against a force of the spring 75 by a guide (not shown). Therefore, the upper clip member 73 is also moved upward, and separates from the lower clip member 74.

After the end of the resin sheet 17 enters between the upper clip member 73 and the lower clip member 74, the lower end of the movable shaft 72 is released from the guide, and the movable shaft 72 is moved by the force of the spring 75. Since it moves downward, the upper clip member 73 is also moved downward. Therefore, the end of the resin sheet 17 is gripped by the upper clip member 73 and the lower clip member 74. In this case, if a protrusion is provided on one surface of the upper clip member 73 and the lower clip member 74 and a recess corresponding to the protrusion is provided on the other surface, the protrusion cuts into an end of the resin sheet 17, so that the resin sheet 17 can be grasped more reliably.

Next, the upstream rotating wheels 35a, 35b and / or the downstream rotating wheels 36a, 36b are intermittently rotated by a drive source such as a motor (not shown), and the upstream rotating wheels 35a, 35b and the downstream Guide portions 32a, 32b
Are intermittently moved. In this case, the movement of the linear body 37a in the right part and the movement of the linear body 37b in the left part are synchronized. Thereby, the resin sheet 17 is intermittently conveyed toward the downstream side in the conveying direction. One stroke (stroke) of the intermittent movement of the linear bodies 37a and 37b generally corresponds to the conveying direction of the resin sheet 17 of the upper mold 21 and the lower mold 23 of the sheet forming machine 20. Slightly longer than the length of

Then, the resin sheet 17 is heated by the heating device 1.
0 and is heated by receiving radiant heat from the upper heater device 11 and the lower heater device 12. Note that the length of the resin sheet 17 in the heating device 10 in the transport direction is about twice as long as one stroke of the intermittent resin sheet 17 transport.

Therefore, for example, the resin sheet 1 fed into the heating device 10 by the first intermittent conveyance is used.
7 is stopped and heated in a half area on the upstream side of the heating device 10 during a stop period following the first intermittent transfer,
The second intermittent transfer feeds into the downstream half area of the heating device 10, and during the stop period following the second intermittent transfer, stops at the downstream half of the heating device 10 and heats. Then, exits from the heating device 10 by the third intermittent conveyance, is sent to the sheet forming machine 20,
The mold is clamped during a stop period following the third intermittent conveyance.

Here, the resin sheet 17 is
In the heating device, the heating device softens when heated within 0, but the heating device guide portion 33a on the right portion and the heating device guide portion 3 on the left portion.
The distance from 3b increases from upstream to downstream in the transport direction of the resin sheet 17. Therefore, the upper clip member 73 as a holding means for the linear bodies 37a, 37b running along the guides 33a, 33b in the heating device.
Since the resin sheet 17 whose both ends are gripped by the lower clip member 74 is pulled in the width direction, it does not hang down by its own weight.

In this case, the guide 33a in the heating device is used.
As shown in FIG. 9, the resin sheet 1 of the upstream width adjustment block 42, the downstream width adjustment block 43, and the intermediate width adjustment block 54 for guiding the linear body 37a is in the state shown in FIG.
The envelope on the side of the seventh side is not linear. That is, although the inclination angle of the upstream width adjustment block 42 with respect to the center line of the resin sheet 17 is small, the downstream width adjustment block 43
Of the resin sheet 17 with respect to the center line is large.

Generally, in the upstream region in the heating device 10, the total amount of heat received by the resin sheet 17 from the upper heater device 11 and the lower heater device 12 is determined by the softening of the resin sheet 17. Hardly softens because it does not reach a certain amount. On the other hand, in the downstream region in the heating device 10, the sum of the heat amounts exceeds a certain amount, and the degree of softening of the resin sheet 17 increases rapidly.

Therefore, the upstream width adjustment block 4
2, the inclination angle of the resin sheet 17 with respect to the center line is reduced so that the amount of pulling the resin sheet 17 in the width direction in the upstream region in the heating device 10 is reduced, and the downstream width adjustment block is reduced. 43 resin sheets 1
The inclination angle of the resin sheet 17 with respect to the center line of the heating device 10 is increased so that the resin sheet 17 is pulled in the width direction in the latter half of the downstream region in the heating device 10.

In the first half of the downstream area in the heating device 10, it is determined that the degree of softening of the resin sheet 17 is not so large, and the resin on the envelope surface of the plurality of intermediate width adjusting blocks 54 is determined. The position of the intermediate width adjustment block 54 in the width direction of the resin sheet 17 is adjusted so that the inclination angle with respect to the center line of the sheet 17 becomes small. For example, the upstream width adjustment block 42 and the intermediate width adjustment block 54 are arranged on a straight line.

As described above, in the example shown in FIG. 9, the distance between the guide surfaces on the resin sheet 17 side of the guide portions 33a and 33b in the heating device changes nonlinearly.

Next, in response to a change in the material and dimensions of the resin sheet 17 or a change in molding conditions (for example, setting a mold having a different length), the upper heater device 11 and the lower heater device are set. When the temperature of 12 or the conveyance speed of the resin sheet 17 is changed, the adjustment bolt 55 is rotated to rotate the upstream slide rotation shaft 45, the downstream slide rotation shaft 46, and the plurality of intermediate width adjustment blocks 54. By adjusting the width direction position of any one of the resin sheets 17, for example, as shown in FIG. 10, the arrangement of the upstream width adjustment block 42, the downstream width adjustment block 43, and the intermediate width adjustment block 54 is changed. I do. For example, the intermediate width adjustment block 54 and the downstream width adjustment block 43 are arranged on a straight line.

The distance between the downstream guide portion 32a on the right portion and the downstream guide portion 32b on the left portion, and the distance between the upstream guide portion 31a on the right portion and the upstream guide portion 31b on the left portion are appropriately set. Can be adjusted, see Figure 1
The case shown by 0 is the same as the case shown by FIG. Further, the intervals between the upstream width adjustment blocks 42 may be made parallel.

Further, in the case shown in FIG. 10, it is determined that the degree of softening of the resin sheet 17 in the first half of the downstream region in the heating device 10 is greater than the case shown in FIG. And a plurality of intermediate width adjustment blocks 5
4 so that the inclination angle of the envelope surface 4 with respect to the center line in the transport direction of the resin sheet 17 is larger than that shown in FIG.
The position of the intermediate width adjustment block 54 in the width direction of the resin sheet 17 is adjusted. It is determined that the resin sheet 17 hardly softens in the upstream area in the heating device 10 as in the case shown in FIG. 9, and the center of the resin sheet 17 of the upstream width adjustment block 42 is determined. The angle of inclination with respect to the line is reduced.

The inclination angle of the downstream width adjustment block 43 with respect to the center line of the resin sheet 17 is smaller than that shown in FIG. The amount of pulling 17 in the width direction is smaller than that in the case shown in FIG.

In this case, by turning the adjustment bolt 55,
By adjusting the position of each intermediate width adjustment block 54 in the width direction of the resin sheet 17, the inclination angle of the envelope surface of the plurality of intermediate width adjustment blocks 54 with respect to the center line of the resin sheet 17 is set to a desired angle. Can be.

As described above, in the example shown in FIG. 10, similarly to the example shown in FIG. 9, the distance between the guide surfaces on the resin sheet 17 side of the guide portions 33a and 33b in the heating device changes nonlinearly. ing.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the linear members 37a and 37b serve as the holding means.
3 and a lower clip member 74, and the upper clip member 73 is fixed to the movable shaft 72 and can move up and down.
The guides 33a and 33b in the heating device are
A chain overturn prevention guide 66 that supports the side surface of the lower end of the chain from the resin sheet 17 side.

Therefore, in the heating device 10, the amount of pulling both side edges of the resin sheet 17 in the width direction becomes larger than the degree of softening of the resin sheet 17, so that the upper clip member serving as the holding means of the resin sheet 17 is provided. 73 and the lower clip member 74 are
Even if it is pulled to the side, since the side surface of the lower end of the movable shaft 72 is supported from the resin sheet 17 side by the chain fall prevention guide 66, the linear member 37a,
37b does not fall. Therefore, the linear bodies 37a, 37
Since the members such as the b and the chain guide 62 are not unevenly worn, the life of these members is prolonged, and the running of the linear bodies 37a and 37b becomes smooth, and no noise is generated. .

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but can be variously modified based on the gist of the present invention, and they are not excluded from the scope of the present invention.

[0084]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, in the sheet feeder of the sheet forming machine, the right side disposed at a predetermined interval on both sides of the resin sheet conveying path. And a guide member on the left side, and a linear body that is opened and closed by a movable shaft that can move up and down and that holds the resin sheet at both ends, and that runs along a guide surface on the resin sheet side of the guide portion. The guide portion includes a plurality of guide members, and the guide member includes a fall prevention guide that supports a side surface of a lower end portion of the movable shaft from a resin sheet side.

In this case, in the heating device, the amount of pulling both side edges of the resin sheet in the width direction becomes larger than the degree of softening of the resin sheet, so that the holding means of the resin sheet is pulled toward the resin sheet. However, since the side surface of the lower end of the movable shaft is supported from the resin sheet side by the guide, the linear body does not fall. Therefore, the members such as the linear member and the guide are not unevenly worn, so that the life of these members is prolonged, and the linear member runs smoothly and no noise is generated.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the guide member includes a slide base, a chain guide for guiding a chain roller provided on the slide base, and a guide on the chain guide. A top plate provided; an upper roller guide provided on the top plate for sandwiching a chain roller with the chain guide; and a fall prevention guide provided on the slide base and guiding the movable shaft.

In this case, it is possible to reliably prevent the linear body from falling even though the configuration of the guide member is simple.

In the sheet feeder of still another sheet forming machine according to the present invention, the linear member is a chain connecting chain pieces, and the chain pieces are respectively fixed to the movable shaft and move up and down. Holding means comprising a possible upper clip member and a lower clip member fixed to said chain piece.

In this case, the resin sheet can be securely held.

In a sheet feeding device of still another sheet forming machine according to the present invention, the guide portion includes a plurality of guide members, and the plurality of guide members are arranged so as to be adjustable in the width direction of the resin sheet. You.

In this case, the amount by which both sides of the resin sheet are pulled in the width direction in the heating device can be appropriately adjusted, and the amount of pulling both sides of the resin sheet in the width direction is determined by the softening of the resin sheet. The resin sheet breaks due to its own weight, because the resin sheet is damaged or the amount of pulling both side edges of the resin sheet in the width direction is smaller than the degree of softening of the resin sheet. , Does not come into contact with the lower heater device disposed immediately below and burn.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional plan view schematically showing a sheet feeding device of a sheet forming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, and is a sectional view taken along line A-A of FIG.
FIG.

FIG. 2 is a side sectional view schematically showing a sheet feeding device of the sheet forming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged plan view of a guide unit in the heating device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged side view of a guide portion in the heating device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a view taken in the direction of arrows BB in FIG. 3;

6 is a view taken in the direction of the arrows CC in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a view as viewed in the direction of arrows DD in FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged view taken along the line EE in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged plan view showing a first example of a guide unit in the heating device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged plan view illustrating a second example of the guide section in the heating device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 10 heating device 17 resin sheet 20 sheet forming machine 30 sheet feeding device 31a, 31b upstream guide portion 32a, 32b downstream guide portion 33a, 33b guide portion 37a, 37b in heating device linear member 71 chain piece 72 movable shaft 73 Clip member 74 Lower clip member

Continued on front page F term (reference) 3E075 AA22 BA30 CA01 DA03 DA15 DC28 GA01 3F025 CA14 CB01 CB09 4F208 AC03 MB02 MJ15 MJ16 MW02

Claims (4)

[Claims] (A) right and left guide portions disposed at predetermined intervals on both sides of a resin sheet conveyance path; and (b) a movable shaft that can be moved up and down, and is opened and closed. A linear body that runs along a guide surface of the guide section on the resin sheet side, and (c) the guide section includes a plurality of guide members; A sheet feeding device for a sheet forming machine, wherein the guide member includes a fall prevention guide that supports a side surface of a lower end portion of the movable shaft from a resin sheet side. 2. The guide member comprises: a slide base;
A chain guide provided on the slide base for guiding a chain roller; a top plate provided on the chain guide; an upper roller guide for holding the chain roller between the chain guide provided on the top plate; The sheet feeding device for a sheet forming machine according to claim 1, further comprising a fall prevention guide provided on the base and guiding the movable shaft. 3. The linear body is a chain connecting chain pieces, and the chain pieces are respectively fixed to the movable shaft and movable upward and downward, and a lower clip member fixed to the chain piece. The sheet feeder of a sheet forming machine according to claim 1, further comprising a holding unit comprising: 4. The sheet forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the guide portion includes a plurality of guide members, and the plurality of guide members are arranged so as to be adjustable in a width direction of the resin sheet. Machine sheet feeder.