JP2009142995A - Tray molding/supplying method and tray molding/supplying apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a tray molding/supplying method and a tray molding/supplying apparatus which can rapidly supply trays to a packaging line for confectionery etc. <P>SOLUTION: A paper-made sheet material S with one side coated with a thermoplastic resin is reserved in a hopper 40, taken out of the hopper 40, heated/pressed, and molded into a tray shape. Gas is sprayed on the surface coated with the thermoplastic resin of the molded tray 1, and the heated/softened thermoplastic resin is quenched/cured. The molded tray 1 is mounted on a carrying conveyer 20. A product is mounted on the tray 20 and supplied to the packaging line. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a tray forming and supplying method and a tray forming and supplying apparatus for placing solid confectionery such as chocolate.

  Solid confectionery such as chocolate may be packaged in a state of being placed on a paper tray and further packaged in a paper case or the like before shipment. In this case, in order to allow the confectionery such as chocolate to be easily taken out without sticking to the tray, it is common that the placing surface of the confectionery on the tray is coated with a resin. Further, the tray is not a simple flat plate shape, but the peripheral edge rises in a rib shape to form a dish shape, thereby preventing the confectionery from jumping out of the tray.

  The tray is, for example, a cardboard sheet material coated with a thermoplastic resin on one side, set in a mold heated to a predetermined temperature, and heated and pressed into a predetermined tray shape. The tray taken out from the container is allowed to cool to cure the thermoplastic resin. The tray formed as described above is set in a supply device arranged in a product packaging line and supplied to the line.

As a conventional supply device of this type, the following Patent Document 1 discloses a trace toker for storing a tray formed into a predetermined shape, and adsorbs the inner surface of the tray by sucking air and detaching the tray by discharging air. A suction pad to be obtained, a movable shaft having the suction pad at the tip, supported so as to be movable back and forth in the axial direction and rotatable around the center of rotation, and an electric motor for forward and backward movement for moving the movable shaft forward and backward And an automatic tray feeding device including a rotating electric motor that rotates the movable shaft forward and backward around the rotation center. And by the said tray automatic supply apparatus, the several tray accommodated in the trace stocker is taken out one by one, is supplied to a conveyor, and a to-be-packaged item is mounted on a tray, moving a tray on a conveyor. It is like that.
JP-A-6-9050

  In the conventional tray supply method, paper trays formed in a dish shape are prepared in advance, and a plurality of trays are stacked one by one, and a manual operation is performed on the supply apparatus described in Patent Document 1 above. The trays that were already completed were taken out one by one and fed onto a conveyor provided in the packing line.

  However, in such a method, it is necessary to purchase and store a tray that is molded and bulky from the manufacturer and store it, and take out the necessary number of sheets and set it in the supply device. There was a possibility of deforming the tray during handling.

  Therefore, the object of the present invention is to not take up space during transportation and storage of the tray until it is supplied to the product packaging line, so that the tray is not deformed during handling, and the tray can be synchronized with the product packaging. It is an object of the present invention to provide a tray forming and supplying method and a tray forming and supplying apparatus which can be supplied.

  In order to achieve the above object, the tray forming and feeding method of the present invention stores a paper sheet material coated with a thermoplastic resin on one side in a hopper, and takes out the sheet material from the hopper and heat-presses it. Molding into a tray shape, spraying gas onto the thermoplastic resin coating surface of the molded tray to quench and cure the heat-softened thermoplastic resin, placing the thus-formed tray on a conveyor, and placing it on the tray It is characterized in that it is supplied to a line where products are placed and packed.

  According to the above invention, after forming a paper sheet material coated with a thermoplastic resin on one side into a tray shape by heating and pressurizing, a molded shape of the tray is formed by blowing gas on the coated surface of the thermoplastic resin. Can be quickly stabilized, placed on the conveyor and supplied to the product packaging line, so there is no need to pre-mold the tray and transport it in the tray or store it. And the space required for storage can be reduced. Further, since the sheet material before forming the tray may be set in the supply device as it is, the handling of the tray material becomes easy and the tray is not deformed during the handling. Furthermore, when the sheet material is molded by heating and pressing, a phenomenon that the molded state is restored by the elasticity of the sheet material before the thermoplastic resin on the surface is cured can be seen. By quickly curing the plastic resin, the shape of the tray can be quickly stabilized, thereby allowing the tray to be fed onto the packaging line at a rate that can be synchronized with the product packaging.

  In the tray forming and supplying method of the present invention, when the sheet material is heated and pressed, the sheet material is reciprocated around a rotation shaft, and a holding portion for holding the sheet material or the tray is provided at both ends thereof. When the moving body and the rotating body rotate to a predetermined position and one of the holding parts moves to a position where the sheet material is delivered, the mold is pressed against the other of the holding parts, While using a molding apparatus having a press device that heats and presses the sheet material between the holding part and the mold, while one of the holding parts of the rotating body is performing the delivery work of the tray and the sheet material, It is preferable to form the sheet material held on the other of the holding portions of the rotating body. According to this, the sheet material held on the other of the holding portions of the rotating body can be formed while one of the holding portions of the rotating body is performing the delivery operation of the tray and the sheet material. It is possible to take a sufficient amount of time for forming.

  In the tray forming and supplying method of the present invention, when the gas is sprayed on the tray, the tray is reciprocally rotated about the rotation axis, and a rotating body provided with holding portions for holding the tray at both ends thereof is provided. The holding unit is held by the other holding unit while one of the holding units is at the tray transfer position and the tray is being transferred. It is preferable that the tray is continuously cooled by the gas ejected from the ejection holes. According to this, since the tray is held by one of the holding portions at the delivery position, and then continues to be cooled by the gas ejected from the ejection holes while reciprocating and returning to the delivery position, the effect is achieved. The molded resin can be stabilized by quenching and curing the thermoplastic resin that has been cooled and softened by heating.

  In the tray forming and feeding method of the present invention, the sheet material is simultaneously taken out from each of the plurality of hoppers, and the plurality of taken-out sheet materials are simultaneously heated and pressed to be molded, cooled, and then placed side by side on the conveyor. It is preferable to supply. According to this, a plurality of sheet materials can be simultaneously heated and pressed, formed, cooled, and supplied onto the conveyor, thereby increasing the amount of trays supplied per unit time, and the product packaging line It becomes easy to follow the processing speed.

  On the other hand, the tray forming and feeding apparatus of the present invention forms a tray shape by heating and pressurizing the sheet material taken out from the hopper that stores a paper sheet material coated with a thermoplastic resin on one side. A molding device, a cooling device that rapidly cools and cures the heat-softened thermoplastic resin by blowing a gas onto the thermoplastic resin coating surface of the molded tray, and the tray thus molded are placed, and the product is placed on the tray. A transfer conveyor for supplying to a line for loading and packing; a first transfer means for transferring the sheet material from the hopper to the forming apparatus; and a second transfer means for transferring a tray formed by the forming apparatus to the cooling apparatus. And a third delivery means for placing the tray cooled by the cooling device on the conveyor.

  According to the above invention, the sheet material stored in the hopper is transferred to the forming device by the first transfer means, heated and pressed there to be formed into a tray shape, and then the formed tray is transferred to the second transfer means. Then, after the gas is blown onto the coating surface of the thermoplastic resin, the gas is blown onto the conveying conveyor by the third delivery means.

  In this way, a paper sheet material coated with a thermoplastic resin on one side is heated and pressed to form a tray shape, and then the tray is quickly formed by blowing gas onto the thermoplastic resin coating surface. Can be placed on the conveyor and supplied to the product packaging line, so there is no need to mold the tray in advance and transport or store it in the tray. The space required for the operation can be reduced. Further, since the sheet material before forming the tray may be set in the supply device as it is, the handling of the tray material becomes easy and the tray is not deformed during the handling. In addition, by blowing the gas to quickly cure the thermoplastic resin, it is possible to quickly stabilize the molded shape of the tray, thereby feeding the tray onto the packaging line at a rate that can be synchronized with the product packaging. It becomes possible.

  In the tray forming and supplying apparatus of the present invention, the forming apparatus reciprocally rotates around a rotation shaft, and a rotating body provided with holding portions for holding the sheet material or the tray at both ends thereof, and the rotating body. Is rotated to a predetermined position, and when one of the holding parts moves to a position where the sheet material is delivered, a molding die is pressed toward the other of the holding parts, and the sheet material is moved to the holding part. And a press device for heating and pressing between the mold and the mold. According to this, the sheet material held on the other of the holding portions of the rotating body can be formed while one of the holding portions of the rotating body is performing the delivery operation of the tray and the sheet material. It is possible to take a sufficient amount of time for forming.

  In the tray forming and supplying apparatus according to the present invention, the cooling device is reciprocally rotated around the rotation axis when the gas is sprayed on the tray, and holding portions for holding the tray are provided at both ends thereof. It is preferable that a rotating body is provided and a gas ejection hole is provided in the holding portion. According to this, since the tray is held by one of the holding portions at the delivery position, and then continues to be cooled by the gas ejected from the ejection holes while reciprocating and returning to the delivery position, the effect is achieved. The molded resin can be stabilized by quenching and curing the thermoplastic resin that has been cooled and softened by heating.

  In the tray forming and supplying apparatus of the present invention, a plurality of the hoppers are installed in parallel, the molding apparatus is installed in parallel with the rotating shaft in common, and the cooling device also has the rotating shaft in common. A plurality of sheet materials are installed in parallel, and a sheet material is simultaneously taken out from each of a plurality of hoppers, and the plurality of sheet materials are respectively formed and cooled by the corresponding forming device and the cooling device. It is preferable. According to this, a plurality of sheet materials can be simultaneously heated and pressed, formed, cooled, and supplied onto the conveyor, thereby increasing the amount of trays supplied per unit time, and the product packaging line It becomes easy to follow the processing speed.

  According to the present invention, a paper sheet material coated with a thermoplastic resin on one side is heated and pressed to form a tray shape, and then a gas is blown onto the coated surface of the thermoplastic resin to form a tray shape. Can be quickly placed on the conveyor and supplied to the product packaging line, so there is no need to pre-mold the tray and transport or store it in the tray. The tray is not deformed inside, the handling of the tray material is facilitated, and the cost of the tray can be reduced.

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

  The tray supplied according to the present invention is formed by heating and pressing a paper sheet material coated on one side with a thermoplastic resin into a predetermined shape. As shown in FIG. 16, in the case of this embodiment, the tray 1 has a dish shape comprising a rectangular substrate 2 and a peripheral wall 3 erected in a rib shape at a predetermined height from the periphery of the substrate 2. The one surface, that is, the inner surface of the substrate 2 and the peripheral wall 3 is coated with a thermoplastic resin such as polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), etc. Is formed. For example, a product 5 such as a rectangular solid chocolate confectionery is placed on the resin coating surface 4 of the tray 1 and is shipped after being packed and / or boxed by a packing device (not shown). .

  The tray forming and supplying method and the tray forming and supplying apparatus according to the present invention are used for forming the tray 1 and supplying it in a line shape in which the packing device is arranged. First, a tray forming and supplying apparatus 10 (hereinafter referred to as “forming and supplying apparatus 10”) according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 1, this forming and supplying apparatus 10 is used to supply a product 5 on a tray 1 and supply the tray 1 in that state to a packing line for packing with an aluminum laminated film bag or a paper case. The conveyor 20 is provided. A belt 21 that moves in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 1 is stretched on the conveyor 20, and a plurality of tray mounting portions 23 for receiving and holding the tray 1 are attached to the outer surface of the belt 21. Yes. Each tray mounting portion 23 has a pair of holding plates 25, 25, and holding claws 25a, 25a standing from both ends of each holding plate 25, as shown by an imaginary line in FIG. The tray 1 can be securely held.

  Further, the molding supply apparatus 10 is provided with a manufacturing process path until the tray 1 is molded into a predetermined shape, separately from the transport path of the transport conveyor 20. That is, the hopper 30, the molding device 40, and the cooling device 60 are arranged in parallel with the transport conveyor 20 from the upstream side to the downstream side of the manufacturing process path.

  First, the hopper 30 which stores the paper sheet material S (refer FIG. 1) by which the thermoplastic resin was coated on one side is demonstrated. The hopper 30 has a shape in which one end is inclined obliquely downward, a mounting portion (not shown) provided with a conveyor for transferring the sheet material S, and a pair of partition plates 32 and 32 erected from both sides of the mounting portion. In this embodiment, a plurality of units are installed in parallel along the transport direction of the transport conveyor 20. As shown by the imaginary lines in FIG. 1, a plurality of paper sheet materials S are stored in each hopper 30 in a stacked state so as to be vertically long. Each sheet material S has the resin coating surface 4 facing the upstream side (right side in FIG. 1) of the manufacturing process path, and the paper surface on the opposite side is the downstream side (left side in FIG. 1) of the manufacturing process path. ), And an air suction cup 87 of the first delivery means 80 described later is adsorbed to the paper surface of the sheet material S (the surface opposite to the resin coating surface 4).

  Next, molding is performed on the lower side of the hopper 30 and on the downstream side of the manufacturing process path of the tray 1, and the sheet material S taken out from the hopper 30 is heated and pressed to form a tray shape. The apparatus 40 will be described with reference to FIG. 1 and FIGS. As shown in FIG. 1, like the hopper 30, a plurality of the forming apparatuses 40 are installed in parallel along the transport direction of the transport conveyor 20. Specifically, each molding apparatus 40 has a rotating body 41 having a vertically long frame shape, and a rotating shaft 43 is inserted through the center of the rotating body 41. Each rotating body 41 is connected to each other.

  Further, substantially rectangular holding portions 45 and 45 for holding the sheet material S and the tray 1 formed in a predetermined shape are attached to both ends in the longitudinal direction of the vertically long rotating body 41, respectively. 1 and 4 to 6 together, each holding portion 45 includes a rectangular base 45a and a frame-like wall 45b erected at a predetermined height from the periphery of the base 45a. The outer peripheral surfaces of the base 45a and the frame-like wall 45b form a tapered surface 45c that gradually decreases in diameter toward the tip. Further, as shown in FIG. 6, a notch 45d having a predetermined width is formed at the center in the length direction of the base 45a, and a plurality (two in this embodiment) of air suction cups 46 protrude from the notch 45d. It is installed. An air circulation pipe 47 accommodated and held in a frame-like rotating body 41 is connected to the base end of each air suction cup 46, and these air circulation pipes 47 are arranged outside the rotating body 41. The air suction cup 46 is connected to the air pipe 48, and the air suction cup 46 can adsorb and desorb the sheet material S or the tray 1 by the air suction operation by the air pipe 48.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a driven pulley 44 is fixed to one end of the rotating shaft 43 of the rotating body 41 (the back side in FIG. 1). In relation to this, the operation mechanism of the rotating body 41 will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, each of the forming device 40 and the cooling device 60 is located below the forming device 40 and a cooling device 60 described later. A drive motor M is disposed on the side where the driven pulleys 44 and 64 (described later) are disposed. As shown in the figure, a drive pulley P is fixed to the rotation shaft of the drive motor M, and a belt V is stretched between the drive pulley P and the driven pulleys 44 and 64. Further, the drive pulley P is controlled to reciprocate around a rotation axis as indicated by an arrow in FIG. Therefore, when the drive pulley P is reciprocally rotated, as shown by the arrow in FIG. 2 and the imaginary line in FIG. 9, both the rotating body 41 of the molding device 40 and the rotating body 61 of the cooling device 60 are interlocked to rotate each rotation. It reciprocates around the shafts 43 and 63.

  In the rotating body 41 in this embodiment, in the initial state, both holding portions 45, 45 provided at both ends in the length direction are arranged vertically. As a result, when the drive motor M operates, the rotating body 41 rotates 180 degrees in a predetermined rotation direction, and the upper and lower portions of the holding portions 45 and 45 are switched, and then the rotating body 41 rotates in the opposite rotation direction. It rotates 180 degrees and reciprocates so that the holding parts 45, 45 return to the initial position (see FIGS. 10 to 15).

  In relation to the reciprocating rotation operation of the rotating body 41, the air suction operation of the air pipe 48 described above is controlled as follows. That is, as shown in FIG. 10, a suction operation is performed when the sheet material S is delivered to the holding portion 45 of the molding apparatus 40 by the first delivery means 80 described later, and the sheet material S is adsorbed to the air suction cup 46. To do. In the suction operation of the air pipe 48, the rotating body 41 rotates as shown in FIG. 11, and the sheet material S held by the holding portion 45 is formed into a predetermined tray shape by a press device 50 (described later). Sometimes it is done continuously. Then, as shown in FIG. 12, when the rotating body 41 rotates in the direction opposite to the above and the formed tray 1 is positioned above, the suction operation of the air pipe 48 is stopped, and the air suction cup 46 Tray 1 is coming away from.

  The molding apparatus 40 further includes a press apparatus 50 for molding the sheet material S held by the holding unit 45 into a predetermined tray shape. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the press device 50 is respectively disposed below a rotating body 41 installed in parallel, and moves the mold 51 and the mold 51 up and down. And a lifting device 55. On the upper surface of the mold 51, a substantially rectangular pressing recess 52 having a shape suitable for the holding portion 45 and having a size to be inserted therein is formed with a predetermined depth. Is provided with a heater (not shown) so that the surface of the pressing recess 52 can be heated to 130 to 160 ° C., for example. The lifting device 55 includes a molding die 51 supported by a guide rod 56a so as to be movable up and down, and an air cylinder 56 having an operation rod 56b that vertically expands and contracts. Are connected, and the mold 51 can be moved up and down by an air cylinder 56.

  When the molding die 51 moves toward the holding portion 45 of the rotating body 41 holding the sheet material S, the sheet material S is pressed against the pressing recess 52 and deformed into a predetermined shape. The tray 1 having a predetermined shape is molded by being heated and pressurized between the holding portion 45 and the mold 51 (see FIG. 4).

  As shown in FIG. 11, the rotating body 41 and the pressing device 50 of the forming apparatus 40 are positions where the rotating body 41 rotates to a predetermined position and one holding portion 45 delivers the sheet material S. When moving to, the forming die 51 is pressed toward the other holding portion 45, and the sheet material S is heated and pressed between the holding portion 45 and the forming die 51.

  Next, a cooling device 60 that is disposed on the downstream side of the molding device 40 and blows gas onto the resin coating surface 4 of the molded tray 1 to quench and cure the heat-softened thermoplastic resin will be described with reference to FIG. 8 will be described with reference to FIG. In addition, as a gas sprayed on the resin coating surface 4 of the tray 1, air and other cooling gas are employ | adopted, for example. As shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of cooling devices 60 are installed in parallel along the transport direction of the transport conveyor 20, similar to the hopper 30 and the molding device 40. Each cooling device 60 has a rotating body 61 having a vertically long frame shape, like the molding device 40, and a rotating shaft 63 is inserted into the center of the rotating body 61. The moving bodies 61 are connected to each other.

  Moreover, the substantially rectangular holding parts 65 and 65 for holding the molded tray 1 are attached to both ends in the longitudinal direction of the vertically long rotating body 61 (see FIG. 1). As shown in FIG. 7, each holding portion 65 is provided with through holes 65a and 65a, and air suction cups 66 and 66 project from the through holes 65a, respectively. An air flow pipe 67 accommodated and held in a frame-like rotating body 61 is connected to the base end of each air suction cup 66, and this is connected to a first pipe 68 disposed near the outside of the rotating body 61. The air suction cup 66 can suck the tray 1 by the air suction operation of the first pipe 68.

  Further, a plurality of ejection holes 65b for ejecting a gas for cooling the tray are formed on the periphery of the surface of the holding portion 65. A separate air supply line from the air suction cup 66 is connected to each of the ejection holes 65b. Specifically, an annular flow passage 69 is provided in the holding portion 65 so as to surround the periphery of the holding portion 65, and a second pipe 70 disposed outside the rotating body 61 is connected to the annular flow passage 69. (See FIGS. 7 and 8). Thereby, gas is ejected from the ejection hole 65b in a wide range along the periphery of the holding portion 65, and the resin coating surface 4 of the tray 1 can be efficiently cooled and cured.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, a driven pulley 64 is fixed to one end of the rotating shaft 63 of the cooling device 60, and as described in the operation mechanism of the rotating body 41 of the molding device 40, the driving pulley P is provided. When reciprocating, both the rotating body 41 of the molding device 40 and the rotating body 61 of the cooling device 60 are interlocked so as to reciprocate around the rotation shafts 43 and 63.

  In relation to the reciprocating rotation operation of the rotating body 61, the air suction operation of the first pipe 68 described above is controlled as follows. That is, as shown in FIG. 12, a suction operation is performed when the tray 1 is transferred to the holding unit 65 of the cooling device 60 by the second transfer means 90 described later, and the tray 1 is sucked and held by the air suction cup 66. The As shown in FIG. 13, the suction operation of the first pipe 68 is continued even when the rotating body 61 rotates and both the holding portions 65 and 65 are turned upside down. As shown in FIG. 14, when the rotating body 61 rotates in the direction opposite to the above, the suction operation of the first pipe 68 stops, and the tray 1 can be detached from the air suction cup 66.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 12, the ejection of gas from the ejection hole 65b is as shown in FIG. 13 from the state in which the tray 1 is delivered from the second delivery means 90 to one holding portion 65 of the rotating body 61. In addition, the rotating body 61 rotates so that one holding portion 65 is positioned on the opposite side, and another tray 1 is transferred to the other holding portion 65. Further, as shown in FIG. Is rotated in the opposite direction to the above, and the tray 1 held by one holding part 65 is controlled to be continuously ejected until it moves to the delivery position to the third delivery means 100. ing. That is, while one of the holding portions 65 of the cooling device 60 is at the delivery position of the tray 1 and the tray 1 is being transferred, the tray 1 held on the other side of the holding portion 65 is ejected from the ejection hole 65b. It is controlled to continue to receive cooling by

  Next, the first delivery means 80 for delivering the sheet material S from the hopper 30 to the molding device 40, the second delivery means 90 for delivering the tray 1 molded by the molding device 40 to the cooling device 60, and the cooling device 60. The 3rd delivery means 100 which mounts the cooled tray 1 on the conveyance conveyor 20 is demonstrated with reference also to FIG.1 and FIG.9-15.

  First, the first delivery means 80 includes a pair of first rotation arms 82 and 82 supported by a frame (not shown) via a support shaft 81, and the first rotation arm 82 via a support shaft 83. A pair of second turning arms 84 and 84 supported rotatably, a support bar 85 fixed to the tip of the second turning arms 84 and 84, and the length direction of the support bar 85. A plurality of adsorbing portions 86 are arranged. The suction portion 86 is provided with a plurality of air suction cups 87 and can adsorb and desorb the sheet material S. In the first delivery means 80, when the first turning arm 82 is turned by driving means (not shown), the second turning arm 84 is turned as shown by the imaginary line in FIG. As a result, the suction part 86 at the front end moves in the lateral direction, and is sucked and held on the paper surface of the sheet material S stored in the hopper 30, and the rotating body 41 of the molding apparatus 40 is held. When the holding portions 45, 45 are in the vertical position, the suction portion 86 moves downward so that the sheet material S is placed on the holding portion 45 of the rotating body 41 of the molding apparatus 40, and the resin coating surface 4 is moved. It is designed to be handed down.

  On the other hand, the second delivery means 90 is a pair of rotating arms 92 and 92 that are rotatably supported on a frame (not shown) via a support shaft 91, and can be rotated at the tips of the rotating arms 92 and 92. The support rod 93 is supported, and a plurality of suction portions 94 disposed along the length direction of the support rod 93. The suction portion 94 is provided with a plurality of air suction cups 95, The tray 1 molded by the molding apparatus 40 can be adsorbed and desorbed. The second delivery means 90 is a predetermined part along the downstream direction of the manufacturing process path of the tray 1 in a state where the suction portion 94 at the tip of the turning arm 92 is maintained downward by a driving means (not shown). Rotate at an angle. That is, when the holding portions 45, 45 of the rotating body 41 of the forming apparatus 40 are in the vertical position, the rotating arm 92 is rotated, and the tray 1 formed by the forming apparatus 40 and supported on the holding portion 45 is rotated. While adsorbing and holding the paper surface, and when the holding portions 65 and 65 of the rotating body 61 of the cooling device 60 are in the vertical position, the rotating arm 92 rotates in the opposite direction, and the resin coating of the tray 1 is performed. The surface 4 is faced downward and is transferred onto the holding portion 65 of the cooling device 60 on the downstream side.

  Next, the 3rd delivery means 100 is demonstrated. The third delivery means 100 has a pair of delivery parts 110a and 110b arranged to face each other. Each delivery part 110a, 110b is turnable to a pair of turning arms 112a, 112b rotatably supported on a frame (not shown) via support shafts 111a, 111b, and to the tips of the turning arms 112a, 112b. The support rods 113a and 113b supported by the support rods 113 and a plurality of suction portions 114 disposed along the length direction of the support rods 113a and 113b. The suction portions 114 include a plurality of air suction cups 115. The tray 1 can be adsorbed and desorbed. Each of the delivery portions 110a and 110b is supported at a position where the support shafts 111a and 111b are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance so that the rotating arms 112a and 112b are substantially perpendicular to each other by a driving means (not shown). While being close to each other, the rotation arms 112a and 112b are rotated so that the rotation arms 112a and 112b are largely opened and separated from each other (see FIG. 9). In addition, the orientation of the suction portions 114 of the delivery portions 110a and 110b is controlled by a link (not shown). That is, when the rotating arms 112a and 112b of the delivery parts 110a and 110b are close to each other, the suction surfaces of the air suction cups 115 are rotated so as to face each other, while the rotating arms 112a and 112b are in contact with each other. When they are separated from each other, each air suction cup 115 is rotated so as to face downward.

  Then, when the holding portions 65, 65 of the rotating body 61 of the cooling device 60 are in the vertical position, the rotating arm 112a of the upstream delivery portion 110a rotates downward and is cooled by the cooling device 60 and is held by the holding device. When the paper surface of the tray 1 supported on 65 is adsorbed and held, and when the rotating arm 112a is rotated upward and becomes almost vertical, the resin coating surface 4 of the tray 1 becomes downstream. It is directed to the air suction cup 115 of the rotating arm 112b of the side transfer section 110b. In this state, the delivery section 110b on the downstream side of the manufacturing process path sucks and holds the resin coating surface 4 of the tray 1 with the air suction cup 115, and the rotating arm 112b rotates downward as shown in FIG. Then, when moved onto the transport conveyor 20, the tray 1 is placed on the tray placement portion 23 of the transport conveyor 20 with the resin coating surface 4 facing upward.

  Next, a tray forming and supplying method according to the present invention using the forming and supplying apparatus 10 having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIGS.

  First, a plurality of sheet materials S are accommodated in a plurality of hoppers 30 with the resin coating surface 4 facing the upstream side of the manufacturing process path and the paper background surface facing the downstream side. In this state, the first delivery means 80 rotates, the air suction cup 87 adsorbs and holds the paper surface of the sheet material S, and the first delivery means 80 rotates as shown by the imaginary line in FIG. Then, as shown in FIG. 10, the resin coating surface 4 is transferred downward onto the holding portion 45 above the rotating body 41 of the molding apparatus 40.

  In the above state, the rotating body 41 of the forming apparatus 40 rotates and the one holding portion 45 holding the sheet material S moves downward. Then, another sheet material S is delivered again to the other holding portion 45 by the first delivery means 80, and at the same time, the forming die 51 of the press device 50 is raised by the lifting device 55 as shown in FIG. Then, the forming die 51 is pressed toward the one holding portion 45, and the sheet material S is heated and pressed between the holding portion 45 and the forming die 51 to form the tray 1 having a predetermined shape (FIG. (See also 4).

  After the above process, as shown in FIG. 12, after the forming die 51 is lowered by the lifting device 55, the rotating body 41 rotates in the opposite direction to the above and moves upward held by one holding portion 45. Thus, the tray 1 is disposed at the delivery position. At the same time, the second delivery means 90 rotates to the molding apparatus 40 side, the air suction face 95 sucks and holds the paper surface of the tray 1, and the second delivery means 90 rotates in the opposite direction. Then, the tray 1 is delivered onto the holding portion 65 of the rotating body 61 of the cooling device 60 with the resin coating surface 4 facing downward.

  The delivered tray 1 is sprayed with gas from the ejection holes 65b on the resin coating surface 4, and in this state, the rotating body 61 is rotated and held by one holding portion 65 as shown in FIG. The tray 1 moves downward. At the same time, the tray 1 cooled from the other holding portion 65 is transferred by the third transfer means 100 described later, and another tray 1 is transferred to the other holding portion 65 by the second transfer means 90. .

  Then, as shown in FIG. 14, the rotating body 61 rotates in the opposite direction, and the tray 1 held in a state where the gas is continuously blown to the one holding portion 65 moves upward, and the gas is blown. The tray 1 in which the resin coating surface 4 is cooled is disposed at the delivery position.

  After the above process, as shown in FIG. 14, the delivery unit 110 a on the upstream side of the third delivery means 100 rotates to the cooling device 60 side, and the tray 1 that has been cooled and hardened through the air suction cup 115 is provided. The transfer portion 110a rotates in the opposite direction with the paper surface being sucked and held, with the resin coating surface 4 facing the transport conveyor 20 side. Along with the above operation, the delivery section 110b on the downstream side of the manufacturing process path rotates toward the cooling device 60, and the air suction cup 115 is adsorbed to the resin coating surface 4, and the tray 1 is moved from the air suction cup 115 on the upstream side. After being separated, the tray 1 is delivered from the delivery unit 110a on the upstream side to the delivery unit 110b on the downstream side. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 15, the downstream delivery section 110 b rotates toward the transport conveyor 20, and the tray 1 is placed on the tray placement section 23 of the transport conveyor 20 with the resin coating surface 4 facing upward. Placed.

  As described above, the sheet material S is formed into the tray 1 having a predetermined shape by repeating the operations of the forming device 40, the cooling device 60, and the delivery means 80, 90, and 100, and then the conveyor 20 The product 5 is placed on the tray 1 and continuously supplied to a packaging line for placing and packing the product 5 on the tray 1.

  As described above, according to the tray forming and supplying method of the present invention, the paper sheet material S coated with the thermoplastic resin on one side is heated and pressed to be formed into a tray shape, and then the resin coated surface 4 is formed. By spraying the gas, the molded shape of the tray 1 can be quickly stabilized and placed on the transport conveyor 20 to be supplied to the product packaging line. Since there is no need to transport and store, the loading efficiency at the time of transportation is improved, and the handling of the tray material is facilitated, and the cost of the tray can be reduced. Furthermore, when the tray was molded in advance, there were many phenomena that the molded state returned to its original state. However, by quickly blowing the gas and stabilizing the molded shape of the tray, the shape after molding becomes difficult to return. be able to.

  In this embodiment, in the forming apparatus 40, one of the holding portions 45 of the rotating body 41 is held by the other of the holding portions 45 of the rotating body 41 while the tray 1 and the sheet material S are being transferred. Since the sheet material S can be molded, a sufficient time can be taken to form the tray 1.

  Further, in this embodiment, in the cooling device 60, the tray 1 is held by one of the holding portions 65 at the delivery position, and then ejects from the ejection hole 65b while reciprocating and returning to the delivery position. Since the cooling by the gas is continued, the tray 1 is effectively cooled, and the heat-softened resin coating surface 4 can be rapidly cooled and cured to stabilize the molding shape.

  In this embodiment, the hopper 30, the forming device 40, and the cooling device 60 are arranged so as to be aligned with each other, and the sheet material S is simultaneously taken out from each of the plurality of hoppers 30. The plurality of sheet materials S are simultaneously heated and pressed to be molded, cooled, and then placed side by side on the conveyor 20 to be supplied, so that the tray supply amount 1 per unit time is increased. It becomes easy to follow the processing speed of the product packaging line.

It is a perspective view which shows one Embodiment of the shaping | molding supply apparatus of the tray of this invention. It is a side view of the shaping | molding apparatus and cooling device of the same shaping | molding supply apparatus. It is a top view of each rotation body of a shaping | molding apparatus and a cooling device of the shaping | molding supply apparatus. It is a side view of the shaping | molding apparatus of the same shaping | molding supply apparatus. It is a front view of the shaping | molding apparatus of the same shaping | molding supply apparatus. It is a principal part enlarged plan view of the shaping | molding apparatus of the shaping | molding supply apparatus. It is a side view of the cooling device of the shaping | molding supply apparatus. It is a principal part enlarged plan view of the cooling device of the shaping | molding supply apparatus. It is explanatory drawing which shows operation | movement of each delivery means of the shaping | molding supply apparatus. It is explanatory drawing which shows the 1st operation state of the shaping | molding supply apparatus. It is explanatory drawing which shows the 2nd operation state of the shaping | molding supply apparatus. It is explanatory drawing which shows the 3rd operation state of the shaping | molding supply apparatus. It is explanatory drawing which shows the 4th operation state of the shaping | molding supply apparatus. It is explanatory drawing which shows the 5th operation state of the shaping | molding supply apparatus. It is explanatory drawing which shows the 6th operation state of the shaping | molding supply apparatus. It is a perspective view of the tray shape | molded and supplied by the same shaping | molding supply apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Tray 2 Board | substrate 3 Perimeter wall 4 Resin coating surface 5 Product 10 Tray shaping | molding supply apparatus 20 Conveyor 21 Belt 23 Tray mounting part 25 Holding plate 25a Holding claw 30 Hopper 32 Partition plate 40 Molding apparatus 41 Rotating body 43 Rotating shaft 44 Driven Pulley 45 Holding portion 45a Base 45b Frame-like wall 45c Tapered surface 45d Notch 46 Air suction cup 47 Air flow pipe 48 Air pipe 50 Press device 51 Molding die 52 Pressing recess 55 Lifting device 56 Air cylinder 56a Guide rod 56b Actuating rod 60 Cooling device 61 Rotating body 63 Rotating shaft 64 Driven pulley 65 Holding portion 65a Through hole 65b Ejecting hole 66 Air suction cup 67 Air distribution pipe 68 First pipe 69 Flow path 70 Second pipe 80 First delivery means 81 Support shaft 82 First rotation arm 83 Support shaft 84 Second rotation arm 85 Support rod 86 Adsorption part 7 Air suction cup 90 Second delivery means 91 Support shaft 92 Rotating arm 93 Support bar 94 Suction part 95 Air suction cup 100 Third delivery means 110a, 110b Delivery parts 111a, 111b Support axes 112a, 112b Rotation arms 113a, 113b Support bars 114 Suction part 115 Air sucker M Drive motor P Drive pulley S Sheet material V Belt

Claims (8)

  A paper sheet material coated with a thermoplastic resin on one side is stored in a hopper, the sheet material is taken out from the hopper, heated and pressed to be formed into a tray shape, and the thermoplastic resin coating surface of the formed tray A gas is blown onto the tray to rapidly cool and cure the heat-softened thermoplastic resin, the tray thus formed is placed on a conveyor, and the product is loaded onto the tray and supplied to a line for packing. Molding supply method.   When heating and pressurizing the sheet material, the rotary body is reciprocally rotated about the rotation axis, and the rotary body is provided with holding portions for holding the sheet material or the tray at both ends thereof, and the rotary body is rotated to a predetermined position. And when one of the holding parts moves to a position where the sheet material is delivered, the mold is pressed against the other of the holding parts, and the sheet material is moved to the holding part and the molding die. And a pressing device that heats and presses between them, while one of the holding parts of the rotating body is held on the other of the holding parts of the rotating body while the tray and the sheet material are being transferred. 2. A tray forming and supplying method according to claim 1, wherein the sheet material is formed.   When spraying the gas of the tray, it has a rotating body that reciprocates around a rotation axis and has holding portions that hold the tray at both ends thereof, and a gas ejection hole is formed in the holding portion. Using the cooling device provided, while one of the holding parts is in the tray delivery position and the tray delivery operation is performed, the tray held on the other of the holding parts is caused by the gas ejected from the ejection holes. 3. The tray forming and supplying method according to claim 1, wherein the tray is continuously cooled.   The sheet material is taken out from each of the plurality of hoppers at the same time, and the plurality of taken-out sheet materials are simultaneously heated and pressed to be molded, cooled, and then placed side by side on the conveyor and supplied. 2. A method for forming and supplying a tray according to item 1.   A hopper for storing a paper sheet material coated with a thermoplastic resin on one side, a molding device for heating and pressurizing the sheet material taken out from the hopper into a tray shape, and a thermoplasticity of the molded tray A cooling device that rapidly cools and cures the heat-softened thermoplastic resin by blowing a gas onto the resin coating surface, and a conveyor that carries the tray thus formed and supplies the product to the line for packing the product on the tray A first delivery means for delivering the sheet material from the hopper to the molding device; a second delivery means for delivering a tray molded by the molding device to the cooling device; and a tray cooled by the cooling device. 3. A tray forming and feeding apparatus, comprising: a third delivery unit mounted on the conveyor.   The molding device reciprocally rotates around a rotation axis, and a rotating body provided with holding portions for holding the sheet material or the tray at both ends thereof, and the rotating body rotates to a predetermined position, When one of the holding parts moves to a position where the sheet material is delivered, the mold is pressed against the other of the holding parts to heat the sheet material between the holding part and the mold. 6. A tray forming and feeding device according to claim 5, further comprising a pressing device for pressing.   The cooling device has a rotating body that reciprocally rotates around a rotating shaft when a gas is blown onto the tray, and has holding portions that hold the tray at both ends thereof. 7. A tray forming and feeding apparatus according to claim 5 or 6, wherein gas ejection holes are provided.   A plurality of the hoppers are installed in parallel, the molding device is installed in parallel with a plurality of the rotation shafts, and a plurality of the cooling devices are installed in parallel with the rotation shafts in common. The sheet material is simultaneously taken out from each of the plurality of hoppers, and the plurality of sheet materials are respectively molded and cooled by the corresponding molding device and the cooling device, respectively. The tray forming and feeding apparatus according to Item 1.

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