JP2010023894A - Bag opening device and method for container inner bag - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a bag opening device and a method for a container inner bag which can automatically or mechanically open an upper end opening of the container inner bag with its mouth closed so as to discharge contents from a container. <P>SOLUTION: The bag opening device for the container inner bag is provided with an inner bag opening mechanism 10 and an inner bag folding back mechanism 30. The inner bag opening mechanism 10 opens upper ends of the inner bag 51 along each side of the container 2 by sucking and catching an upper surface of the inner bag 51 with its mouth closed by four suction nozzles 11A-11D, and relatively separating the suction nozzles from the container 2 while keeping a catching state. The inner bag folding-back mechanism 30 makes four folding-back members 31 approach an inner region of the opened inner bag 51, and moves the folding-back members horizontally toward the outside of corners of the container 2. Subsequently, upper ends of the inner bag 51 are folded back downward from above along outside surfaces of container sidewalls by relatively lowering the folding-back members 31 to the container 2. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for opening a bag that is installed in a container with the mouth closed. In particular, when an article (for example, a preform) contained in an inner bag in a rectangular container in plan view is automatically supplied to a molding line or the like by an article supply device, the inner bag of the container after removing the upper lid is removed. The present invention relates to a bag opening device and a bag opening method for an inner bag of a container that opens an upper end opening and enables discharge of an article.

  For example, a preform as a preliminary material (molding precursor) for blow-molding a plastic container is manufactured by a preform manufacturing machine, and then once stored in a container and transported to a predetermined place (for example, a beverage filling factory). There, it is often formed into a desired container shape. At that time, in order to prevent the preform from being damaged or soiled, it is frequently practiced recently to insert the inner bag in the container in advance and accommodate the preform in the inner bag. Came. Various containers, tools, devices, and methods have been proposed to cope with such article conveyance / distribution modes.

  Patent Document 1 is a container (2) that is suitable for storing and transporting small articles in bulk and can be easily put in and taken out, and a container in which a cylindrical soft inner bag (80) can be mounted. Disclose.

  In Patent Document 2, when a container holder (37) that holds a container containing a work such as a preform is reversed and the work is discharged from the container, air is blown into the inner bag of the container at an inclined discharge position. A possible workpiece supply device is disclosed. According to this apparatus, even when the container is arranged at the inclined discharge position, by blowing air into the inner bag, the inner bag does not slide down together with the work, and the work is not left in the bag completely. Can be released.

  Patent Document 3 discloses a method and an apparatus for supplying a molded product. According to Patent Document 3, after opening the box (1) transported in a state where a large number of molded articles (2) are accommodated in the bag, the box is inclined to release the molded article. The opening (4a) of the bag was folded to cover the periphery of the opening (1a) of the box. By this measure, foreign matter such as dust attached to the outer surface of the box is received by the folded portion (4b) of the bag, and foreign matter is prevented from being mixed into the molded product discharged onto the conveyor (10).

JP-A-10-236578 (summary, claim 2) JP 2004-82404 (Abstract, Claims 7 and 8) JP2004160674 (Abstract, Paragraph 0038)

  However, none of the above-mentioned patent documents disclose or suggest a means or technique for automatically opening the upper end opening of the container inner bag in the closed mouth state. That is, a means for automatically discharging an internal article by tilting the container when the inner bag is not used has been proposed, but when the inner bag is used, the opening of the inner bag is automatically opened. There has not yet been proposed a simple bag opening device or a bag opening method for an inner bag that can be opened and arranged so that articles such as preforms inside the container can be stably discharged.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a bag opening device and a bag opening method for a container inner bag that can automatically or mechanically open an upper end opening of the container inner bag in a mouth-closed state so that articles can be discharged from the container. It is in.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the opening of the container inner bag for allowing the article to be discharged from the inner bag by opening the inner bag in the mouth-closed state, which is square-shaped in plan view and is built in the container opened upward. A bag device comprising an inner bag opening mechanism and an inner bag folding mechanism;
The inner bag opening mechanism includes an inner bag suction means for sucking and catching the upper surface of the inner bag folded in the container and closed in a mouth by a negative pressure, and a relative approach of the inner bag suction means to the container. Or a vertical moving means for changing a relative positional relationship in the vertical direction between the container and the inner bag suction means in order to cause a relative separation of the inner bag suction means from the container,
The inner bag folding mechanism includes four folding members that are vertically movable and horizontally movable along four movement paths connecting the center and four corners of the container in a horizontal plane, Folding member vertical driving means for changing the vertical position of the four folding members with respect to the container, and folding member horizontal driving means for changing the horizontal position of the four folding members along the four movement paths, This is a bag opening device for a container inner bag.

  According to the bag opening device of the first aspect, the inner bag suction means is relatively approached to the container by the vertical movement means, and the upper surface of the inner bag in the closed state in the container is sucked by the negative pressure by the inner bag suction means. After that, the inner bag suction means is relatively separated from the container by the vertical movement means, so that the inner bag in the closed state can be opened (basic action of the inner bag opening mechanism). Subsequently, after the four folding members enter the inner bag in the mouth open state, the folding members are horizontally moved along the four movement paths connecting the center portion and the four corner portions of the container. Furthermore, the upper end opening of the inner bag can be folded along the entire circumference of the upper end of the side wall of the container by moving each folding member vertically with respect to the container (basic action of the inner bag folding mechanism). .

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the container inner bag opening device according to the first aspect, the inner bag suction means sucks and catches the upper surface of the inner bag that is folded in the container and is in a mouth-closed state. The inner bag suction means opens the upper end portion of the inner bag without damaging the inner bag while causing the inner bag suction means to be displaced relative to the inner bag when the inner bag suction means is relatively separated from the container. It is comprised so that it may be characterized by the above-mentioned.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the container inner bag opening device according to the first or second aspect, the inner bag suction means receives suction negative pressure from a negative pressure generation source and corresponds to four sides of the container. It is characterized by comprising a plurality of suction nozzles.

  Invention of Claim 4 is the bag opening apparatus of the container inner bag as described in any one of Claims 1-3. WHEREIN: As for the said folding | turning member, the horizontal cross-sectional shape has the upper surface of the said inner bag at least four corners of the container. The inner bag is folded with respect to the side wall of the container using the upper end of the side wall of the container as a guide by lowering relative to the container at a position outside the four corners of the container. It is formed so that it can be returned.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the bag opening device for a container inner bag according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the folding member has a horizontal sectional shape substantially perpendicular to the four corners of the container. It is formed so that it may become a substantially angle shape which has two inner surfaces and outer surfaces.

The invention according to claim 6 is the opening of the container inner bag for opening the inner bag in the mouth-closed state, which is square-shaped in plan view and built in the container opened upward, so that articles can be discharged from the inner bag. Bag method,
A) A suction catch that causes the inner bag suction means to relatively approach the upper surface of the inner bag that is folded in the container and is in a closed mouth state, and that the upper surface of the inner bag is sucked and caught by the inner bag suction means with a negative pressure. Process,
B) An inner bag opening step of opening the upper end of the inner bag along each side of the container by relatively separating the inner bag suction means from the container while maintaining the suction catch state;
C) After a plurality of folding members are inserted into the inner region of the opened inner bag, the plurality of folding members are horizontally moved toward the outside of the corner of the container, and the upper end of the inner bag is the container. An opening expanding step of expanding the opening of the inner bag so as to be located outside each corner of
D) The plurality of folding members positioned outside the corners of the container are lowered relative to the container, whereby the upper end of the inner bag is folded from the top to the bottom on the outer surface side of the container side wall. A folding process, and a bag opening method for the container inner bag.

  The container inner bag opening device according to claim 1 includes an inner bag opening mechanism and an inner bag folding mechanism, and first opens the inner bag with the inner bag opening mechanism, and then turns the inner bag back. Since the inner bag is folded back by the mechanism, it is possible to realize reliable opening of the inner bag and subsequent folding. That is, since the inner bag opening mechanism includes the inner bag suction means and the vertical movement means, after the inner bag is reliably sucked and caught by the inner bag suction means, the opening portion of the inner bag is separated from the container body by the vertical movement means. While opening the mouth reliably, the opening of the inner bag can be pulled up to a height at which it can encounter the folded member. Further, since the inner bag folding mechanism includes four folding members, the folding member vertical driving means, and the folding member horizontal driving means, the folding member horizontal driving means allows the four folding members to open the opening of the inner bag at the four corners of the container. After the sheet is pushed and spread, the four folded members are relatively lowered by the folded member vertical driving means, and the opening portion of the inner bag can be reliably folded. In this manner, the opening and folding operation of the inner bag can be automatically or mechanically performed so that the articles in the container can be discharged. In other words, the automatic opening of the inner bag, which was the biggest impediment to the automatic discharge of articles in the container using the inner bag, can be carried out smoothly and reliably, including the removal of the container lid and the successive inclination of the container. In addition, it is possible to automate the entire discharging process of the articles in the container, and there is an effect that labor saving and labor saving can be promoted and the safety of workers can be improved.

  According to the bag opening device of claim 2, the inner bag suction means sucks and catches the upper surface of the inner bag that is folded in the container and is in the closed state, and is moved from the container of the inner bag suction means by the vertical movement means. When the relative separation of the inner bag occurs, the inner bag suction means is configured to open the upper end of the inner bag while being displaced relative to the inner bag, so that the inner bag is not damaged. Can be opened smoothly and reliably.

  According to the bag opening device of the third aspect, the inner bag suction means is provided with the suction negative pressure from the negative pressure generation source and is constituted by the plurality of suction nozzles corresponding to the four sides of the container. The suction nozzle can suck and catch the upper surface of the inner bag in the closed state in the container based on the suction negative pressure at a plurality of locations corresponding to the four sides of the container. Therefore, it is possible to open the mouth of the inner bag folded in the container and closed in the mouth more reliably. In addition, by providing suction nozzles corresponding to the four sides, the opening portion of the inner bag can be opened in a shape along the four sides of the container when the suction nozzles corresponding to the four sides are relatively separated from the container. The inner bag folding operation at the next stage can be facilitated.

  According to the bag opening device of claim 4, since the folding member is formed so that its horizontal cross-sectional shape can push the upper surface of the inner bag to at least the outer positions of the four corners of the container, the folding member is driven horizontally. The container is moved horizontally along the four movement paths connecting the center and the four corners of the container to appropriate positions, thereby holding the four locations inside the upper end of the inner bag with frictional force. It is possible to accurately guide to the outer positions (push-out positions) of the four corners. Further, the upper end portion of the inner bag guided to the spread position is set to be slightly larger than the outer periphery of the side wall of the container in a plan view, so that the upper end portion of the inner bag is a folded member positioned outside the corner of the container 4 By relatively lowering while pushing down, it is possible to reliably fold the inner bag against the side wall of the container using the upper end of the side wall of the container as the inner bag folding guide.

  According to the bag opening device of claim 5, the folding member is formed so that the horizontal cross-sectional shape is a substantially angled shape having two inner surfaces and outer surfaces substantially orthogonal along the four corners of the container, Each folding member is horizontally moved from the inside of the corner of the container to the outside by the folding member horizontal driving means, and then vertically moved along the corner of the container by the folding member vertical driving means. It is possible to fold the upper end of the inner bag from top to bottom between the outer surface of the two container side walls constituting each corner of the container and the inside of the substantially angled shape of each folding member. Become. In other words, the substantially angled outer side of the folding member functions effectively to widen the corner to a substantially right angle when the inner bag is widened, and the inner side of the substantially angled shape of the folding member extends along the corner of the container. This can contribute to maintaining the shape of the inner bag when folding the bag.

  The container inner bag opening method according to claim 6 includes a series of steps such as the suction catch step, the inner bag opening step, the opening portion expanding step, and the folding step as described above, and thus is in a mouth-closed state. The upper surface of the container inner bag can be smoothly opened based on the suction force caused by the negative pressure, and subsequently, the upper end of the inner bag can be reliably folded along the entire circumference of the container side wall. . As described above, according to the method of the present invention, it is possible to automatically or mechanically perform the opening and folding operation of the inner bag so that the articles in the container can be discharged. In other words, the automatic opening of the inner bag, which was the biggest impediment to the automatic discharge of the articles in the container when using the inner bag, can be carried out smoothly and reliably, removing the lid of the container, sequentially tilting the container, etc. It is possible to automate the entire discharging process of the in-container goods including the above, and there is an effect that labor saving and labor saving can be promoted and the safety of the worker can be improved.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6 show a configuration of a bag opening device according to an embodiment, FIG. 1 is a front view of the entire device, FIG. 2 is a plan view of the device in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a line P-P in FIG. FIG. 4 is a plan view of the inner bag folding mechanism 30 under the lifting plate 44 in FIG. 3, and FIG. 5 is a detailed view of the suction nozzle 11 and its support drive structure. FIG. 6 is a detailed view of the folding member 31 and its support drive structure. 7-10 is a figure for demonstrating a series of effect | actions of the said bag opening apparatus. 11 to 14 show other embodiments.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the bag opening device for a container inner bag according to the present embodiment includes a scaffold frame 1 for a worker provided at a predetermined height from the floor surface F of the work site, and the scaffold frame 1. A group of support frames 4 and 5 are provided at a high position. A container installation area is provided between the left and right scaffold frames 1 and immediately below the bag opening device main body for installing the container 2 to be used for the bag opening operation on the pallet 3.

  The group of support frames 4 and 5 are frames (frame members) for supporting various machines included in the bag opening device, and as shown in FIG. And a support frame 5 extending in the left-right direction. A pair of support frames 5 extending in the left-right direction also serve as sliding guides, and a pair of left and right rectangular plate-like movable frames 6 are supported by these support frames 5 so as to be slidable in the left-right direction. Yes. Both movable frames 6 are slid in the left-right direction by corresponding pneumatic drive cylinders 7. Each movable frame 6 supports a part of the inner bag opening mechanism 10 and the inner bag folding mechanism 30 as will be described later.

  The bag opening device of the present embodiment includes an inner bag opening mechanism 10 and an inner bag folding mechanism 30 (see FIG. 1). The inner bag opening mechanism 10 is configured to suck and catch the upper surface of the inner bag 51 in which the upper end opening is folded in the container 2 and the mouth is closed, and the upper end of the inner bag 51 is kept in the container 2 while maintaining the caught state. It is a mechanism for opening along each side. The inner bag folding mechanism 30 is a mechanism for folding the upper end portion of the inner bag 51 opened by the inner bag opening mechanism 10 to the outer surface side of the container side wall. Details of each mechanism will be described below.

  The inner bag opening mechanism 10 is provided corresponding to each of the four suction nozzles 11 (11A, 11B, 11C, 11D) (see FIGS. 1 and 3) arranged at four positions, front, rear, left and right, and each suction nozzle 11. A total of four sets of guide poles 12 and air cylinders 13 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) are provided.

  2 and 5A, the guide poles 12 and the air cylinders 13 corresponding to the two suction nozzles 11A and 11B arranged at the front and rear are bridged between the pair of support frames 4. It is attached to the passed support plate 8 in a suspended state. On the other hand, the guide pole 12 and the air cylinder 13 (see FIG. 2) corresponding to the two suction nozzles 11C and 11D (see FIG. 1) arranged on the left and right are attached to the left and right movable frames 6 in a suspended state. Yes. As shown in FIG. 5A, the lower ends of the guide poles 12 and the air cylinders 13 of each set are connected to the suction nozzles 11. A total of four air cylinders 13 are driven in the vertical direction while substantially synchronizing the four suction nozzles 11 based on a control command from a sequencer (not shown).

  As shown in FIGS. 5A to 5C, each suction nozzle 11 is configured as a vertically long box having a hollow inside. A plurality of suction holes 14 are formed on the bottom surface and the inner side surface of the lower end of each suction nozzle 11. As can be seen from FIGS. 5A and 1, the upper end portion of each suction nozzle 11 is connected to a blower 16 as a negative pressure generation source via a suction path 15, part of which is a duct having flexibility. It is connected to the suction side of the (blower). Therefore, when the blower 16 is operated, the suction negative pressure generated by the blower 16 is exerted on each suction nozzle 11. In addition, the air sucked out through the suction path 15 by the blower 16 is released into the atmosphere through the filter 17 (see FIGS. 1 and 2).

  In the present embodiment, the four suction nozzles 11 (11A to 11D) corresponding to each side of the container 2 constitute the inner bag suction mechanism in the inner bag opening mechanism 10, and the four air cylinders 13 serve as the inner bag opening mechanism. The vertical movement means at 10 is configured.

  The inner bag folding mechanism 30 includes four folding members 31 (see FIGS. 1 and 4) respectively corresponding to the four corners of the container 2, and four single-axis electric actuators 41 (see FIG. 1) provided corresponding to the folding members 31, respectively. 4) and two geared motors 42 (see FIG. 1) for raising and lowering these actuators 41.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the left and right movable frames 6 are each provided with two (a pair of) poles 43 extending in the vertical direction. As shown in FIG. 6A, the lower end portions of these poles 43 are located below the movable frame 6, and the lower end portions of the two poles 43 of the left movable frame 6 and 2 of the right movable frame 6. Elevating plates 44 are respectively provided at the lower ends of the poles 43. These elevating plates 44 can be moved up and down by poles 43. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the main part of the bag opening device at the P-P line height position of FIG. 1 (that is, a slightly lower position than the support frames 4 and 5), but as can be seen from FIG. Each elevating plate 44 is provided as a plate material having a planar shape in which two inclined leg portions 44a extending from both oblique sides of the trapezoidal shape are added to a substantially trapezoidal plate main body portion.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 6A, geared motors 42 are respectively installed on the left and right movable frames 6. The left and right geared motors 42 are operatively connected to the left and right lifting plates 44 via timing belts (shown by broken lines in FIG. 6A) and poles 43, respectively. The height position is adjusted by. That is, the left and right geared motors 42 can move the folding member 31 in the vertical direction by driving in the vertical direction while substantially synchronizing the left and right lifting plates 44 based on a control command from a sequencer (not shown).

  FIG. 1 shows the case where the left and right movable frames 6 are separated from each other, while FIG. 2 shows the case where the left and right movable plates 6 are moved closer to each other by the left and right drive cylinders 7. The case where it was made to show. FIG. 3 shows the mutual positional relationship between the left and right lifting plates 44, the four suction nozzles 11A to 11D, and the square container 2 when the left and right lifting plates 44 are brought close to each other corresponding to FIG. . FIG. 4 is a view showing the arrangement state of the constituent elements of the inner bag folding mechanism 30 below the lifting plate 44 by removing the pole 43 and the lifting plate 44 from FIG.

  As can be seen with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, two single-axis electric actuators 41 located on the left side are supported below the two inclined leg portions 44 a of the left lifting plate 44. Similarly, two single-axis electric actuators 41 located on the right side are supported below the two inclined leg portions 44a of the right lifting plate 44. As a result, as shown in FIG. 4, the four single-axis electric actuators 41 are arranged obliquely with respect to the four sides of the container 2 in plan view.

  3 and 4 depict the container 2 having a square shape in plan view, but in this embodiment, a pair of left and right movable frames 6 and a drive cylinder 7 are provided, and the left two single-axis electric actuators 41 and The two single-axis electric actuators 41 on the right side can be moved closer to and away from each other because of a rectangular container in plan view (that is, a container that is horizontally longer than the container 2 depicted in FIGS. 3 and 4). This is because the bag opening device can be used. That is, FIG. 4 shows an arrangement state of the four single-axis electric actuators 41 when the plan view corresponds to the square-shaped container 2. In the present embodiment, the four single-axis electric actuators 41 have four movement paths that connect the center of the container 2 to be processed and the four corners of the container (the movement paths coincide with the diagonal lines of the container 2). ) Horizontally.

  As shown in FIGS. 6A to 6C, the folding members 31 are respectively attached to the single-axis electric actuators 41 attached to the lower side of the elevating plates 44 via suspension brackets 47. The folding member 31 is formed such that the horizontal cross-sectional shape forms an angle by connecting two vertically long plate-like portions 32 at a right angle. For this reason, the two inner surfaces 33 of the folding member 31 are orthogonal to each other. The angle between the two inner surfaces 33 (right angle in this example) corresponds to the angle between the adjacent side walls (right angle) at the corner of the container 2.

  The four single-axis electric actuators 41 are horizontally driven while substantially synchronizing the four folding members 31 based on a control command from a sequencer (not shown). Each single-axis electric actuator 41 is electrically connected to a power source and a sequencer via a cable held and guided by a flexible cable guide 46 (see FIG. 1). For this reason, even when the height of the single-axis electric actuator 41 is changed together with the lift plate 44 by the geared motor 42, the power supply and signal supply to these actuators 41 are maintained.

  In the present embodiment, the single-shaft electric actuator 41 constitutes the folding member horizontal driving means in the inner bag folding mechanism 30, and the geared motor 42 constitutes the folding member vertical driving means in the inner bag folding mechanism 30.

  Next, a method for opening the inner bag 51 of the container 2 using the bag opening device of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 10 are drawings for explanation, and the shapes and the like of the respective members are simplified for easy understanding of portions necessary for explanation. In particular, in FIG. 9, the single-axis electric actuator 41 is illustrated in FIG. 9B, while the actuator 41 is not illustrated in FIG. Similarly in FIG. 10, the single-axis electric actuator 41 is illustrated in FIG. 10B, while the actuator 41 is not illustrated in FIG.

  Below, the case where the container 2 of planar view square shape is handled is demonstrated. In order to correspond to the square-shaped container 2 in plan view, the horizontal position of each single-axis electric actuator 41 is arranged in advance in the position of FIG. 4, and the folding members 31 are arranged inside the container 2 in plan view.

  First, as a preparatory step, the container 2 placed on the pallet 3 is installed in the container installation area of the bag opening device (see FIG. 1). At that time, the upper lid is removed from the container 2 in advance. The container 2 is provided with an inner bag 51, and the inner bag 51 is filled with a large number of articles (for example, preforms). The upper end portion 52 of the inner bag 51 is folded inward along each side of the container 2, and as a result, the upper surface of the inner bag 51 in the closed state is formed by the folded inner bag upper end portion 52. (See FIG. 7).

  As shown in FIG. 7B, the four suction nozzles 11A to 11D are lowered from the standby position indicated by the phantom line toward the inside of the container by the air cylinder 13 (not shown), and the lower end portions of these suction nozzles 11 are moved. It is made to approach the upper surface (upper end part 52) of the inner bag 51 in a mouth closed state. Then, the four suction nozzles 11 come into contact with the upper surface of the inner bag 51 at four locations respectively corresponding to the four sides of the container. At this time, the blower 16 is already in operation, and a suction negative pressure is applied to each suction nozzle 11. When the lower end of each suction nozzle 11 comes into contact with the upper surface of the inner bag 51, the upper surface of the inner bag 51 is sucked to the suction nozzle 11. In this way, the upper surface of the inner bag 51 is suction-caught (held with suction force) by the four suction nozzles 11 at four locations respectively corresponding to the four sides of the container 2.

  Subsequently, the four suction nozzles 11 at the suction catch position in FIG. 7 are simultaneously raised by the air cylinder 13 and are separated from the container 2. As the suction nozzle 11 moves upward, the upper end portion 52 of the folded inner bag 51 follows the suction nozzle 11 as shown in the plan view of FIG. 8A and the front view of FIG. Can be lifted. At that time, the suction surface of the inner bag 51 is lifted while being displaced from the original suction position with respect to each suction nozzle 11 that moves upward, so that the periphery of the suction surface of the inner bag 51 is not cut off or torn. . As a result, the upper end portion 52 of the inner bag 51 is opened along the four sides of the container 2.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 8B, the four folding members 31 are lowered by the lowered position shown by the phantom line from the standby position shown by the solid line by the geared motor 42 (not shown) to open the four folding members 31. The inner region of the inner bag 51 is entered. Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 9, the four folding members 31 are simultaneously horizontally moved toward the four corners of the corresponding container 2 by the single-axis electric actuator 41. That is, the four folding members 31 are horizontally moved so as to diffuse radially in synchronization. And each folding | returning member 31 is stopped in the outer side position (the expansion position shown as a continuous line in Fig.9 (a) and (b)) of each corner part of the container 2. FIG. A preferred stop position of each folding member 31 is a position where the inner surface 33 of the folding member 31 is separated from the outer surface of the side wall of the container 2 by a predetermined distance L (for example, 15 to 25 mm). Incidentally, the distance L is an appropriate distance that prevents the inner bag 51 from slipping off the upper end of the side wall of the container 2 while avoiding damage to the inner bag 51 due to excessive advancement of the folding member 31. In this way, the upper end opening of the inner bag 51 is greatly pushed out by the four folding members 31. As a result, the upper end 52 of the inner bag 51 is pushed to the outside of the four corners of the container 2, and the upper end 52 of the inner bag 51 is disposed at a position surrounding the four side walls of the container 2 over the entire circumference. That is, the upper end portion 52 of the inner bag 51 guided to the expanded position is set slightly larger than the outer periphery of the side wall of the container 2 in a plan view.

  In addition, when the folding operation of the inner bag upper end opening by the four folding members 31 is started and the folding member 31 starts to contact the inner bag, the operation of the blower 16 is stopped or slowed down, etc. 11 may cancel or reduce the suction catching action of the upper end portion 52 of the inner bag 51.

  Finally, the single-axis electric actuator 41 together with the lifting plate 44 is further lowered by the geared motor 42. That is, the four folding members 31 at the push-expanded position together with the single-axis electric actuators 41 are simultaneously lowered from the imaginary line position to the solid line position in FIG. As the four folding members 31 descend synchronously, the upper end portion 52 of the inner bag 51 located above the upper edge of the container side wall is pushed by the four folding members 31 from top to bottom. And folded into the outer surface of the container side wall. Thus, the upper end portion 52 of the opened inner bag 51 is folded back to the outer surface side of the container side wall over the entire circumference. Thereafter, the four folding members 31 are retracted upward from the folding position in FIG. 10B, whereby the bag opening operation of the inner bag 51 of the container 2 by the bag opening device is completed.

  Thus, in the container 2 in which the upper end portion 52 of the inner bag 51 is folded back, the inner bag 51 is folded back along the periphery of the upper end opening of the container 2 and comes into contact with the article inside the inner bag 51. There are almost no wrinkles on the surface. For this reason, even when the container 2 is tilted and an article (for example, a preform) inside the inner bag is discharged onto a transport conveyor or the like, the discharge is performed smoothly. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, there is no need to blow air into the inner bag as disclosed in Patent Document 2.

  As described above, according to the bag opening device and the bag opening method of the present embodiment, the upper end portion 52 of the container inner bag 51 in the mouth-closed state can be smoothly opened based on the suction force due to the negative pressure. Subsequently, the upper end 52 of the inner bag 51 is folded back along the entire periphery of the upper end edge of the side wall of the container 2, so that a state in which articles can be easily discharged from the container 2 can be automatically created.

  Embodiment of this invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, It can also implement by changing into the following forms.

  [Modification] In the above-described embodiment, the four suction nozzles 11 are vertically moved by the air cylinder 13 so that the suction nozzles 11 can approach or separate from the container 2. Instead of this, for example, vertical movement means such as a lift capable of raising and lowering the container 2 may be adopted so that the container 2 can be approached or separated from the suction nozzle 11.

  [Modification] In the above embodiment, after the suction catch of the inner bag 51 by the suction nozzle 11, the suction nozzle 11 is raised by the air cylinder 13 to open the inner bag upper end 52. After raising to a predetermined height, each suction nozzle 11 may be horizontally moved outward (in a direction away from each other) to open the inner bag upper end 52 larger. That is, the inner bag opening mechanism 10 may further include “horizontal driving means for changing the horizontal position of the suction nozzle 11 (inner bag suction means)”.

  [Modifications] In the above embodiment, the lifting plate 44 and the single-axis electric actuator 41 supported by the lifting plate 44 are integrally moved up and down by the geared motor 42. Instead, as shown in FIG. The drive cylinder 61 as a vertical drive configuration of the folding member 31 may be provided individually. That is, the single-axis electric actuator 41 is attached to the support frame 4 or 5 so as not to move vertically. Each single-axis electric actuator 41 is attached with a drive cylinder 61 in a suspended state via a suspension bracket 47, and the folding member 31 is suspended with respect to the lower end portion (working end portion) of the drive cylinder 61. Install in the state. In this way, the folding member 31 is moved up and down by the drive cylinder 61. In the modified example of FIG. 11, the drive cylinder 61 functions as a folding member vertical drive unit that changes the vertical position of the folding member 31 with respect to the container 2.

[Modification] In the above embodiment, the suction nozzle 11 is configured as a hollow box having a plurality of suction holes 14 as shown in FIG. 5, but instead of this, a suction nozzle 62 as shown in FIG. 12 is adopted. May be. That is, at least the front end portion (lower end portion in the drawing) of the suction nozzle 62 is formed into a cylindrical shape (for example, a diameter of 5 to 20 cm), and the end face position of the cylinder is opened to be the suction opening end 63. Further, for example, a mesh-like air-permeable partition material 64 is installed at a position recessed from the suction opening end 63 by a predetermined distance (for example, 5 to 15 cm). In this way, a concave catch space 65 defined by the inner wall 62a of the nozzle and the air-permeable partition member 64 recessed from the suction opening end 63 by a predetermined distance is secured at the tip of the suction nozzle 62. In addition, when the opening area of the suction nozzle 62 at the suction opening end 63 is 50 to 100 cm ² , it is preferable to set the suction force so that the suction negative pressure acting on the catch space 65 is 2 to 4 KPa.

  According to the configuration of FIG. 12, when the inner bag 51 is sucked by the suction nozzle 62, a part of the upper end portion 52 of the inner bag 51 enters the catch space 65 in a bent shape, and the The top part of the knob-like part is adsorbed to the air-permeable partition member 64. As described above, the substantial suction surface is located at a predetermined distance away from the suction opening end 63, so that the adhesion between the tip of the suction nozzle 62 and the inner bag 51 during suction (or the airtightness of the catch space 65). ) And the suction gripping force by negative pressure is improved. Therefore, even when the suction nozzle 62 is raised, the inner bag 51 is unlikely to come off from the suction nozzle 62. In addition, the point that the suction surface of the inner bag 51 is lifted while being displaced with the upward movement of the suction nozzle 62 is the same as in the case of the suction nozzle 11 of the above embodiment.

  In the above embodiment, the four suction nozzles 11 corresponding to each side of the container are used. However, the present invention is not particularly limited to four suction nozzles, and a large number of suction nozzles such as six or eight may be used. In some cases, a single suction nozzle can be used.

  [Modification] In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the folded member 31 is formed by connecting two vertically long plate-like portions 32 in an angle shape over the entire height direction. Instead, as shown in FIGS. 13 (a) and 13 (b), two vertically long plate-like portions 32 are interconnected only at their upper ends, and both plates are located near the middle and lower ends in the height direction. The folded member 31 may be configured in an angle shape such that the shaped portions 32 are not mutually connected or continuous. Even if the folding member 31 is configured as shown in FIG. 13, the two inner surfaces 33 of both plate-like portions 32 are substantially orthogonal to each other, so that the folding action of the inner bag 51 by the folding member 31 is not impaired at all.

  [Modification] As a folding member in the inner bag folding mechanism 30, a round bar (a bar having a circular horizontal cross section) extending in the height direction of the container 2 as shown in FIGS. 14 (a) and 14 (b) is employed. May be. That is, the folding member 71 of FIG. 14A is arranged on both sides of the corner of the container 2 with the corners of the container 2 in between when the upper end portion 52 of the inner bag is arranged outside the corner portion of the container 2 by the folding member 71. This is a folded member composed of two round bars 71a and 71b that can face each other. On the other hand, when the upper end portion 52 of the inner bag is disposed outside the corner of the container 2 by the folding member 72, the folding member 72 of FIG. This is a folded member composed of one round bar 72a which can be positioned. Even if the folding members 71 and 72 made of such round bars are employed, the inner bag 51 can be spread and folded as in the case of the folding member 31 having an angled cross section. The folding member opens the inner bag upper end 52 at the corner of the container 2, but does not exclude installation at a position other than the corner of the container 2 as a member for guiding the inner bag upper end 52. Can be installed at other locations.

[Example of change]
In the above embodiment, each single-axis electric actuator 41 is fixedly attached to the lifting plate 44 at a predetermined inclination angle. However, the mounting inclination angle of the single-axis electric actuator 41 with respect to the lifting plate 44 in the horizontal plane is variably set. You may comprise so that it can do. By adopting such a variable tilt angle structure, it is possible to flexibly cope with changes in the shape and size of the container, and the versatility of the bag opening device is enhanced.

  In addition to the above preforms, the articles contained in the inner bag 51 of the container 2 include caps for containers in the beverage industry, and intermediate processed articles for various mass-produced small articles in other fields other than the beverage industry. Can be given.

  In this specification, the “container” does not indicate only a narrow container as a wooden or metal box, but also includes so-called cases such as a plastic case and a cardboard case. Further, the types of handled articles and containers, the apparatus configuration, and the like are not limited to the illustrated ranges, and various apparatus configurations can be applied to various articles within the scope of the present invention.

1 is an overall front view of a bag opening device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The top view of the bag opening apparatus of FIG. The top view of the principal part of the bag opening apparatus in the PP line height position of FIG. The top view which shows the outline | summary of an inner bag folding | turning mechanism. The detail of a suction nozzle and its support drive structure is shown, (a) is a front view (outer side view), (b) is a partial rear view (inner side view), and (c) is a partial sectional view taken along the line Q-Q. . The detail of a folding | turning member and its support drive structure is shown, (a) is a front view, (b) is a side view of an inner end side, (c) is sectional drawing in the RR line. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing of a bag opening apparatus, Comprising: (a) is a top view, (b) is a front sectional view. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing of a bag opening apparatus, Comprising: (a) is a top view, (b) is a front sectional view. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing of a bag opening apparatus, Comprising: (a) is a top view, (b) is a front sectional view. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing of a bag opening apparatus, Comprising: (a) is a top view, (b) is a front sectional view. The figure which shows the example of a change of a folding | turning member and its support drive structure. The example of a change of a suction nozzle is shown, (a) is a front view, (b) is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the nozzle front-end | tip part enclosed with the dashed-dotted line circle in (a). The example of a change of a folding member is shown, (a) is a side view by the side of an inner end, (b) is sectional drawing in SS line. (A) And (b) is a schematic sectional drawing which shows the example of a change of a folding | turning member.

Explanation of symbols

2 ... Container 10 ... Inner bag opening mechanism 11 (11A, 11B, 11C, 11D) ... Suction nozzle (inner bag suction means)
13 ... Air cylinder (vertical moving means)
16 ... Blower (negative pressure source)
30 ... Inner bag folding mechanism 31 ... Folding member 41 ... Single-axis electric actuator (folding member horizontal drive means)
42. Geared motor (folding member vertical drive means)
51 ... Inner bag 52 ... Upper end 61 of inner bag ... Drive cylinder (folding member vertical drive means)
62 ... Suction nozzle (inner bag suction means)
71 ... Folding member 72 ... Folding member

Claims (6)

A container inner bag opening device for opening an inner bag in a mouth-closed state, which is square-shaped in plan view and built in a container opened upward, and enabling discharge of articles from the inner bag,
An inner bag opening mechanism and an inner bag folding mechanism;
The inner bag opening mechanism is
Inner bag suction means for sucking and catching the upper surface of the inner bag that is folded in the container and closed in a mouth by negative pressure;
The relative positional relationship in the vertical direction between the container and the inner bag suction means is changed in order to cause the inner bag suction means to be relatively close to the container or to be relatively separated from the container. Vertical movement means
The inner bag folding mechanism is
Four folding members provided vertically movable and horizontally movable along four movement paths connecting the center and four corners of the container in a horizontal plane;
Folding member vertical drive means for changing the vertical position of the four folding members with respect to the container;
Folding member horizontal drive means for changing the horizontal position of the four folding members along the four movement paths;
A bag opening device for a container inner bag. The inner bag suction means sucks and catches the upper surface of the inner bag that is folded in the container and is in a mouth-closed state, and also causes the inner bag suction means to cause relative separation from the container. The means is configured to open the upper end of the inner bag without damaging the inner bag while being displaced relative to the inner bag.
The bag opening device for a container inner bag according to claim 1. The inner bag suction means is configured by a plurality of suction nozzles that receive suction negative pressure from a negative pressure generation source and correspond to the four sides of the container.
The bag opening device for an inner bag of a container according to claim 1 or 2. The folding member has a horizontal cross-sectional shape that can push the upper surface of the inner bag up to at least the outer positions of the four corners of the container, and is lowered relative to the container at the outer positions of the four corners of the container. Is formed so that the inner bag can be folded back with respect to the side wall of the container with the upper end of the side wall of the container as a guide.
The bag opening device for an inner bag of a container according to any one of claims 1 to 3.   The said folding | returning member is formed so that the horizontal cross-sectional shape may become a substantially angle shape which has two inner surfaces and outer surfaces which are substantially orthogonal along the four corners of a container. The bag opening apparatus of the container inner bag as described in any one of Claims. A method for opening a container inner bag for opening an inner bag in a mouth-closed state, which is square-shaped in plan view and built in a container opened upward, so that articles can be discharged from the inner bag,
A) A suction catch that causes the inner bag suction means to relatively approach the upper surface of the inner bag that is folded in the container and is in a closed mouth state, and that the upper surface of the inner bag is sucked and caught by the inner bag suction means with a negative pressure. Process,
B) An inner bag opening step of opening the upper end portion of the inner bag along each side of the container by relatively separating the inner bag suction means from the container while maintaining the suction catch state;
C) After a plurality of folding members are inserted into the inner region of the opened inner bag, the plurality of folding members are horizontally moved toward the outside of the corner of the container, and the upper end of the inner bag is the container. An opening expanding step of expanding the opening of the inner bag so as to be located outside each corner of
D) The plurality of folding members positioned outside the corners of the container are lowered relative to the container, whereby the upper end of the inner bag is folded from the top to the bottom on the outer surface side of the container side wall. A method for opening a bag in a container comprising a folding step.

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