JP2009023779A - Transport device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a transport device capable of precluding shortage of the tension acting on an endless chain in the condition that the chain is immerged in liquid. <P>SOLUTION: The transport device 100 is equipped with sprockets 10 and 12, the endless chain 20 set over them 10 and 12, a chamber 30 for immerging the chain 20 in the liquid 52, and a tension giving mechanism 40 to apply a tension to the chains 20. The tension applying mechanism 40 includes a float 42 arranged so as to rise with the buoyancy generated when the liquid 52 is poured into the chamber 30, and a tension roller 44. In compliance with the rise of the float 42, the tension roller 44 applies a tension to the endless chain 20. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a transport apparatus, and more particularly, to a transport apparatus including an endless chain that can be buried in a liquid.

  A transport device with an endless chain can be used to transport articles, for example beverage products during or after manufacture. For example, an endless chain of a transport device that transports a container immediately after a beverage is filled, a seamer that attaches a lid (for example, can lid, crown, cork stopper, etc.) to such a container, or a container discharged from a stopper. Can get dirty with beverages.

Therefore, the conveying apparatus can be cleaned after completion of production of the product or according to a cleaning schedule, for example. In order to efficiently clean the endless chain, there is a transport apparatus including a tank for burying the endless chain in a liquid. In such a transport apparatus, the endless chain can be cleaned with the liquid by injecting a heated liquid (typically water) into the tank. The liquid used for cleaning is heated to, for example, 80 ° C. or higher in order to sterilize the endless chain.
JP2003-146419

  As described above, when the endless chain is washed with a heated liquid, the endless chain may extend more than usual, and an appropriate tension may not be applied to the endless chain. Due to the lack of tension, the endless chain may come off the sprocket and the sprocket may idle. In this case, the endless chain may be poorly cleaned or sterilized, or the motor driving the sprocket may be over-rotated. Even when the endless chain does not extend greatly, in order to circulate the endless chain in the liquid, a stronger driving force is required, and a stronger tension may be required.

  The present invention has been made on the basis of the above-mentioned problem recognition. For example, an object of the present invention is to prevent shortage of tension applied to an endless chain in a state where the endless chain is buried in a liquid.

  The conveying device of the present invention is configured as a conveying device that conveys an article, and the conveying device includes at least two sprockets, an endless chain spanned between the at least two sprockets so as to convey the article, and a liquid. A tank for burying the endless chain, and a float and a tension roller arranged so as to rise by buoyancy by injecting liquid into the tank, and by the tension roller according to the rise of the float A tension applying mechanism for applying tension to the endless chain.

  According to the present invention, for example, insufficiency of tension applied to the endless chain in a state where the endless chain is buried in the liquid can be prevented.

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

  FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 are diagrams schematically showing a configuration of a transport apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The transport device 100 of the preferred embodiment of the present invention may be configured to transport articles, for example, beverage products during or after manufacture. To give a more specific example, the transport device 100 is a container immediately after a beverage such as an alcoholic beverage or a non-alcoholic beverage is filled, or a lid (eg, can lid, crown, cork stopper) on such a container. Etc.) can be used to transport containers discharged from seamers and stoppers.

  The transport device 100 includes at least two sprockets 10 and 12, an endless chain 20 that is spanned over the at least two sprockets 10 and 12 so as to transport an article (for example, a container) 1, and an endless chain 20 in a liquid 52. A tank 30 for burying and a tension applying mechanism 40 for applying tension to the endless chain 20 are provided. The transport apparatus 100 may include one or a plurality of tension rollers 14.

  The transport apparatus 100 may further include a supply unit 50 that supplies a heated liquid (for example, water) into the tank 30. This liquid may be a liquid heated to about 80 ° C., for example. The heated liquid contributes to the sterilization of the endless chain 20, and further, the inner surface of the tank 30 and the components (for example, the sprockets 10 and 12, the tension roller 14, and the tension applying mechanism 40) disposed in the tank 30.

  The tension applying mechanism 40 includes a float 42 and a tension roller 44 arranged so as to rise by buoyancy when the liquid 52 is injected into the tank 30. As the float 42 rises, tension is applied to the endless chain 20 by the tension roller 44.

  The tension applying mechanism 40 can include, for example, a link mechanism 46 that connects the float 42 and the tension roller 44. The movement of the float 42 is transmitted to the tension roller 44 via the link mechanism 46. As a result, tension can be applied to the endless chain 20 by the tension roller 44 as the float 42 rises. The link mechanism 46 includes, for example, a member that is arranged to be rotatable about a shaft 48 and that connects the shaft 48 and the float 42 and supports the tension roller 44 at a position between the shaft 48 and the float 42. Can be configured. The link mechanism 46 can be realized by various other structures.

  FIG. 1 schematically shows the state of the transport apparatus 100 when the article 1 is transported. In this state, the liquid 52 is not injected into the tank 30. FIG. 2 schematically shows the state of the transfer apparatus 100 during the cleaning process. When the article 1 is transported, since the liquid 52 is not injected into the tank 30, the float 42 of the tension applying mechanism 40 does not receive buoyancy and is seated on the bottom surface of the tank 30, for example. In this state, the tension roller 44 of the tension applying mechanism 40 does not apply tension to the endless chain 20 or applies weak tension.

  On the other hand, during the cleaning process, the heated liquid 52 is supplied into the tank 30 from the supply unit 50. The endless chain 20 is thermally expanded by the heated liquid 52. Therefore, when the tension applying mechanism 40 is not provided, the tension applied to the endless chain 20 is insufficient and the endless chain 20 can be detached from the sprockets 10 and 12 as schematically shown in FIG. In this case, for example, if the sprocket 10 is a drive sprocket, the sprocket 10 can idle. As a result, the endless chain may be poorly cleaned or sterilized, or the motor driving the sprocket 10 may be over-rotated.

  In this embodiment, the occurrence of the problems as described above is solved by the tension applying mechanism 40. When the liquid 52 is injected into the tank 30, the float 42 of the tension applying mechanism 40 is lifted by buoyancy. Along with this, the link mechanism 46 moves the tension roller 44 so that the tension applied to the endless chain 20 increases. Thereby, the fall of the tension added to the endless chain 20 thermally expanded by the heated liquid 52 can be compensated.

  Even if the endless chain does not extend significantly, it may require a stronger driving force and a stronger tension to circulate the endless chain in the liquid. According to the tension applying mechanism 40 in the form, it is possible to supplement the tension necessary for the endless chain 20 to circulate in the liquid 52.

It is a figure which shows typically the structure of the conveying apparatus of suitable embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows typically the structure of the conveying apparatus of suitable embodiment of this invention. It is a figure explaining lack of tension by thermal expansion of an endless chain.

Explanation of symbols

1 Goods (for example, containers)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10, 12 Sprocket 14 Tension roller 20 Endless chain 30 Tank 40 Tension application mechanism 42 Float 44 Tension roller 46 Link mechanism 48 Shaft 50 Supply part 52 Liquid 100 Conveyance apparatus

Claims (3)

A conveying device for conveying an article,
At least two sprockets;
An endless chain spanned over the at least two sprockets for conveying articles;
A tank for burying the endless chain in the liquid;
A tension applying mechanism that includes a float and a tension roller arranged to rise by buoyancy when liquid is injected into the tank, and applies tension to the endless chain by the tension roller in accordance with the rise of the float; ,
A conveying device comprising:   The tension applying mechanism includes a link mechanism that connects the float and the tension roller, and the movement of the float is transmitted to the tension roller via the link mechanism, whereby the tension is increased according to the rise of the float. The conveying device according to claim 1, wherein tension is applied to the endless chain by a tension roller.   The transport apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a supply unit configured to supply a heated liquid to the tank during the endless chain cleaning process.

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