JP2003226302A - Device and method for filling liquid in container - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a device for filling a liquid into a container which is durably resistant against wear and damage to an equipped part such as a valve or a nozzle, and can cope with the transporting speed of a can in opening or closing the valve as to a device for filling a liquid into a container under transportation. <P>SOLUTION: This liquid filling device is provided with a tank 9 for storing a liquid at the upper part of a transporting device 3 where a container C to be transported is placed, a nozzle 1 at the bottom of the tank 9, a valve 7 for opening or closing the nozzle 1, and an actuator for opening or closing the nozzle 1. By operating the valve 7 with the actuator, a liquid is filled from the nozzle 1 into the container C. This actuator is characteristically a linear motor 71. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to, for example, a beverage can,
The present invention relates to a liquid filling device and method for filling a container such as a PET bottle or a bottle with a liquid such as liquefied nitrogen.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, as shown in FIG. 5, in a method of filling a beverage can with a liquid such as liquefied nitrogen, the liquid is taken into consideration in consideration of the convey speed of a conveyor for conveying the can C and the interval between the cans. Is generally known, and a drop-down type in which a liquid is always made to flow down by a constant amount and the can C is conveyed at a constant speed below that is generally known as shown in FIG. The transfer speed is usually 1000 cpm (can per
It is said that the dropping method is advantageous in the case of minute) or less and the falling method is advantageous in the case of more than that.

[0003]

However, the above-mentioned conventional liquefied nitrogen filling method has the following problems. First, in the case of the dripping type, when back pressure is applied to the stored liquefied nitrogen in the dripping injector, a large amount of liquefied nitrogen flows out immediately after opening the valve at the start of dripping of liquefied nitrogen, until a predetermined outflow amount is obtained. There is a problem that it takes time.

On the other hand, when the stored liquid in the dripping type injector is opened to the atmosphere without applying back pressure, the amount of liquefied nitrogen dropped is small immediately after the valve is opened, so it takes time to obtain a predetermined outflow amount. There's a problem.

Further, since it is necessary to open and close the valve in accordance with the conveying speed of the can, and the valve is stopped against the nozzle, the impact load applied to both is large. There is a problem in the durability of the device parts that operate.

On the other hand, in the case of the flow-down type, since a constant amount of liquefied nitrogen is constantly flowing out, the filling amount of liquefied nitrogen is stable, while liquefied nitrogen flows out between the cans, so the liquefied nitrogen is wasted. There is a problem of

The following methods are conceivable as methods for solving the problems of the dropping method and the flowing method. Before opening the can opening portion below the nozzle, the valve is opened in advance, and the outflow amount from the nozzle is measured by the flow meter provided in the nozzle. After that, by operating the valve, the liquefied nitrogen outflow rate from the nozzle is controlled so that the predetermined outflow rate is set, and after stabilizing the outflow rate,
A method of making the can opening reach below the nozzle can be considered.
Further, when the valve is closed, the problem such as wear can be solved by stopping the valve and the nozzle in the vicinity of the valve and the nozzle instead of stopping them.

In order to realize this method, it is necessary to open and close the valve, and the drive source is a motor.
(Geared type, servo type), air pressure (solenoid valve and air cylinder), etc. can be considered.

However, it is necessary to operate the valve at a speed corresponding to a container conveying speed of about 1000 cpm, and when a motor is used, it is operated via a gear, so that the speed required for opening and closing the valve is required. Difficult to operate with.

In the solenoid valve, when stopping the valve at the intermediate position of the operation stroke, it is difficult to accurately stop the valve operating at high speed as described above at the intermediate position of the stroke. Further, when the valve is pressed against the nozzle, the valve and the device parts including the nozzle receive a large impact load, which causes a problem in durability.

The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and in a liquid filling device for a container, when the valve is opened and closed, it corresponds to the conveying speed of the can, and the valve, the nozzle, etc. It is an object of the present invention to provide a liquid filling device for a container, which is capable of imparting durability against damage such as abrasion to device parts.

[0012]

In order to solve the above problems and achieve such an object, the present invention proposes the following means. In the invention according to claim 1, a tank for storing a liquid is provided above a transfer device for transferring a container,
A nozzle is provided in the lower part of the tank, a valve for opening and closing the nozzle is provided, and an actuator for opening and closing the nozzle is further provided. The actuator operates the valve to supply liquid from the nozzle to the container. A liquid filling device for filling, wherein the actuator is a linear motor.

According to the liquid filling apparatus of the present invention, when the valve is opened and closed, its positioning can be realized with high accuracy and high speed. Since the positioning of the valve can be realized with high accuracy, it is possible to make the device parts such as the valve and the nozzle durable against damage such as wear, and also to control the liquid outflow amount from the valve with high accuracy. It is possible to improve the accuracy of the filling amount of the liquid in the container. Further, since the opening / closing operation of the valve can be realized at high speed, the opening / closing operation of the valve can be realized corresponding to the transportation speed of the container.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the liquid filling device for a container according to the first aspect, the detecting means for detecting the position of the container, and the linear motor based on the result detected by the detecting means. And a control means for controlling.

According to the liquid filling apparatus of the present invention, the valve is opened in advance before the opening of the can reaches the lower part of the nozzle to stabilize the outflow amount of the liquid from the nozzle.
It is possible to make the can opening reach below the nozzle,
It is possible to reduce the amount of wasted liquid that flows out between the containers, and it is possible to stabilize the amount of liquid filled in the containers.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, a tank for storing the liquid is arranged above the conveying device for conveying the container, a nozzle is provided below the tank, and a valve for opening and closing the nozzle is provided. Further, a linear motor is provided as an actuator for opening and closing the nozzle, and detection means for detecting the position of the container being conveyed is provided, and the linear motor is based on the detection result detected by the detection means. By operating the valve, the container is filled with the liquid from the nozzle.

According to the liquid filling method for a container according to the present invention, since the valve is positioned by using the linear motor as a drive source, it is possible to stop the valve at a predetermined position without stopping the valve against the nozzle. Therefore, it becomes possible to improve the durability of device parts such as valves and nozzles, reduce the frequency of replacement of the above parts, and realize highly efficient liquid filling work into containers. Become. Further, since the valve can be positioned with high accuracy, the liquid outflow amount unstable region can be stably realized when the valve is opened / closed, and the filling amount in the container can be easily set within a desired range.

[0018]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 to 4 show a liquefied nitrogen filling device shown as an embodiment of the present invention. The essential part of the liquefied nitrogen filling device according to the present invention shown in FIG. 1 is a can carrying device 2, a can (container) detection means 3, an injector 4, and a can C filled with liquefied nitrogen L, with a can lid Ca.
It is provided with a capper 5 for screwing, a proximity switch 6, and a control means 15.

The detection means 3, the injector 4, the capper 5, and the proximity switch 6 are sequentially provided in the can C conveying direction. The can carrying device 2 carries the cans C, which are arranged at regular intervals, sequentially in the illustrated carrying direction. The detecting means 3 constitutes a detecting means for detecting the can C being conveyed by the can conveying device 2 at a predetermined position.

The injector 4 has a tank 9 for storing liquefied nitrogen L, a nozzle 1 provided at the bottom of the tank 9, a valve 7 for opening and closing the nozzle 1, and a linear valve for opening and closing the valve 7. Motor 71 and valve 7
The position detecting encoder 14 is provided. A filler (not shown) provided with a star wheel is provided on the upstream side of the injector 4, and the can C is sequentially filled with the beverage.

2 and 3 show the main part of the injector 4, which is composed of a base frame part 70, a linear motor 71, a valve drive part 72, and a tank part 73. The base frame portion 70 is composed of a base 21, a slide base 22, and a rail 23. The slide base 22 is
It is arranged on both sides of the base 21 and fixed by screws 61, and a space 24 is formed therein. The rails 23 are arranged on both sides of the slide base 22 and fixed by screws 62.

The linear motor 71 is composed of a fixed part 8 having a magnet as a main part and a movable part 25 having a coil. The fixed part 8 is arranged in the space 24 and fixed by a screw 56. ing.

Sliders 40 are supported on both sides of the rail 23 so as to be movable in the vertical direction.
2 is fixed to the base frame portion 70 via the slider 40,
It is movably supported in the vertical direction.

Further, the valve drive unit 72 includes the slider 4
Slide base 26 supported by 0 and the base 2
It comprises a housing end 28 fixed to 6 and a tubular spring housing 27.

Spring housing 27 and housing end 2
8 is fixed integrally with a screw 30 and is also fixed to the slide base 26. A rear end of the valve 7 is arranged inside the spring housing 27, and a recess 29 is formed in the housing end 28. A protruding portion 7A is formed at the rear end of the valve 7, and the protruding portion 7A
A coil spring 51 is inserted between A and the recess 29.

A step portion 27A is formed in the spring housing 27, and between the small diameter portion formed below the step portion 27A and the valve 7, there is no function as a lubricant when the valve 7 operates. The oil supply bush 50 is inserted.

On the other hand, the lower portion of the valve 7 is fitted and arranged in a cylindrical center tube 58, and the tube 58 is provided.
Is fixed to a base (not shown) via a base frame portion 70. Further, a screw portion 58A is formed on the upper end portion of the center tube 58, and the adjusting nut 54 is screwed onto the screw portion 58A.

A recess 44 is formed in the adjusting nut 54, and a coil spring 53 is inserted between the recess 44 and the washer 52 provided at the tip of the spring housing 27. Furthermore, below the adjusting nut 54, a fixing nut 55 for preventing the adjusting nut 54 from loosening is screwed. The elastic force of the coil spring 53 is the adjustment nut 5
Adjusted by 4.

An encoder unit 14 for detecting the position of the valve 7 is arranged on a tank cover (not shown).

The tank portion 73 is composed of the nozzle 1 and the tank 9. The tank 9 is arranged below the valve 7, and the nozzle 1 arranged around the axis O is provided below the tank 9.

The capper 5 is fixed to the rotary shaft thereof, and is provided with a gear-shaped encoder 10 in which the tooth-to-tooth passing time is set to be equal to the conveyance interval time of the can C, and the encoder 10 is opposed to the encoder 10. And a proximity switch 6. The encoder 10 and the proximity switch 6 are connected to the capper 5
A speed detecting means for detecting the rotation speed of the rotating shaft of 1, that is, the conveying speed of the can C is configured.

Further, the liquefied nitrogen filling device is provided with a control means 15 for controlling the linear motor 71 based on the detection result detected by the detection means 3 for detecting the can C.

The control means 15 uses a timer (not shown) to elapse time after the can detecting means 3 detects the can C.
(Hereinafter, referred to as "elapsed time after can detection t") is monitored, and the can C is detected by the can detection means 3, and then "elapsed time after can detection t = valve 7 opening start time ts". At this time, the linear motor 71 is driven to open the valve 7, and when "the elapsed time after can detection t = valve 7 half-open / semi-closed start time tf" is reached, the linear motor 71 is driven to open the valve 7. The valve 7 is moved to a predetermined position to bring the valve 7 into a half-open and half-closed state.

The valve 7 opening time ts is the time t1 required for the can C to reach the nozzle 1 after the can C is detected by the can detecting means 3 and the valve 7 is driven after the linear motor 71 is started. The liquefied nitrogen L flows out from the nozzle 1 and the delay time t2 required until the outflow amount is sufficiently stabilized is calculated from the equation ts = t1-t2.
In this embodiment, the delay time t2 is, for example, 10 to 10.
It is set to 15 [msec].

The reason for this setting is that after the driving of the linear motor 71 is started, the valve 7 is opened and the fixed amount of liquefied nitrogen L reaches the upper end of the opening 11 of the can C 5 to 10 mse.
This is because it is necessary to allow for the unstable flow-down time of the liquefied nitrogen L at the start of valve opening, that is, the flow-down control time by the valve 7. Therefore, the delay time t2 is appropriately set according to the physical properties such as the viscosity of the liquid, the half-open / half-closed state of the valve 7, the tip shape of the nozzle 1, and the like.

On the other hand, the valve 7 half-open half-closed valve start time tf
Is the passing time t3 required for the rear end 11b of the can opening 11 in the transport direction to pass below the nozzle 1 after the can C is detected by the can detecting means 3 and the manufacturing error of the can opening. It is calculated from the equation of tf = t3 + t4 using the margin time t4.

The passing time t3 is t3 = t1 + t5, using the reaching time t1 and the traversing time t5 required for the can opening portion 11 approaching below the nozzle 1 to completely pass (cross) the nozzle 1. Calculate from the formula.

The arrival time t1 and the crossing time t5 are obtained from the following equations. Arrival time t1 = X / V / W Crossing time t5 = D / V / W X: Distance from can detecting means 3 to nozzle 1 [mm] V: Conveying speed of can C detected by speed detecting means [can / sec] D: Diameter of can opening [mm] W: Conveyance pitch of can C [mm]

From the above, the valve 7 half open half closed valve start time t
f will be calculated by the following equation. tf = t3 + t4 = (t1 + t5) + t4 = (X + D) / V / W + t4 That is, if the rear end 11b of the can opening 11 in the transport direction has passed directly below the nozzle 1, even if the liquefied nitrogen L flows out after that. Since the filling amount is not affected even if the value fluctuates, the start time tf is the transfer speed V of the can C, the diameter D of the can opening, the transfer pitch W, and the can opening 11.
Set from the manufacturing error of.

Incidentally, the transport speed V = 6 [can / se
c], conveyance pitch W = 126 [mm], opening diameter D = 3
When 2 [mm] and allowance time t4 = 5 [msec], passage time per can = 1 / V≈0.166 [sec], passage time per 1 mm = 0.166 / W≈0.0013
[sec / mm], crossing time t5 = D × 0.0013≈42 [msec], and the time from when the can C approaches the lower part of the nozzle 1 to when the valve 7 is half-opened and half-closed is marginal to this crossing time t5. It becomes 47 [msec] by adding the time t4 = 5 [msec].

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the relationship between the change in the outflow amount of liquefied nitrogen L due to opening and closing of the valve and the liquefied nitrogen filling region of the can C. In FIG. 4, the symbol T0 indicates the opening of the valve 7. Start, T1 is the end of the opening of the valve 7, T4 is the start of the half opening and closing of the valve 7, T5 is the end of the half opening and closing of the valve 7, T0 to T
1 is a region where the outflow amount of liquefied nitrogen L is unstable when the valve is opened, T
1 to T4 are quantified regions of liquefied nitrogen L, T2 to T3 are liquefied nitrogen filling regions to the can C, and T4 to T5 are liquefied nitrogen L outflow unstable regions at the time of half-opening and half-closing.

A method of filling the liquefied nitrogen L into the can C with the liquefied nitrogen filling device having the above-described structure will be described. When the can detection means 3 detects the can C, this detection signal is sent to the control means 15, and the control means 15 activates a timer to start counting the elapsed time t after can detection. Then, when the elapsed time t after can detection reaches the preset valve 7 opening start time ts, the control means 15 sends a signal to the linear motor 71.

The linear motor 71 which has received the above signal is
The movable part 25 is moved upward together with the valve 7. On this occasion,
The center tube 58, the adjusting nut 54, and the fixing nut 55 do not operate, and the center tube 58 prevents twisting due to the valve 7 falling and operates the valve 7 smoothly.

Further, the coil spring 53 is used for the valve drive unit 7.
2 is assisted in the upward driving to reduce the inertial force generated in the valve driving section 72. The coil spring 51 brings the protruding portion 7A of the valve 7 into contact with the spring housing 27 step portion 27A via the collar portion 50A of the bush 50, and
Follows the operation of the movable part 25 and absorbs the generated inertial force. Furthermore, the position of the valve 7 is
The position is detected by the position detection encoder 14, the position is moved to a preset position, and the nozzle 1 is opened.

When the linear motor 71 is driven in this manner, a mechanical delay until the valve 7 is opened and a delay until the outflow amount of the liquefied nitrogen L is sufficiently stabilized are taken into consideration. The front end 11a of the portion 11 in the transport direction is the nozzle 1
Before reaching the bottom of the can, that is, when the liquefied nitrogen L flows down to the front shoulder 12a of the can C in the transport direction, the outflow rate has already become stable, and the fixed amount outflows to the can opening 11. Is secured.

Therefore, in FIG. 4, the outflow unstable region from the time T0 to T1 when the valve is opened is removed, and a predetermined delay time elapses from T1 when the constant outflow state is reached.
At this timing, the can opening 11 is located below the nozzle 1 and is filled with liquefied nitrogen L.

After that, when the can C is detected by the can detecting means 3 and the half open / close valve start time tf of the valve 7 elapses, the control means 15 sends this signal to the linear motor 71. The linear motor 71 which received the signal moves the movable portion 25 downward and also moves the valve 7.

At this time, the coil spring 53 absorbs the inertial force generated in the valve movable portion 72, the coil spring 51 causes the valve 7 to follow the operation of the movable portion 25, and the tip of the valve 7 contacts the nozzle 1. In this case, the slide unit 23 is prevented from being damaged. The position of the valve 7 is
Detected by the valve 7 position detection encoder 14, the valve 7 moves to a preset position and puts the nozzle 1 in a half-open / half-closed state.

When the valve 7 is in the half-open / half-closed state, the linear motor 71 is driven at a timing after the rear end 11b of the can opening 11 in the transport direction has completely passed below the nozzle 1. Up to the time point, a constant outflow is maintained.

After the rear end 11b of the can opening 11 in the carrying direction has completely passed under the nozzle 1, the linear motor 71 is driven to move the valve 7 to the half-open / half-closed position. Of the mechanical delay until it moves to the predetermined position, that is, the outflow unstable region when the valve 7 from T4 to T5 in FIG. The constant flow rate is maintained until the liquefied nitrogen L flows out to the rear side shoulder portion 12b in the direction.

As described above, according to the liquefied nitrogen filling apparatus according to the present embodiment, the valve 7 can be operated with high responsiveness by the linear motor 71 after the detection time has elapsed, and the valve 7 can be operated at a high level. Since the positioning can be performed with high accuracy, a region where the outflow rate of the liquefied nitrogen L becomes unstable can be stably realized. Therefore, the internal pressure of the can C can be easily set within a desired range. Further, unlike the conventional flow-down method, since a fixed amount of liquefied nitrogen L is not always flown out from the nozzle 1, a liquefied nitrogen filling method capable of reducing wasteful use of the liquefied nitrogen L can be realized.

Further, during the operation of the above apparatus, it is possible to avoid the collision between the valve 7 and the nozzle 1, so that it is possible to avoid damage such as abrasion of the apparatus parts including the valve 7 and the nozzle 1. It is possible to improve the durability of the device parts.

In this embodiment, the nozzle 1 is placed in the half-open / half-closed state at the time when the rear side shoulder portion 12b of the can C in the conveying direction is passed. Can be applied. That is, in the present invention, since the valve 7 is moved by the linear motor 71, the valve 7 can be stopped near the nozzle 1. Therefore, the impact load applied to the device parts is smaller than that of the conventional contact stop method.

[0054]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the invention of claim 1, when the valve is opened and closed, its positioning can be realized with high accuracy and high speed. Also, since the valve positioning can be achieved with high accuracy,
It is possible to make the parts such as valves and nozzles durable against damage such as wear, and to control the outflow rate of liquid from the valve with high accuracy, and to improve the accuracy of filling the liquid in the container. It becomes possible to plan. further,
Since the opening / closing operation of the valve can be realized at high speed, the opening / closing operation of the valve corresponding to the transport speed of the container can be realized.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the valve is opened in advance before the can opening reaches the lower part of the nozzle to stabilize the outflow amount of the liquid from the nozzle, and then the can opening is opened to the nozzle. It is possible to reach the lower side, it is possible to reduce the amount of wasted liquid that flows out between the containers, and it is possible to stabilize the amount of liquid filled in the containers.

According to the third aspect of the invention, since the valve is positioned by using the linear motor as a drive source, the valve,
Since it is possible to stop the valve at a predetermined position without stopping the nozzle, it is possible to reduce the frequency of replacement of the device parts including the valve and the nozzle.
It is possible to realize highly efficient liquid filling work into a container. Further, since the valve can be positioned with high accuracy, the liquid outflow amount unstable region can be stably realized when the valve is opened and closed, and the filling amount into the container can be easily set within a desired range.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an overall configuration of a liquefied nitrogen filling device shown as an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway front view showing the injector of the embodiment shown in FIG.

3 is a plan view of the injector of the embodiment shown in FIG. 2. FIG.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a relationship between a transition of the amount of liquefied nitrogen flowing down due to opening and closing of the valve in the injector of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 and a liquefied nitrogen filling region for a can.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing a conventional dropping type liquid nitrogen filling method.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing a conventional flow-down type liquefied nitrogen filling method.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 nozzle 2 can (container) carrier 3 Can (container) detection means 7 valves 9 tanks 15 Control means 71 Linear motor C can (container)

Continued front page    F-term (reference) 3E053 AA03 AA04 BA01 DA01 EA02                       FA06 GA07 JA01 JA10                 3E118 AA02 AB14 BA02 BA05 BA09                       BB04 CA01 DA01 DA12 EA05                       EA10 FA01 FA06 FA10

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A tank for storing a liquid is provided above a transfer device for transferring a container, a nozzle is provided below the tank, and a valve for opening and closing the nozzle is provided. A liquid filling device which is provided with an actuator that opens and closes, and operates the valve by the actuator to fill the liquid into the container from the nozzle, wherein the actuator is a linear motor. Filling device. 2. The container liquid filling device according to claim 1, further comprising: a detection unit that detects a position of the container; and a control unit that controls the linear motor based on a result detected by the detection unit. A device for filling a container with a liquid. 3. A tank for storing a liquid is provided above a transfer device for transferring a container, a nozzle is provided below the tank, and a valve for opening and closing the nozzle is provided. A linear motor is provided as an actuator that opens and closes, and detection means for detecting the position of the container to be transported is provided. Based on the detection result detected by the detection means, the linear motor operates the valve. A method for filling a liquid into a container, which comprises filling the liquid into the container from the nozzle.