JP2008143622A - Metal container conveying device and container inspection system using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a conveying device capable of aligning and conveying metal containers while maintaining more stable postures. <P>SOLUTION: The conveying device for continuously conveying the metal containers C by a conveyor 10 comprises at least a pair of first annular belts 51a, 51b and 52a, 52b arranged to hold drum parts of the containers C in a first alignment region E1 along the first alignment region E1 of the conveyor 10; first drive mechanisms 20a, 20b, 21a, 21b, 22a, 22b, 30a, 30b, 31a, 31b, 32a, 32b, 51a, 51b, 52a, 52b, 35 for driving the first annular belts so that the surfaces in contact with the containers C move at a speed slower than the conveying speed in a conveying direction A by the conveyor 10; and a first magnet member 61 attracting the containers C in a predetermined region continuous with the downstream side reaches from at least the first alignment region E1, from the lower part of the conveyor 10. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a container transport device having a mechanism for aligning metal containers such as metal beverage cans at predetermined intervals. The present invention also relates to a container inspection system using such a transport device.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a system has been proposed in which containers (containers) conveyed by a conveyor are aligned at a predetermined interval and carried into an inspection section, and the container is inspected in the inspection section (see Patent Document 1). In this system, the mechanism for aligning the containers includes a pair of belts arranged along the conveyor so as to sandwich the containers on the conveyor, and a surface contacting the containers in the conveying direction of the conveyor. It is driven to move at a slower speed. In such a mechanism, since the moving speed of the pair of belts sandwiching the container is slower than the conveying speed of the conveyor, when the container conveyed by the conveyor is sandwiched between the pair of belts, the container (For example, a state in which a subsequent container is in contact), and the belt is fed at the moving speed of the belt while maintaining the state. When the container sandwiched between the pair of belts escapes from the belt, the conveyor has an interval determined by the escape interval depending on the moving speed of the belt and the conveying speed of the conveyor with respect to the front container. It is conveyed by. As a result, the containers arranged at the intervals are sequentially carried into the inspection section.

According to such a system, the containers can be transported while being aligned so that the intervals are uniform. Since the containers to be inspected can be fed into the inspection section in such a state that the intervals are aligned, the containers can be inspected under more stable conditions.
JP 2002-114365 A

  However, in the above-described system, when the container escapes from the pair of belts, the speed of the container rapidly increases, so that the posture of the container escaped from the belt may fluctuate. Due to this fluctuation, there is a possibility that the interval between the containers to be aligned is partially shifted, and in an extreme case, the container may fall down.

  This invention is made | formed in view of such a situation, and provides the conveying apparatus which can align and convey a metal container, maintaining a more stable attitude | position. Moreover, the inspection system which can test | inspect a container on the more stable conditions using such a conveying apparatus is provided.

  The metal container transport device according to the present invention is a transport device for continuously transporting metal containers that can be attracted by magnetic force by a conveyor, and the first alignment is performed along a first alignment region of the conveyor. The at least one pair of first annular belts arranged so as to sandwich the body of the container in the region, and the first annular belt, the surface contacting the container is a speed slower than the conveying speed in the conveying direction by the conveyor And a first magnet member that attracts a container in a predetermined area at least downstream from the first alignment area from below the conveyor.

  Since the moving speed of the surface contacting the container of the pair of first annular belts sandwiching the metal containers in the first alignment region is slower than the conveying speed of the conveyor, the containers conveyed by the conveyor are first aligned. When entering the region, the space between the container and the subsequent container is clogged (for example, the state where the subsequent container hits). And each container is sent by the moving speed of the 1st annular belt with the 1st annular belt, maintaining the state. Thus, when each container sent to the first alignment area escapes from the first alignment area, the escape interval depending on the moving speed of the first annular belt with respect to the front container, the conveyance speed of the conveyor, Is conveyed by the conveyor at a relatively stable interval based on the above. Each container that escapes from the state sandwiched between the pair of first annular belts (escapes from the first alignment region) is a conveyor surface by a magnetic force from the first magnet member in a predetermined region downstream thereof. It is conveyed while being attracted to the top.

  Further, in the metal container transport device according to the present invention, the first magnet member attracts a container in a predetermined area from the upstream side to the downstream side of the downstream end of the first alignment area from below the conveyor. It can be set as the structure to do.

  With such a configuration, the container to be transported is attracted onto the conveyor surface by the magnetic force from the first magnet member from the state close to the downstream end of the first alignment region until after the first alignment region is escaped. Therefore, the first alignment area can be escaped while maintaining a more stable posture.

  Further, in the metal container transport device according to the present invention, the body portion of the container in the second alignment region is sandwiched along the second alignment region downstream of the first alignment region in the conveyor. A second pair of at least one second annular belt disposed and the second annular belt driven so that a surface in contact with the container moves in the conveying direction by the conveyor at the same speed as the conveying speed. It can be set as the structure which further has a drive mechanism.

  With such a configuration, each container that sequentially escapes from the first alignment region and enters the second alignment region is separated from the first magnet member in a predetermined region that continues downstream from the downstream end of the first alignment region. While being attracted onto the conveyor surface by the magnetic force, it is conveyed in a state of being sandwiched by a second annular belt that forms a pair with no relative speed with the conveyor. As described above, in the second alignment region, the containers are transported in a state of being sandwiched between the second annular belts that form a pair having no relative speed with the conveyor, so that the containers are transported in a more stable posture. Will be able to.

  Furthermore, the metal container transport device according to the present invention may include a second magnet member that sucks at least a container in a predetermined area downstream from the second alignment area from the lower side of the conveyor. .

  With such a configuration, the container that escapes from the second alignment region is conveyed while being attracted onto the conveyor surface by the magnetic force from the second magnet member in a predetermined region downstream of the second alignment region. When the restraint by the pair of second annular belts is released, the container can be reliably prevented from shaking.

  Further, in the metal container transport device according to the present invention, the second magnet member attracts a container in a predetermined region continuing from the upstream side to the downstream side of the downstream end of the second alignment region from below the conveyor. It can be set as the structure to do.

  With such a configuration, the container transported in the second alignment area is placed on the conveyor surface by the magnetic force from the second magnet member until it comes out of the second alignment area from the state approaching its downstream end. Since the sheet is conveyed while being attracted, the second alignment area can be escaped while maintaining a more stable posture.

  In the metal container transfer device according to the present invention, the first drive mechanism rotates a first drive pulley and a first driven pulley around which the first annular belt is wound, and the first drive pulley. And a second drive mechanism for rotating the second drive pulley, and a second drive pulley on which the second annular belt is wound, and a second drive pulley for rotating the second drive pulley. A set of the first driven pulley and the second driven pulley, a set of the first driven pulley and the second driven pulley, and the first driven pulley and the second driven pulley. It can be set as the structure by which any group of a group becomes coaxial.

  With such a configuration, any pulley of the first drive mechanism and any pulley of the second drive mechanism other than the combination of the first drive pulley of the first drive mechanism and the second drive pulley of the second drive mechanism, Since these are coaxial, the downstream end of the first alignment region and the upstream end of the second alignment region overlap. As a result, the container can be smoothly transferred from the first alignment region to the second alignment region. Moreover, since a part of 1st drive mechanism and a part of 2nd drive mechanism can be shared, the structure as the whole mechanism can be simplified.

  Furthermore, in the metal container transfer device according to the present invention, the set of the first drive pulley and the second driven pulley may be coaxial.

  With this configuration, the first drive pulley in the first alignment region located on the upstream side and the second driven pulley in the second alignment region adjacent to the first alignment region on the downstream side are coaxial. In both the first alignment region and the second alignment region, the drive pulley is located downstream of the driven pulley. Therefore, the surface of the first alignment belt that contacts the container of the first annular belt and the surface of the second alignment belt that contacts the container of the second annular belt are both pulled from the downstream side to convey the conveyor. To move in the direction. As a result, the container can be pulled more stably downstream by the first annular belt and the second annular belt.

  Furthermore, in the metal container transport device according to the present invention, either one of the first annular belt and the second annular belt is two pairs, the other is one pair, and the two pairs of annular belts are conveyors. The upper container body is sandwiched at a predetermined distance, and the pair of annular belts are arranged so as to sandwich the position between the positions of the container sandwiched by the two pairs of annular belts. Can do.

  With such a configuration, in the configuration in which the pulley in the first alignment region and the pulley in the second alignment region are coaxial, either one of the first alignment region and the second alignment region is positioned at a predetermined distance from the body portion. The container is transported in a state where the two pairs of annular belts are sandwiched, and on the other side, the pair of annular belts sandwiches the position between the positions sandwiched by the two pairs of annular belts of the body portion. Since the container is conveyed in a state, each annular belt is placed in the container from the first alignment area to the second alignment area even if the pulley of the first alignment area and the pulley of the second alignment area are coaxial. Can be sent in a balanced state.

  An inspection system according to the present invention is an inspection system that inspects a metal container that can be attracted by a magnetic force, and performs the predetermined inspection process in a non-contact manner with respect to the container at an inspection position; The inspection position is set on the downstream side of the first alignment region of the conveyor in the conveyance device, and the container is conveyed to the inspection position by the conveyor. The

  An inspection system according to the present invention is an inspection system for inspecting a metal container that can be attracted by a magnetic force, and an inspection apparatus that performs a predetermined inspection process in a non-contact manner on the container at an inspection position. Any of the above-described transport devices having the second drive mechanism, and the inspection position is set on the downstream side of the second alignment region of the conveyor in the transport device, and the container is moved to the inspection position by the conveyor. Is configured to be conveyed.

  With such a configuration, the containers can be sequentially transported in a state where they are aligned in a stable posture by the transport device, so that the containers can be sequentially supplied to the inspection position without increasing the disturbance of the interval. .

  Furthermore, in the inspection system according to the present invention, it may be configured to have a third magnet member that attracts a container in a predetermined region including the inspection position from below the conveyor.

  With such a configuration, the container transported by the transport device reaches the inspection position while being attracted onto the conveyor surface by the magnetic force from the third magnet member in a predetermined region, so that the inspection process can be performed in a more stable posture. It becomes like this.

  According to the container transport device of the present invention, the containers transported by the conveyor are transported at a stable interval by passing through the first alignment region, and also by the paired first annular belts. When exiting the pinched state (when exiting the first alignment region), each container is transported while being attracted onto the conveyor surface by the magnetic force from the first magnet member, even if the speed of the container rapidly increases. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the posture from fluctuating. As a result, metal containers can be aligned and transported while maintaining a more stable posture.

  Further, according to the inspection system according to the present invention, the container can be sequentially transported to the inspection position more stably without increasing the disturbance of the interval by the transport device. An inspection can be performed.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  An inspection system for a metal container according to an embodiment of the present invention is configured as shown in FIGS. 1 is a plan view of the basic configuration of the inspection system according to the embodiment of the present invention as viewed from above, and FIG. 2 is a side view of the basic configuration of the inspection system as viewed from the side. It is.

  The inspection system shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 inspects a metal container that can be attracted by a magnet, such as a steel beverage can. For example, a container C conveyed by a conveyor 10 from a lid winding process. When the inspection position PT has reached the inspection position PT, the inspection apparatus 100 disposed above the container C performs a predetermined inspection process (for example, a process related to a defect inspection of the lid wrapping portion) without contact with the container C. The conveying device for containers C including the conveyor 10 is configured as follows.

  The conveyor 10 is formed of a material (for example, synthetic resin) that can transmit magnetic lines of force, and moves in one direction A (conveying direction) at a predetermined speed (conveying speed). Two pairs of first annular belts (51a, 51b), (52a, 52b) are arranged in parallel with each other in a vertical direction along a predetermined area (hereinafter referred to as a first alignment area) E1 of the conveyor 10. It arrange | positions so that the trunk | drum of each container C on the conveyor 10 may be inserted | pinched. The upper pair includes an upper right first annular belt 51a located on the right side with respect to the conveying direction A of the conveyor 10, and a left upper first annular belt 51b located on the left side with respect to the conveying direction A of the conveyor 10. Further, the lower pair is positioned on the left side with respect to the conveyance direction A of the conveyor 10 and the lower right first annular belt 52a located on the right side with respect to the conveyance direction A of the conveyor 10. The lower left first annular belt 52b (not shown in the drawing).

  The upper right first annular belt 51a is wound around an upper right first driven pulley 21a rotatably supported on the fixed shaft 20a and an upper right first drive pulley 31a fixedly supported on the drive shaft 30a. It is hung. The lower right first annular belt 52a includes a lower right first driven pulley 22a rotatably supported at a position spaced apart from the upper right first driven pulley 21a of the fixed shaft 20a by a predetermined distance; The drive shaft 30a is wound around a lower right drive pulley 32a fixedly supported at a position spaced apart from the lower right first drive pulley 31a by a predetermined distance. The drive shaft 30a is connected to a rotation shaft of a motor 35 (first drive source) via a rotation transmission mechanism (gear train or the like) (not shown) and is rotated by the motor 35.

  Further, the upper left first annular belt 51b and the lower left first annular belt 52b are also supported by the fixed upper shaft 20b so as to be rotatable in the same manner as the upper right annular belt 51a and the lower right annular belt 52a. The first driven pulley 21b and the lower left driven pulley 22b are wound around the upper left first driving pulley 31b and the lower left driving pulley 32b fixedly supported by the driving shaft 30b. The drive shaft 30b is connected to the rotation shaft of the motor 35 through a rotation transmission mechanism (not shown) similarly to the drive shaft 30a, and is rotated by the motor 35.

  Upper right first driven pulley 21a and lower right driven pulley 22a supported on the fixed shaft 20a, upper right first drive pulley 31a and lower right first drive pulley 32a supported on the drive shaft 30a, The upper left first driven pulley 21b and the lower left driven pulley 22b supported by the fixed shaft 20b, the upper left first drive pulley 31b and the lower left first drive pulley 32b supported by the drive shaft 30b, the motor 35 and the rotation The transmission mechanism includes two pairs of first annular belts (a pair of an upper right first annular belt 51a and an upper left first annular belt 51b, and a lower right first annular belt 52a and a lower left first annular belt 52b. A first drive mechanism for driving the pair) is configured. Then, by controlling the rotation direction and rotation speed of the motor 35, the two pairs of first annular belts (51a, 51b) and (52a, 52b) are in contact with the container C (for example, the body diameter is 52.5 mm). Each surface to be moved is driven in the conveying direction A of the conveyor 10 at a predetermined speed (for example, 86.7 m / min) slower than the conveying speed (for example, 130 m / min).

  As shown in FIG. 1 (omitted in FIG. 2), the guide member 11 is provided inside the portions of the upper right first annular belt 51a and the lower right first annular belt 52a along the conveyor 10. In addition, the guide member 13 is provided inside the portions of the upper left first annular belt 51b and the lower left annular belt 52b along the conveyor 10. Thereby, the trunk | drum of each container C conveyed by the 1st alignment area | region E1 is regulated by the conveyance direction by two pairs of 1st annular belts (51a, 51b), (52a, 52b), and is pinched reliably. Become.

  A pair of second annular belts (53a, 53b) are arranged at a substantially central portion of the barrel of each container C on the conveyor 10 along a predetermined area (hereinafter referred to as a second alignment area) E2 that continues from the first alignment area E1. (A position between the positions where the two pairs of first annular belts (51a, 51b) and (52a, 52b) are interposed) described above is disposed. The pair of second annular belts includes a right second annular belt 53a positioned on the right side with respect to the conveying direction A of the conveyor 10 and a left second annular belt 53b positioned on the left side with respect to the conveying direction A of the conveyor 10. It has become.

  The right second annular belt 53a includes a right second driven pulley 33a rotatably supported at a position between the upper right first drive pulley 31a and the lower right first drive pulley 32a of the drive shaft 30a. It is wound around a right second drive pulley 41a that is fixedly supported by the shaft 40a. The left second annular belt 53b includes a left second driven pulley 33b rotatably supported at a position between the left upper first drive pulley 31b and the lower left first drive pulley 32b of the drive shaft 30b. It is wound around a left driving pulley 41b fixedly supported on the driving shaft 40b. Each of the drive shafts 40a and 40b is connected to a rotation shaft of a motor 45 (second drive source) via a rotation transmission mechanism (gear train or the like) (not shown) and is rotated by the motor 45. .

  The right first driven pulley 33a and the left first driven pulley 33b rotatably supported on the drive shafts 30a and 30b, the right second drive pulley 41a fixedly supported on the drive shafts 40a and 40b, and the left side. The second drive pulley 41b, the motor 45, and the rotation transmission mechanism constitute a second drive mechanism that drives a pair of second annular belts (a pair of the right second annular belt 53a and the left second annular belt 53b). To do. Then, by controlling the rotational direction and rotational speed of the motor 45, the surface of the pair of first annular belts (53a, 53b) contacting the container C is the same speed as the transport speed in the transport direction A of the conveyor 10. It is driven to move at (for example, 130 m / min).

  As shown in FIG. 1 (omitted in FIG. 2), the guide member 12 is provided inside the portion of the right second annular belt 53a along the conveyor 10, and the conveyor of the left second annular belt 53b. A guide member 14 is provided inside a portion along the line 10. Thereby, the trunk | drum of each container C conveyed by the 2nd alignment area E2 is controlled by the conveyance direction by a pair of 2nd annular belts (53a, 53b), and comes to be pinched reliably.

  A first magnet plate 61 (first magnet member) is provided below the conveyor 10 at the boundary portion between the first alignment region E1 and the second alignment region E2. The 1st magnet plate 61 attracts each container C in the predetermined area | region which continues from the upstream of the downstream edge part used as the boundary with the 2nd alignment area | region E2 of the 1st alignment area | region E1 from the downward direction of the conveyor 10. FIG. Moreover, the 2nd magnet plate 62 (2nd magnet member) is provided under the conveyor 10 of the predetermined area | region which continues downstream from the upstream of the downstream edge part of the 2nd alignment area E2. The second magnet plate 62 attracts the containers C in the predetermined area from below the conveyor 10. Further, a third magnet plate 63 (third magnet member) is provided below the conveyor 10 in a predetermined area including the inspection position PT. The third magnet plate 63 attracts each container C in a predetermined area including the inspection position PT from below the conveyor 10.

  As shown in FIG. 1 (omitted in FIG. 2), guide bars 15 and 16 are provided on both sides of the conveyor 10 in a predetermined area reaching the inspection position PT on the downstream side of the second alignment area E2. Yes. Each container C conveyed by the conveyor 10 moves toward the inspection position PT along the guide bars 15 and 16 after being discharged from the second alignment region E2.

  In the inspection system as described above, the containers C are sequentially conveyed by the conveyor 10 from the lid winding process toward the inspection position PT. In the process, each container C enters the first alignment region E1. In the first alignment region E1, the moving speed of the two pairs of first annular belts (51a, 51b) and (52a, 52b) sandwiching the container C is slower than the conveying speed of the conveyor 10, and therefore the container C conveyed by the conveyor 10 Is in a state where the space between the container C and the subsequent container C is clogged when entering the first alignment region E1, for example, a state in which the subsequent container C hits and comes into contact. Each container C is fed at a predetermined speed slower than the conveying speed of the conveyor 10 by the two pairs of first annular belts (51a, 51b) and (52a, 52b) while maintaining the state. At this time, each container C is fed while slipping on the conveyor 10.

  Thus, each container C fed through the first alignment region E1 has left and right drive shafts 30a (upper right side first drive pulley 31a, lower right side first drive pulley 32a, second right side second end) which are downstream ends thereof. When passing between the driven pulley 33a) and the drive shaft 30b (the upper left first drive pulley 31b, the lower left first drive pulley 32b, the left second driven pulley 33b), the moving speed is lower than the conveying speed of the conveyor 10. The pair of second annular belts (53a, 53b) having the same moving speed as the conveying speed of the conveyor 10 from the state sandwiched between the two pairs of first annular belts (51a, 51b), (52a, 52b). ). Transition from the state sandwiched between the two pairs of first annular belts (51a, 51b), (52a, 52b) to the state sandwiched between the pair of second annular belts (53a, 53b), that is, the first alignment region Each container C that escapes from E1 and enters the second alignment area E2 has a first alignment area that depends on the moving speed of the first annular belts (51a, 51b), (52a, 52b) relative to the front container C. It is conveyed by the conveyor 10 with a relatively stable interval Δ based on the escape interval from E1 and the conveying speed of the conveyor 10 (the moving speed of the second annular belts 53a and 53b).

  In addition, each container C is a conveyor by the magnetic force from the first magnet plate 61 until it exits the first alignment area E1 and enters the second alignment area E2 from the state of approaching the downstream end of the first alignment area E1. It is conveyed while being attracted on the 10th surface. For this reason, the state of being sandwiched and sent between the two pairs of first annular belts (51a, 51b) and (52a, 52b) is shifted to the state of being sandwiched and sent between the pair of second annular belts (53a and 53b). Thus, even if the speed of each container C rapidly increases at the boundary between the first alignment area E1 and the second alignment area E2, the fluctuation of each container C is suppressed. Further, in the second alignment region E2, each container C is conveyed by the conveyor 10 in a state in which the body portion is sandwiched between the second annular belts (53a, 53b) having no relative speed with the conveyor 10, so that the horizontal direction Fluctuation is also suppressed. Accordingly, each container C is conveyed by the conveyor 10 in the second alignment region E2 in a more stable posture and with a relatively stable interval Δ.

  Each container C fed through the second alignment region E2 in this way has left and right drive shafts 40a (right second drive pulley 41a) and drive shaft 40b (left second drive pulley 41b) as downstream ends thereof. When passing between the two, the restraint by the pair of second annular belts (53a, 53b) is released. Each container C is sequentially conveyed toward the inspection position PT while being guided by the guide members 15 and 16 on both sides thereof by the conveyor 10.

  Each container C is transported while being attracted onto the surface of the conveyor 10 by the magnetic force from the second magnet plate 62 from the state approaching the downstream end of the second alignment region E2 to the point after exiting the second alignment region E2. Is done. For this reason, even when the restraint by the pair of second annular belts (53a, 53b) is released when the second alignment region E2 is escaped, the fluctuation of each container C is suppressed, and each container C In such a more stable posture, the conveyor 10 is conveyed while maintaining a relatively stable interval Δ.

  When each container C transported in such a relatively stable posture and with a relatively stable interval Δ enters the predetermined area including the inspection position PT, the third magnet plate 63 causes the containers C to be placed on the surface of the conveyor 10. Be attracted. Thereby, each container C is conveyed toward the test position PT without further disturbing the posture. Then, the inspection apparatus 100 performs a predetermined inspection process on the container C that has reached the inspection position PT, and determines whether the container C is good or bad (for example, whether or not the lid is tightened). In addition, the container C determined to be defective is removed from the conveyor 10 by an exclusion mechanism provided at a predetermined position further downstream of the conveyor 10.

  According to the transport apparatus in the inspection system as described above, each container C is transported at a relatively stable interval Δ by passing through the first alignment region E1 and the second alignment region E2. Each container C is attracted to the surface of the conveyor 10 by the magnetic force of the first magnet plate 61 when moving from the first alignment area E1 to the second alignment area E2, and further when it escapes from the second alignment area E2. Is attracted onto the surface of the conveyor 10 by the magnetic force of the second magnet plate 62, and is sequentially conveyed to the inspection position PT in a more stable posture. That is, the metal container C can be aligned and transported while maintaining a more stable posture.

  Each container C that escapes from the second alignment region E2 and is transported by the conveyor 10 is transported while being attracted onto the surface of the conveyor 10 by the magnetic force from the third magnet plate 63 from before reaching the inspection position PT. Thus, the inspection position PT is reached, so that the inspection process can be performed in a more stable posture.

  According to the inspection system according to the embodiment of the present invention, the containers can be sequentially transported to the inspection position PT in a more stable posture in an aligned state without increasing the disturbance of the interval by the transport device. Each container can be inspected under more stable conditions.

  In the inspection system (conveyance device) described above, the first drive pulley 31a (upper left upper first) of the first drive mechanism that drives the two pairs of first annular belts (51a, 51b), (52a, 52b). The right second driven pulley 33a of the second drive mechanism that drives the drive pulley 31b) and the lower right first drive pulley 32a (lower left first drive pulley 32b) and the pair of second annular belts (53a, 53b). Since the (left second driven pulley 33b) is coaxial (drive shaft 30a (30b)), the downstream end of the first alignment region E1 and the upstream end of the second alignment region E2 overlap. become. As a result, each container C can be smoothly moved from the first alignment region E1 to the second alignment region E2. A shaft that supports the upper right first drive pulley 31a (upper left first drive pulley 31b) and lower right first drive pulley 32a (lower left first drive pulley 32b) of the first drive mechanism, and the second drive mechanism Since the shaft that supports the right second driven pulley 33a (the left second driven pulley 33b) can be shared, the configuration of the entire mechanism can be simplified.

  The fixed shaft 20a (20b) is a drive shaft rotated by a motor, the pulley 21a (21b) and the pulley 22a (22b) are fixed to the drive shaft as a drive pulley, and the drive shaft 30a (30b) is a fixed shaft. The pulley 31a (31b) and the pulley 32a (32b) can be rotatably mounted on the fixed shaft as a driven pulley. In this case, the first driven pulley (31a (31b), 32a (32b)) of the first drive mechanism and the second driven pulley (33a (33b)) of the second drive mechanism are coaxial.

  Further, as described above, the fixed shaft 20a (20b) is used as a drive shaft rotated by a motor, and the pulleys 21a (21b) and 22a (22b) are fixed as drive pulleys to the drive shaft, and the drive shaft 30a (30b). The pulley 31a (31b) and the pulley 32a (32b) can be rotatably mounted as driven pulleys, and the pulley 33a (33b) can be fixed as a driving pulley. In this case, the first driven pulley (31a (31b), 32a (32b)) of the first drive mechanism and the second drive pulley (33a (33b)) of the second drive mechanism are coaxial.

  A plurality of combinations of the pulley of the first drive mechanism and the pulley of the second drive mechanism that should be coaxial in this way are possible, but as in the embodiment described above, the first drive pulley on the upper right side of the first drive mechanism. 31a (upper left first drive pulley 31b) and lower right first drive pulley 32a (lower left first drive pulley 32b), right second driven pulley 33a (left second driven pulley 33b) of the second drive mechanism, and Are coaxial (drive shaft 30a (30b)), both the first alignment region E1 and the second alignment region E2 are downstream of the driven pulleys 21a (21b), 22a (22b), and 33a (33b). The driving pulleys 31a (31b), 32a (32b), and 41a (41b) are positioned. Accordingly, the surfaces of the two pairs of first annular belts (51a, 51b) and (52a, 52b) in contact with the container C in the first alignment region E1, and the pair of second annular belts (53a) in the second alignment region E2. , 53b) both come into contact with the container and move in the conveying direction A of the conveyor 10 so as to be pulled from the downstream side. As a result, the container C can be pulled more stably downstream by the two pairs of first annular belts (51a, 51b), (52a, 52b) and the pair of second annular belts (53a, 53b). It becomes like this.

  The first magnet plate 61 may be provided only on the downstream side from the first alignment region E1. Similarly, the second magnet plate 62 may be provided only on the downstream side from the second alignment region E2.

  In the above-described embodiment, the inspection position PT is set on the downstream side of the second alignment area E2. However, the inspection position PT can be set in the second alignment area E2. Further, without providing the second alignment area E2 (the second annular belt to be paired and the second drive mechanism for driving it), the containers C that have escaped from the first alignment area E1 are sequentially conveyed directly to the inspection position PT. It is also possible to configure such that.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the body portion of the container C is sandwiched between the two pairs of first annular belts (51a, 51b) and (52a, 52b) in the first alignment region E1, and in the second alignment region E2. The body portion of the container C is sandwiched between the pair of first annular belts (53a, 53b), and both the first alignment region E1 and the second alignment region E2 are containers with a pair of annular belts. The body portion of the container C can be sandwiched, the body portion of the container C can be sandwiched between two pairs of annular belts, or the body of the container C can be coupled with another logarithmic annular belt. It is also possible to configure so that the portion is sandwiched.

  In the above-described embodiment, in the first alignment region E1, the two pairs of first annular belts (51a, 51b) and (52a, 52b) sandwich the upper portion and the lower portion of the body portion of the container C, and the second alignment region E2 Since the pair of first annular belts (53a, 53b) sandwich the substantially central part of the body of the container C, the pulley of the first drive mechanism and the pulley of the second drive mechanism are coaxial. However, the containers C can be fed in a balanced manner from the first alignment region E1 to the second alignment region E2. As a result, the containers C can be transported from the first alignment area E1 to the second alignment area E2 without disturbing the posture.

  As described above, the container transport device according to the present invention has an effect that the metal containers can be aligned and transported while maintaining a more stable posture, and a metal container such as a metal beverage can can be transported. It is useful as a conveying device for conveying. In addition, the inspection system according to the present invention has an effect that the container can be inspected under more stable conditions by using such a conveyance device, and is useful as a metal container inspection system. is there.

It is the top view which looked at the basic composition of the inspection system of the metallic container concerning the embodiment of the invention from the upper part. It is the side view which looked at the basic composition of the inspection system of the metal container concerning the embodiment of the invention from the side.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Conveyor 11, 12, 13, 14 Guide member 15, 16 Guide bar 20a, 20b Fixed shaft 21a Upper right side first driven pulley 21b Upper left side first driven pulley 22a Lower right side first driven pulley 22b Lower left side first driven pulley 30a, 30b, 40a, 40b Drive shaft 31a Upper right side first drive pulley 31b Upper left side first drive pulley 32a Lower right side first drive pulley 32b Lower left side first drive pulley 33a Right side second driven pulley 33b Left side second driven pulley 35, 45 Motor 41a Right side second driving pulley 41b Left side second driving pulley 51a Upper right side first annular belt 51b Upper left side first annular belt 52a Lower right side first annular belt 52b Left lower side first annular belt 53a Right side second annular ring Belt 53b Left second annular belt 61 First magnet plate (first magnet member)
62 Second magnet plate (second magnet member)
63 Third magnet plate (third magnet member)
100 inspection equipment

Claims (11)

A transport device that continuously transports a metal container that can be attracted by magnetic force by a conveyor,
At least one pair of first annular belts arranged along the first alignment region of the conveyor to sandwich the body of the container in the first alignment region;
A first drive mechanism for driving the first annular belt so that a surface in contact with the container moves in a transport direction by the conveyor at a speed slower than the transport speed;
A metal container transport device comprising: a first magnet member that sucks at least a container in a predetermined area downstream from the first alignment area from below the conveyor.   2. The metal container according to claim 1, wherein the first magnet member attracts a container in a predetermined region continuing from the upstream side to the downstream side of the downstream side end portion of the first alignment region from below the conveyor. Transport device. At least a pair of second annular belts arranged so as to sandwich the body of the container in the second alignment region along a second alignment region downstream of the first alignment region in the conveyor;
2. A second drive mechanism for driving the second annular belt so that a surface in contact with the container moves in the transport direction of the conveyor at the same speed as the transport speed. 3. A metal container conveying apparatus according to 1 or 2.   The metal container transport device according to claim 3, further comprising a second magnet member that sucks at least a container in a predetermined area downstream from the second alignment area from below the conveyor.   5. The metal container according to claim 4, wherein the second magnet member attracts a container in a predetermined region continuing from the upstream side to the downstream side of the downstream end portion of the second alignment region from below the conveyor. Transport device. The first drive mechanism includes a first drive pulley and a first driven pulley around which each of the first annular belts is wound.
A first drive source for rotating the first drive pulley;
The second drive mechanism includes a second drive pulley and a second driven pulley around which each of the second annular belts is wound.
A second drive source for rotating the second drive pulley,
One of the set of the first driven pulley and the second driven pulley, the set of the first driven pulley and the second driven pulley, and the set of the first driven pulley and the second driven pulley The metal container transport device according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein:   The metal container transport device according to claim 6, wherein a set of the first drive pulley and the second driven pulley is coaxial. Either one of the first annular belt and the second annular belt is two pairs, and the other is a pair,
The two pairs of annular belts sandwich the position of the container body on the conveyor at a predetermined distance so that the pair of annular belts sandwich the position between the two pairs of annular belts of the container. The metal container transport device according to claim 6, wherein the metal container transport device is disposed on the metal container. An inspection system for inspecting a metal container that can be attracted by magnetic force,
An inspection device that performs a predetermined inspection process in a non-contact manner on the container at the inspection position;
A conveying device according to claim 1 or 2,
The inspection system, wherein the inspection position is set on the downstream side of the first alignment region of the conveyor in the transport device, and the container is transported to the inspection position by the conveyor. An inspection system for inspecting a metal container that can be attracted by magnetic force,
An inspection device that performs a predetermined inspection process in a non-contact manner on the container at the inspection position;
A conveying device according to any one of claims 3 to 8,
The inspection system, wherein the inspection position is set on the downstream side of the second alignment region of the conveyor in the transport device, and the container is transported to the inspection position by the conveyor.   The inspection system according to claim 10, further comprising a third magnet member that attracts a container in a predetermined region including the inspection position from below the conveyor.

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