JP2004035039A - Capping device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a capping device for easily and reliably fitting a fit-type cap which is difficult to be manually fit to a neck part of a vessel. <P>SOLUTION: This capping device 10 to fit a cap 1 to a neck part 3 of a vessel 2 having a flange 3a comprises a holding means 11 to hold the neck part 3 of the vessel 2 at a predetermined position, and a fitting means 12 to hold the cap 11, move the cap to the neck part 3, and fit the cap 1. The holding means 11 is the capping device 10 having a supporting member 15 which guides the movement of the neck part 3 to the predetermined position, and supports the flange 3a formed on the neck part 3 when fitting the cap, and a holding member 16 which holds the flange 3a on the side opposite to the supporting side, and holds the neck part 3 at the predetermined position. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a capping device for fitting a cap to a neck of a container.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As a container for storing a liquid material or the like, there is a container called a BIB (bag-in-box) inner bag in which the periphery of a film is heat-sealed, or a resin container formed by a blow molding method or a vacuum molding method. Such a container is formed with a neck portion for entering and exiting contents such as a liquid material, and this neck portion is fitted with a screw-type or fitted-type cap and is closed.
Of the caps attached to the neck in this way, when fitting a fitting type cap, conventionally, it is performed manually, or a capping device provided in a filling device for filling a container with contents. In most cases, the filling operation was performed continuously.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, when the fitting-type cap is mounted on the neck, a large force is often required, and it may be difficult to manually mount the cap. Especially when the cap has a rotary cock (a spout and an on-off valve for rotating and opening the spout are integrally formed), the cap is often formed of a hard resin, Manual fitting was difficult because it required force. In addition, conventionally, there is no independent capping device that can be easily used to fit a fitting-type cap, and much effort is required for capping without filling.
[0004]
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a capping device that can easily and reliably attach a fitting-type cap, which is difficult to fit by hand, to a neck portion of a container.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The capping device of the present invention is a capping device in which a cap is fitted to a neck portion of a container having a flange formed thereon, wherein the holding unit holds the container neck portion at a predetermined position, and the cap is held and moved toward the neck portion. And a holding member for guiding the movement of the neck to the predetermined position and supporting a flange formed on the neck at the time of fitting. And a holding member for holding the side opposite to the support with respect to the flange and holding the neck at the predetermined position.
It is preferable that the holding member includes a pair of holding plates, and the holding operation and the releasing operation of the neck can be performed by rotating on the support member in conjunction with the movement of the neck.
It is preferable that the capping device can be moved by grasping with one hand, and that the fitting operation can be performed while maintaining the grasped state.
[0006]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail.
FIG. 1 is a front view showing a state in which a cap 1 is fitted to a neck 3 of a container 2 using a capping device 10 of the present embodiment. The capping device 10 holds the cap 1 toward the neck 3 of the container 2 held by the holding means 11 and the holding means 11 for holding the neck 3 of the container 2 to which the cap 1 is fitted at a predetermined position. And a fitting means 12 provided with a head 12a for fitting the cap 1 to the neck 3 while moving.
[0007]
FIG. 2 shows a container 2 (BIB inner bag) in which the cap 1 is mounted by the capping device 10 of the example of FIG. 1, and the container 2 of this example is formed by blow molding, vacuum molding or the like. A neck portion 3 is formed integrally with a foldable container body 2a made of a resin such as low-density polyethylene.
The neck portion 3 of the container 2 of this example is made of a resin such as low-density or high-density polyethylene, and has two flanges 3a and 3b formed on its outer periphery as shown in FIG. In the example, the lower flange 3a of the two flanges is used, so that the neck 3 can be securely held by the holding means 11. On the other hand, the cap 1 of this example is made of a relatively hard resin such as high-density polyethylene or polypropylene. As shown in FIG. 3, a spout 1a and an on-off valve 1b for opening and closing the spout 1a are integrally formed. It is a fitting type.
[0008]
The fitting means 12 in the capping device 10 of FIG. 1 includes a head 12a that holds the cap 1 and moves toward the neck 3. The head 12a is connected to a cylinder 12c provided with a solenoid valve 12b, and opens the solenoid valve 12b to supply high-pressure air from a high-pressure air supply means (not shown) to the cylinder 12c through a pipe 13, thereby providing a container. 2 moves toward the neck 3 (downward in the figure), while closing the solenoid valve 12b and stopping the supply of high-pressure air, moves upward in the figure and returns to the original position. . The opening and closing operation of the solenoid valve 12b can be performed by manually operating an operation lever indicated by reference numeral 14. Note that a mechanical valve that does not require electricity may be provided instead of the electromagnetic valve 12b.
Also, in the capping device 10 of this example, the cylinder 12c has a diameter of 32 mm and a height of 90 mm, and the operating lever 14 can be easily operated with an index finger or the like while holding the cylinder 12c with one hand. It has become.
[0009]
When the cap 1 is fitted to the neck 3 of the container 2, the holding means 11 moves the neck 3 to a predetermined position, that is, a position where the cap 1 held by the head 12 a corresponds to the lowered position when the head 12 a is lowered. A support member 15 for securely holding the neck 3, guiding the neck 3 to fit in a predetermined position, and supporting the flange 3 a formed on the neck 3 at the time of fitting from below in the figure. And a holding member 16 for holding the neck 3 at a predetermined position by holding the flange 3a on the opposite side to the support by the support member 15, that is, holding the portion above the flange 3a in FIG. ing.
[0010]
In this example, as shown in FIG. 4 and the like, the support member 15 is a flat plate having a slit 15a extending in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the head 12a. Is formed to have an opening width substantially equal to the outer diameter of the neck portion 3, and by pushing a portion of the neck portion 3 below the flange 3 a in the figure from the side into the slit 15 a as shown in FIG. 6. , The neck 3 is guided to a predetermined position. Further, a step portion 15b having substantially the same depth as the thickness of the flange 3a is formed at both end portions of the support member 15 facing the slit 15a, and the step portion 15b acts as a rail when the neck 3 is guided. It has become. When the neck 3 is held at a predetermined position, the upper surface of the flange 3a and the upper surface of the support member 15 are substantially flush.
[0011]
In this example, the holding member 16 includes a pair of holding plates 16a and 16b, and the holding plates 16a and 16b are rotatably supported on the support member 15 by shafts 17a and 17b, respectively. As described above, when the flange 3a of the neck portion 3 is guided by the step portion 15b of the support member 15 and moves to a predetermined position, the flange 3a rotates on the support member 15 in conjunction with this movement to rotate the neck portion 3a. On the other hand, when the neck 3 is guided by the support member 15 and moves away from the predetermined position, the neck 3 rotates in the opposite direction to the direction of the pinch in conjunction with this movement. Can be released. When the holding plates 16a and 16b are closed, that is, when the holding plates 16a and 16b are in the holding state, a circular opening having the same cross-sectional shape as the neck 3 is formed in the pair of holding plates 16a and 16b. By closing the holding plates 16a and 16b, the neck 3 can be held in this opening and the entire circumference can be held.
[0012]
Next, a method of fitting the cap 1 to the neck 3 of the container 2 using the capping device 10 of this example will be specifically described. In addition, illustration of the container main body 2a is omitted from FIG.
First, the operator grips the cylinder 12c with one hand, holds the cap 1 with the other hand, and slides the cap 1 in the direction of the arrow as shown in FIG. . In this example, as shown in FIG. 5, the cap 1 is slid until the side 1b 'of the on-off valve 1b attached to the cap 1 comes into contact with one end surface 12a' of the head 12a. 12a, so that the position of the cap 1 and the position of the neck 3 correspond to each other without any deviation at the time of subsequent fitting.
[0013]
After the cap 1 is attached in this manner, as shown in FIG. 6, the lower flange 3a of the two flanges 3a and 3b formed on the neck 3 is connected to the stepped portion formed on the support member 15. The container 2 is arranged so as to be hooked on the container 15b, and the neck 3 of the container 2 is slid and moved in a horizontal direction indicated by an arrow in the drawing toward a predetermined position while the flange 3a is along the step 15b.
Then, along with such a movement, the side portions of the neck portion 3 come into contact with the corner portions indicated by reference numerals 18a and 18b of the pair of holding plates 16a and 16b which are opened in advance, and the contact makes a pair of holding portions. The plates 16a and 16b start rotating in the closing direction.
Further, by continuously moving the neck portion 3 in the horizontal direction toward the predetermined position, the holding plates 16a and 16b are also gradually closed in conjunction with each other, so that the neck portion 3 is settled in the predetermined position and the holding plates 16a and 16b are simultaneously held. Is also completely closed, and the entire circumference of the neck 3 is held as shown in FIG.
[0014]
After holding the neck portion 3 of the container 2 by the holding means 11 in this manner, while holding the cylinder 12c, the operating lever 14 is operated with the index finger of the holding hand to open the solenoid valve 12b. Then, high-pressure air is supplied to the cylinder 12c from high-pressure air supply means (not shown), and the head 12a is moved downward in the figure as shown in FIG. 8, and the cap 1 held by the head 12a is fitted into the neck 3. ,Installing.
After the mounting, by releasing the operation of the operation lever 14, only the head 12a moves upward in the figure as shown in FIG. 9 and returns to the original position.
Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 10, when the neck 3 of the container 2 to which the cap 1 is attached is slid and moved in a horizontal direction so as to be away from a predetermined position, the pair of holding plates 16a and 16b interlock with this movement. Thus, the neck 3 is released by rotating in the direction opposite to the direction of holding the support member 15. Thus, the container 2 in which the cap 1 is attached to the neck 3 can be obtained.
[0015]
As described above, the capping device 10 of this example, as the holding means 11 for holding the neck 3 of the container 2 at a predetermined position, guides the movement of the neck 3 to a predetermined position, and at the time of fitting, to the neck 3 A support member 15 for supporting the formed flange 3a from below, and a holding member for holding the neck 3 at a predetermined position by holding the flange 3a on the opposite side to the support by the support member 15, in this example, the upper side. 16. Therefore, the support member 15 guides the neck 3 to a predetermined position and supports the flange 3a from below, while the holding member 16 can hold the flange 3a from above while holding the flange 3a at a predetermined position. The neck 3 of the container 2 does not shift or wobble in either the vertical direction or the horizontal direction. That is, since the support member 15 and the holding member 16 are located in opposite directions with respect to the flange 3a, even when a force is applied to the neck 3 in a direction of pushing the cap 1, the cap 1 is held. Even when a force is applied in the direction opposite to the pushing when only the head 12a returns to the original position after the fitting, the flange 3a can be securely held and the neck 3 can be fixed. Further, since the entire circumference of the neck portion 3 is sandwiched from outside by the sandwiching member 16, there is no horizontal displacement. Therefore, even when the hard material cap 1 requiring a relatively large force for fitting and holding is fitted, reliable capping is possible.
[0016]
Further, in this example, particularly, the holding member 16 is composed of a pair of holding plates 16a and 16b, and rotates on the support member 15 in conjunction with the movement of the neck 3, so that the neck 3 can be held and released. Therefore, the neck 3 can be securely held by a simple operation of simply sliding the neck 3 of the container 2 along the slit 15a of the support member 15.
Further, in the capping device 10 of this example, the neck 3 can be reliably held by a simple operation by the holding means 11 having the support member 15 and the holding member 16 as described above. The device can be miniaturized to the extent that the fitting operation can be performed, and if it is possible to secure high-pressure air for operation, it can be easily carried and used when necessary without choosing a place of use. .
[0017]
In addition, in the capping device 10 of this example, an example in which high-pressure air is used as the power of the fitting means 12 has been described, but an inert gas other than air may be used, and electric power may be used. There is no particular limitation.
Further, in this example, the one that can be held by one hand and can be moved and the fitting operation can be performed while maintaining the gripped state is shown, but the holding part that holds the neck 3 of the container 2 at a predetermined position is shown. Means 11 for holding the cap 1 and moving toward the neck 3 to fit the cap 1 therein; the holding means 11 guides the movement of the neck 3 to a predetermined position; A support member 15 for supporting the flange 3a formed on the neck 3 at the time of fitting, and a holding member 16 for holding the neck 3 at a predetermined position by holding the side opposite to the support with respect to the flange 3a. If it is a thing, it is not limited to a thing which can be grasped with one hand.
Further, in this example, the case where the fitting means 12 moves in the up and down direction when the cap 1 is fitted has been described, but the movement is not necessarily limited to the up and down direction.
Furthermore, in this example, a molded type BIB inner bag was described as an example of the container 2, but a film type BIB inner bag may be used. Further, the cap 1 may be fitted without being a BIB inner bag. Any container having a neck 3 to be combined may be used.
[0018]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the capping device of the present invention, a fitting-type cap, which is difficult to fit manually, can be easily and reliably attached to the neck of the container, and can be efficiently capped. Therefore, capping without filling of contents can be easily performed, and workability is improved.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a front view showing a state in which a cap has been fitted to a neck of a container using a capping device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a container with a cap attached by the capping device of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view showing the cap and the neck of the container in FIG. 1 in an enlarged manner.
FIG. 4 is a process diagram illustrating a manner in which a cap is fitted to a neck of a container using the capping device of FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is a process diagram illustrating a manner in which a cap is fitted to a neck of a container using the capping device of FIG. 1;
FIG. 6 is a process diagram illustrating a state in which a cap is fitted to a neck of a container using the capping device of FIG. 1;
FIG. 7 is a process diagram illustrating a state in which a cap is fitted to a neck of a container using the capping device of FIG. 1;
FIG. 8 is a process diagram illustrating a manner in which a cap is fitted to a neck of a container using the capping device of FIG. 1;
FIG. 9 is a process diagram illustrating how the cap is fitted to the neck of the container using the capping device of FIG. 1;
FIG. 10 is a process diagram illustrating a manner in which a cap is fitted to a neck of a container using the capping device of FIG. 1;
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Cap, 2 ... Container, 3 ... Neck, 10 ... Capping device, 11 ... Holding means, 12 ... Fitting means, 15 ... Support member, 16 ...・ Clamping member

Claims (3)

In a capping device for fitting a cap to a neck of a container on which a flange is formed,
Holding means for holding the neck of the container in a predetermined position,
Holding the cap, moving toward the neck, and fitting means for fitting the cap,
The holding means guides the movement of the neck to the predetermined position, and a support member that supports a flange formed on the neck at the time of fitting, and a side opposite to the support with respect to the flange. A capping device for holding the neck portion at the predetermined position. The said holding member consists of a pair of holding | maintenance plates, The holding | maintenance operation | movement and release operation | movement of the said neck part are possible by rotating on a support member in conjunction with movement of the said neck part. A capping device as described. The capping device according to claim 1, wherein the capping device can be held by one hand and can be moved, and a fitting operation can be performed while maintaining a state at the time of the holding.

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