JP2008247412A - Thin-walled container, conveying device and conveying method of this thin-walled container - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a flexible thin-walled container, and a conveying device and a conveying method of the thin-walled container and the thin-walled container with a cap. <P>SOLUTION: The thin-walled container 101 has a retainable opening 112, and a flexible main body 113. The opening 112 is provided with a threaded portion 114 onto which a cap 160 is attached, an upper neck ring 115 provided below the threaded portion 114 and located below the cap when the cap is attached, and a lower neck ring 116 located below the upper neck ring 115. The threaded portion 114 and the upper neck ring 115 are arranged to each other in the vertical direction, and the upper neck ring 115 and the lower neck ring 116 are arranged to each other in the vertical direction. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a thin-walled container having a mouth shape having shape retention and a flexible main body, a preform for blow molding of the thin-walled container, and a thin-walled container with a cap. The present invention also relates to a thin container and a transport device for a thin container with a cap. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a thin-walled container and a method for transporting a thin-walled container with a cap.

  Conventionally, a synthetic resin container that contains and supplies a beverage such as mineral water has a mouth portion (or also referred to as a “mouth portion”) having an opening on the upper side, and the mouth portion continuous with the mouth portion. A body portion having a neck portion (or also referred to as “neck portion”) provided below the neck portion and a space provided continuously below the neck portion and containing a liquid therein. (Or also referred to as “main body”). In general, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is used as a synthetic resin for forming the container. The thickness of the main body of the container is generally about 0.3 mm. Furthermore, a so-called “thin container” is disclosed in which the main body portion of the container is formed so as to have a thickness of 0.25 mm or less, and is thinned to such an extent that its own shape cannot be maintained. Such a “thin container” is configured such that the cap can be removed with the container holder attached (see, for example, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2).

  In a mouth tube portion (or “mouth portion”) of a conventional synthetic resin container, generally, a screw portion for attaching a cap and one bead ring (or a lower portion of the screw portion) (or , Also referred to as “clamping ring”), a single neck ring is provided below the bead ring (see, for example, Patent Document 3).

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a filling device having a filling unit that continuously conveys a container in a clean room and fills the contents and a sealing unit that seals the container, the flange portion (or also called “neck ring”) of the container is used as a rail. The container is transported in a hooked state. In such a filling device, a filling device, a filling inspection device, a temporary fastening device, and a final fastening device are arranged from the upstream side of the container transport line inside the clean room, and the clean room is located downstream of the container transport device. A rejection device is arranged outside (see, for example, Patent Document 4).

  Further, in the conventional resin bottle transport system, when a container is transferred between the processing devices in the transport line, the neck of the container is gripped by the gripper provided in each of the upstream processing device and the downstream processing device. Then, the resin bottle is transported by changing the gripper of the upstream processing apparatus to the gripper of the downstream processing apparatus (see, for example, Patent Document 5).

  Furthermore, in a conventional in-line molding / aseptic filling plant facility, a plastic container is molded using a preform, and the molded PET bottle is washed in the product manufacturing room, and the bottle body is filled with mineral water. The container is sealed using a cap (see, for example, Patent Document 6).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-312125 (pages 1 to 5, FIG. 1) Japanese Patent No. 3769217 (pages 1-5, FIG. 1) JP 2004-131175 A (pages 4-5, FIGS. 1-4) Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-72096 (pages 3 to 6, FIG. 2 and FIG. 10) JP 2006-52873 A (pages 6 to 8, FIG. 1) JP 2006-52873 A (pages 6 to 8, FIG. 1)

  In a conventional transport device, a container is transported in a state where the neck ring portion of the container is hooked on a rail, that is, a so-called “hanging state”. Further, in a transport apparatus configured to perform so-called “neck transport”, the container is transported from the bottle sterilizer to the capper by gripping the upper and lower portions of the neck ring of the container with a gripper. In the container before the cap is attached, the lower part of the winding ring (that is, the upper part of the neck ring) and the lower part of the neck ring can be grasped as disclosed in Patent Document 3 above. On the other hand, in the transport device having such a configuration, when the cap is attached to the container in the capper, there is no area where the gripper can grip the upper part of the neck ring of the container, and the container attached with the cap is in a state of being self-supporting. Conveyor is being transported.

  However, in the case of a soft packaging material container having low self-supporting stability, it is difficult to convey such a soft packaging material container alone. As a method for transporting such a soft packaging material container, a transporting method is known in which the soft packaging material container is transported while being mounted on a holder. It seems that such a conveyance method can be applied to a beverage bottle having low self-supporting stability. However, when a beverage bottle with low self-supporting stability is transported, it is necessary to attach the beverage bottle to the holder in a “hanging state” in the neck ring portion of the container by an appropriate known attachment device. However, as described above, in the conventional gripper delivery device, the container to which the cap is attached is gripped by the lower part of the neck ring by the gripper on the capper side, and the region where the gripper can grip above the neck ring Therefore, it was difficult to transport the capped container from the capper to the next processing apparatus.

An object of the present invention is to provide a thin-walled container configured to have a flexible main body and to be able to deliver a thin-walled container by grasping a part of the mouth of the thin-walled container having low self-standing stability, and The object is to provide a thin container with a cap.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a preform for forming the thin container by blow molding.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a conveying apparatus configured to reliably deliver a thin container.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a transport device configured to reliably deliver a thin-walled container with a cap attached.
Furthermore, the other object of this invention is to provide the conveyance method which can deliver a thin container reliably.
Furthermore, the other object of this invention is to provide the conveying method which can deliver a thin container reliably in the state which attached the cap.

  The present invention is a thin-walled container having a mouth part having shape retention and a flexible main body, provided with a threaded part for attaching a cap for sealing the thin-walled container, and below the threaded part. And an upper neck ring provided so as to be positioned below the cap when a cap is attached to the mouth, and a lower neck ring provided so as to be positioned below the upper neck ring, It is arrange | positioned at the said opening part at intervals in the up-down direction, It is characterized by the above-mentioned. In the thin container of the present invention, a winding ring is provided in the mouth portion between the screw portion and the upper neck ring, and when the cap is attached to the mouth portion, It is preferable to be provided so as to be located inside the cap. The thin container of the present invention may be a blow bottle. The thin-walled container of the present invention can be reliably transported by gripping a portion having a shape retaining property of the thin-walled container by a transport device including a holding mechanism.

  The thin container with a cap according to the present invention includes the thin container configured as described above and a cap configured to be screwed and fixed to a screw portion of the thin container. In the present invention, the “thin container” is a concept including a container made of a synthetic resin which is deformable and flexible. In the thin-walled container of the present invention, the “main body” of the thin-walled container is flexible enough to be easily deformed with the liquid contained in the main body, and maintains its own shape when transported by a conveyor. It is formed so that it cannot stand. In the present invention, the “thin container” includes those having a certain degree of independence. In the thin container of the present invention, the “mouth” of the thin container is formed to have shape retention. The thickness of the main body of the thin container of the present invention is preferably in the range of 0.01 mm to 0.25 mm, and more preferably in the range of 0.02 mm to 0.2 mm. The thickness of the main body of the thin container of the present invention can be formed within a range of 0.035 mm to 0.05 mm. The thickness of the mouth of the thin container of the present invention is preferably formed within a range of 1 mm to 4 mm.

  Furthermore, the present invention is the above-described thin-walled container transport apparatus, wherein a first portion provided between the upper neck ring and the lower neck ring, and a second part provided below the lower neck ring. A transfer device for transferring a thin-walled container having a portion, comprising: a transfer device disposed on a transfer side; and a receive device disposed on a reception side, wherein the transfer device includes the first part A holding mechanism for holding one of the second parts, and the receiving device comprises a holding mechanism for holding the other of the first part and the second part. To do. In one embodiment of the present invention, the thin-walled container transport device includes a delivery device disposed on the delivery side and a reception device disposed on the reception side, and the delivery device includes the upper neck ring and the lower neck. A gripper is provided for holding a portion between the ring and the receiving device is provided with a gripper for holding a lower portion of the lower neck ring. Alternatively, in one embodiment of the present invention, the thin-walled container conveying device includes a delivery device arranged on the delivery side and a reception device arranged on the reception side, and the delivery device is located below the lower neck ring. A gripper for holding a portion of the upper neck ring and the lower neck ring. The gripper for holding the portion between the upper neck ring and the lower neck ring. The conveyance device of the present invention can convey a thin container reliably by holding and delivering a part of the container using a holding mechanism.

  Furthermore, this invention is a conveying apparatus for conveying a thin container in the state which attached the cap to the thin container, Comprising: It is comprised so that the delivery apparatus comprised as mentioned above and a receiving apparatus may be provided. In the thin-walled container transport device of the present invention, it is possible to operate with the holding mechanism, and at the transfer position between the transfer device and the receiving device, the shoulder portion and the side surface of the thin-walled container main body It is preferable to include a support device that supports at least one of the part and the bottom part. By applying such a supporting device, the transport device of the present invention can support the thin container and reliably transport the thin container from the delivery device to the receiving device.

  Moreover, this invention is said 2nd method provided in the conveying method of said thin container, Comprising: The 1st part provided between the said upper neck ring and the said lower neck ring, and the lower part of the said lower neck ring A transfer method for transferring a thin-walled container having a portion, wherein one of the first portion and the second portion is held at a transfer position between the transfer device and the receiving device. By holding the mechanism, and holding the other of the first part and the second part by the holding mechanism of the receiving device, by changing the first part and the second part of the thin container, The thin container is delivered. In one embodiment of the present invention, the method for transporting the thin-walled container includes a method of gripping a portion between the upper neck ring and the lower neck ring by a gripper of the transfer device at a transfer position of the transfer device, In the receiving position, the mouth portion below the lower neck ring is gripped by a gripper of the receiving device, and the thin container is transferred from the transferring device to the receiving device. Alternatively, in the method for transporting the thin container, the lower part of the lower neck ring is gripped by the gripper of the receiving device at the delivery position of the delivery device, and the upper neck ring and the lower neck are received at the receiving position of the receiving device. A portion between the ring and the ring is gripped by a gripper of the delivery device, and the thin container is delivered from the delivery device to the reception device.

  Further, according to the present invention, a lower portion of the lower neck ring is held by a holding mechanism of the receiving device, and a portion between the upper neck ring and the lower neck ring is held at the receiving position of the receiving device. The thin container is delivered from the delivery device to the receiving device by being held by a mechanism. In this transport method, the thin container is delivered at a delivery position of the delivery device in a state where at least one of the shoulder portion, the side surface portion, and the bottom surface portion of the main body of the thin container is supported. Is good.

  The main body of the thin container of the present invention is thinner than the main body of the conventional container, but can be configured so that it can be reliably transported by a transport device including a holding mechanism. Further, according to the present invention, a thin container can be easily formed by blow molding using a preform. Furthermore, the conveyance device of the present invention can reliably convey the thin container and the thin container with a cap by holding and delivering the shape retaining property of the thin container using a holding mechanism. Furthermore, by using the conveyance method of the present invention, the thin container can be reliably conveyed using the holding mechanism, and the cap-equipped thin container can be reliably conveyed using the holding mechanism.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
(1) Container structure:
First, in the embodiment of the present invention, the structure of a thin container will be described. Here, in order to clarify the description of the drawings, the thickness of the main body of the container is illustrated with the thickness direction enlarged and emphasized. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the container 101 is a thin-walled container integrally formed of synthetic resin. The container 101 includes a mouth portion 112 having an opening 111 above and a main body 113 provided below the mouth portion 112. A liquid can be stored in the main body 113. The mouth portion 112 and the main body 113 are formed by integral molding using a synthetic resin that can be blow-molded. That is, the thin container of the present invention is a blow bottle. The main body 113 is formed to include a shoulder portion 113a positioned above, a side surface portion 113b positioned below the shoulder portion 113a, and a bottom surface portion 113c positioned below the side surface portion 113b.

  The synthetic resin forming the container 101 is polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene, polypropylene, vinyl chloride, a copolymer composed of at least two of the synthetic resins, a mixture based on at least one of the synthetic resins, and at least one of the copolymers. Preferably, it is selected from the group consisting of a base mixture. Examples of the mixture include a reinforcing agent, a colorant, a release agent, and a softening agent.

  The mouth portion 112 is formed in a dimension and shape that has shape retention. That is, the mouth portion 112 is formed to a thickness that can maintain its own shape. The thickness of the mouth portion 112 is preferably formed within a range of 1 mm to 4 mm. The main body 113 is formed in a dimension and shape that is flexible. The thickness of the main body 113 is preferably in the range of 0.01 mm to 0.25 mm, and more preferably in the range of 0.02 mm to 0.2 mm. The thickness of the main body 113 can also be formed within a range of 0.035 mm to 0.05 mm. The volume of liquid that can be contained in the body 113 can be designed to be, for example, 250 ml, 350 ml, 500 ml, 1 liter, 1.5 liter, 2 liter, and the like.

  A screw part 114 for attaching a cap 160 for sealing the container 101 is provided in an upper part of the mouth part 112. An upper neck ring 115 is provided below the threaded portion 114 at the mouth portion 112. A lower neck ring 116 is provided below the upper neck ring 115 at the mouth 112. The threaded portion 114, the upper neck ring 115, and the lower neck ring 116 are arranged in the mouth portion 112 in order from the top with a space in the vertical direction. The threaded portion 114 is configured by a male threaded portion that protrudes radially outward at the mouth portion 112 and is formed in a spiral shape. The upper neck ring 115 is formed in a ring shape that protrudes radially outward at the mouth portion 112. The lower neck ring 116 is formed in a ring shape that protrudes radially outward at the mouth portion 112. The upper neck ring 115 can be configured in the same size and shape as the lower neck ring 116. It is preferable that the upper neck ring 115 and the lower neck ring 116 are arranged with an interval within a range of 5 mm to 15 mm, for example. The lower part of the lower neck ring 116 and the upper part of the main body 113 are preferably arranged with an interval in the range of 5 mm to 15 mm, for example. Further, a neck ring can be arranged below the lower neck ring 116 with an interval in the vertical direction (three-stage neck ring). Such further neck rings are preferably arranged at similar intervals as in the case of the lower neck ring 116. Similarly, four or more neck rings can be arranged. In the case where the ratchet claw is formed below the threaded portion 114 without the winding ring 117, the neck rings may be arranged below the ratchet pawl. Each neck ring may be provided in a horizontal cross-sectional polygon, that is, a shape in which the protruding portion is a polygon. Examples of the polygons forming the neck ring include quadrangular, hexagonal, pentagonal, and octagonal ones.

  A winding ring 117 is provided in the mouth portion 112. The winding ring 117 is disposed between the threaded portion 114 and the upper neck ring 115 at a distance from the upper neck ring 115. The winding ring 117 is formed in a ring shape that protrudes outward in the radial direction at the mouth portion 112. The cap 160 includes a cylindrical portion 161 and a flat plate portion 162. A female screw 163 that is screwed and fixed to the screw portion 114 of the mouth portion 112 of the container 101 is provided inside the cylindrical portion 161. The winding ring 117 is preferably provided so as to be positioned inside the cylindrical portion 161 of the cap 160 when the cap 160 is attached to the mouth portion 112.

  Referring to FIG. 3, the container 101 can be formed by blow molding using a preform 119 made of synthetic resin. The preform 119 is formed so as to include a cylindrical tubular portion 119a. An opening 119b is provided in the upper part of the cylindrical part 119a. A hemispherical portion 119c is provided in a lower portion of the cylindrical portion 119a. A screw portion 119d, an upper neck ring portion 119e, a lower neck ring portion 119f, and a tightening ring portion 119g are disposed in the upper portion of the cylindrical portion 119a in order from the top with a space in the vertical direction. These arrangements are the same as those in the mouth 112 of the container 101 described above. Such an outer shape of the preform 119 can be formed by injection molding or the like.

  The synthetic resin forming the cap 160 is polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene, polypropylene, vinyl chloride, a copolymer composed of at least two of the synthetic resins, a mixture based on at least one of the synthetic resins, and at least one of the copolymers. Preferably, it is selected from the group consisting of a base mixture. Alternatively, the cap 160 can be formed of a metal such as aluminum or stainless steel, or an alloy thereof. The cap 160 is preferably formed of the same synthetic resin that forms the container 101.

  By storing a liquid such as mineral water in the main body 113 of the container 101 and screwing and fixing the cap 160 to the screw part 114 of the mouth part 112 of the container 101, a thin-walled container with a cap can be manufactured. When the cap 160 is attached to the mouth portion 112, the upper neck ring 115 is provided so as to be positioned below the cap 160. That is, when the cap 160 is attached to the mouth portion 112, the upper neck ring 115 is not disposed inside the cap 160 but is provided at a position where it is exposed to the outside of the cap 160. The cap 160 and the upper neck ring 115 may be arranged so as to have a vertical spacing, and the vertical spacing may be held by a holding mechanism.

(2) Configuration of transport device and transport method:
Next, in the embodiment of the present invention, a configuration of the transfer device and a transfer method will be described. Referring to FIG. 4, in the embodiment of the present invention, liquid container manufacturing apparatus 200 includes a filling chamber 210, a capping chamber 220, and a holder insertion chamber 230 in order from the upstream side. The filling chamber 210 and the capping chamber 220 are configured as a sterilization chamber (that is, a clean room) and are maintained in a positive pressure state. The holder insertion chamber 230 is maintained at atmospheric pressure. The pressures in the filling chamber 210, the capping chamber 220, and the holder insertion chamber 230 are maintained from a high pressure to a low pressure in the order described here.

  Inside the filling chamber 210, in order from the upstream side, the supply conveyor 211 for supplying the container 101 to the liquid container manufacturing apparatus 200, and the filling for receiving the container 101 from the supply conveyor 211 and transporting it to the downstream side A supply wheel 212; a filler 213 for receiving the container 101 from the filling supply wheel 212 and filling the container 101 with a liquid; and a filling / discharging wheel 214 for receiving the container 101 from the filler 213 and transporting it downstream. Is provided.

  Inside the capping chamber 220, in order from the upstream side, the container 101 is received from the filling and discharging wheel 214, and the cap 222 is attached to the container 101 by screwing and fixing the cap 160, and the container with the cap is received from the capper 222. And a capper discharge wheel 224 for conveying to the downstream side.

  Inside the holder insertion chamber 230, a holder supply conveyor 231 for supplying a holder 170 (to be described later) to the holder insertion device 232, and a container with a cap from the capper discharge wheel 224, and a cap with a cap filled with a liquid are received. A holder insertion device 232 for inserting a container into the holder 170, and a discharge conveyor 233 for receiving a container with a cap inserted into the holder 170 from the holder insertion device 232 and discharging it from the liquid container manufacturing apparatus 200. Provided. In the above description, those shown in a circle are provided as rotating bodies each having a circular cross section in the horizontal direction and having a plurality of holding mechanisms (for example, grippers) for the mouth of the container on the outer periphery. At the delivery position, each holding mechanism is configured to deliver the container by changing the mouth of the container.

  The plurality of containers 101 are configured to be conveyed along the linear trajectory into the filling chamber 210 by the supply conveyor 211 in the direction of the arrow in FIG. The filling / feeding wheel 212 is configured to be able to transport the container 101 along an arcuate trajectory in the arrow direction (clockwise direction) in FIG. The container 101 is configured to be delivered from the filling and supply wheel 212 to the filler 213 at a delivery position between the filling and feeding wheel 212 and the filler 213. The filler 213 is configured to be able to transport the container 101 along an arcuate locus in the arrow direction (counterclockwise direction) in FIG. The filler 213 is configured to be filled with a liquid in the container 101. The liquid to be filled is, for example, a beverage such as mineral water. The container 101 is configured to be delivered from the filler 213 to the filling / discharging wheel 214 at a delivery position between the filler 213 and the filling / discharging wheel 214. The filling / discharging wheel 214 is configured to be able to transport the container 101 along an arcuate trajectory in the arrow direction (clockwise direction) of FIG.

  The container 101 is configured to be transferred from the filling / discharge wheel 214 to the capper 222 at a transfer position between the filling / discharge wheel 214 and the capper 222. The capper 222 is configured to be able to transport the container 101 along an arcuate locus in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 4 (counterclockwise direction). In the capper 222, the cap 160 is screwed and fixed to the screw part 114 of the mouth part 112 of the container 101 filled with the liquid. A plurality of caps 160 are stored in the cap 222 in advance. Alternatively, the plurality of caps 160 may be configured to be supplied to the capper 222 by a cap supply device (not shown). At the delivery position of the capper 222 and the capper discharge wheel 224, the container with the cap filled with the liquid is configured to be transferred from the capper 222 to the capper discharge wheel 224. The capper discharge wheel 224 is configured to be able to transport the container 101 with the cap attached along an arcuate locus in the direction of the arrow (clockwise direction) in FIG.

  The plurality of holders 170 are configured to be conveyed along the linear trajectory into the holder insertion chamber 230 by the holder supply conveyor 231 in the direction of the arrow in FIG. The holder insertion device 232 is configured to be able to transport the holder 170 along an arcuate locus in the arrow direction (counterclockwise direction) in FIG. At the transfer position between the capper discharge wheel 224 and the holder insertion device 232, the container with a cap filled with liquid is configured to be transferred from the capper discharge wheel 224 to the holder insertion device 232. In the holder insertion device 232, a container with a cap filled with a liquid is configured to be inserted into the holder 170. At the transfer position between the holder insertion device 232 and the discharge conveyor 233, the container with a cap inserted into the holder is transferred from the holder insertion device 232 to the discharge conveyor 233. The container with a cap inserted into the holder is transported along a linear trajectory by the discharge conveyor 233 and is configured to go out of the holder insertion chamber 230.

Referring to FIG. 6, the holder insertion device 232 is provided above the holder supply conveyor 231 and the discharge conveyor 233, and has a plurality of holding mechanisms 232 </ b> G that hold the mouth 112 of the container 101 on the outer periphery. Provided). By the holding mechanism 232G, a container with a cap is received from a plurality of holding mechanisms 224G (the illustrated ones show grippers) provided on the outer periphery of the capper discharge wheel 224. The operation of inserting the capped container into the holder 170 is performed as follows as shown in FIG. The holder supply conveyor 231 and the discharge conveyor 233 may carry a plurality of holders, and both conveyors may be provided in series. The holder supply conveyor 231 conveys the holder 170 in a state where the upper end of the holder 170 is positioned below the bottom of the container body until the lower position of the delivery position 232P of the capper discharge wheel 224 and the holder insertion device 232. Further, below the holder insertion portion 232H, the holder 170 is gradually lifted upward as shown in the figure, and the holder 170 is conveyed so that the container with a cap is inserted into the holder 170. Meanwhile, in the holder insertion portion 232H, the container with a cap is neck-conveyed by the holding mechanism 232G of the holder insertion device 232.
The holding mechanism 232G provided on the outer periphery of the rotary holder insertion device 232 and the holder 170 conveyed by the holder supply conveyor 231 are positioned and positioned at the same interval, and are moved synchronously, thereby It can operate as follows. In addition, the upper holding mechanism such as the insertion device 232 and the holder placement mechanism such as the conveyor constitute a holder insertion portion that cooperates for a certain time, so that the container can be stably placed on the holder. It becomes possible. In the holder insertion portion, the container held by the upper holding mechanism can be moved in a direction perpendicular to the holder of the holder arrangement mechanism, and the container can be arranged in the holder. Separately from the example, the container held by the upper holding mechanism may be raised and lowered.
Then, in the holder discharge section 232 </ b> J, the holding mechanism 232 </ b> G of the holder insertion device 232 removes the holding of the capped container while the capped container is inserted into the holder 170, and the container is delivered to the holder 170. The container with a cap inserted into the holder 170 is discharged from the container manufacturing apparatus 200 by the discharge conveyor 233. The height of the holder 170 is preferably 1/5 to 1/2 of the height of the main body 113 of the container 101. The inner diameter of the side wall portion 171 of the holder 170 is preferably formed so as to accommodate the main body 113 of the container 101 filled with liquid.

  Referring to FIG. 5, in the modification of the present invention, the liquid container manufacturing apparatus 202 includes a filling chamber 215, an intermediate chamber 225, and a holder insertion chamber 235 in order from the upstream side. The filling chamber 215 and the intermediate chamber 225 are configured as a sterilization chamber (that is, a clean room) and are maintained in a positive pressure state. The holder insertion chamber 235 is maintained at atmospheric pressure. The pressures in the filling chamber 215, the intermediate chamber 225, and the holder insertion chamber 235 are maintained from high pressure to low pressure in accordance with the order described here.

  Inside the filling chamber 215, in order from the upstream side, the supply conveyor 211 for supplying the container 101 to the liquid container manufacturing apparatus 202, and the filling for receiving the container 101 from the supply conveyor 211 and transporting it to the downstream side A supply wheel 212; a filler 213 for receiving the container 101 from the filling supply wheel 212 and filling the container 101 with a liquid; and a filling / discharging wheel 214 for receiving the container 101 from the filler 213 and transporting it downstream. A capper 216 is provided for receiving the container 101 from the filling and discharging wheel 214 and attaching the cap 160 to the container 101 by screwing.

  Inside the intermediate chamber 225, in order from the upstream side, a capper discharge wheel 226 for receiving a container with a cap from the capper 216 and transporting it to the downstream side, and a container with a cap from the capper discharge wheel 226 are received to the downstream side. An intermediate chamber wheel 227 for conveying is arranged.

  Inside the holder insertion chamber 235, a holder supply conveyor 231 for supplying the holder 170 to the holder insertion device 232, and a holder insertion chamber wheel 236 for receiving a container with a cap from the intermediate chamber wheel 227 and transporting it downstream. A holder insertion device 232 for receiving a container with a cap from the holder insertion chamber wheel 236 and inserting a container with a cap filled with liquid into the holder 170; and a cap inserted into the holder 170 from the holder insertion device 232 A discharge conveyor 233 for receiving the attached container and discharging it from the liquid container manufacturing apparatus 202 is provided.

  In the container manufacturing apparatus 202 with liquid, transport and delivery of containers, transport and delivery of containers filled with liquid, transport and delivery of containers with caps, transport and delivery of containers with caps filled with liquids, inserted into holders The operation of transporting and delivering the capped container is the same as the transport operation in the liquid container manufacturing apparatus 202 described above.

  Next, the operation of the liquid container manufacturing apparatus 202 will be described. Referring to FIG. 5, the container 101 is delivered from the supply conveyor 211 to the filling supply wheel 212 at a delivery position between the supply conveyor 211 and the filling supply wheel 212. The container 101 is transferred from the filling supply wheel 212 to the filler 213 at the transfer position between the filling supply wheel 212 and the filler 213. At the delivery position between the filler 213 and the filling / discharge wheel 214, the container 101 is delivered from the filler 213 to the filling / discharge wheel 214. The container 101 filled with the liquid is transferred from the filling / discharge wheel 214 to the capper 216 at the transfer position between the filling / discharge wheel 214 and the capper 216. At the transfer position between the capper 216 and the capper discharge wheel 226, the capped container is transferred from the capper 216 to the capper discharge wheel 226. At the transfer position between the capper discharge wheel 226 and the intermediate chamber wheel 227, the capped container is transferred from the capper discharge wheel 226 to the intermediate chamber wheel 227. At the transfer position between the intermediate chamber wheel 227 and the holder insertion chamber wheel 236, the capped container is transferred from the intermediate chamber wheel 227 to the holder insertion chamber wheel 236. In the delivery position between the holder insertion chamber wheel 236 and the holder insertion device 232, the container with a cap is delivered from the holder insertion chamber wheel 236 to the holder insertion device 232. At the transfer position between the holder insertion device 232 and the discharge conveyor 233, the container with a cap inserted into the holder is transferred from the holder insertion device 232 to the discharge conveyor 233.

  Next, in the embodiment of the present invention, the structure of the transport device for the thin container will be described. Referring to FIG. 7, the transfer device 310 includes the aforementioned shape retaining port 112 and a flexible main body 113, and includes a screw portion 114, an upper neck ring 115, and a lower neck ring 116. Is a transport device for transporting the thin container 101 disposed in the mouth portion 112 in order from above with a space in the vertical direction. The conveyance device 310 includes a delivery device 312 disposed on the delivery side, and a reception device 316 disposed on the reception side. The delivery device 312 includes a delivery gripper 313 for gripping a portion between the upper neck ring 115 and the lower neck ring 116 in the mouth portion 112 of the thin container 101. The receiving device 316 includes a receiving gripper 317 for gripping a lower portion of the lower neck ring 116 of the thin container 101. Each gripper can use any known structure.

  The holding mechanism in the transport apparatus of the present invention may be any one having the following performance. That is, holding the first portion between the upper neck ring 115 and the lower neck ring 116 in the mouth 112 is either (a) supporting the lower end surface of the upper neck ring 115 or (ii) both neck rings 115. Means that the cylindrical portion of the mouth portion 112 between the first and second portions 116 is sandwiched, or (iii) the above (a) and (ii) are combined. Further, holding the second portion provided below the lower neck ring 116 means that (or) the lower end of the lower neck ring 116 is supported, or (ii) the mouth 112 below the lower neck ring 116. This means that the cylindrical portion is sandwiched between (c) and (c) and (c) above.

  Note that the holding mechanism only needs to hold the container mouth portion at least at the above-described portion during delivery of the container. For example, as described above, a gap is provided between the cap and the upper part, or a neck ring having three or more stages is provided. When the is provided, the gap portion formed by these may be further held and delivered. Further, for example, when the holding mechanism of the delivery device holds the first part and the holding mechanism of the receiving device holds and delivers the second part, the auxiliary holding mechanism provided in the receiving device is used as the delivery device. The first part is supplementarily supported by a portion other than the holding mechanism of the holding device, while the auxiliary holding mechanism provided in the delivery device supports the second portion by the portion other than the holding mechanism of the receiving device. You may support and deliver it. In short, in the present invention, since a multi-stage step portion is formed at the container mouth portion, the container can be delivered in a stable posture by causing the holding mechanism to act on the multi-stage.

  As the holding mechanism, any of the above holding functions can be used, such as a gripping gripper and a wheel provided with a notch such as a normal semicircle that hooks a neck ring on the outer periphery. Any holding mechanism that can be used in the apparatus can be employed. A gripper corresponding to the multi-stepped portion of the container mouth, for example, a gripper capable of simultaneously sandwiching two or more stepped portions in the horizontal direction or the vertical direction may be employed.

  As a modification, although not shown, the delivery device includes a gripper for gripping a lower portion of the lower neck ring 116 of the thin container 101, and the receiving device includes the upper neck ring 115 and the lower neck ring 116 of the thin container 101. It can also be configured to include a gripper for gripping the portion between the two.

  Furthermore, in the transfer apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to operate together with the grippers 313 and 317, and at the transfer position between the transfer device 312 and the transfer device 316, the shoulder portion 113a of the main body 113 of the thin container 101. It is preferable to include a support device that supports at least one of the side surface portion 113b and the bottom surface portion 113c. For example, such a support device can be configured by a delivery-side side support device 314 provided in the delivery device 312 so as to support the side surface portion 113b of the main body 113 of the thin container 101 at the delivery position. Alternatively, such a support device can be configured by a reception side surface support device 318 provided in the reception device 316 so as to support the side surface portion 113b of the main body 113 of the thin container 101 at the delivery position.

  Alternatively, such a supporting device can be configured by a receiving side bottom surface supporting device 319 provided in the receiving device 316 so as to support the bottom surface portion 113c of the main body 113 of the thin container 101 at the delivery position. As a modification, although not shown in the drawings, such a support device can be constituted by a receiving side bottom surface support device in the transfer position. The support device of the present invention can also be configured independently of the delivery device 312 and the receiving device 316. At least one of the delivery side surface support device, the reception side surface support device, the delivery side bottom surface support device, and the reception side bottom surface support device may be provided. With this configuration, the thin container 101 can be delivered by reliably supporting the main body 113 of the thin container 101 at the delivery position of the delivery device 312. These supporting devices can be provided in appropriate combination. The support device of the present invention can be driven by any known method.

  Referring to FIG. 8, the delivery side surface support device 314 may be configured to include a first holding arm 314a and a second holding arm 314b. The arc-shaped holding portion provided on the first holding arm 314a and the arc-shaped holding portion provided on the second holding arm 314b are configured to hold the side surface portion 113b of the main body 113 of the thin container 101. be able to. The first holding arm 314a and the second holding arm 314b are configured to be opened and closed by cams when the thin container 101 is delivered. With this configuration, the thin container 101 can be stably held when the thin container 101 is delivered. Such a configuration can also be applied to the receiving side support device 318.

  As a variant, referring to FIG. 9, the delivery side support device 314 can be configured to include a single holding arm 314f. The side surface portion 113b of the main body 113 of the thin-walled container 101 can be held by the arc-shaped holding portion provided on the holding arm 314f. The holding portion of the holding arm 314f can hold the thin container 101 so as not to move outward due to centrifugal force. The holding portion of the holding arm 314f is configured to provide an opening in the traveling direction of the thin container 101. With this configuration, the bottle pitch of the thin container 101 can be narrowed, and the thin container 101 can be released with good stability. Such a configuration can also be applied to the receiving side support device 318.

  As a modification, referring to FIGS. 10 to 12, the receiving side support device 322 can be configured to include an arm 322 a and a vacuum bar 322 b provided at the tip of the arm 322 a. A semi-arc-shaped grip surface 322c for holding the side surface portion 113b of the main body 113 of the thin container 101 is provided on the vacuum bar 322b. One or more suction ports 322d are provided in the grip surface 322c. For example, five suction ports 322d are provided at equal intervals on the grip surface 322c. Each suction port 322d is connected to a vacuum source 324 (for example, a compressor) via a suction pipe 322f. Part or all of the suction pipe 322f can be provided in the vacuum bar 322b, or can be provided so as to be attached to the vacuum bar 322b. With this configuration, the side surface portion 113b of the main body 113 of the thin container 101 can be sucked and held by the arc-shaped grip surface 322c provided on the vacuum bar 322b.

  The holding part of the vacuum bar 322b is configured to hold up to a portion where the thin container 101 moves outward by centrifugal force, and is configured not to provide a holding part in the traveling direction of the thin container 101. Is good. With this configuration, the bottle pitch of the thin container 101 can be narrowed, and the thin container 101 can be released with good stability. Such a configuration can also be applied to a delivery-side side support device (not shown). Or although not shown in figure, both the receiving side side support apparatus 322 and the delivery side side support apparatus comprised similarly to the receiving side side support apparatus 322 can also be used simultaneously. With this configuration, the thin container 101 can be delivered while reliably supporting the main body 113 of the thin container 101 at the delivery position.

  As a modification, referring to FIGS. 13 and 14, the receiving device 316 includes a first receiving gripper 332 a and a second receiving gripper 332 b for gripping a lower portion of the lower neck ring 116 of the thin container 101. Is provided. A first holding curved portion 334a having a curved shape that matches the shape of the shoulder portion 113a of the main body 113 of the thin container 101 is provided at the distal end portion of the first receiving gripper 332a. A second holding curved portion 334b having a curved shape that matches the shape of the shoulder portion 113a of the main body 113 of the thin container 101 is provided at the distal end portion of the second receiving gripper 332b. The first receiving gripper 332a and the second receiving gripper 332b are configured to be opened and closed by a cam when the thin container 101 is delivered. The first holding curved portion 334a and the second holding curved portion 334b can hold the thin container 101 so as not to move outward due to centrifugal force. With this configuration, the bottle pitch of the thin container 101 can be narrowed, and the thin container 101 can be released with good stability. Such a configuration can also be applied to the delivery device 312.

  As a modification, referring to FIG. 15, the receiving device 316 can be configured to include a holding arm 342 and a holding cup 344 provided at the distal end of the holding arm 342. The bottom portion 113c of the main body 113 of the thin-walled container 101 can be held by a cup-shaped or half-cup-shaped holding portion provided on the holding cup 344. The holding cup 344 supports the bottom surface portion 113c of the thin container 101 and can hold the thin container 101 so as not to move outward due to centrifugal force. With this configuration, the bottle pitch of the thin container 101 can be narrowed, and the thin container 101 can be released with good stability. Such a configuration can also be applied to the delivery device 312.

  Alternatively, in the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the delivery-side bottom surface support provided in the delivery device 312 so as to support a part of the bottom surface portion 113 c of the main body 113 of the thin container 101 at the delivery position. It can comprise so that the apparatus 352 and the receiving side bottom face support apparatus 354 provided in the receiving apparatus 316 may be supported so that other part of the bottom face part 113c of the main body 113 of the thin container 101 may be supported. The delivery-side bottom surface support device 352 can be configured to include a holding arm 352a and a holding plate 352b provided at the tip of the holding arm 352a. The receiving-side bottom surface support device 354 can be configured to include a holding arm 354a and a holding plate 354b provided at the tip of the holding arm 354a. The holding surfaces of the holding plate 352b and the holding plate 354b are formed to be larger than the shape of the bottom surface portion 113c. As a modification, as shown in FIG. 18, the holding surfaces of the holding plate 352b and the holding plate 354b may be formed in a shape that holds only a part of the bottom surface portion 113c. Such a support device can also be configured independently of the delivery device 312 and the receiving device 316. Such a support device can be operated using a known rotating wheel, piston / cylinder device, cam or the like. With this configuration, the thin container 101 can be delivered by reliably supporting the main body 113 of the thin container 101 at the delivery position of the delivery device 312.

  Referring again to FIG. 4, the delivery device 312, the delivery device 316, and various support devices configured as described above are provided at the delivery position between the supply conveyor 211 and the filling supply wheel 212, and between the filling supply wheel 212 and the filler 213. The present invention can be applied to a thin-walled container transport device that is not attached with the cap 160 at a delivery position, a delivery position between the filler 213 and the filling / discharge wheel 214, a delivery position between the filling / discharge wheel 214 and the capper 222, and the like.

  Since the delivery device 312 and the receiving device 316 of the present invention are configured to grip the lower portion of the cap 160 of the thin container to which the cap 160 is attached, the delivery device 312 and the receiving device 316 configured as described above. The various support devices have caps 160 at the transfer position of the capper 222 and the capper discharge wheel 224, the transfer position of the capper discharge wheel 224 and the holder insertion device 232, the transfer position of the holder insertion device 232 and the discharge conveyor 233, and the like. It can be applied to a thin-walled container conveying device to which is attached.

  According to the present invention, the first portion between the upper neck ring 115 and the lower neck ring 116 and the second portion below the lower neck ring 116 are provided in the lower portion of the cap 160 of the thin container with the cap 160 attached. Is secured. In the container after attaching the cap in the past, if the gripper of the capping device grips the lower part of the neck ring, it cannot be gripped from there. In this case, the self-supporting container could be carried on the conveyor as it was, but this means could not be adopted in the thin-walled flexible container that was difficult to stand on its own. According to the present invention, as described above, the first portion and the second portion are secured in the lower portion of the cap 160 of the thin-walled container, and the gripper of the capping device grips any one of the portions. Then, the other part can be gripped and received by the gripper of the apparatus on the receiving side, and further, it can be continuously conveyed to an apparatus or the like to which a holder for providing independence is attached. In particular, the thin-walled container with the cap 160 attached, that is, filled with the contents increases in weight, but has the advantage that the neck can be transported very stably by the delivery.

  Referring again to FIG. 5, the delivery device 312, the delivery device 316, and various support devices configured as described above are provided between the delivery conveyor 211 and the filling supply wheel 212, the filling supply wheel 212 and the filler 213. The present invention can be applied to a thin-walled container transfer device to which the cap 160 is not attached at the delivery position, the delivery position between the filler 213 and the filling / discharge wheel 214, the delivery position between the filling / discharge wheel 214 and the capper 216, and the like.

  Since the delivery device 312 and the receiving device 316 of the present invention are configured to grip the lower portion of the cap 160 of the thin container to which the cap 160 is attached, the delivery device 312 and the receiving device 316 configured as described above. The various support devices include a transfer position between the capper 216 and the capper discharge wheel 226, a transfer position between the capper discharge wheel 226 and the intermediate chamber wheel 227, a transfer position between the intermediate chamber wheel 227 and the holder insertion chamber wheel 236, and holder insertion. The present invention can be applied to a thin-walled container transfer device to which a cap 160 is attached, for example, at a delivery position between the chamber wheel 236 and the holder insertion device 232.

  Referring to FIG. 7 again, in the method for transporting the thin container according to the present invention, the portion of the mouth 112 below the cap 160 and between the upper neck ring 115 and the lower neck ring 116 at the transfer position of the transfer device 312. The gripper 313 of the delivery device 312 is gripped, and the portion of the mouth 112 below the lower neck ring 116 is gripped by the gripper 317 of the delivery device 316, and the thin container 101 is delivered from the delivery device 312 to the delivery device 316. Can do.

  In the method for transporting the thin container according to the present invention, the portion of the mouth 112 below the lower neck ring 116 is gripped by the gripper 313 of the transfer device 312 at the transfer position, and the upper neck ring 115 is positioned below the cap 160 and below the cap 160. The portion of the mouth 112 between the lower neck ring 116 and the lower neck ring 116 can be held by the gripper 317 of the receiving device 316, and the thin container 101 can be transferred from the transferring device 312 to the receiving device 316.

  In the method for transporting the thin container according to the present invention, at the delivery position, at least one of the shoulder 113a, the side surface 113b, and the bottom surface 113c of the main body 113 of the thin container 101 is supported by the support device. The thin container 101 can be delivered.

  As described above, the method for transporting a thin-walled container according to the present invention can be applied to a transporting method for transporting a thin-walled container without a cap, or in a state where a cap is attached to a thin-walled container. The present invention can also be applied to a transport method for transporting a thin container.

  By this invention, the thin container which can accommodate and supply drinks, such as mineral water, inside can be stably delivered and conveyed.

In embodiment of this invention, it is a front view which shows the external shape of a container, and the external shape (a part is shown in cross section) of a cap. In embodiment of this invention, it is a fragmentary sectional view which shows the shape of the mouth part and neck part of a container, and the shape of a cap (outer shape is shown with the virtual line). In embodiment of this invention, it is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the cross-sectional shape of the preform used for shaping | molding of a container. In embodiment of this invention, it is an upper top view which shows schematic structure of the container containing liquid manufacturing apparatus. In other composition of the embodiment of the present invention, it is a top view showing the schematic structure of the container containing liquid manufacture. In embodiment of this invention, it is a fragmentary top view which shows schematic structure of the part of the holder supply apparatus of the container containing liquid manufacturing apparatus. In embodiment of this invention, it is a side view which shows schematic structure of the part of a conveying apparatus and a support apparatus. In embodiment of this invention, it is a top view which shows schematic structure of a support apparatus. In embodiment of this invention, it is a top view which shows the other structure of a support apparatus. In embodiment of this invention, it is a side view which shows the other structure of a conveying apparatus and a support apparatus. In embodiment of this invention, it is a side view which shows the part of a support apparatus. In embodiment of this invention, it is a front view which shows the part of a support apparatus. In embodiment of this invention, it is a side view which shows the other structure of a support apparatus. In embodiment of this invention, it is a top view which shows the other structure of a support apparatus. In embodiment of this invention, it is a side view which shows the other structure of a support apparatus. In embodiment of this invention, it is a side view which shows the other structure of a conveying apparatus and a support apparatus. In embodiment of this invention, it is a side view which shows the other structure of a support apparatus. In embodiment of this invention, it is a side view which shows the other structure of a support apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 Container 111 Opening part 112 Mouth part 113 Main body 114 Screw part 115 Upper neck ring 116 Lower neck ring 117 Winding ring 119 Preform 160 Cap 200 Filling system 210 Filling room 213 Filler 220 Capping room 222 Capper 230 Holder insertion room 232 Holder insertion Device 310 Transport device 312 Delivery device 313 Delivery gripper 314 Delivery side support device 316 Reception device 317 Reception gripper 318 Reception side support device

Claims (11)

In a thin container having a shape-retaining mouth and a flexible body,
A screw part for attaching a cap for sealing the thin container, and an upper part provided below the screw part and provided below the cap when the cap is attached to the mouth part A neck ring and a lower neck ring provided so as to be positioned below the upper neck ring are disposed in the mouth portion at intervals in the vertical direction.
A thin container characterized by that. A tightening ring is provided at the mouth between the threaded portion and the upper neck ring, and the tightening ring is positioned inside the cap when the cap is attached to the mouth. Provided,
The thin-walled container according to claim 1, wherein   The thin container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the thin container is a blow bottle.   A thin container with a cap including a thin container and a cap, comprising: the thin container according to any one of claims 1 to 3; and a cap configured to be screwed and fixed to a screw portion of the thin container. A thin-walled container with a cap.   A preform for forming the thin container according to claim 1 by blow molding. It is a conveyance apparatus of the thin container of Claim 1, Comprising: The 1st part provided between the said upper neck ring and the said lower neck ring, The 2nd part provided under the said lower neck ring, A transport device for transporting such a thin-walled container,
A delivery device arranged on the delivery side, and a receiving device arranged on the reception side,
The delivery device includes a holding mechanism for holding one of the first part and the second part;
The receiving device includes a holding mechanism for holding the other of the first part and the second part.
A conveying apparatus characterized by that. It is a conveyance apparatus of the thin container of Claim 1, Comprising: The 1st part provided between the said upper neck ring and the said lower neck ring, The 2nd part provided under the said lower neck ring, A transport device for transporting a thin container with a cap attached to the thin container,
A delivery device arranged on the delivery side, and a receiving device arranged on the reception side,
The delivery device includes a holding mechanism for holding one of the first part and the second part;
The receiving device includes a holding mechanism for holding the other of the first part and the second part.
A conveying apparatus characterized by that.   Furthermore, it is possible to operate together with the holding mechanism, and at a delivery position between the delivery device and the receiving device, at least one of a shoulder portion, a side surface portion, and a bottom surface portion of the main body of the thin container. The transport apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising a support device that supports the portion. It is a conveyance method of the thin container of Claim 1, Comprising: The 1st part provided between the said upper neck ring and the said lower neck ring, The 2nd part provided under the said lower neck ring, A transport method for transporting such a thin-walled container,
At a delivery position between the delivery device and the delivery device, one of the first part and the second part is held by a delivery mechanism of the delivery device, and the other of the first part and the second part is held A conveying method, wherein the thin container is delivered by holding the first portion and the second portion of the thin container so as to be held by a holding mechanism of a receiving device. It is a conveyance method of the thin container of Claim 1, Comprising: The 1st part provided between the said upper neck ring and the said lower neck ring, The 2nd part provided under the said lower neck ring, A transport method for transporting a thin-walled container with a cap attached to the thin-walled container,
In a state where one of the first part and the second part is held by the holding mechanism of the transfer apparatus at a transfer position between the transfer apparatus and the receiving apparatus, the first part and the second part are A transfer method, wherein the thin container is delivered by holding the first portion and the second portion of the thin container so that the other is held by a holding mechanism of the receiving device.   In the delivery position, the thin container is delivered in a state where at least one of a shoulder portion, a side surface portion, and a bottom surface portion of the main body of the thin container is supported. The conveying method described.

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