JP2007015726A - Capping apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a capping apparatus which is applicable to the attachment of caps of different kinds such as a pilfer-proof cap and a screw cap, and capable of controlling the speed and the torque when attaching the cap. <P>SOLUTION: The capping apparatus is equipped with a servo motor 18, inner shafts 38 and 40 and outer cylinders 30, 32 and 34 which are respectively rotatable by the servo motor 18 and arranged concentrically with each other, a rotational force transmitting/switching mechanism 60 which selectively switches the rotation from the servo motor 18 and transmits the rotation to any one of the inner shafts 38 and 40 and the outer cylinders 30, 32 and 34, and head mounting parts 34c and 40b which are provided at the ends of the inner shafts and the outer cylinders and is removably mounted with at least two kinds of capping heads. The rotational force transmitted to any one of the inner shafts and the outer cylinders is transmitted to the capping heads, and at least two kinds of caps can be selectively attached to a container. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a capping device for attaching a cap to a mouth of a container.

  Conventionally, as this type of capping device, one described in Patent Document 1 or 2 is known. In Patent Document 1, a main motor that revolves the capping head and a servo motor that rotates the capping head are provided, and the speed and torque of the servo motor are controlled. In Patent Document 2, a capping head can be attached to and detached from a spindle attached to one cam track, and both a pill fur proof cap and a screw cap can be attached.

JP-A-10-324396 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-232795

  However, Patent Document 1 has a problem that although it is mainly considered to be applied to a screw cap, it is not considered to be applied to a pilfer proof cap.

  Further, in Patent Document 2, both the pilfer proof cap and the screw cap are mounted by replacing the detachable capping head. However, the capping head rotates in any case. Therefore, there is a problem that it is difficult to appropriately control the speed and torque when the cap is mounted.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and can be applied to mounting of different types of caps such as a pilfer-proof cap and a screw cap, and appropriately controls speed and torque when the cap is mounted. It is an object of the present invention to provide a capping device that can perform the above.

In order to achieve the above object, an invention according to claim 1 of the present invention provides a capping device for attaching a cap to a mouth of a container.
A servo motor,
An inner shaft and an outer cylinder, which can be rotated by a servo motor, and are arranged concentrically;
A rotational force transmission switching mechanism for selectively switching the rotation from the servo motor and transmitting it to either the inner shaft or the outer cylinder;
A head mounting portion provided at the tip of the inner shaft and the outer cylinder, wherein at least two types of capping heads can be detachably mounted;
The rotational force transmitted to either the inner shaft or the outer cylinder is transmitted to the capping head, and at least two kinds of caps can be selectively attached to the container.

  The invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that the rotational force transmission switching mechanism according to claim 1 includes a planetary gear mechanism.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, the rotational force transmission switching mechanism according to the second aspect can be selectively engaged with a plurality of detent pins provided on different constituent gears of the planetary gear mechanism, and the detent pins. And anti-rotation means.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the capping head according to any one of the first to third aspects includes a screw capping head and a pill fur proof capping head, which are selectively and detachably mounted. It is attached to the head attachment part provided in the front-end | tip of an axis | shaft, or the front-end | tip of an outer cylinder.

  According to the present invention, a desired capping head is attached to the head attaching portion provided at the tip of the inner shaft and the outer shaft, and the rotation from the servo motor is selectively switched from the inner shaft to the outer shaft by the rotational force transmission switching mechanism. Since it is transmitted to the cylinder, it is possible to rotate the inner shaft and the outer cylinder in conformity with a desired capping head, so that different types of caps can be attached to the container. Then, by controlling the rotation speed and torque by the servo motor, it becomes possible to perform a desired cap attachment.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the rotational force transmission switching mechanism includes the planetary gear mechanism, the rotational force can be easily switched with a reduction function.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, the rotation preventing means is driven manually or by a driving force from an arbitrary driving source and selectively engaged with the rotation preventing pin, so that the constituent gear in the planetary gear mechanism is By selectively preventing rotation, the rotational force can be selectively extracted. In addition, since the constituent gears of the planetary gear mechanism can be stopped at an arbitrary position by the servo motor, it is possible to easily align the rotation stop pin and the rotation stop means.

  According to invention of Claim 4, it can apply also to mounting | wearing with any cap of a screw cap and a pill fur-proof cap. The inner shaft may be rotated when the screw cap is attached, and the outer cylinder may be rotated when the pilfer proof cap is attached.

  The first embodiment of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is an overall cross-sectional view of a capping device according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, reference numeral 10 denotes a capping device. The capping device 10 is supported on the upper rotary plate 12, the middle rotary plate 14 and the lower rotary plate 16 via bushes 15 and 17, and is revolved by a drive source (not shown). The A plurality of capping devices 10 are arranged apart from each other in the circumferential direction around the revolution axis. Here, one capping device is shown.

  A servo motor 18 is supported on the upper rotating plate 12, and an output shaft 18 a of the servo motor 18 extends below the upper rotating plate 12 and is connected to the sun gear 22 of the planetary gear mechanism 20.

  The planetary gear mechanism 20 includes a sun gear 22, a ring gear 24, and pinion carriers 28 and 29 that rotatably support a pinion gear 26 that meshes simultaneously with the sun gear 22 and the ring gear 24.

  Further, a first outer cylinder 30 extending downward is integrally connected to the ring gear 24. A second outer cylinder 32 is connected to the first outer cylinder 30 via a key 31 so as not to be relatively rotatable and movable in the axial direction. Further, a third outer cylinder 34 is integrally connected to the lower portion of the second outer cylinder 32.

  On the other hand, the first inner shaft 38 is integrally connected to the pinion carrier 29, and the second inner shaft 40 is connected to the lower portion of the first inner shaft 38 so as not to be relatively rotatable and movable in the axial direction. .

  The first outer cylinder 30, the second outer cylinder 32 and the third outer cylinder 34 constitute an outer cylinder, and the first inner shaft 38 and the second inner axis 40 constitute an inner axis. The second inner shaft 40 extends on the inner diameter side of the third outer cylinder 34, and between the second inner shaft 40 and the third outer cylinder 34, a radial bearing 41 is provided at the upper part, and a thrust bearing is provided at the lower part. The second inner shaft 40 and the third outer cylinder 34 are arranged concentrically, and can be relatively rotated and moved integrally in the axial direction.

  A cam follower cylinder 44 is disposed on the outer peripheral side of the third outer cylinder 34. A driven cam roller 46 is attached to the cam follower cylinder 44, and the driven cam roller 46 is fitted into a cam track 48 provided along the revolution trajectory of the capping device 10. The cam track and the like can be described, for example, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-232795, and the cam follower cylinder 44 moves up and down according to the revolution angle. Between the third outer cylinder 34 and the cam follower cylinder 44, a radial bearing 43 is provided at an upper portion thereof, and a thrust bearing 45 is provided at a lower portion thereof. Thereby, the cam follower 44 and the third outer cylinder 34 are relatively rotatable and can move integrally in the axial direction.

  The tip of the second inner shaft 40 is a mounting shaft 40b having a non-circular cross section. The tip of the third outer cylinder 34 is an attachment flange 34c, and a plurality of attachment holes 34d are formed. The mounting shaft 40b of the second inner shaft 40 and the mounting flange 34c of the third outer cylinder 34 constitute a head mounting portion on which a capping head can be selectively mounted. The screw capping head 50 and the pill fur proof capping head 52 are provided. It can be attached.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a rotational force transmission switching mechanism 60 that includes the planetary gear mechanism 20 and selectively transmits the rotation from the servo motor 18 to the inner shaft and the outer cylinder is provided. Specifically, the rotational force transmission switching mechanism 60 includes a planetary gear mechanism 20, a rotation prevention pin 28 a provided on the pinion carrier 28 of the planetary gear mechanism 20, a rotation prevention pin 24 a provided on the ring gear 24, An anti-rotation member 62 that can be engaged with the stop pins 28a and 24a, and a cylinder 66 as a drive source for driving the anti-rotation member 62 up and down by connecting the tip of the piston rod to the anti-rotation member 62. . Specifically, the anti-rotation member 62 has a plate portion 62a having a notch 62c into which the anti-rotation pin 28a can be fitted, and an L-shaped extension from the lower surface of the plate 62a, and the anti-rotation pin 24a can be fitted therein. And an arm part 62b having a notch. As shown also in FIG. 3, with respect to all the capping devices 10 arranged around the revolution axis, the rotation preventing member 62 is shared, and one plate portion 62a has a notch 62c corresponding to each capping device 10. And an arm portion 62b, and one rotation prevention member 62 may be driven by one cylinder 66. Of course, the plate portion 62a and the arm 62b may be separately driven by the cylinder 66 for each capping device 10, but the configuration can be simplified by integrating them.

  When the anti-rotation pin 28a and the anti-rotation pin 24a are at a predetermined stop position, as shown in FIG. 2A, the cylinder 66 drives the anti-rotation member 62 downward, so that the notch 62c of the plate portion 62a is formed. The rotation prevention pin 28a is restrained, and the pinion carrier 28 cannot be rotated. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 2B, when the cylinder 66 drives the anti-rotation member 62 upward, the notch of the arm portion 62b restrains the anti-rotation pin 24a, and the ring gear 24 cannot be rotated. Thus, the rotational force transmission switching mechanism 60 can selectively allow only the rotation of either the ring gear 24 or the pinion carrier 28.

  In the capping device 10 configured as described above, when the screw cap is attached to the mouth of the container, first, as shown in FIG. 4, the screw capping head 50 is attached to the mounting shaft 40b of the second inner shaft 40 and It is attached to the attachment flange 34 c of the third outer cylinder 34. Then, the rotational force transmission switching mechanism 60 is operated to move the rotation preventing member 62 upward so that the ring gear 24 cannot be rotated. At this time, it is assumed that the planetary gear mechanism 20 is rotated by the servo motor 18 to a predetermined stop position in advance.

  When the capping device 10 is revolved after the above preparation, the driven cam roller 46 moves up and down along the cam track 48, and the third outer cylinder 34 and the second inner shaft 40 move up and down in conjunction with this. Further, the servo motor 18 is rotated according to the revolution angle. The rotation of the output shaft 18 a of the servo motor 18 is decelerated and output to the pinion carrier 28, transmitted to the second inner shaft 40 via the first inner shaft 38, and screwed from the mounting shaft 40 b of the second inner shaft 40. A central rotating shaft 50a disposed on the central axis of the capping head 50 is rotated. A cap mounting portion 50b provided at the tip of the central rotating shaft 50a of the screw capping head 50 is fitted to the cap attached to the container, and is mounted on the container by rotating the cap with respect to the container. At this time, the center rotation shaft 50a of the screw capping head 50 can be rotated at a desired speed and torque by controlling the speed command signal and the torque limit command signal to the servo motor 18, and the revolution of the capping device 10 can be performed. At the same time, desired tightening control can be performed. In the series of operations, the outer cylinder does not rotate.

  Next, when attaching the pilfer proof cap, first, the pilfer proof capping head 52 is first attached to the attachment shaft 40b of the inner shaft 40 and the attachment flange 34c of the third outer cylinder 34, as shown in FIG. At this time, the central shaft 52a provided with the pressure block 52b at the lower part is attached to the attachment shaft 40b of the inner shaft 40, and the attachment block 52e provided with the thread roller 52c and the skirt roller 52d are provided at the lower part thereof. Attach to. Then, the rotational force transmission switching mechanism 60 is operated to move the rotation preventing member 62 downward so that the pinion carrier 28 cannot be rotated. At this time, it is assumed that the planetary gear mechanism 20 is rotated by the servo motor 18 to a predetermined stop position in advance.

  When the capping device 10 is revolved after the above preparation, the driven cam roller 46 moves up and down along the cam track 48, and the third outer cylinder 34 and the second inner shaft 40 move up and down in conjunction with this. Further, the servo motor 18 is rotated according to the revolution angle. The rotation of the output shaft 18a of the servo motor 18 is decelerated and output to the ring gear 24, and is transmitted to the third outer cylinder 34 via the first and second outer cylinders 30 and 32, so that the pilfer proof capping head 52 The attachment block 52e is rotated to rotate the thread roller 52c and the skirt roller 52d. The thread roller 52c and the skirt roller 52d rotate around the cap attached to the container, approach the container by the operation of a cam mechanism provided below the mounting block 52e, and spiral to the cap as is well known. A groove is formed and the lower end of the cap is bent and tightened. At this time, by controlling the speed command signal and the torque limit command signal to the servo motor 18, the thread roller 52c and the skirt roller 52d can be rotated at a desired speed and torque, and along with the revolution of the capping device 10, Desired tightening control can be performed. In a series of operations, the pressure block 52b does not rotate and is pressed against the upper surface of the cap.

  Thus, by appropriately replacing the screw capping head 50 and the pilfer proof capping head 52, it is possible to cope with both capping, and in any capping, the capping head is controlled by the speed and torque control of the servo motor suitable for each capping. 50 and 52 can be controlled.

  Further, by switching with the rotational force transmission switching mechanism 60, the rotation of the head mounting portion can be matched with the operation of the capping head to be mounted. By using the planetary gear mechanism 20 as a rotational force transmission switching mechanism, switching can be easily performed, and a reduction function can also be used.

  In the illustrated example, the rotation prevention member 62 is driven by the cylinder 66 to perform switching. However, the switching may be performed by another arbitrary driving source or manually.

1 is an overall longitudinal sectional view of a capping device according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is an expanded sectional view of a rotational force transmission switching mechanism, (a) represents a state in which the pinion carrier has become non-rotatable, and (b) represents a state in which the ring gear has become non-rotatable. It is a bottom view of a rotation prevention member. It is a principal part longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the state which attached the screw capping head to the capping apparatus of FIG. It is a principal part longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the state which attached the pilfer-proof capping head to the capping apparatus of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Capping apparatus 18 Servo motor 20 Planetary gear mechanism 22 Sun gear 24 Ring gear 24a Non-rotation pin 26 Pinion gears 28 and 29 Pinion carrier 28a Non-rotation pin 30 1st outer cylinder (outer cylinder)
32 Second outer cylinder (outer cylinder)
34 Third outer cylinder (outer cylinder)
34c Mounting flange (head mounting part)
38 1st inner shaft (inner shaft)
40 Second inner shaft (inner shaft)
40b Mounting shaft (head mounting part)
50 Screw capping head 52 Pilfer proof capping head 60 Rotational force transmission switching mechanism 62 Anti-rotation member (anti-rotation means)
66 cylinder (drive source)

Claims (4)

In a capping device for attaching a cap to the mouth of a container,
A servo motor,
An inner shaft and an outer cylinder, which can be rotated by a servo motor, and are arranged concentrically;
A rotational force transmission switching mechanism for selectively switching the rotation from the servo motor and transmitting it to either the inner shaft or the outer cylinder;
A head mounting portion provided at the tip of the inner shaft and the outer cylinder, wherein at least two types of capping heads can be detachably mounted;
And a capping device capable of selectively attaching at least two types of caps to the container by transmitting the rotational force transmitted to either the inner shaft or the outer cylinder to the capping head.   The capping device according to claim 1, wherein the rotational force transmission switching mechanism includes a planetary gear mechanism.   The rotational force transmission switching mechanism has a plurality of detent pins provided on different constituent gears of the planetary gear mechanism, and detent means that can selectively engage with the detent pins. The capping device according to claim 2. The capping head includes a screw capping head and a pill fur proof capping head, which are selectively and detachably attached to a head mounting portion provided at the tip of the inner shaft or the tip of the outer cylinder. The capping device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

Images