JP2008247528A - Device and method for conveying capped thin-walled container - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a conveying device configured to certainly transfer a thin-walled container with a cap attached to the thin-walled container having flexible body and low self-supporting stability. <P>SOLUTION: The conveying device 310 for the capped container includes a delivery device 312 and a receiving device 316. In a delivery position, the delivery device 312 includes one of a neck ring holding mechanism for holding a portion below the neck ring 115 of the thin-walled container 104 and a cap holding mechanism for holding the peripheral portion of the cap 160. In the delivery position, the receiving device 316 includes the other of the neck ring holding mechanism and the cap holding mechanism. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a transport apparatus for a thin-walled container with a cap for transporting in a state where the cap is attached to a thin-walled container having a mouth portion having shape retention and a flexible main body. Moreover, this invention relates to the conveyance method of the said thin 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).
Further, the conventional capping device includes a capping head that moves downward while holding the cap and rotating above the container held by the container holding means (see, for example, Patent Document 7).

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) Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-123181 (pages 5 to 9, FIGS. 1 to 5)

  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 conveying device configured to reliably deliver a thin container with a cap in a state where the cap is attached to a thin container having a flexible main body and low self-supporting stability. Is to provide.
Furthermore, another object of the present invention is to provide a transport method capable of reliably delivering a thin container with a cap in a state in which the cap is attached to a thin container having low self-standing stability.

  In the present invention, the thin-walled container has a mouth portion having shape retention and a flexible main body. The thin container is provided with a screw part for attaching a cap for sealing the thin container and a lower part of the screw part, and is positioned below the cap when the cap is attached to the mouth part. The neck ring provided in is arranged in the mouth part at intervals in the vertical direction. In this thin container, a winding ring is provided between the screw portion and the neck ring, and the winding ring is positioned inside the cap when the cap is attached to the mouth portion. Is provided. The thin container of the present invention is, for example, a blow bottle.

  In the present invention, the thin container with a cap is configured to include a 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 the 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.

  The present invention is a transport device for transporting a cap-equipped container having a cap attached to a thin-walled container having a shape retaining property and having a mouth portion including a neck ring and a flexible main body, A delivery device arranged on the delivery side for delivering the thin container and a receiving device arranged on the reception side for receiving the thin container from the delivery device are provided. In this transfer device, at the transfer position between the transfer device and the transfer device, the transfer device holds a neck ring holding mechanism for holding a lower portion of the neck ring and an outer peripheral portion of the cap. Any one of the cap holding mechanisms for the above, and in the transfer position, the receiving device includes the other of the neck ring holding mechanism and the cap holding mechanism. The conveying apparatus of the present invention can reliably convey the thin container by passing the cap so as to retain the outer peripheral portion of the cap while holding the lower portion of the neck ring of the thin container.

  In one embodiment of the present invention, in a transport apparatus for a container with a cap, the delivery device disposed on the delivery side includes a gripper for gripping a lower portion of the neck ring portion, and the delivery device disposed on the reception side. However, it is comprised so that the gripper for gripping the outer peripheral part of the said cap may be provided. Alternatively, in one embodiment of the present invention, in the transport apparatus for a container with a cap, the delivery device arranged on the delivery side includes a gripper for gripping the outer peripheral portion of the cap, and the receiving device arranged on the reception side is The gripper for gripping the lower part of the neck ring part is provided.

  In the transport device of the present invention, the delivery device can be constituted by a rotary capping device. Moreover, in the conveying apparatus of this invention, it is preferable that the said neck ring holding | maintenance mechanism is a gripper for holding the part below the neck ring of a container. In the transport device of the present invention, it is preferable that the cap holding mechanism is a cap gripper for gripping an outer peripheral portion of the cap. Moreover, in the conveying apparatus of this invention, it is preferable that the said cap gripper has a buffer member in the part which contacts the said cap. In the transport device of the present invention, the cap holding mechanism can include a vacuum holding mechanism that holds the cap by vacuum.

  In the transport device of the present invention, the cap holding mechanism can operate together with the cap holding mechanism, and holds a lower portion of the neck ring other than a portion held by the neck ring holding mechanism. It is preferable to include a finger gripper. Furthermore, the transfer device of the present invention can operate together with the neck ring holding mechanism and the cap holding mechanism, and at least one of the shoulder portion, the side surface, and the bottom surface of the main body portion of the thin container. It can comprise so that the container support apparatus to support may be included.

  Furthermore, the present invention is for receiving from a rotary capping device a cap-equipped container in which a cap is attached to a thin-walled container having a shape-retaining and having a mouth portion including a neck ring and a flexible main body. Of the cap of the thin container transported to the delivery position in a state where the thin container is held by the neck ring holding mechanism for holding the lower portion of the neck ring provided in the capping device. A cap holding mechanism for holding the outer peripheral portion and receiving and receiving the thin container from the neck ring holding mechanism is provided. The conveying apparatus of the present invention can reliably convey the thin container by passing the cap so as to retain the outer peripheral portion of the cap while holding the lower portion of the neck ring of the thin container.

  In the receiving device of the present invention, it is preferable that the cap holding mechanism is a cap gripper for gripping an outer peripheral portion of the cap. Moreover, in the receiving apparatus of this invention, it is preferable that the said cap gripper has a buffer member in the part which contacts the said cap. In the receiving device of the present invention, the cap holding mechanism can operate together with the cap holding mechanism, and the neck other than a portion where the neck ring holding mechanism of the capping device holds the thin container. It preferably includes a finger gripper for holding the lower part of the ring. Further, in the receiving device of the present invention, the finger gripper may be disposed below the neck ring of the thin container from a direction different from the direction in which the neck ring holding mechanism of the capping device holds the lower part of the neck ring of the thin container. It may be configured to support the part. In the receiving apparatus of the present invention, it is preferable that the cap holding mechanism includes a vacuum holding mechanism that holds the cap by a vacuum.

  Furthermore, the present invention is a transport method for transporting a thin container with a cap in which a cap is attached to a thin container having a shape retaining property, a mouth portion including a neck ring, and a flexible main body. In the delivery position of the thin container with a cap, while holding either the lower part of the neck ring or the outer peripheral part of the cap, the lower part of the neck ring, the other of the outer peripheral part of the cap The thin-walled container with a cap is delivered from the delivery side to the receiving side and conveyed. With the transport method of the present invention, the thin container can be reliably transported by passing the cap so as to retain the outer peripheral portion of the cap while retaining the lower portion of the neck ring of the thin container. Further, by the transfer method of the present invention, the thin container can be reliably transferred by passing the cap while holding the outer peripheral part of the cap so as to hold the lower part of the neck ring of the thin container.

  In one embodiment of the present invention, in a method of transporting a container with a cap, a receiving device disposed on the receiving side by gripping a lower portion of the neck ring portion by a gripper provided in the passing device disposed on the passing side. The gripper provided on the cap grips the outer peripheral portion of the cap so that the container with the cap is delivered from the delivery device to the reception device. Alternatively, in one embodiment of the present invention, in the method of transporting a container with a cap, the outer peripheral portion of the cap is gripped by a gripper provided in the delivery device arranged on the delivery side, and the receiving device arranged on the reception side is used. A gripper provided is used to grip a lower portion of the neck ring portion so that a container with a cap is delivered from the delivery device to the reception device.

  The conveyance device of the present invention can reliably convey a 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 with a cap 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 104 is a thin-walled container integrally formed of synthetic resin. The container 104 includes a mouth part 112 having an opening 111 above and a main body 113 provided below the mouth part 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 104 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 portion 114 for attaching a cap 160 for sealing the container 104 is provided in an upper portion of the mouth portion 112. A neck ring 115 is provided below the screw portion 114 at the mouth portion 112. The threaded portion 114 and the neck ring 115 are disposed 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 neck ring 115 is formed in a ring shape that protrudes radially outward at the mouth portion 112. It is preferable that the neck ring 115 and the upper part of the main body 113 are arranged with an interval within a range of 5 mm to 15 mm, for example. Further, a neck ring can be arranged below the neck ring 115 with a vertical interval (two-stage neck ring, three-stage neck ring, etc.). Such a further neck ring is preferably arranged below and spaced from the neck ring 11. 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 neck ring 115 at a distance from the 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 104 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 104 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. The screw part 119d, the neck ring part 119e, and the tightening ring part 119g are arranged in the upper part of the cylindrical part 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 104 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 104.

  By storing a liquid such as mineral water in the main body 113 of the container 104 and screwing and fixing the cap 160 to the screw part 114 of the mouth part 112 of the container 104, a thin-walled container with a cap can be manufactured. When the cap 160 is attached to the mouth portion 112, the 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 neck ring 115 is provided at a position where it is exposed to the outside of the cap 160 without being arranged inside the cap 160. The cap 160 and the neck ring 115 may be disposed 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 104 to the liquid container manufacturing apparatus 200, and the filling for receiving the container 104 from the supply conveyor 211 and transporting it to the downstream side A supply wheel 212; a filler 213 for receiving the container 104 from the filling supply wheel 212 and filling the container 104 with liquid; and a filling / discharging wheel 214 for receiving the container 104 from the filler 213 and transporting it downstream. Is provided.

  Inside the capping chamber 220, in order from the upstream side, the container 102 is received from the filling and discharging wheel 214, and the cap 222 is attached to the container 102 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. The capper 222 is configured as a rotary capping device.

  The capper 222 is configured to have a neck ring holding mechanism for holding the neck ring 115 of the container 102 and a cap attaching part for attaching the cap 160 to the mouth 112 of the container 102. The capper 222 has a portion for storing a plurality of caps 160. In a state where the neck ring 115 of the container 102 is held by the neck ring holding mechanism, the cap head holds the cap 160 and descends while rotating, and the female screw 163 of the cap 160 is screwed to the screw portion 114 of the container 102. Configured to be fixed. The structure of a known capping device is disclosed in Patent Document 7 described above.

  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 104 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 supply wheel 212 is configured to be able to transport the container 104 along an arcuate locus in the direction of the arrow (clockwise direction) in FIG. The container 104 is configured to be transferred from the filling supply wheel 212 to the filler 213 at a transfer position between the filling supply wheel 212 and the filler 213. The filler 213 is configured to be able to transport the container 104 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 104. The liquid to be filled is, for example, a beverage such as mineral water. The container 104 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 104 along an arcuate trajectory in the arrow direction (clockwise direction) in FIG.

  The container 104 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 104 along an arcuate trajectory 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 104 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 104 attached with a cap along an arcuate locus in the arrow direction (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 104 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, it becomes possible to arrange | position a container stably to a holder because an upper holding mechanism like the said insertion apparatus 232 and a holder arrangement | positioning mechanism like the said conveyor comprise a holder insertion part. 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 104. 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 104 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 104 to the liquid container manufacturing apparatus 202, and the filling for receiving the container 104 from the supply conveyor 211 and transporting it to the downstream side A supply wheel 212; a filler 213 for receiving the container 104 from the filling supply wheel 212 and filling the container 104 with liquid; and a filling / discharging wheel 214 for receiving the container 104 from the filler 213 and transporting it downstream. A capper 216 is provided for receiving the container 104 from the fill and discharge wheel 214 and attaching the cap 160 to the container 104 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 200 described above.

  Next, the operation of the liquid container manufacturing apparatus 202 will be described. Referring to FIG. 5, the container 104 is transferred from the supply conveyor 211 to the filling supply wheel 212 at the transfer position between the supply conveyor 211 and the filling supply wheel 212. The container 104 is delivered from the filling supply wheel 212 to the filler 213 at the delivery position between the filling supply wheel 212 and the filler 213. The container 104 is transferred from the filler 213 to the filling / discharge wheel 214 at the transfer position between the filler 213 and the filling / discharge wheel 214. At the transfer position between the filling / discharge wheel 214 and the capper 216, the container 104 filled with the liquid is transferred from the filling / discharge wheel 214 to 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, the structure of the transport apparatus of the present invention will be described. Referring to FIGS. 4, 5, and 7, the neck ring holding mechanism is configured as a capper side transfer device 312 that is disposed on the container transfer side from the cappers 222 and 216 to the capper discharge wheels 224 and 226. The delivery device 312 is a neck ring holding-type delivery device. The delivery device 312 includes a neck ring gripper 313 for gripping the neck ring 115 of the thin container 104. The container receiving mechanism is configured as a capper side receiving device 316 disposed on the container receiving side from the cappers 222, 216 to the capper discharge wheels 224, 226. The receiving device 316 is a cap holding type receiving device. The receiving device 316 includes a cap gripper 317 for gripping a portion of the cap 160 of the capped container. Each gripper can use any structure that enables delivery in the above-described form.

  The gripper 317 for caps is modified to have a mechanism for gripping the side wall and the upper wall part, a mechanism for vacuuming and holding the cap by these parts, in addition to the part for gripping the side wall part on the outer periphery of the cap shown in the figure. it can. It is good also as a holding mechanism which has a buffer member in the part which contacts a cap so that a cap may not be damaged at the time of an action | operation. Further, as will be described later, it is possible to operate with such a gripper for a cap and to support a neck ring holding mechanism in a lower part of the neck ring, that is, a part other than the gripper 313 for gripping the neck ring. Then, a finger gripper having a claw for supporting the neck ring portion may be provided.

  When the intermediate transfer device (first intermediate transfer device), for example, the container receiving mechanism of the capper discharge wheels 224 and 226 receives the container, the intermediate transfer device holds the upper part of the container with the cap attached thereto by the container moving unit. Then, the container is moved in a suspended state. That is, the capper discharge wheel 224 in FIG. 4, the capper discharge wheel 226, the intermediate chamber wheel 227, and the holder insertion chamber wheel 228 in FIG. 5 all hold the upper portion of the container and move the container in a suspended state. Then, the container with the cap attached from the intermediate transfer device is transferred to the container receiving mechanism of the holder insertion device, and is placed on the holder in a suspended state holding the upper portion of the container.

  The transfer of the container with the cap attached between these devices can be performed in the same manner as performed between the neck ring holding mechanism and the container receiving mechanism of the first intermediate transfer device. In other words, between the devices, when the former is the same as the neck ring holding mechanism, the latter is held by the neck ring holding mechanism. If the former is a mechanism that holds the part other than the neck ring and holds the part other than the neck ring that is held by the neck ring holding mechanism, the latter is the neck. This is the same as the ring holding mechanism. The delivery mechanism and the receiving mechanism can be designed according to the relative relationship between them.

  Next, the structure of the cap holding mechanism of the intermediate transfer device and the container receiving mechanism of the holder transfer device will be described. Referring to FIGS. 4, 16, and 17, the cap holding mechanism of the intermediate transfer device is configured as a holder-side delivery device 322 arranged on the container delivery side from the capper discharge wheel 224 to the holder insertion device 232. The delivery device 322 is a cap-holding delivery device. The delivery device 322 includes a cap gripper 327 for gripping a portion of the cap 160 of a container with a cap. The cap gripper 327 can be configured as a gripper provided on the outer periphery of the capper discharge wheel 224 together with the gripper 317. The container receiving mechanism is configured as a holder side receiving device 326 arranged on the container receiving side from the capper discharge wheel 224 to the holder inserting device 232. The receiving device 326 is a neck ring holding type receiving device. The receiving device 326 includes a neck ring gripper 323 for gripping the neck ring 115 of the thin container 104. Each gripper may be of any structure having a cap or neck ring holding function.

  Furthermore, in the conveying apparatus of the present invention, the shoulder 113a of the main body 113 of the thin container 104 can be operated together with the cap gripper 327 and at the transfer position between the transfer apparatus 312 and the receiving apparatus 316. 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 surface support device 314 provided in the container delivery device 322 so as to support the side surface portion 113b of the main body 113 of the thin container 104 at the delivery position. Alternatively, such a supporting device is configured by a receiving side surface supporting device 318 provided in the container receiving device 326 so as to support the side surface 113b of the main body 113 of the thin container 104 at the delivery position of the container receiving device 326. be able to. Further, in the transport device of the present invention, various support devices as described above can be applied alone or in combination for the cap holding mechanism of the intermediate transport device and the container receiving mechanism of the holder transport device.

  As a modification, a cap gripper for gripping the cap 160 portion of a container with a cap is configured to hold the outer peripheral portion of the cap 160 by a chuck in which an internal plunger advances and retreats with a spring as will be described later. Can do. Alternatively, the cap gripper can be configured to simultaneously hold the outer peripheral portion of the cap 160 and a portion of the neck ring 115 where the neck ring gripper 323 is not disposed. Alternatively, the cap gripper can be configured to move up and down with respect to the cap 160 and suck and hold the tubular portion 161 and the flat plate portion 162 of the cap 160 by vacuum.

  Referring again to FIG. 5, in a variation of the present invention, the neck ring retention mechanism is configured as a capper side transfer device located on the container transfer side from the capper 216 to the capper discharge wheel 226. This capper-side delivery device is a neck ring holding-type receiving device as described above. The container receiving mechanism is configured as a capper side receiving device arranged on the container receiving side from the capper 216 to the capper discharge wheel 226. This capper side receiving device is a cap holding type receiving device as described above. The capper discharge wheel 226 holds the cap 160 of the capped container and rotates the capped container. The intermediate chamber delivery device disposed on the container delivery side from the capper discharge wheel 226 to the intermediate chamber wheel 227 is a cap-holding delivery device as described above. The intermediate chamber receiving device arranged on the container receiving side from the capper discharge wheel 226 to the intermediate chamber wheel 227 is a neck ring holding type receiving device as described above. The intermediate chamber wheel 227 holds the neck ring 115 of the capped container and rotates the capped container.

  The holder insertion chamber delivery device disposed on the container delivery side from the intermediate chamber wheel 227 to the holder insertion chamber wheel 236 is a neck ring holding delivery device as described above. The intermediate chamber receiving device disposed on the container receiving side from the intermediate chamber wheel 227 to the holder insertion chamber wheel 236 is a cap holding type receiving device as described above. The holder insertion chamber wheel 236 holds the cap 160 of the container 104 and rotates the capped container.

  The holder side delivery device arranged on the delivery side of the container from the holder insertion chamber wheel 236 to the holder insertion device 232 is a cap holding type delivery device as described above. The holder side receiving device disposed on the container receiving side from the holder insertion chamber wheel 236 to the holder inserting device 232 is a neck ring holding type receiving device as described above. The holder insertion device 232 holds the neck ring 115 of the capped container and rotates the capped container.

  Each delivery device, the receiving device, includes a neck ring gripper for gripping the lower portion of the neck ring 115 of the thin container 104 or a cap gripper for gripping the outer peripheral portion of the cap 160 of the cap-equipped container. Prepare. Each gripper can use any structure.

  The specific structure of the cap gripper will be described below. Referring to FIG. 19, a cap gripper 420 for gripping the outer peripheral portion of the cap 160 includes a first gripper portion 420a and a second gripper portion 420b. The first gripper portion 420a and the second gripper portion 420b are configured to be rotatable about the gripper shaft 420c as a rotation center axis. In a state where the neck ring gripper 410 holds the lower portion of the neck ring 115 of the thin container 104, the arc-shaped inner wall at the tip of the first gripper portion 420a and the arc-shape of the tip of the second gripper portion 420b It is comprised so that the outer peripheral part of the cap 160 can be hold | gripped with an inner wall.

  As a modification, referring to FIG. 20, a cap gripper 422 for gripping the outer peripheral portion of the cap 160 includes a first gripper portion 422a and a second gripper portion 422b. The first gripper portion 422a and the second gripper portion 422b are configured to be rotatable about a gripper shaft (not shown) as a rotation center axis. In a state where the neck ring gripper 410 holds the lower portion of the neck ring 115 of the thin container 104, the arc-shaped inner wall at the tip of the first gripper portion 420a and the arc-shape of the tip of the second gripper portion 420b The inner wall is configured so that the outer peripheral portion of the cap 160 and the outer peripheral portion of the neck ring 115 can be gripped simultaneously.

  As a modification, referring to FIG. 21, the cap gripper for gripping the outer peripheral portion of the cap 160 is configured to include a chuck 424. The chuck 424 constituting the cap holding mechanism can be constituted by a hydraulically operated chuck. The chuck 424 is configured to have buffer members 424 a, 424 b, and 424 c at portions that contact the cap 160. The buffer members 424a, 424b, 424c are configured to include, for example, a spring and a holding plate. In a state where the neck ring gripper 410 holds the lower portion of the neck ring 115 of the thin container 104, the buffer member 424a, 424b, 424c, or the buffer member 424a, 424b, 424c through the chuck 424, It is comprised so that the outer peripheral part of the cap 160 can be hold | maintained. The buffer member can also be made of an elastically deformable material such as rubber. The chuck 424 and the buffer members 424a, 424b, and 424c may be configured to be able to hold and release the cap 160 by advancing and retracting by an arbitrary driving unit.

  As a modification, referring to FIG. 22, the cap gripper for gripping the outer peripheral portion of the cap 160 is configured to include a chuck 426. Chuck 426 can be a hydraulically actuated chuck. The chuck 426 constituting the cap holding mechanism can operate together with the chuck 426 and holds the lower part of the neck ring 115 other than the part held by the neck ring gripper 410 constituting the neck ring holding mechanism. A finger gripper 430. The finger gripper 430 supports the lower part of the neck ring 115 of the thin container 104 from a direction different from the direction in which the neck ring gripper 410 of the capping device holds the lower part of the neck ring 115 of the thin container 104. It is comprised so that the 1st gripper part 430a and the 2nd gripper part 430b may be included. The first gripper portion 430a and the second gripper portion 430b are preferably arranged in a symmetric direction with respect to the central axis of the thin container 104. Further, the direction in which these hold the lower portion of the neck ring 115 is preferably supported from the horizontal direction in which the neck ring gripper 410 intersects with the direction in which this portion is held at a right angle. The finger gripper 430 having the above-described structure may be provided in combination with various cap grippers such as the sandwiching gripper 317 as described above.

  As a modification, referring to FIG. 23, the cap gripper for gripping the outer peripheral portion of the cap 160 is configured to include a chuck 440. The chuck 440 constituting the vacuum holding mechanism for holding the cap 160 by vacuum can be constituted by a vacuum chuck provided with a vacuum passage 442. The chuck 440 is configured such that a portion in contact with the cap 160 can be moved up and down with respect to the cap 160. In a state where the neck ring gripper 410 holds the lower portion of the neck ring 115 of the thin container 104, the chuck 440 is moved downward with respect to the cap 160, and the outer peripheral portion of the cap 160 is held by the vacuum. Configured to be able to.

The significance of the configuration of the apparatus of the present invention described in detail above is as follows.
Conventionally, when a cap is attached to a container by a capping device, the gripper provided in the capping device grips the neck ring of the container, and there is no area where the gripper can grip, and the downstream device is suspended in the container. Could not receive. Therefore, although the container with the self-supporting property can be subsequently conveyed by the conveyor, this method cannot be taken with the container without the self-supporting property, and it has not been possible to stably convey it thereafter.

  According to the present invention, a container receiving mechanism of an intermediate transfer device that can receive a container in a suspended state from a neck ring holding type capping device is realized, and the intermediate transfer device receives the container in a suspended state from the capping device and falls the container. It can be conveyed stably without any problems. Furthermore, by enabling the above-mentioned transportation, the container can be carried to the holder insertion device in a suspended state, and the container can be reliably inserted into the holder in the suspended state, and thereafter the container that is not self-supporting can be stably transported to the holder. It becomes possible to do.

  In particular, the transport apparatus of the present invention exhibits a commercial merit when provided in a sterile room. That is, due to the problem of bacterial contamination, it should be avoided as much as possible to bring anything that causes bacterial contamination into the interior of the sterile room. From this point, the holder that moves inside and outside the sterile room should be as much as possible. It should be brought into only a small area of the sterile room. In the present invention, in order to enable transport of a container that is not self-supporting after the capping device in a suspended state, this is continued to the downstream area of the sterilization chamber, the holder is brought into only a part of the downstream area, and the container is held in the holder. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the problem of bacterial contamination caused by bringing in the holder. If another zone is provided downstream of the highly sterilized zone where the filling machine, capping device, etc. of the sterilization chamber are installed, and the holder insertion device is placed in this zone, the sterility can be improved even in divided zones. Can be improved.

  In the transport device of the present invention, the capping device is provided in a pressurized autoclave zone, and the holder insertion device is provided in a low-pressure aseptic zone having a pressure lower than that of the autoclave zone. can do. Furthermore, the transport device of the present invention includes a high-pressure sterilization zone that is provided upstream of the pressure sterilization zone and is pressurized at a pressure higher than that of the pressure sterilization zone, and the filling device is disposed in the high-pressure sterilization zone. Can be configured.

  As a modified example, although not shown, when a plurality of neck rings are provided in the thin container 104, the delivery device includes a gripper for gripping one or more of the plurality of neck rings of the thin container 104. Can be configured.

  Furthermore, in the transfer device of the present invention, it is possible to operate together with the transfer gripper 313 and at the transfer position of the transfer device 312, the shoulder 113 a, the side surface 113 b, and the bottom surface of the main body 113 of the thin container 104. It is good to comprise so that the support apparatus which supports at least 1 place of 113c may be included. For example, such a support device may be configured by a delivery-side side support device 314 provided in the delivery device 312 so as to support the side surface 113b of the main body 113 of the thin container 104 at the delivery position of the delivery device 312. it can. Alternatively, such a support device may 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 104 at the transfer position of the transfer device 312. it can.

  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 104 at the delivery position. As a modification, although not shown, such a support device can be configured by a receiving-side bottom surface support device 319 provided in the transfer device 312 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 104 can be delivered by reliably supporting the main body 113 of the thin container 104 at the delivery position of the delivery device 312.

  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 part provided in the first holding arm 314a and the arc-like holding part provided in the second holding arm 314b are configured to hold the side surface part 113b of the main body 113 of the thin container 104. be able to. The first holding arm 314a and the second holding arm 314b are configured to be opened and closed by a cam when the thin container 104 is delivered. With this configuration, the thin container 104 can be stably held when the thin container 104 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 container 104 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 104 so that the thin container 104 does not 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 104. With this configuration, the bottle pitch of the thin container 104 can be narrowed, and the thin container 104 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 104 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 104 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 the portion where the thin container 104 moves outward by centrifugal force, and is configured not to provide a holding part in the direction of conveyance of the thin container 104. Is good. With this configuration, the bottle pitch of the thin container 104 can be narrowed, and the thin container 104 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 104 can be delivered while reliably supporting the main body 113 of the thin container 104 at the delivery position.

  As a modified example, referring to FIG. 13 and FIG. 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 neck ring 115 of the thin container 104. Prepare. 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 104 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 104 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 104 is delivered. The first holding curved portion 334a and the second holding curved portion 334b can be held so that the thin container 104 does not move outward due to centrifugal force. With this configuration, the bottle pitch of the thin container 104 can be narrowed, and the thin container 104 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 104 can be held by a cup-shaped or half-cup-shaped holding portion provided in the holding cup 344. The holding cup 344 supports the bottom surface portion 113c of the thin container 104 and can hold the thin container 104 so as not to move outward due to centrifugal force. With this configuration, the bottle pitch of the thin container 104 can be narrowed, and the thin container 104 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 322 to support a part of the bottom surface portion 113 c of the main body 113 of the thin container 104 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 326 so that other part of the bottom face part 113c of the main body 113 of the thin container 104 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 342a. 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 322 and the reception device 326. 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 104 can be delivered by reliably supporting the main body 113 of the thin container 104 at the delivery position of the delivery device 312.

  Referring again to FIG. 4, the various support devices configured as described above are provided at the delivery position between the supply conveyor 211 and the filling supply wheel 212, the delivery position between the filling supply wheel 212 and the filler 213, and the filler 213 and filling discharge. 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 of the wheel 214, the delivery position of the filling / discharge wheel 214 and the capper 222, or the like.

  Since the delivery device 312 and the delivery device 316 of the present invention are configured to deliver a thin container with a cap 160 attached thereto, the delivery position of the capper 222 and the capper discharge wheel 224, the capper discharge wheel 224, together with various support devices. In the delivery position between the holder insertion device 232 and the delivery position between the holder insertion device 232 and the discharge conveyor 233, etc., the present invention can be applied to a transport device for a thin container with a cap 160 attached thereto.

  Conventionally, in the container after the cap is attached, 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, when the gripper of the capping device grips the lower part of the neck ring 15 as described above, the cap 160 is gripped and received by the gripper of the device on the receiving side. It becomes possible to carry it continuously to a device or the like that is equipped with a holder for giving the heat. 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 to FIG. 5 again, the delivery device 312, the delivery device 316, and the various support devices configured as described above are provided at the delivery position between the capper 216 and the capper discharge wheel 226, and between the capper discharge wheel 226 and the intermediate chamber wheel 227. The present invention may be applied to a transfer device for a thin container with a cap 160 attached at a delivery position, a delivery position between the intermediate chamber wheel 227 and the holder insertion chamber wheel 236, a delivery position between the holder insertion chamber wheel 236 and the holder insertion device 232, or the like. it can.

  Referring to FIG. 7 again, in the method for transporting the thin container according to the present invention, the neck ring is held in a state where either the lower part of the neck ring 115 or the outer peripheral part of the cap 160 is held at the transfer position of the transfer device 312. The thin container 104 can be delivered from the delivery side to the receiving side by holding the lower part of 115 and the other outer peripheral part of the cap 160.

  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. In embodiment of this invention, it is a side view which shows an example of the specific structure of the gripper for caps. FIG. 19A shows a side view, and FIG. 19B shows a top view. In embodiment of this invention, it is a figure which shows an example of the specific structure of the gripper for caps. FIG. 20A shows a side view, and FIG. 20B shows a front view. In embodiment of this invention, it is a figure which shows another example of the specific structure of the gripper for caps. FIG. 21A shows a side view, and FIG. 21B shows a cross-sectional view. In embodiment of this invention, it is a figure which shows another example of the specific structure of the gripper for caps. FIG. 22A shows a side view, and FIG. 22B shows a longitudinal sectional view. In embodiment of this invention, it is a figure which shows another example of the specific structure of the gripper for caps. FIG. 23A shows a front view, and FIG. 22B shows a longitudinal sectional view.

Explanation of symbols

104 Container 111 Opening portion 112 Mouth portion 113 Main body 114 Screw portion 115 Upper neck ring 116 Lower neck ring 117 Winding ring 119 Preform 160 Cap 200 Filling system 210 Filling chamber 213 Filler 220 Capping chamber 222 Capper 230 Holder insertion chamber 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 (15)

A transport device for transporting a cap-equipped container having a cap attached to a thin-walled container having a shape retaining property and having a mouth portion including a neck ring and a flexible main body,
A delivery device disposed on a delivery side for delivering the thin-walled container;
A receiving device disposed on the receiving side for receiving the thin container from the delivery device,
In the delivery position between the delivery device and the delivery device, the delivery device has a neck ring holding mechanism for holding a lower portion of the neck ring, and a cap holding mechanism for holding an outer peripheral portion of the cap. One of the
In the delivery position, the receiving device includes the other of the neck ring holding mechanism and the cap holding mechanism.
A conveying apparatus characterized by that.   The transport apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the delivery device is a rotary capping device.   The transport device according to claim 1, wherein the neck ring holding mechanism is a gripper for gripping a portion of the container below the neck ring.   4. The transport device according to claim 1, wherein the cap holding mechanism is a cap gripper for gripping an outer peripheral portion of the cap. 5.   The said cap gripper has a buffer member in the part which contacts the said cap, The conveying apparatus of Claim 4 characterized by the above-mentioned.   The transport apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cap holding mechanism includes a vacuum holding mechanism that holds the cap by a vacuum.   The cap holding mechanism includes a finger gripper capable of operating together with the cap holding mechanism and holding a lower portion of the neck ring other than a portion held by the neck ring holding mechanism. The conveyance device according to claim 1, wherein the conveyance device is a feature.   And a container support device that is operable with the neck ring holding mechanism and the cap holding mechanism and supports at least one of a shoulder portion, a side surface, and a bottom surface of the main body portion of the thin-walled container. The conveying apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein A receiving device for receiving, from a rotary capping device, a capped container having a cap attached to a thin-walled container having a shape-retaining and including a mouth portion including a neck ring and a flexible main body. ,
In the state where the thin container is held by the neck ring holding mechanism for holding the lower part of the neck ring provided in the capping device, the outer peripheral part of the cap of the thin container transferred to the delivery position is held, A cap holding mechanism for receiving and receiving a thin container from the neck ring holding mechanism;
A receiving device characterized by that.   The transport apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the cap holding mechanism is a cap gripper for gripping an outer peripheral portion of the cap.   The said cap gripper has a buffer member in the part which contacts the said cap, The conveying apparatus of Claim 10 characterized by the above-mentioned.   The cap holding mechanism can operate together with the cap holding mechanism, and the neck ring holding mechanism of the capping device holds a lower part of the neck ring other than a part holding the thin container. The conveying device according to claim 9, further comprising a finger gripper.   The finger gripper is for supporting the lower part of the neck ring of the thin container from a direction different from the direction in which the neck ring holding mechanism of the capping device holds the lower part of the neck ring of the thin container. The conveyance device according to claim 12, wherein   The transport apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the cap holding mechanism includes a vacuum holding mechanism that holds the cap by a vacuum. A transport method for transporting a thin container with a cap in which a cap is attached to a thin container having a shape retaining property and having a mouth portion including a neck ring and a flexible main body,
At the delivery position of the thin container with a cap, while holding either the lower part of the neck ring or the outer peripheral part of the cap, the lower part of the neck ring and the other of the outer peripheral part of the cap are held. In this way, a thin container with a cap is delivered from the delivery side to the reception side and conveyed.
A conveying method characterized by the above.

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