JP2002273784A - Sheet conveyance method and apparatus used in method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To curtail the distance of all processes by eliminating the necessity of securing a distance for absorbing the movement of a sheet raw material during molding by a molding apparatus between an extruder for a molten resin and the molding apparatus such as a vacuum forming machine and to cope with a trouble generated in the molding apparatus, etc., only in a place where the trouble is generated. SOLUTION: In a sheet conveyance method for feeding the sheet raw material extruded from the extruder 10 to the molding apparatus 70, the sheet raw material in an amount approximately corresponding to one molding W to be molded by the molding apparatus 70 is extruded by the extruder 10, and the sheet raw material is separated from the molten resin left on the extruder side and conveyed to the molding apparatus 70.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a sheet conveying method for extruding a molten resin into a sheet shape by an extruder, receiving the molten resin and feeding it to a molding apparatus such as a vacuum molding machine, and an apparatus used for the method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, in order to vacuum-mold a sheet-like resin material, for example, an extruder of a type in which a molten resin is continuously extruded by a screw driven by a motor is used. The molten resin (sheet material) extruded into a sheet from the die of the extruder is placed on a conveyor belt moving toward a vacuum forming machine and is continuously fed. The sheet material fed into the vacuum forming machine by the transport means is sequentially formed into a predetermined shape here.
The individual molded products carried out of the vacuum forming machine are sent while being connected to a trimming press machine, where they are separated into product parts and unnecessary parts.

[0003]

In the above-mentioned conveying means,
Since the sheet material is continuously conveyed to the vacuum forming machine, the movement of the sheet material accompanying the forming by this forming machine affects the subsequent sheet material. Therefore, in order to absorb this movement, the distance between the die of the extrusion device and the vacuum forming machine,
That is, it is necessary to secure a sufficient transport distance of the transport belt, and as a result, the distance of the entire molding process becomes long.

Further, the sheet material remains connected until it is cut into individual molded products by the trimming press machine. Therefore, if any trouble occurs in the vacuum forming machine or in the subsequent process, only the trouble occurrence location is required. I can't deal with it. That is, the entire operation is interrupted, and in an extreme case, the process following the trouble occurrence part may be wasted.

An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to move a sheet material between a molten resin extruder and a molding device such as a vacuum molding machine during molding with the molding device. In other words, it is not necessary to secure a distance for absorbing the heat, to shorten the distance in all processes, and to be able to cope with a trouble occurring in the molding apparatus or the like only at the trouble occurrence location.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to achieve the above object, and the invention according to claim 1 is for feeding a sheet material extruded into a sheet from a molten resin extruder to a molding apparatus. The extruding device extrudes an amount of sheet material substantially equivalent to one molded article formed by the molding device, and melts the sheet material remaining on the extruding device side. The resin is separated from the resin and transported to the molding device.

According to the present invention, the sheet material is conveyed to the forming apparatus in a state where the sheet material is separated one by one, so that the sheet material is continuously conveyed to the forming apparatus. There is no need to secure a distance between the apparatus and the forming apparatus for absorbing the movement of the sheet material during forming, and as a result, the distance of the entire process is reduced. Further, since the sheet material is separated, even if a trouble or the like occurs in the molding apparatus or a subsequent step, it can be dealt with only at the place where the trouble occurs, and there is little influence on the preceding step. .

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the sheet conveying method according to the first aspect, wherein the extruding device has an amount substantially equivalent to one molded article molded by the molding device. When the sheet material is extruded, the conveyance is temporarily stopped, and a widthwise groove is formed in the sheet material near the extruding device. Then, both sides of the sheet material are clamped and conveyed. In this way, the sheet material is provided with a groove in the width direction, and by clamping both sides thereof and conveying the sheet material, the sheet material which is still in a softened state immediately after being extruded from the extruder is cut along the groove. It is easily divided.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sheet conveying apparatus for feeding a sheet material extruded into a sheet from a molten resin extruding apparatus into a forming apparatus by a conveying means, wherein the extruding apparatus is operated once. Thus, an amount of sheet material substantially corresponding to one molded article molded by the molding apparatus can be extruded. The conveying means is configured to be able to receive the sheet material extruded from the extruding device and to be conveyed toward the forming device with both sides of the sheet material clamped. Further, on the carry-in side of the transporting means, there is provided a dividing assisting means capable of forming a groove in the width direction with respect to the sheet material. According to this configuration, the sheet material is conveyed in a state where the sheet material is separated one by one, and the same function as the first aspect of the invention is obtained. Further, the sheet material in the softened state can be easily divided by the conveying means and the division assisting means.

[0010] It is to be noted that the transporting means is configured such that a chain hung on a chain sprocket is arranged vertically on both sides of the sheet material, and both sides of the sheet material are clamped from above and below. preferable. Further, it is preferable that a support sheet for supporting the sheet material is stretched between both chains located below among the chains constituting the conveying means.

[0011]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing all steps for vacuum forming a predetermined molded product from a sheet material by extruding a molten resin. As shown in this drawing, the molding system in the present embodiment is roughly divided into a molten resin extruder 10,
It comprises a sheet material conveying means 20, a forming device 70 (vacuum forming machine) and a trimming press machine 80 for a formed product.

The extruder 10 comprises a screw type feeder 14 and a plunger type fixed quantity extruder 16.
And a combination thereof. The feeder 14 includes:
The internal screw (not shown) is rotated by the motor 15 so that the resin material supplied from the material hopper 12 can be fed toward the tip (right end in the drawing) while plasticizing. On the other hand, the quantitative extruder 16
In the cylinder, the molten resin is supplied from the supply device 14 into the cylinder, and a fixed amount of the molten resin can be extruded from the die 18 by driving the plunger.

The sheet material extruded from the dies 18 of the constant-rate extruder 16 to the conveying means 20 is sent to the molding device 70 by the conveying means 20. The amount of the sheet material extruded at one time from the constant-rate extruder 16 is set to an amount substantially corresponding to one molded article W molded by the molding apparatus 70. The phrase “substantially corresponds to one molded product W” means that it includes scraps cut from the molded product W by the trimming press machine 80.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing the transport means 20 in an enlarged manner. The housing 24 of the transport means 20 is installed on the floor by supporting legs 22. Inside the housing 24, the sheet material extruded from the die 18 of the fixed-quantity extruder 16 is fed in from the left side of the drawing and sent out from the right side of the drawing. Further, inside the housing 24, transport chains 26 and 30 are provided above and below each side of the sheet material fed into the housing 24. These chains 2
As is apparent from FIG. 3, which schematically shows the maneuvering of 6, 30, the upper chain 26 is endlessly hung on a total of six chain sprockets 28. Similarly, the lower chain 30 is endlessly hung on a total of four chain sprockets 32.

The upper and lower chains 26, 30 are continuously moved in the directions indicated by arrows in FIG. 3 by rotating one of the individual chain sprockets 28, 32 with a motor. Therefore, these chains 26 and 30 can clamp the both sides of the sheet material extruded from the fixed amount extruder 16 in a manner of sandwiching the sheet material from above and below, and convey the sheet material.

As is apparent from the perspective view of FIG. 4 schematically showing the lower chain 30, a support sheet 31 for supporting the sheet material is stretched between the chains 30 on both sides. I have. The support sheet 31 is made of a fluorine-based resin (trade name “Teflon” or the like) and is made about 100 mm longer than the sheet material, and is fixed to both chains 30 and moves together. At the start of the extrusion of the sheet material by the constant-rate extruder 16, the chain 30 is set so that the leading end 31a of the support sheet 31 moves to the position A shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 2, the lower and upper chains 26 and 30 clamp the both sides of the sheet material and transport the sheet material inside (lower side) of the lower chain 30, as shown in FIG. A temperature control table 34 is provided over the entire area. The temperature control table 34 is of a hollow shape fixed to the housing 24, and circulates a temperature control liquid (hot water or hot oil) therein. As a result, the sheet material conveyed along the temperature control table 34 is extruded at a temperature (about 200 ° C.).
Is maintained at a temperature suitable for vacuum forming (about 160 ° C.).

Similarly, inside the upper chain 26 (upper side) in the portion where the sheet material is conveyed, three holding plates 46 are arranged along the conveying direction. Each of these holding plates 46 has a function of holding down the chain 26 by an individual cylinder 48. On the other hand, the lower chain 26 in the portion where the sheet material is conveyed is continuously supported by a chain receiver (not shown). As a result, both sides of the sheet material are connected to the upper and lower chains 26 and 3.
0 ensures clamping.

As shown in FIG. 2, cooling members 50 are arranged on the upper and lower sides of the sheet material on the sheet material unloading side in the conveying means 20, respectively. These cooling members 50 have a rectangular pipe shape shorter than the entire width of the sheet material, and circulate a cooling liquid (water or the like) therein. The two cooling members 50 can be moved up and down by individual cylinders 52 fixed to the housing 24, and can cool the sheet material by sandwiching the front edge of the sheet material from both upper and lower sides.

The reason why the front edge of the sheet material is specially cooled by the cooling member 50 is that the front end side of the sheet material sent from the conveying means 20 to the forming apparatus 70 which is the next step is solidified so as not to hang down. That's why. Therefore, by using the cooling member 50 as a vacuum forming die and forming a ridge such as a rib on the front edge of the sheet material, it is possible to effectively prevent the front end side of the sheet material from hanging down by twisting effectively.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the sheet material loading side of the conveying means 20, and FIG. 6 is a side view of FIG. As is clear from these drawings, both upper chains 2
6, between the two chain sprockets 28A on the carry-in side, there is provided a holding drum 36 that freely rotates coaxially with the chain sprockets 28A. In addition, a drum (not shown) that rotates coaxially with the sprocket 32A coaxially with the chain sprocket 32A on the carry-in side of the lower chain 30 is also provided.

The shaft end of the chain sprocket 28A is rotatably supported by bearing blocks 38, and these bearing blocks 38 are assembled so that they can be moved up and down by being guided by guides 39 fixed to the housing 24. ing. And both bearing blocks 3
8 is connected to a frame 42 through a rod 40 extending upward.
Are respectively connected to both ends. The frame 42 is driven up and down by a cylinder 44 fixed to the upper surface of the housing 24. Therefore, by raising and lowering the frame 42 by the cylinder 44, the chain sprocket 28A
Together with it.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, a mechanism capable of forming a groove in the width direction of the sheet material is provided on the sheet material loading side of the conveying means 20. This mechanism includes a bracket 56 which is moved up and down by a cylinder 54 attached to a fixing member 24a on the upper part of the housing 24 on the side where the sheet material is carried in, as is apparent from FIG.
It has. This bracket 56 is set to be longer than the entire width of the sheet material, and both ends thereof are shown in FIG.
Are guided by the fixing member 24a by a guide rod 58 shown in FIG. Bracket 5
On the lower surface of 6, a support block 64 that is reciprocated by the traveling cylinder 60 in the longitudinal direction of the bracket 56 (the width direction of the sheet material) is provided. The support block 64 is provided with a cutter 62 located between the die 18 of the fixed-quantity extruder 16 and the sheet material carry-in port of the conveying means 20.
It has.

Next, a series of steps of extruding, conveying, forming and trimming the sheet material will be described. First, the extruding of the sheet material from the die 18 is started by the operation of the constant-rate extruder 16 in the extruder 10 shown in FIG. In parallel with this, the upper and lower chains 26, 30 of the transporting means 20 are respectively shown in FIG.
Then, the support sheet 31 starts moving from the standby position described above to the position for receiving the sheet material. Further, the press drum 36 is lowered by the operation of the cylinder 44, and presses the sheet material extruded from the die 18 between the lower drum and the sheet material, thereby adjusting its thickness.

The sheet material rides on the support sheet 31, and both sides thereof are conveyed while being clamped from above and below by chains 26 and 30. When the molten resin for one time is extruded by the fixed amount extruder 16 and a sheet material substantially corresponding to one molded article W is placed on the support sheet 31, the movement of the chains 26 and 30 is stopped and the sheet material is stopped. Is temporarily stopped. Here, while the cutter 62 is lowered and the sheet 62 is moved in the width direction of the sheet material, a groove (scratch) in the width direction is formed on the upper surface of the sheet material. Further, at this time, the molten resin for the next time is supplied from the feeder 14 of the extruder 10 into the quantitative extruder 16.

Thereafter, when the movement of the chains 26 and 30 is resumed, the sheet material is again conveyed while both sides thereof are clamped from above and below by the chains 26 and 30. Is divided as Therefore, the sheet material is conveyed toward the molding device 70 in a state where the sheet material is cut into a size corresponding to one molded article W. Since the separation of the sheet material is realized by clamping and conveying the groove in the width direction and the sheet material, a mechanism for moving the cutter 62 up and down and running is an auxiliary means for the separation. Even if the size (length) of the divided sheet material changes according to the molded product W,
When the front edge of the sheet material reaches the position of the cooling members 50, the movement of the chains 26 and 30 is stopped.

Next, cooling is started by sandwiching the front edge of the sheet material from both upper and lower sides by the two cooling members 50, and the pressing drum 36 is raised. When the front edge of the sheet material is solidified so as not to hang down, both cooling members 5
0 is moved (elevated and lowered) away from the sheet material. Then, the movement of the chains 26 and 30 is started to transfer the sheet material to the conveying means 76 of the forming apparatus 70 shown in FIG.
To the chain, and when the feeding is completed, the chains 26 and 30
Stop moving.

The chains 26 and 30 start moving at a predetermined timing thereafter, and move to the standby position where the leading end 31a of the support sheet 31 reaches the position A in FIG. 3 as described above. And stop. Further, while the sheet material is conveyed by the conveying means 20, the temperature is maintained at a temperature suitable for vacuum forming by the temperature adjusting liquid circulating in the temperature control table.

Also in the conveying means 76 of the forming apparatus 70, the sheet material is conveyed while sandwiching both sides of the sheet material from above and below, and the sheet material is transferred to the upper mold 72 and the lower mold 74 of the molding apparatus 70.
Is temporarily stopped at a position between them. Here, the upper die 72 is lowered and the lower die 74 is raised to sandwich the sheet material in a hermetically sealed state, and a molded product W having a predetermined shape is formed by vacuum forming. Then, the molded product W is transported by the conveying means 76.
, And sent out to the conveyor belt 78 shown in FIG.

The molded product W sent to the conveyor belt 82 of the trimming press 80 by the conveyor belt 78
Is cut into a product portion and an unnecessary portion (scrap) by the trimming press machine 80. Then, the product portion is carried out from the conveyor belt 82 through the chute 84,
Unnecessary parts are sent to a crusher by a scrap discharge mechanism (not shown), and are reused as a resin material.

Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described with reference to the drawings, this embodiment can be easily modified or modified without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, the extruder 10 eliminates the fixed-quantity extruder 16 and provides a screw-type feeder 14 capable of controlling the advancing / retreating operation with respect to the transporting means 20 in an amount substantially equivalent to one molded article W. It is also possible to feed the sheet material directly to the conveying means 20.

The pressing drum 36 of the conveying means 20
May be rotatably supported by a bearing independent of the bearing block 38 of the chain sprocket 28A so that the lifting position of the holding drum 36 and the chain sprocket 28A can be individually adjusted. Further, in order to prevent the sheet material from being tightly wound on the press drum 36, a roller for guiding the sheet material may be provided on the right side (FIG. 2) of the press drum 36.

As described above, in the conveying means 20, the sheet material is conveyed to the forming apparatus 70 in a state where the sheet material is separated one by one, so that, for example, the movement of the material at the time of forming a continuous sheet is absorbed. Transport means 20
It is not necessary to secure a large transport distance. Therefore, as a result, the distance in all the steps is shortened and the sheet material is separated, so that even if a trouble occurs in any of the steps, it is possible to deal with the trouble only at the place where the trouble occurs.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a vacuum forming process of a sheet material.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a configuration of a conveying unit.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the handling of a chain in a transport unit.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view schematically showing the operation of the lower chain in the conveying means.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged configuration diagram of a sheet material loading side of a transport unit.

FIG. 6 is a side view of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram of a conveying unit viewed from a direction in which a sheet material is carried in;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Extrusion apparatus 20 Conveying means 62 Cutter 70 Molding apparatus W Molded article

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing on the front page (72) Munehiro Sato Inventor F-term (reference) 4F208 MA01 MB01 MG22 MJ09 MJ10 MJ15 8-8, Matayoshi-dong, Nishinakayama, Nishinakayama, Fujioka-cho, Nishikamo-gun, Aichi Pref.

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A sheet conveying method for feeding a sheet material extruded into a sheet from a molten resin extruder into a molding device, wherein the extruder is used for one molded article molded by the molding device. A sheet conveying method characterized by extruding an amount of sheet material substantially equivalent to that described above, separating the sheet material from the molten resin remaining on the extruder side, and conveying the sheet material to the molding apparatus. 2. The sheet conveying method according to claim 1, wherein the extruding device extrudes an amount of sheet material substantially equivalent to one molded article molded by the molding device, and conveys the sheet material. A sheet conveying method, comprising temporarily stopping, forming a groove in the width direction of the sheet material near the extruding device, and then clamping and conveying both sides of the sheet material. 3. A sheet conveying device for feeding a sheet material extruded into a sheet from a molten resin extruding device into a forming device by a conveying means, wherein said extruding device is formed by said forming device by one operation. Is set so as to be able to extrude an amount of sheet material substantially equivalent to one molded product to be extruded, and the conveying means is capable of receiving the sheet material extruded from the extruder, and has both sides of this sheet material. A sheet conveying device configured to be conveyable toward the forming device in a clamped state, and a separating auxiliary unit capable of forming a groove in a width direction with respect to a sheet material on a carry-in side of the conveying unit. apparatus. 4. The sheet conveying device according to claim 3, wherein the conveying means is configured to move a chain hung on a chain sprocket on both sides of the sheet material.
A sheet conveying device which is arranged vertically and clamps both sides of the sheet material from above and below. 5. The sheet conveying apparatus according to claim 4, wherein a support for supporting said sheet material between two lower chains of each chain constituting said conveying means. A sheet transport device on which sheets are stretched.