JP2008100130A - Liquid supply device and its starting method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a technique capable of suppressing the abrasion or vibration of a seal ring at the time of starting of a liquid supply device and capable of efficiently utilizing a liquid for sterilizing or rinsing a container. <P>SOLUTION: A lift mechanism 210 is provided to allow the seal ring 14 to fall to set a state the seal walls 14a of the seal ring 14 are separated from the undersurface of a manifold 11 at the time of starting of the liquid supply device to wet the upper parts of the seal walls 14a of the seal ring 14. Thereafter, the seal ring 14 is raised to be brought into close contact with the manifold 11 and the friction of the seal ring 14 with the undersurface of the manifold 11 is prevented from becoming large. Further, the leak of the liquid from the gap between the seal ring 14 and the manifold 11 is prevented by a seal member 203 and a fixing ring 200. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid supply apparatus suitable for use in sterilization, rinsing, and the like in a container and a starting method thereof.

  A rotary filling device is used as a device for filling a container such as a PET bottle, a glass bottle, or a bottle can with a liquid such as drinking water. This rotary filling device is provided with a plurality of filling valves on the outer peripheral portion of a rotating disk, and fills the container from the filling valve while the disk rotates almost once. After the filling of the liquid into the container is completed, the cap is attached to the container by a capper (plugging machine).

  By the way, in the case of drinking water or the like, it is essential to prevent contamination of germs in the container. For this reason, in a clean room, container sterilization and rinsing, cap sterilization and rinsing, filling of sterilized product liquid and cap The so-called aseptic filling method in which a series of processes such as mounting is performed, or the liquid to be filled is heated to a high temperature, and the entire container capped in the transport process is turned sideways or upside down so that the liquid in the container is not A high temperature filling method is employed in which the contact part is sterilized by the heat of the liquid itself.

  In the former aseptic filling method, the device for sterilizing and rinsing the container is equipped with a rotary container transport mechanism called a star wheel, and while the container is transported in the circumferential direction by the rotating star wheel, The container is sterilized and rinsed (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).

  As shown in FIG. 11, the rotating body 1 is provided on a base (not shown) and is driven to rotate by a motor or the like, and a disc-shaped wheel 4 as a whole provided on the upper portion of the rotating shaft 3. The wheel 4 is rotated substantially in a horizontal plane by rotationally driving the rotary shaft 3. On the outer periphery of the wheel 4, grippers 5 that hold the PET bottles 100 are arranged at regular intervals in the circumferential direction of the wheel 4.

  In the sterilization apparatus and the rinsing apparatus, the PET bottle 100 is held upside down with the gripper 5 of the rotating body 1 as described above, and the sterilization or rinsing is performed from the nozzle 10 disposed so as to face the mouth of the PET bottle 100. A liquid for spraying is ejected, and the PET bottle 100 is cleaned, sterilized or rinsed.

As a mechanism for ejecting the liquid from the nozzle 10 provided so as to face the PET bottle 100 held by the gripper 5 as described above, the sterilizing apparatus and the rinsing apparatus have the following configurations.
That is, a disk-like manifold 11 that is held by the rotating shaft 3 is provided below the rotating body 1, similarly to the rotating body 1. The nozzles 10 are provided on the outer periphery of the manifold 11 at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction. In the manifold 11, ports 12 for feeding liquid to the nozzle 10 are formed at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction. Each port 12 is formed so as to communicate the outer peripheral surface and the lower surface of the manifold 11, and the nozzle 10 is connected to the opening on the outer peripheral surface side of the manifold 11.

Below the manifold 11, a liquid supply ring 13 for supplying a liquid to each port 12 is arranged. On the upper surface of the liquid supply ring 13, a ring-shaped groove 13a is formed. The groove 13a has a substantially U-shaped cross-section opening upward.
A seal ring 14 is fitted in the groove 13a. The lower part of the seal ring 14 has a cross-sectional shape and size corresponding to the groove 13a, and a liquid groove 14b formed by a pair of seal walls 14a and 14a protruding upward from the liquid supply ring 13 is formed on the upper part. ing. On the bottom surface of the liquid groove 14b, a plurality of holes 14c penetrating vertically are formed at predetermined intervals in the direction in which the liquid groove 14b continues.

Such a liquid supply ring 13 is pressed against the lower surface side of the manifold 11 by an urging member 16 such as a spring so that the upper surfaces of the seal walls 14 a and 14 a of the seal ring 14 are in close contact with the lower surface of the manifold 11. Yes.
Then, the liquid is fed into the groove 13a from the external liquid feeding mechanism 17 through the supply hole 13b. When the liquid is fed into the groove 13 a, the liquid flows into the port 12 through the hole 14 c and the liquid groove 14 b of the seal ring 14 and is ejected from the nozzle 10.

  At this time, as described above, the manifold 11 is held on the rotating shaft 3 in the same manner as the rotating body 1. Thereby, the manifold 11 rotates integrally with the rotating body 1. On the other hand, the liquid supply ring 13 and the seal ring 14 are fixed by fixing means (not shown) and do not rotate together with the manifold 11, and the liquid supply ring 13, seal ring 14, and manifold 11 rotate relatively. become. As a result, the upper surfaces of the seal walls 14a and 14a of the seal ring 14 are in sliding contact with the lower surface of the manifold 11, and therefore, the resin is formed of a material capable of suppressing friction generated between the seal ring 14 and the manifold 11.

  In such a sterilization apparatus and a rinsing apparatus, the rotating body 1 is rotated, the PET bottle 100 is received from the apparatus on the previous stage side, held by the gripper 5, and then the liquid is supplied from the nozzle 10 to the PET bottle 100 at a predetermined position. The ejection of the liquid from the nozzle 10 is stopped when the PET bottle 100 is rotated to a predetermined position. For this reason, the liquid groove 14 b of the seal ring 14 is formed not in the entire circumference of the liquid supply ring 13 but in a part of a predetermined angle range. Thereby, when the nozzle 10 facing the PET bottle 100 reaches one end of the range where the liquid groove 14b is formed by the rotation of the manifold 11, the liquid flows into the port 12 from the liquid groove 14b and from the nozzle 10. When the other end of the range in which the liquid groove 14b is formed is reached and the port 12 is detached from the liquid groove 14b, the liquid ejection is finished.

JP-A-6-262154 JP 2004-98020 A

However, the sterilization apparatus and the rinsing apparatus having the conventional rotating mechanism as described above have the following problems.
The liquid supply ring 13 and the seal ring 14 are pressed against the lower surface of the manifold 11 by a biasing member 16 such as a spring. At this time, if the sterilizer or the rinsing device is in operation, the supplied liquid is applied to the contact portion between the upper surfaces of the seal walls 14 a and 14 a of the seal ring 14 that rotates relatively and the lower surface of the manifold 11. It penetrates and this keeps the lubricity between the two. However, when the sterilizing device or the rinsing device is stopped for a long time, the contact portion between the seal walls 14a, 14a and the manifold 11 is in a dry state. Thereafter, when the sterilizer or rinse device is started up, even if the manifold 11 starts to rotate together with the rotating body 1, the liquid is fed into the liquid groove 14 b until it reaches the contact portion between the seal walls 14 a and 14 a and the manifold 11. Since no liquid is present, the friction at the contact portion between the upper surface of the seal ring 14 and the lower surface of the manifold 11 increases. As a result, excessive wear of the seal ring 14 may be caused, or vibration may be generated such that the contact portion between the seal ring 14 and the manifold 11 is distorted.

  In the state where the liquid is supplied, the liquid tries to enter between the liquid supply ring 13 and the seal ring 14 due to the liquid pressure. Then, the liquid overflows to the outside through the gap between the liquid supply ring 13 and the seal ring 14, thereby making it difficult to control the sealing force by the seal ring 14 with the liquid pressure. Further, due to this leakage, the amount of liquid supplied to the nozzle 10 through the liquid groove 14b is reduced. Even if leakage occurs, in order to blow out a sufficient amount of liquid from the nozzle 10, there is no choice but to increase the liquid pressure or the amount of liquid, which increases the amount of liquid consumed, which is uneconomical.

Further, as described above, in the seal ring 14, the liquid groove 14 b is formed only in a part of the seal ring 14 in the circumferential direction. When the liquid is ejected from the nozzle 10, a force that pushes the seal ring 14 urged upward by the urging member 16 downward from the manifold 11 is generated by the pressure of the liquid, but the liquid groove 14 b Since the liquid pressure is not generated in the portion where there is no, a non-uniform force acts in the circumferential direction of the seal ring 14. As a result, the seal ring 14 is inclined with respect to the manifold 11, and the gap between the seal ring 14 and the manifold 11 opens in a part of the circumferential direction, and there is a problem that the liquid leaks from here. Even with this phenomenon, in order to blow out a sufficient amount of liquid from the nozzle 10, the liquid pressure or the liquid volume must be increased, resulting in an increase in liquid consumption, which is uneconomical.
The present invention has been made on the basis of such a technical problem, and can suppress the wear and vibration of the seal ring at the start-up of the apparatus, and can efficiently use the liquid for sterilizing and rinsing the container. The purpose is to provide technology.

The present invention made for this purpose is a liquid that holds a container with each of a plurality of holders provided in the circumferential direction of the rotating body, and supplies the liquid into the container while rotating the rotating body to convey the container. A supply device suitable for use for sterilization and rinsing. Such a liquid supply device is a disk-like manifold that rotates integrally with a rotating body and includes a nozzle for supplying liquid to containers held by the respective holders and a plurality of ports continuous to the nozzles in the circumferential direction. And a ring-shaped member having a groove continuous in the circumferential direction, and being accommodated in the groove of the ring-shaped member so that the upper part protrudes above the ring-shaped member and is sandwiched between the ring-shaped member and the manifold. The seal wall is provided to be continuous in the circumferential direction on the inner peripheral side and the outer peripheral side of the port provided in the manifold, and the liquid supplied from the outside is filled inside the seal wall. In order to wet the contact part of the seal ring with the liquid groove and the manifold of the seal ring with the liquid when the liquid supply device is started, the seal ring is raised with respect to the manifold. Characterized in that it and a lifting mechanism for.
By providing such an elevating mechanism, the seal ring is lowered with respect to the manifold when the liquid supply device is started, and is kept in a non-contact state, and the liquid supplied from the outside is sealed through the groove of the ring-shaped member. When the liquid groove of the ring is filled and overflowed, the contact portion of the seal ring with the manifold is wetted with the liquid, and lubricity is ensured. In this state, if the seal ring is raised by the lifting mechanism and brought into close contact with the manifold, the friction between the manifold that rotates together with the rotating body and the seal ring can be reduced.

Various elevating mechanisms can be used, but in order to raise and lower the ring-shaped member and the seal ring relative to the manifold, it is possible to use telescopic cylinders provided at a plurality of locations in the circumferential direction of the ring-shaped member. it can.
Further, the seal ring is accommodated in the groove of the ring-shaped member so as to be movable up and down, and the seal ring is raised and lowered with respect to the manifold in the groove by the pressure of the liquid supplied between the groove and the seal ring. it can.

When the liquid groove formed in the seal ring is formed only in a part in the circumferential direction of the seal ring, if a pressing force adjusting mechanism capable of adjusting the distribution in the circumferential direction of the force pressing the seal ring against the manifold is provided, The adhesion of the seal ring to the manifold in the portion where the liquid groove is formed and the portion where the liquid groove is not formed can be made uniform. In the state where the liquid is supplied to the liquid groove, a force in the direction of pulling the seal ring away from the manifold is applied due to the liquid pressure, and this force does not act on the part where the liquid groove is not formed. Although the pressing force of the ring against the manifold becomes non-uniform, this is adjusted by the pressing force adjusting mechanism and made uniform to prevent liquid leakage from between the seal ring and the manifold.
When multiple biasing members that bias the ring-shaped member toward the manifold are provided at intervals in the circumferential direction of the ring-shaped member, the biasing force in each of the biasing members is adjusted independently as a pressing force adjustment mechanism A possible configuration can also be adopted.
In addition, it is also effective to provide a dummy liquid groove or the like so that the liquid pressure is applied to a portion where the liquid groove is not formed.

It is also preferable to further include a seal fixing member for restricting displacement of the seal ring accommodated in the groove of the ring-shaped member toward the manifold. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the seal ring from floating from the groove of the ring-shaped member due to the pressure of the liquid that has entered between the groove of the ring-shaped member and the seal ring, and it is possible to prevent liquid leakage from this portion.
Furthermore, it is preferable to provide a seal member for preventing liquid leakage between the groove of the ring-shaped member and the seal ring.

The present invention relates to a liquid supply device that holds a container with each of a plurality of holders provided in the circumferential direction of the rotating body, and supplies the liquid into the container while rotating the rotating body to convey the container. A nozzle for supplying liquid to the containers held by the respective holders, a disk-shaped manifold having a plurality of ports connected to the nozzles in the circumferential direction, and a groove continuous in the circumferential direction. The ring-shaped member provided and the ring-shaped member are accommodated in a groove, and the upper part protrudes upward from the ring-shaped member so as to be sandwiched between the ring-shaped member and the manifold. A seal ring having a seal wall provided to be continuous in the circumferential direction on the inner peripheral side and the outer peripheral side of the port, and having a liquid groove filled with a liquid supplied from the outside inside the seal wall And a blowout groove for allowing the liquid to flow out from the gap between the seal ring and the manifold in order to wet the contact portion of the seal ring with the manifold when the liquid supply device is activated. It can also be.
In such a configuration, when the liquid supply device is activated, the liquid flows out through the blow-out groove and through the gap between the seal ring and the manifold. Then, the seal ring or manifold that rotates relatively contacts the liquid flowing out from the blowout groove, and the contact portion of the seal ring with respect to the manifold can be wetted with the liquid. Thereby, the lubricity of the contact part with respect to the manifold of a seal ring is ensured. In this state, if the seal ring is raised by the lifting mechanism and brought into close contact with the manifold, the friction between the manifold that rotates together with the rotating body and the seal ring can be reduced.

The present invention provides a method for starting a liquid supply apparatus that holds a container with each of a plurality of holders provided in a circumferential direction of a rotating body and supplies the liquid into the container while rotating the rotating body to convey the container. You can also. Here, the liquid supply device that is the target of this method rotates in unison with the rotating body, and a plurality of nozzles for supplying the liquid to the containers held by the respective holders and a plurality of ports connected to the nozzles in the circumferential direction. A disk-shaped manifold, a ring-shaped member having a circumferentially continuous groove, and a ring-shaped member that is housed in the groove of the ring-shaped member, with the upper portion protruding upward from the ring-shaped member and between the ring-shaped member and the manifold The seal wall is provided so as to be sandwiched between the inner peripheral side and the outer peripheral side of the port provided in the manifold, and is continuously provided in the circumferential direction. And a seal ring in which a liquid groove filled with the liquid is formed. When starting such a liquid supply device, the step of separating the seal ring from the manifold, the step of supplying the liquid to the liquid groove of the seal ring, and the overflow of the liquid from the liquid groove; Feeding the liquid from the liquid groove to the port and starting the supply of the liquid from the nozzle into the container.
Such a series of operations may be performed manually by an operator. However, it is preferable to perform programming in advance in the controller of the liquid supply apparatus so that it is automatically performed at the time of activation.
Further, the manifold and the seal ring only need to be relatively separated and approached, and the above operation may be realized by raising and lowering the manifold side without being limited to the configuration of raising and lowering the seal ring side.

  According to the present invention, when the device is started, the contact portion of the seal ring with the manifold is wetted with liquid, thereby preventing the seal ring and the manifold from contacting in a dry state, and reducing the friction with respect to the seal ring manifold. Ring wear and vibration can be suppressed. Also, by preventing the seal ring from lifting from the groove of the ring-shaped member, liquid leakage from between the ring-shaped member and the seal ring can be prevented, and the adhesion of the seal ring to the manifold can be made uniform. Thus, liquid leakage from between the seal ring and the manifold can be prevented, and as a result, the liquid for sterilization and cleaning can be used efficiently.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.
[First embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the overall configuration of a beverage filling machine according to the present embodiment. The beverage filling machine shown in FIG. 1 is mainly applied to an aseptic filling method.
As shown in FIG. 1, the beverage filling machine includes a sterilization device (liquid supply device) 20 for sterilizing a container, a rinsing device (liquid supply device) 30 for rinsing the container, a filling device 40 for filling the container with liquid, and a liquid filling A capper (not shown) for attaching a cap to the container is mainly provided.
A conveying star wheel 60 and the like are provided between the sterilizer 20, the rinsing device 30, the filling device 40, and the capper so that the containers are delivered and the like.
In the case of the aseptic filling method, such a beverage filling machine is installed in a clean room in which the whole is maintained at a degree of cleanliness of a predetermined level or more.

In the sterilizing apparatus 20 and the rinsing apparatus 30, the PET bottle (container) 100 is sterilized and rinsed in an inverted state. For this reason, the inlet side of the sterilizing apparatus 20 and the outlet of the rinsing apparatus 30 are used. On the side, a mechanism for turning the container upside down is provided. As such a mechanism, a configuration as shown in Patent Documents 1 and 2 may be adopted.
The sterilizing device 20 and the rinsing device 30 are each provided with a rotation mechanism as shown below. Here, components that are the same as those shown in FIG. 11 are given the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof are omitted.
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a disk-like manifold 11 is provided below the rotating body 1 in which the grippers 5 that hold the PET bottles 100 are provided at regular intervals in the circumferential direction. The rotating body 1 and the manifold 11 are attached to a rotating shaft 3 that is rotationally driven by a motor or the like (not shown).
On the outer periphery of the manifold 11, a nozzle 10 for ejecting liquid to the PET bottle 100 held by the gripper 5 is provided at a position facing the gripper (holding tool) 5. It is connected to the formed port 12.

A liquid supply ring (ring-shaped member) 13 for supplying a liquid to each port 12 is disposed below the manifold 11. On the upper surface of the liquid supply ring 13, a ring-shaped groove 13a is formed. The groove 13a has a substantially U-shaped cross-section opening upward.
A seal ring 14 made of resin or the like is fitted in the groove 13a. The lower part of the seal ring 14 has a cross-sectional shape and size corresponding to the groove 13a, and a liquid groove 14b formed by a pair of seal walls 14a and 14a protruding upward from the liquid supply ring 13 is formed on the upper part. ing. As described above, the liquid groove 14b of the seal ring 14 ejects the liquid only within a certain angle range from the nozzle 10, and stops the liquid ejection in the remaining area. It is formed but not in the remaining area. On the bottom surface of the liquid groove 14b, a plurality of holes 14c penetrating vertically are formed at predetermined intervals in the direction in which the liquid groove 14b continues.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 4, the seal ring 14 is preferably divided into a plurality of parts in the circumferential direction. Accordingly, it is possible to perform replacement or the like by pulling the seal ring 14 laterally from the rotary shaft 3 without removing the rotating body 1, the manifold 11, or the like during maintenance. At this time, it is preferable that the division position of the seal ring 14 is a portion where the liquid groove 14b is not formed. When dividing at the portion where the liquid groove 14b is formed, it is preferable to provide a sealing material or the like at the joint portion in order to ensure sealing performance.

  The manifold 11 is provided with a fixing ring (seal fixing member) 200 for fixing the seal ring 14 to the liquid supply ring 13. The fixing ring 200 includes an inner and outer double inner ring 201 and an outer ring 202 so that the seal ring 14 can be held and fixed with the seal walls 14a and 14a of the seal ring 14 protruding upward. The ring 201 and the outer ring 202 are substantially L-shaped in cross section, and hold the seal ring 14 on both sides of the seal walls 14a and 14a, and are fixed to the inner and outer peripheral upper surfaces of the groove 13a of the liquid supply ring 13 with bolts or the like. It has become.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, a seal member 203 that blocks leakage of liquid from the gap with the manifold 11 is provided between the inner peripheral side and outer peripheral side of the groove 13 a and the bottom surface of the seal ring 14. Is provided.

  Such a liquid supply ring 13 is pressed against the lower surface side of the manifold 11 by a biasing member 16 such as a spring provided between a base (not shown), and the upper surfaces of the seal walls 14a and 14a of the seal ring 14 are on the manifold. 11 is in close contact with the lower surface.

A plurality of such urging members 16 are arranged at substantially equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the liquid supply ring 13. At this time, it is preferable to provide a pressing force adjusting mechanism capable of independently adjusting the urging force between the urging members 16.
In order to make it possible to independently adjust the urging force between the plurality of urging members 16, it is only necessary to adjust the set length of the spring of the urging member 16 so that the preload can be adjusted. For this purpose, as shown in FIG. 5, an adjustment screw 16a (see FIG. 5A) or a shim 16b (see FIG. 5B) for adjusting the set length of the urging member 16 may be used.

  The liquid groove 14b of the seal ring 14 is formed within a range of a certain angle, and is not formed in the remaining range. Thus, in the conventional case, a non-uniform force in the circumferential direction of the seal ring 14 is caused by the liquid. Although acting, by adopting a configuration in which the biasing force is adjusted for each biasing member 16 as described above, the adhesion force of the seal ring 14 to the manifold 11 can be made uniform in the circumferential direction. As a result, the seal ring 14 is not tilted with respect to the manifold 11, and leakage exceeding a specified level (leakage as a lubricating liquid is necessary) can be prevented, so that the liquid can be used efficiently.

Now, as shown in FIG. 2, the upper surface of the liquid supply ring 13 can be raised and lowered by an elevating mechanism 210 provided between the liquid supply ring 13 and a base (not shown). As such an elevating mechanism 210, a telescopic cylinder 211 driven by hydraulic pressure, air pressure or the like, a ball screw mechanism driven by a motor, or the like can be used.
In the present embodiment, the liquid supply ring 13 is moved up and down with respect to the lower surface of the manifold 11 by the lifting mechanism 210 so that the seal walls 14 a and 14 a of the seal ring 14 can be brought into contact with or separated from the manifold 11. ing.

  Here, the manifold 11 is held by the rotating shaft 3 similarly to the rotating body 1 and rotates integrally with the rotating body 1. On the other hand, the liquid supply ring 13 and the seal ring 14 are fixed on the base side (not shown) so as not to rotate with the manifold 11.

  In such a configuration, the liquid is fed into the groove 13a from the external liquid feeding mechanism 17 through the supply hole 13b. When the liquid is fed into the groove 13 a, the liquid flows from the hole 14 c of the seal ring 14 through the liquid groove 14 b to the port 12 and is ejected from the nozzle 10.

  Then, while the rotating body 1 rotates, the PET bottle 100 is received from the apparatus on the previous stage and held by the gripper 5, and then the liquid starts to be ejected from the nozzle 10 toward the PET bottle 100 at a predetermined position. When the 100 rotates to a predetermined position, the ejection of the liquid from the nozzle 10 is stopped. For this reason, the liquid groove 14b of the seal ring 14 is formed not in the entire circumference of the liquid supply ring 13 but in a part of a predetermined angle range. Thereby, when the gripper 5 holding the PET bottle 100 reaches one end of the range where the liquid groove 14b is formed by the rotation of the manifold 11, the liquid flows into the port 12 from the liquid groove 14b and from the nozzle 10. When the other end of the range in which the liquid groove 14b is formed is reached and the port 12 is detached from the liquid groove 14b, the liquid ejection is finished.

  At this time, since the seal member 203 is provided between the seal ring 14 and the manifold 11, it is possible to block leakage of liquid of a specified amount or more from the gap between the seal ring 14 and the manifold 11. Furthermore, since it is fixed to the liquid supply ring 13 by the fixing ring 200, the sealing performance by the seal member 203 can be reliably exerted, and the liquid enters the gap between the seal ring 14 and the liquid supply ring 13 by the pressure of the liquid. Further, it is possible to prevent a phenomenon in which the seal ring 14 is pushed up with an excessive force.

In the sterilization apparatus 20 and the rinsing apparatus 30, the following operations are performed based on a program programmed in advance in the controller of the apparatus when the apparatus is activated.
First, as shown in FIG. 6, the liquid supply ring 13 is lowered by the lifting mechanism 210 so that the seal walls 14 a and 14 a of the seal ring 14 are separated from the lower surface of the manifold 11. First, the supply of the liquid is started, and the liquid is fed into the groove 13 a from the external liquid feeding mechanism 17 and is maintained until it overflows from the liquid groove 14 b of the seal ring 14. As a result, the upper portions of the seal walls 14a and 14a of the seal ring 14 are wetted by the liquid. Thereafter, the liquid supply ring 13 is raised by the elevating mechanism 210 so that the seal walls 14a and 14a of the seal ring 14 are brought into close contact with the lower surface of the manifold 11 that has started rotating. Then, the liquid flows into the port 12 through the liquid groove 14 b of the seal ring 14 and is ejected from the nozzle 10.

As described above, since the leakage of the liquid can be blocked from the gap between the seal ring 14 and the manifold 11 by the seal member 203 and the fixing ring 200, the liquid supplied to the nozzle 10 through the liquid groove 14b is wasted. The liquid can be used efficiently without flowing out.
Further, by providing the elevating mechanism 210, when the apparatus is activated, the manifold 11 is lowered and the seal walls 14a and 14a of the seal ring 14 are separated from the lower surface of the manifold 11, so that the seal of the seal ring 14 is sealed. After the upper portions of the walls 14a and 14a are wetted with the liquid, they can be raised and brought into close contact with the manifold 11. As a result, the friction at the contact portion between the seal ring 14 and the lower surface of the manifold 11 is prevented from increasing at the time of starting the apparatus, and excessive wear of the seal ring 14 or the contact portion between the seal ring 14 and the manifold 11 extends. Such vibration can be suppressed.

In the first embodiment, the fixing ring 200 and the seal member 203 are provided. However, the gap between the liquid supply ring 13 and the seal ring 14 is provided only by either the fixing ring 200 or the seal member 203. If it is possible to sufficiently prevent leakage of liquid from the liquid, only one of the fixing ring 200 and the seal member 203 may be provided.
Further, the fixing ring 200 may be made of hard rubber or the like, and may be configured to satisfy both the function of fixing the seal ring 14 and the function of preventing leakage of liquid.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment will be described. Here, only the configuration different from the configuration shown in the first embodiment will be described, and the description of the configuration common to the first embodiment will be omitted.
As shown in FIG. 7, in the present embodiment, a piston plate 220 is integrally provided on the lower surface of the seal ring 14 accommodated in the groove 13 a of the liquid supply ring 13. The piston plate 220 has an outer shape corresponding to the planar shape of the groove 13a, and has a donut shape in which a through hole for allowing liquid to pass is formed in the center. A seal member 221 is provided on the outer peripheral portion of the piston plate 220 so as to maintain a sealing property between the outer peripheral surface of the piston plate 220 and the inner peripheral surface of the groove 13a.
Here, the width of the groove 13a is formed to be smaller than the width of the piston plate 220 from the bottom of the groove 13a to a predetermined height portion, whereby the piston plate 220 can be moved in the vertical direction within the groove 13a. However, movement beyond a certain depth is restricted in the groove 13a. Thus, a chamber portion 222 having a cross-sectional area larger than that of the hole 14c of the seal ring 14 is formed below the piston plate 220 in the groove 13a. The chamber portion 222 is fed with liquid through a supply pipe 223 by a pump or the like.

  In addition, a restriction ring 230 having substantially the same configuration as the fixing ring 200 in the first embodiment is provided in the manifold 11. However, the regulation ring 230 in the present embodiment, like the fixing ring 200, has inner and outer double sides each having an inverted L-shaped cross section so that the seal walls 14a, 14a of the seal ring 14 can protrude upward. The seal ring 14 includes a ring 231 and an outer ring 232, and the seal ring 14 is movable in the vertical direction at a fixed dimension below the regulation ring 230. That is, the regulation ring 230 functions to regulate the movement of the seal ring 14 above a certain dimension.

In the sterilizing device 20 and the rinsing device 30 having such a configuration, as shown in FIG. 8, when the device is activated, the piston plate 220 and the seal ring 14 are lowered by the weight of the piston plate 220 and the seal ring 14. The seal walls 14 a and 14 a are separated from the lower surface of the manifold 11.
When supply of the liquid is started in this state, the liquid is fed from the external liquid feeding mechanism 17 into the groove 13a. At this time, if liquid accumulates in the chamber portion 222 below the piston plate 220 in the groove 13a, the cross-sectional area of the hole 14c of the seal ring 14 is smaller than that of the chamber portion 222. Acts to push up the piston plate 220 and the seal ring 14. As a result, the seal walls 14 a and 14 a of the seal ring 14 on the piston plate 220 are brought into close contact with the lower surface of the manifold 11. At this time, the fed liquid overflows from the liquid groove 14b of the seal ring 14 until the seal walls 14a, 14a of the seal ring 14 come into contact with the lower surface of the manifold 11, and the upper portions of the seal walls 14a, 14a are liquid. To get wet.
Then, after the seal walls 14a and 14a of the seal ring 14 are brought into close contact with the lower surface of the manifold 11, the liquid finally flows into the port 12 and is ejected from the nozzle 10 to sterilize the PET bottle 100. Too much is done.

In this way, the piston plate 220 and the seal ring 14 can be moved up and down, and the piston plate 220 and the seal ring 14 are lifted and brought into close contact with the lower surface of the manifold 11 by using hydraulic pressure. Can be increased.
Further, since the leakage of the liquid can be blocked from the gap between the seal ring 14 and the liquid supply ring 13 by the seal member 221 provided on the piston plate 220, the liquid supplied to the nozzle 10 through the liquid groove 14b is prevented. The liquid can be used efficiently without wastefully flowing out.
At the time of starting the apparatus, the seal walls 14a and 14a of the seal ring 14 are separated from the lower surface of the manifold 11, and the upper portions of the seal walls 14a and 14a of the seal ring 14 are wetted with liquid and then raised. Thus, it can be brought into close contact with the manifold 11. As a result, the friction at the contact portion between the seal ring 14 and the lower surface of the manifold 11 is prevented from increasing at the time of starting the apparatus, and excessive wear of the seal ring 14 or the contact portion between the seal ring 14 and the manifold 11 extends. Such vibration can be suppressed.

In the above embodiment, the pressure of the liquid ejected from the nozzle 10 for sterilization and rinsing is used as the liquid pressure for moving the piston plate 220 up and down. You may make it provide a hydraulic-pressure provision mechanism. That is, the piston plate 220 is moved up and down by controlling the hydraulic pressure supplied to the lower side of the piston plate 220 by a separately provided cylinder mechanism or the like.
In this case, the piston plate 220 is supported by a plurality of cylinder mechanisms provided at intervals in the circumferential direction, and the pressure on the piston plate 220 is individually controlled by a pump or the like by each cylinder mechanism.
With such a configuration, the distribution of pressure applied to the piston plate 220 can be adjusted in the circumferential direction. Since the liquid groove 14b is formed only within a certain angle range, it is possible to prevent a non-uniform force from acting in the circumferential direction of the seal ring 14, and to apply the force between the seal ring 14 and the manifold 11 in the circumferential direction. Can be made uniform. As a result, the seal ring 14 does not tilt with respect to the manifold 11, and the liquid can be used efficiently.

[Third embodiment]
Next, a third embodiment will be described. Here, only configurations different from the configurations shown in the first and second embodiments will be described, and descriptions of configurations common to the first and second embodiments will be omitted.
As shown in FIG. 9, in the present embodiment, the seal ring 14 is accommodated in the groove 13a of the liquid supply ring 13 and the upper surfaces of the seal walls 14a, 14a of the seal ring 14 as in the first embodiment. The lower surface of the manifold 240 is brought into close contact with a predetermined pressure. Here, the liquid supply ring 13 and the seal ring 14 are fixed to a base (not shown), and unlike the first embodiment, they do not move up and down.
The manifold 240 includes a blowout groove 241 in addition to the same configuration as the manifold 11 shown in the first embodiment. The blow-out groove 241 is for letting the liquid out from between the seal ring 14 and the manifold 240 to the outside. For this reason, the blow-out groove 241 is provided on the lower surface of the manifold 240 so that one end is located on the inner side of the seal walls 14a and 14a and from there to the outer side of the seal walls 14a and 14a. Yes. Such blowout grooves 241 may be provided at a plurality of locations in the circumferential direction of the manifold 240, but may be provided at least at one location.

In the sterilizing apparatus 20 and the rinsing apparatus 30 having such a configuration, when the supply of the liquid is started at the time of starting the apparatus, the liquid fed into the groove 13a from the external liquid feeding mechanism 17 is transferred to the seal wall 14a of the seal ring 14. , 14a, it flows out from the blowout groove 241 to the outside. In this state, when the manifold 240 starts to rotate, the blowout groove 241 also rotates integrally with the manifold 240, whereby the liquid flowing out from the blowout groove 241 while the upper portions of the seal walls 14 a and 14 a of the seal ring 14 rotate. To get wet.
As a result, the friction at the contact portion between the seal ring 14 and the lower surface of the manifold 11 is prevented from increasing at the time of starting the apparatus, and excessive wear of the seal ring 14 or the contact portion between the seal ring 14 and the manifold 11 extends. Such vibration can be suppressed.

[Fourth embodiment]
Next, a fourth embodiment will be described. Here, only the configuration different from the configuration shown in the first to third embodiments will be described, and the description of the configuration common to the first to third embodiments will be omitted.
In order to make the adhesion force of the seal ring 14 to the manifold 11 uniform in the circumferential direction, in the first embodiment, a mechanism for adjusting the urging force of the urging member 16, and in the second embodiment, the liquid supply The groove 13a of the ring 13 is divided into a plurality of sections, and a control configuration for individually controlling the hydraulic pressure applied to the piston plate 220 for each section has been proposed. In the present embodiment, an alternative configuration is shown.

That is, as shown in FIG. 10, the liquid groove 14b in the seal ring 14 ejects the liquid only within a certain angle range from the nozzle 10 as described above, and stops the liquid ejection in the remaining range. For this reason, it is formed only in a range of a certain angle in the circumferential direction, and is not formed in the remaining range. In the present embodiment, the dummy groove 14d is formed in the range where the liquid groove 14b is not formed. The dummy groove 14 d is formed at a position offset from the manifold 11 to the outer peripheral side or inner peripheral side of the port 12.
Then, similarly to the liquid groove 14b, a plurality of holes 14e penetrating vertically are formed on the bottom surface of the dummy groove 14d at predetermined intervals in the direction in which the dummy grooves 14d are continuous.

In the sterilizing apparatus 20 and the rinsing apparatus 30 having such a configuration, the liquid sent from the external liquid feeding mechanism 17 to the groove 13a passes through the holes 14c and 14e of the seal ring 14, passes through the liquid groove 14b and the dummy. It is supplied to the groove 14d. Then, the liquid supplied to the liquid groove 14 b flows into the port 12 and is ejected from the nozzle 10.
At this time, since the dummy groove 14d is formed in the area where the liquid groove 14b is not formed, the liquid pressure acts also between this portion between the manifold 11 and the seal ring 14. At this time, since the dummy groove 14d is formed at a position offset with respect to the port 12 of the manifold 11, no liquid is supplied from the dummy groove 14d to the port 12, and the hydraulic pressure in the dummy groove 14d is It acts on the manifold 11 at a portion other than 12. As a result, the hydraulic pressure can be applied to the manifold 11 even in the range where the liquid groove 14b is not formed, and the hydraulic pressure acts on the average in the circumferential direction.
As a result, the seal ring 14 is not inclined with respect to the manifold 11 and leakage can be prevented, so that the liquid can be used efficiently.

Note that the structures described in the above embodiments can be combined as appropriate, or structures that are not functionally unnecessary can be omitted. Further, the configuration of the other parts of the sterilizing device 20 and the rinsing device 30 is not intended to be limited to the configuration shown in the present embodiment.
In addition to this, as long as it does not depart from the gist of the present invention, the configuration described in the above embodiment can be selected or changed to another configuration as appropriate.

It is a figure which shows schematic structure of the filling apparatus in this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structure in 1st embodiment. It is an expanded view which shows the structure of the principal part of the apparatus shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the example which divided | segmented the seal ring. It is a figure which shows the example of the pressing force adjustment mechanism of a seal ring. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a state at startup in the apparatus shown in FIG. 2. It is a figure which shows the apparatus structure in 2nd embodiment. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a state at startup in the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 7. It is a figure which shows the apparatus structure in 3rd embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structure of the principal part of the structure of the seal ring in 4th embodiment, and an apparatus. It is a figure which shows the conventional apparatus structure.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Rotating body, 5 ... Gripper (holding tool), 10 ... Nozzle, 11 ... Manifold, 12 ... Port, 13 ... Liquid supply ring (ring-shaped member), 13a ... Groove, 14 ... Seal ring, 14a ... Seal wall, 14b ... Liquid groove, 14c ... Hole, 14d ... Dummy groove, 16 ... Biasing member, 16a ... Adjustment screw (pressing force adjusting mechanism), 16b ... Shim (pressing force adjusting mechanism), 17 ... Liquid feeding mechanism, 20 ... Sterilization Device (liquid supply device), 30 ... Rinsing device (liquid supply device), 100 ... PET bottle (container), 200 ... Fixing ring (seal fixing member), 203 ... Seal member, 210 ... Lifting mechanism, 211 ... Telescopic cylinder, 220 ... piston plate, 221 ... seal member, 222 ... chamber part, 223 ... supply pipe, 230 ... regulating ring, 240 ... manifold, 241 ... blowout groove

Claims (12)

A liquid supply apparatus that holds a container with each of a plurality of holders provided in the circumferential direction of the rotating body, and supplies the liquid into the container while rotating the rotating body and transporting the container,
A disk-shaped manifold that rotates integrally with the rotating body and includes a plurality of nozzles for supplying the liquid to the containers held by the holders and a port continuous to the nozzles in the circumferential direction;
A ring-shaped member having grooves continuous in the circumferential direction;
The ring-shaped member is accommodated in the groove, and the upper part protrudes upward from the ring-shaped member so as to be sandwiched between the ring-shaped member and the manifold, and the manifold is provided on the manifold. A seal having a seal wall provided to be continuous in the circumferential direction on the inner peripheral side and the outer peripheral side of the port, and a liquid groove filled with the liquid supplied from the outside is formed inside the seal wall Ring,
An elevating mechanism for raising and lowering the seal ring relative to the manifold in order to wet the contact portion of the seal ring with respect to the manifold when the liquid supply device is activated;
A liquid supply apparatus comprising:   The said raising / lowering mechanism is an expansion-contraction cylinder provided in the circumferential direction several places of the said ring-shaped member in order to raise / lower the said ring-shaped member and the said seal ring with respect to the said manifold. Liquid supply device.   As the elevating mechanism, the seal ring is accommodated in the groove of the ring-shaped member so as to be movable up and down, and the seal ring is moved in the groove by the pressure of the liquid supplied between the groove and the seal ring. The liquid supply apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the liquid supply apparatus is configured to move up and down with respect to the manifold.   When the liquid groove formed in the seal ring is formed only in a part in the circumferential direction of the seal ring, a pressing force adjusting mechanism capable of adjusting the distribution in the circumferential direction of the force pressing the seal ring against the manifold. The contact force of the seal ring with respect to the manifold in the portion where the liquid groove is formed and the portion where the liquid groove is not formed is made uniform. The liquid supply apparatus described.   The liquid according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a seal fixing member for restricting displacement of the seal ring accommodated in the groove of the ring-shaped member toward the manifold. Feeding device.   The liquid supply device according to claim 1, further comprising a seal member for preventing leakage of the liquid between the groove of the ring-shaped member and the seal ring. A liquid supply apparatus that holds a container with each of a plurality of holders provided in the circumferential direction of the rotating body, and supplies the liquid into the container while rotating the rotating body and transporting the container,
A disk-shaped manifold that rotates integrally with the rotating body and includes a plurality of nozzles for supplying the liquid to the containers held by the holders and a port continuous to the nozzles in the circumferential direction;
A ring-shaped member having grooves continuous in the circumferential direction;
The ring-shaped member is accommodated in the groove, and the upper part protrudes upward from the ring-shaped member so as to be sandwiched between the ring-shaped member and the manifold, and the manifold is provided on the manifold. A seal having a seal wall provided to be continuous in the circumferential direction on the inner peripheral side and the outer peripheral side of the port, and a liquid groove filled with the liquid supplied from the outside is formed inside the seal wall Ring,
A blowout groove for allowing the liquid to flow out from the gap between the seal ring and the manifold in order to wet the contact portion of the seal ring with the manifold when the liquid supply device is activated;
A liquid supply apparatus comprising: A liquid supply apparatus that holds a container with each of a plurality of holders provided in the circumferential direction of the rotating body, and supplies the liquid into the container while rotating the rotating body and transporting the container,
A disk-shaped manifold that rotates integrally with the rotating body and includes a plurality of nozzles for supplying the liquid to the containers held by the holders and a port continuous to the nozzles in the circumferential direction;
A ring-shaped member having grooves continuous in the circumferential direction;
The ring-shaped member is accommodated in the groove, and the upper part protrudes upward from the ring-shaped member so as to be sandwiched between the ring-shaped member and the manifold, and the manifold is provided on the manifold. A seal having a seal wall provided to be continuous in the circumferential direction on the inner peripheral side and the outer peripheral side of the port, and a liquid groove filled with the liquid supplied from the outside is formed inside the seal wall Ring,
A seal fixing member for restricting displacement of the seal ring housed in the groove of the ring-shaped member toward the manifold;
A liquid supply apparatus comprising:   The liquid supply apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising a seal member for preventing leakage of the liquid between the groove of the ring-shaped member and the seal ring. A liquid supply apparatus that holds a container with each of a plurality of holders provided in the circumferential direction of the rotating body, and supplies the liquid into the container while rotating the rotating body and transporting the container,
A disk-shaped manifold that rotates integrally with the rotating body and includes a plurality of nozzles for supplying the liquid to the containers held by the holders and a port continuous to the nozzles in the circumferential direction;
A ring-shaped member having grooves continuous in the circumferential direction;
The ring-shaped member is accommodated in the groove, and the upper part protrudes upward from the ring-shaped member so as to be sandwiched between the ring-shaped member and the manifold, and the manifold is provided on the manifold. The seal wall is provided so as to be continuous in the circumferential direction on the inner peripheral side and the outer peripheral side of the port, and a liquid groove filled with the liquid supplied from the outside is formed in the circumferential direction. A seal ring formed only on the part,
A pressing force adjusting mechanism for equalizing the pressing force of the seal ring against the manifold in the portion of the seal ring where the liquid groove is formed and the portion where the liquid groove is not formed; A liquid supply device. A plurality of biasing members for biasing the ring-shaped member toward the manifold are provided at intervals in the circumferential direction of the ring-shaped member,
The liquid supply apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the urging force in each of the urging members is independently adjustable as the pressing force adjusting mechanism. A method of starting a liquid supply apparatus that holds a container with each of a plurality of holders provided in a circumferential direction of a rotating body, and supplies the liquid into the container while conveying the container by rotating the rotating body,
A disk-shaped manifold that rotates integrally with the rotating body and includes a plurality of nozzles for supplying the liquid to the containers held by the holders and a port continuous to the nozzles in the circumferential direction;
A ring-shaped member having grooves continuous in the circumferential direction;
The ring-shaped member is accommodated in the groove, and the upper part protrudes upward from the ring-shaped member so as to be sandwiched between the ring-shaped member and the manifold, and the manifold is provided on the manifold. A seal having a seal wall provided to be continuous in the circumferential direction on the inner peripheral side and the outer peripheral side of the port, and a liquid groove filled with the liquid supplied from the outside is formed inside the seal wall And when starting the liquid supply device comprising a ring,
Separating the seal ring from the manifold;
Supplying the liquid to the liquid groove of the seal ring, and overflowing the liquid from the liquid groove;
Bringing the seal ring into close contact with the manifold, feeding the liquid from the liquid groove to the port, and starting the supply of the liquid from the nozzle into the container;
A method for starting a liquid supply apparatus comprising:

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