JP2010136693A - Apparatus for manufacturing pot structure, and the pot structure - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an apparatus for manufacturing a pot structure, efficiently manufacturing the pot structure having high attachment strength of a label to a seedling pot. <P>SOLUTION: The apparatus 10 for manufacturing the pot structure 1 is made by welding a label 6 to a side wall part 3 of a seedling pot 2. The apparatus 10 for manufacturing the pot structure includes a first conveying means 11 for conveying the seedling pot 2 supplied onto a conveying path 11a downstream, a lifting table 13 which is arranged downstream of the first conveying means 11, and placed with the seedling pot 2 to move up and down, a welding means 20 which is arranged above the lifting table 13 and welds the label 6 to the side wall part 3 of the seedling pot 2 to manufacture the pot structure 1, and a delivering arm 14 which reciprocates between the first conveying means 11 and the lifting table 13, and delivers the seedling pot 2 most downstream on the conveying path 11a to the lifting table 13. The delivering arm 14 is formed to continuously perform downstream discharge of the pot structure 1 placed on the lifting table 13, and delivery of the seedling pot 2' to the lifting table 13. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a pot structure manufacturing apparatus and a pot structure in which a label is attached to a seedling pot.

  Plant seedlings are generally offered for over-the-counter sales in a so-called seedling pot thermoformed from a resin sheet material, such as a PP sheet. Conventionally, when selling seedlings of plants, a plate-like member called a label displaying the name of seedlings, bar code, etc., is inserted into the soil in the pot and displayed at the store. However, simply inserting the label into the soil in the pot tends to cause the label to fall or fall off, and depending on the label insertion position, the root of the seedling is damaged at the tip of the label.

In view of this, the applicant of the present invention disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-34344 (Patent Document 1) that a slit is provided along the upper end opening edge of the seedling pot, and the bent portion is engaged with the slit at both ends of the slit. The pot structure which inserts the label which has a stop part is proposed. With such a pot structure, the label can be held in a predetermined posture simply by inserting the label into the slit of the seedling pot, and the root of the seedling is not damaged at the tip of the label.
JP 2002-34344 A

  However, the seedling pots and labels having the above-described structure are inevitably increased in the unit price of the product because the manufacturing cost increases as the shape becomes complicated. For this reason, it has not been widely put into practical use, and it is the actual situation that a label is stapled to a seedling pot in a seedling farmer or the like. However, since stapling is usually performed manually, there still remains a problem of requiring labor and cost.

  Accordingly, a first object of the present invention is to provide a pot structure manufacturing apparatus capable of efficiently mass-producing a pot structure having a high label mounting strength with respect to a seedling pot.

  A second object of the present invention is to provide a pot structure with high label attachment strength to a seedling pot and at a low cost.

  In order to achieve the first object, according to the present invention, there is provided a manufacturing apparatus for a pot structure in which a label is welded to a side wall portion of a seedling pot, and transporting a seedling pot supplied on a transport path downstream. Means, a lifting table disposed on the downstream side of the transporting means and placing and raising the seedling pot, a welding means disposed above the lifting table and producing a pot structure, a transporting means and a lifting table, And a carry-in arm for carrying the seedling pot on the most downstream side on the conveyance path to the lifting table, and the loading arm is discharged to the downstream side of the pot structure placed on the lifting table, Provided is a pot structure manufacturing apparatus configured to continuously carry seedling pots into an elevating table.

  As described above, the pot structure manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention manufactures a pot structure formed by welding a label to a side wall portion of a seedling pot. In this case, if the welding conditions (welding area, welding time, welding method, etc.) are set appropriately, a pot assembly with high label attachment strength can be automatically mass-produced. Therefore, compared with the case where the pot structure is manufactured manually, the labor can be greatly reduced, and the manufacturing cost of the pot structure can be reduced. Further, the carry-in arm continuously discharges the pot structure placed on the lifting table to the downstream side and carries the seedling pot (having no label welded to the side wall) to the lifting table. Therefore, it is possible to efficiently mass-produce a pot structure with high label attachment strength by avoiding a time lag between the processes. Such a configuration can be obtained by adjusting the shape of the carry-in arm, the operation speed of the constituent members of the manufacturing apparatus, the operation timing, and the like.

  The transport means can always be driven to transport, but in this case, the transport means is provided so as to be able to advance and retreat with respect to the transport path, and the seedling pot is locked in the forward state to temporarily transport the seedling pot downstream. A locking member for stopping can be further provided. In this way, even if seedling pots are continuously supplied onto the conveyance path, it is possible to prevent the seedling pot from dropping off from the downstream end of the conveyance path. It is possible to appropriately carry the seedling pot on the side to the lifting table, and thus the pot structure.

  The welding means may include an ultrasonic welder, a support member that supports one surface of the label, and a label supply mechanism that supplies a label between the ultrasonic welder and the support member. Thus, if an ultrasonic welder is used as the welder, the seedling pot and the label can be welded instantaneously, so the cycle time can be reduced and the pot assembly production efficiency can be increased. In addition, the ultrasonic welding machine is advantageous in terms of simplifying and downsizing the pot structure manufacturing apparatus as compared with other known welding machines such as a high-frequency welding machine. Furthermore, since the ultrasonic welder can basically weld any combination of thermoplastic resins as long as they are thermoplastic resins, there is a high degree of freedom in selecting resin materials for forming seedling pots and labels. There is also a merit that it is rich in nature.

  As described above, as a welding means, an ultrasonic welder, a support member that supports one side of the label, and a label supply mechanism that supplies a label (to be welded) between the ultrasonic welder and the support member If the side wall of the seedling pot is arranged on the other side of the label, the ultrasonic welding machine and the support member are moved relatively closer to each other so that the label is attached to the side wall of the seedling pot. It is possible to produce a pot structure formed by welding and then move the pot structure away from the support member in a state where the label supply mechanism is stopped.

  In this way, if the pot assembly is moved away from the support member in a state where the label supply mechanism is stopped (label feed is stopped), the label is placed between the ultrasonic welder and the support member. It is possible to prevent a situation where duplicate supply is performed. As a result, it is possible to avoid the situation where poor welding occurs and to manufacture the pot structure with high accuracy. Further, it is also suitable for preventing device failure.

  The above configuration can be obtained, for example, by providing a label detection sensor on the support member and controlling the switching of driving and stopping of the label supply mechanism with this label detection sensor. Since the support member supports one side of the label, if a label detection sensor is provided on the support member, it can be easily and accurately determined whether or not the label exists between the ultrasonic welding machine and the support member. Can be detected. Therefore, the above-described effects can be obtained easily and reliably.

  In order to achieve the above second object, the present invention provides a pot structure in which a label is welded to the side wall of a seedling pot. In this case, if the welding conditions are set appropriately, the posture of the label may change or the label may be separated from the seedling pot without any special shape in both the seedling pot and the label. Can be effectively prevented. Therefore, compared with the said patent document 1, the shape of a seedling pot and a label can be simplified, the manufacturing cost can be reduced, and the pot structure which boasts high attachment strength can be provided. In addition, as described in Patent Document 1, when adopting a configuration in which a label is inserted into a slit of a seedling pot, it is necessary to give the label high rigidity in consideration of the insertion property, but the label is welded to the pot. In the configuration of the present invention, the label itself does not require so much rigidity. For this reason, it is possible to reduce the thickness of the label. From this point, the cost of the pot structure can be reduced.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a pot structure manufacturing apparatus capable of mass-producing a pot structure having a high label attachment strength to a seedling pot at low cost and efficiently. In addition, it is possible to provide a pot structure with high label attachment strength to the seedling pot and at a low cost.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 show an embodiment of a pot structure 1 according to the present invention, more strictly, a pot structure 1 filled with culture soil 7 and planted with seedlings 8. FIG. FIG. 2 is a perspective view, and FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the pot structure 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the pot structure 1 includes a seedling pot 2 in which a cylindrical side wall portion 3 whose upper end is open and a bottom portion 4 that closes the lower end of the side wall portion 3 forms an integral cup shape. It is comprised with the label 6 attached to the side wall part 3. FIG.

  The seedling pot 2 is a so-called thermoformed product obtained by blow molding, vacuum forming or the like of a resin sheet, for example, a PP sheet containing polypropylene (PP) as a main component, and functions as a drain hole at the approximate center of the bottom 4. A through-hole 5 is provided. In addition, the seedling pot 2 is appropriately selected as long as it is a sheet material mainly composed of a thermoplastic resin such as a material mainly composed of polyethylene (PE) or a mixture of biodegradable resin, as well as a PP sheet. It can be used. Further, in the illustrated example, the drainage hole 5 is provided at one location in the approximate center of the bottom part 4, but the drainage hole 5 can be formed in any manner, and a large number of perforations can be provided in the bottom part 4. In addition, it can be formed on the side wall 3.

  On the other hand, the label 6 is a plate-like member obtained from a hard resin sheet, and is attached to the side wall 3 of the seedling pot 2 and attached to the seedling pot 2. The display unit 6b on which the code is displayed is integrally provided.

  The pot structure 1 having the above-described configuration is obtained by welding the side wall portion 3 of the seedling pot 2 and the attachment portion 6a of the label 6 in an overlapped state. As described above, when the label 6 is welded to the side wall 3 of the seedling pot 2, as long as the welding conditions are properly managed, both the seedling pot and the label are shaped as described in Patent Document 1 above. It is possible to effectively prevent a situation in which the posture of the label 6 is changed or the label 6 is separated from the seedling pot 2 without stiffening the label and without the staple being stapled. From the above, it is possible to provide the pot structure 1 that is inexpensive and boasts high label mounting strength.

  Further, when inserting the label into the slit of the seedling pot, it is necessary to give the label itself high rigidity. However, in the configuration of the present invention in which the seedling pot 2 and the label 6 are welded, the label 6 The label 6 can be thinned because it does not require the same rigidity as the conventional one. In addition, when the attachment portion 6a of the label 6 is welded to the seedling pot 2, the attachment portion 6a only needs to be long enough to be welded to the seedling pot 2, so the length of the attachment portion 6a is conventionally increased. It can be shortened compared to. From the above, the material cost of the label 6 can be reduced, and further cost reduction of the pot structure 1 can be achieved. Incidentally, the present inventors confirmed that the label inserted into the slit of the seedling pot had a thickness of about 0.4 mm, but the label welded and fixed to the seedling pot 2 had a thickness of about 0.2 mm. It turned out to be sufficient.

  The pot structure 1 having the above configuration can be manufactured, for example, as follows.

  FIG. 3 is a plan view schematically showing the apparatus for manufacturing the pot structure 1 described above. The pot structure manufacturing apparatus 10 shown in the figure is configured to transfer the seedling pot 2 (the side wall 3 thereof) at a predetermined position on the transport path while transporting the seedling pot 2 from the right side (upstream side) to the left side (downstream side). A pot structure 1 formed by welding the label 6 (attachment portion 6a thereof) is manufactured, and a series of operations of automatically transporting the manufactured pot structure 1 further downstream is performed. More specifically, the pot structure manufacturing apparatus 10 includes an elevating table 13, first and second transfer means 11 and 12 disposed on the upstream side and the downstream side of the elevating table 13, and the elevating table 13. 3, welding means 20 disposed in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface in FIG. 3, a carry-in arm 14, and a locking member 16 disposed on the upstream side by a predetermined amount from the downstream end of the first conveying means 11. Is configured as the main part. Note that the production apparatus 10 is assumed to be used immediately before shipping from a seedling farmer or the like to a retail store, for example. Accordingly, although detailed illustration is omitted, the production apparatus 10 is supplied to the first transport unit 11. The seedling pot 2 is filled with the culture soil 7 and the seedling 8 is vegetated.

  The 1st conveyance means 11 is corresponded to the "conveyance means" as used in the field of this invention. That is, the 1st conveyance means 11 conveys the seedling pot 2 supplied on the linearly extended conveyance path 11a downstream. On the other hand, the 2nd conveyance means 12 conveys the pot structure 1 sequentially carried in from the raising / lowering table 13 to the upstream end to the downstream side. Both of these transporting means 11 and 12 are configured so that they can always be transported (continuous operation possible). A pair of first pot detection sensors 17 are arranged on both sides in the width direction of the transport path 11a upstream from the downstream end of the first transport means 11 by a predetermined amount.

  The lifting table 13 is provided so as to be lifted and lowered by a cylinder (not shown). The lifting table 13 is configured such that, in its lower limit, the placement surface of the seedling pot 2 is substantially the same height as the conveying path 11a of the first conveying means 11 and the conveying path of the second conveying means 12, In the ascending limit, the side wall 3 of the placed seedling pot 2 (strictly, the portion of the side wall 3 where the label 6 is welded) is the ultrasonic horn 21a of the ultrasonic welding machine 21 shown in FIG. It is comprised so that it may be located in substantially the same height. In addition, the lifting table 13 according to the present embodiment has a stepped portion that covers the outer periphery of the lower end of the seedling pot 2 so that the seedling pot 2 does not fall off the mounting surface during the welding step (b) described later (see FIG. 6). reference).

  A pair of second pot detection sensors 18 are disposed on the outer diameter side of the lifting table 13. The second pot detection sensor 18 is disposed so as to oppose 180 ° so that a line segment connecting the two sensors passes through the center of the lifting table 18.

  The carry-in arm 14 reciprocates between the first transport means 11 (the downstream end thereof) and the lifting table 13, and the seedling pot 2 on the most downstream side among the seedling pots 2 on the transport path 11a is It is held by a U-shaped holding portion 14 a provided at the tip, and is carried into the lifting table 13. The operation mode of the carry-in arm 14 will be described more specifically. The carry-in arm 14 is movable in the X1-X2 direction in the drawing along the guide member 15 arranged in parallel with the transfer means 11 and 12, and is a cylinder. Thus, it can be moved forward and backward (movable in the Y1-Y2 direction in the figure) with respect to the transport path 11a of the transport means 11. That is, the carry-in arm 14 draws a rectangular motion locus in plan view.

  The locking member 16 is a shaft-like member configured to be able to move forward and backward with respect to the transport path 11a of the transport means 11 by a cylinder. Regulates transfer to and from.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the welding means 20 includes an ultrasonic welding machine 21 having an ultrasonic horn 21 a and an ultrasonic oscillator 21 b, a support member 26 that supports one surface of the label 6, and the ultrasonic welding machine 21. The label supply mechanism 22 that supplies the label 6 between the support member 26 and the support member 26 constitutes a main part. The label supply mechanism 22 is attached to an urging member 25 that elastically urges a large number of labels 6 (hereinafter referred to as a stock label) toward the support member 26, and a rotation shaft of the label feed motor 23. Among the stock labels, the label 6 on the side closest to the support member 26 is fed between the ultrasonic horn 21a and the support member 26, the label feed roller 24 is attached to the support member 26, and the label of the support member 26 is attached. A label detection sensor 27 for detecting whether or not the label 6 is present on the support surface side is provided as a main constituent member.

  The pot structure manufacturing apparatus 10 mainly configured as described above automatically and continuously produces the pot structure 1 formed by welding the label 6 to the side wall 3 of the seedling pot 2 through the following steps.

(A) Operation Preparation Step At this stage, first and second transfer means 11 and 12 are first driven, and seedling pot 2 is continuously supplied onto transfer path 11a of first transfer means 11. The seedling pot 2 is transported to the downstream side on the transport path 11a, and when the seedling pot 2 on the most downstream side is detected by the first pot detection sensor 17, the direction in which the carry-in arm 14 is separated from the transport path 11a (hereinafter referred to as the seedling pot 2). , Called Y2 direction). When the carry-in arm 14 moves to the retreat limit, the locking member 16 moves forward in a direction approaching the conveyance path 11a (hereinafter referred to as Y1 direction), and moves along the conveyance path 11a on the upstream side of the seedling pot 2 on the most downstream side. cross. Thereby, the transfer movement to the downstream side of all the seedling pots 2 upstream of the seedling pot 2 on the most downstream side among the seedling pots on the transport path 11a is (temporarily) restricted ( (See FIG. 4A).

  Next, when the predetermined time has elapsed and the seedling pot 2 located on the most downstream side is transported to a predetermined position on the transport path 11a, the carry-in arm 14 moves forward in the Y1 direction, and the seedling pot 14a of the carry-in arm 14 enters the holding portion 14a. Pot 2 is held. Thus, when the carry-in arm 14 moves forward in the Y1 direction and the carry-in arm 14 moves to the forward limit, the locking member 16 moves backward in the Y2 direction, and the seedling pot 2 in which the transfer movement to the downstream side is restricted. Is resumed (see FIG. 4B). When the first pot detection sensor 17 detects the most downstream seedling pot 2 (hereinafter referred to as the seedling pot 2 ′) among the seedling pots 2 whose transport to the downstream side has been resumed, The member 16 moves forward in the Y1 direction and restricts the transport movement to the downstream side of the seedling pot on the upstream side of the seedling pot 2 ′ (see FIG. 4C).

  In parallel with the above operation, the welding means 20 prepares to weld the label 6 to the side wall 3 of the seedling pot 2. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4A, when the first pot detection sensor 17 detects the seedling pot 2 that is on the most downstream side, the label feed motor 23 is driven, and an ultrasonic horn is driven by the label feed roller 24. One label 6 is fed between 21a and the support member 26 (the label support surface thereof). Thus, when the label detection sensor 27 detects that the label 6 has been fed to the label support surface side of the support member 26, the label feed motor 23 is stopped and the label feed operation is completed. In other words, the label detection sensor 27 serves as a changeover switch for switching between driving and stopping (ON / OFF) of the label feed motor 23. When the label feeding operation is completed, the upper end portion (display portion 6b) of the fed label 6 is sandwiched between the label feeding roller 24 and the stock label, thereby the label supporting surface side of the support member 26 The label 6 sent to the sheet is prevented from falling off (see FIG. 6). That is, the label feeding roller 24 has both a label feeding function and a label holding function.

(B) Label welding step (pot structure manufacturing step)
When the operation preparation step is completed as described above, as shown in FIG. 5, the carry-in arm 14 translates in the X1 direction in the drawing, and the seedling pot 2 held in the holding portion 14 a is carried into the lifting table 13. Placed. When the second pot detection sensor 18 detects that the seedling pot 2 has been placed on the lifting table 13, and when the carry-in arm 14 moves to the left end limit, the lifting table 13 moves upward to raise the seedling pot 2 to a predetermined height. Thus, the side wall 3 of the seedling pot 2 enters between the ultrasonic horn 21a and the label 6 (see FIG. 6). When the elevating table 13 moves up to the upper limit, the ultrasonic welding machine 21 moves closer to the support member 26. When the ultrasonic welding machine 21 moves to the forward limit while the side wall 3 and the label 6 of the seedling pot 2 are sandwiched between the ultrasonic horn 21a and the support member 26, ultrasonic waves are generated from the ultrasonic oscillator 21b for a predetermined time. The pot structure 1 is produced by oscillating and attaching the attachment portion 6 b of the label 6 to the side wall portion 3 of the seedling pot 2. When a predetermined time has elapsed, the ultrasonic welding machine 21 starts to move backward, and the lifting table 13 starts to move downward (the pot assembly 1 moves away from the support member 26).

  As described above, since the seedling pot 2 supplied to the production apparatus 10 is filled with the soil 7 and the label 6 is welded to the side wall 3 of the seedling pot 2, the label is lowered when the lifting table 13 is lowered. The label 6 (the label 6 to which the seedling pot 2 is welded, that is, the label 6 constituting the pot structure 1) having an upper end sandwiched between the feed roller 24 and the stock label is labeled by the weight of the pot structure 1. It is pulled out between 24 and the stock label. At this time, as described above, since the label detection sensor 27 serves as a switch for driving and stopping the label feed motor 23, the label 6 is completely pulled out, and further, on the label support surface side of the support member 26. The label feed mechanism 22 (label feed motor 23) is not driven until the label detection sensor 27 detects that the label 6 is lost. After the pot structure 1 is lowered by a predetermined amount (for example, after the elevating table 13 is lowered to the lower limit), the label feed motor 23 is driven, and the label 6 to be welded next is the ultrasonic welder 21, the support member 26, and the like. It is sent in between.

  By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the label 6 is redundantly supplied between the ultrasonic welder 21 and the support member 26. Therefore, in addition to being able to weld the label 6 to the side wall 3 of the seedling pot 2 with high accuracy, it is possible to prevent malfunction of the apparatus and malfunction of the apparatus. In particular, since the label detection sensor 27 is provided on the support member 26, the above configuration can be obtained relatively easily and reliably. That is, since the support member 26 supports one surface of the label 6, if the label detection sensor 27 is provided on the support member 26, the label 6 is placed between the ultrasonic welding machine 21 and the support member 26. This is because it can be easily and accurately detected whether it is present or absent.

  While the pot structure 1 is manufactured as described above and the lifting table 13 is returned to the origin, the carry-in arm 14 is transferred to the seedling pot 2 (next) which is transported downstream on the transport path 11 a of the first transport means 11. The seedling pot 2 ′) to which the label 6 is to be welded is held to be held. The operation of the carry-in arm 14 until the seedling pot 2 'is held is as follows. First, when the carry-in arm 14 moves in parallel to the left end limit so that the seedling pot 2 is placed on the lifting table 13, the carry-in arm 14 moves backward in the Y2 direction. Next, as shown in FIG. 7, the carry-in arm 14 translates in the X2 direction, and when this reaches the right end limit, the carry-in arm 14 moves forward in the Y1 direction and holds the seedling pot 2 'in the holding portion 14a. To do.

  As described above, when the carry-in arm 14 moves to the forward limit and holds the seedling pot 2 'in the holding portion 14a, the locking member 16 moves backward in the Y2 direction, and the locking member 16 transports downstream. Transport of the regulated seedling pot 2 ″ (the seedling pot adjacent to the upstream side of the seedling pot 2 ′) to the downstream side is resumed (see FIG. 7). When the first pot detection sensor 17 detects "", the locking member 16 moves forward in the Y1 direction, and the locking member 16 crosses the transport path 11a on the upstream side of the seedling pot 2 "(see FIG. 8).

(C) Pot discharging / loading step When the lifting table 13 returns to the origin and the locking member 16 moves forward to the forward limit, the loading arm 14 holding the seedling pot 2 'in the holding portion 14a is shown in FIG. In this way, it is translated in the X1 direction. With the parallel movement of the carry-in arm 14 in the X1 direction, discharge (dispensing) of the pot structure 1 to the second transfer means 12 and carry-in of the seedling pot 2 ′ to the lifting table 13 are continuously performed. That is, with the parallel movement of the loading arm 14 in the X1 direction, the pot structure 1 is pressurized in the X1 direction by the holding portion 14a, so that the pot structure 1 gradually moves in the X1 direction. Then, when the carry-in arm 14 is translated by a predetermined amount in the X1 direction, the discharge of the pot structure 1 to the second transfer means 12 is completed. When the parallel movement of the loading arm 14 in the X1 direction further proceeds, the seedling pot 2 ′ is loaded and placed on the lifting table 13. The seedling pot 2 ′ placed on the lifting table 13 is subjected to the above-described (b) label welding step. Although not shown, the pot structure 1 discharged to the second transport unit 12 is transported downstream by the second transport unit 12 and aligned.

  And the pot structure 1 formed by welding the label 6 to the side wall part 3 of the seedling pot 2 by continuously performing the (b) label welding step and the (c) pot discharging / carrying step described above. Automatically continuously produced.

  As described above, when the pot structure manufacturing apparatus 10 according to the present invention is used, the pot structure 1 with high attachment strength of the label 6 can be automatically and continuously produced if the welding conditions are appropriately set. . Therefore, compared with the case where the pot structure 1 is manufactured manually as in the prior art, the pot structure 1 can be efficiently manufactured, and the manufacturing cost of the pot structure 1 can be reduced. In particular, the carry-in arm 14 continuously discharges the pot assembly 1 placed on the lift table 13 to the downstream side (second transfer means 12) and carries the seedling pot 2 'into the lift table 13. Since it comprised as mentioned above, the situation which a time lag produces between each step can be avoided as much as possible, and the pot structure 1 can be manufactured still more efficiently.

  Moreover, although the 1st conveyance means 11 as a conveyance means as used in the field of this invention is always carrying conveyance drive, it can advance and retreat with respect to the conveyance path 11a on the conveyance path 11a of the 1st conveyance means 11, and it is a seedling in an advance state. A locking member 16 is provided that engages with the pot 2 and temporarily stops the downstream transfer of the seedling pot 2. In this way, even when the seedling pot 2 is continuously supplied onto the transport path 11a as in this embodiment, a situation where the seedling pot 2 falls off from the downstream end of the transport path 11a is avoided. However, the seedling pot 2 on the most downstream side on the transport path 11a can be carried into the lifting table 13 and the pot assembly 1 can be appropriately manufactured.

  Further, since the ultrasonic welding machine 21 is used as the welding machine constituting the welding means 20, the time required for welding the seedling pot 2 and the label 6 as compared with the case of using other types of welding machines such as a high-frequency welding machine. Is short enough. Therefore, the cycle time of the welding step can be reduced and the production efficiency of the pot structure 1 can be increased. Further, the ultrasonic welding machine 21 is more advantageous in simplifying and making the pot structure manufacturing apparatus 10 more compact than the other welding machines described above. Furthermore, since the ultrasonic welding machine 21 can basically weld any combination of resins as long as they are thermoplastic resins, the degree of freedom in selecting a resin material for forming the seedling pot 2 and the label 6 is increased. There is also a merit that it is expensive and versatile.

  The pot structure manufacturing apparatus 10 according to the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can of course be made. For example, the lifting table 13 can be configured such that an inner diameter portion that supports the outer bottom surface of the seedling pot 2 and an outer diameter portion that can restrain the lower outer diameter surface of the seedling pot 2 are relatively movable in the vertical direction. . In such a configuration, the inner diameter portion and the outer diameter portion are positioned on the same plane when the pot is carried in and out, while a predetermined step is formed between the two when the lifting table 13 is raised and lowered (when the label 6 is welded). If comprised so, pot carrying-in and discharge | emission can be performed more smoothly, preventing the drop-off | omission of the pot at the time of raising / lowering the raising / lowering table 13 effectively.

It is a perspective view which shows one Embodiment of the pot structure which concerns on this invention. It is sectional drawing of the pot structure shown in FIG. It is a schematic plan view which shows typically the pot structure manufacturing apparatus which concerns on this invention, and is a schematic plan view of the manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing the pot structure shown in FIG. (A)-(c) figure is a schematic plan view which shows typically each step of the operation preparation step of the pot structure manufacturing apparatus shown in FIG. It is a schematic plan view which shows a pot carrying-in step typically. It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows a label welding step typically. It is a schematic plan view which shows typically operation | movement aspects, such as a carrying-in arm in a label welding step. It is a schematic plan view which shows a pot discharge and carrying-in step typically.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Pot structure 2, 2 ', 2 "Seed pot 3 Side wall part 6 Label 10 Pot structure manufacturing apparatus 11 1st conveyance means 11a Conveyance path 12 2nd conveyance means 13 Lifting table 14 Loading arm 16 Locking member 17 1st pot detection Sensor 18 Second pot detection sensor 20 Welding means 21 Ultrasonic welder 22 Label supply mechanism 26 Support member 27 Label detection sensor

Claims (6)

An apparatus for producing a pot structure in which a label is welded to a side wall of a seedling pot,
Conveying means for conveying the seedling pot supplied on the conveying path to the downstream side, an elevating table disposed on the downstream side of the conveying means for placing and raising the seedling pot, and disposed above the elevating table A welding means for producing a pot structure by welding a label to the seedling pot, and a reciprocating motion between the transporting means and the lifting table, and the seedling pot on the most downstream side on the transporting path is placed on the lifting table. A carry-in arm for carrying in,
The pot, wherein the carry-in arm is configured to continuously discharge the pot structure placed on the lift table to the downstream side and carry the seedling pot into the lift table. Structure manufacturing equipment. The transport means is always driven to transport,
The pot according to claim 1, further comprising a locking member that is provided so as to be able to advance and retreat with respect to the transport path, and that locks the seedling pot in a forward state and temporarily stops transporting the seedling pot to the downstream side. Structure manufacturing equipment.   The said welding means has an ultrasonic welding machine, a supporting member which supports one surface of a label, and a label supply mechanism which supplies a label between the said ultrasonic welding machine and the said supporting member. 2. The pot structure manufacturing apparatus according to 2. An apparatus for producing a pot structure in which a label is welded to a side wall of a seedling pot,
An ultrasonic welder, a support member that supports one surface of the label, and a label supply mechanism that supplies a label between the ultrasonic welder and the support member,
A pot formed by arranging a side wall portion of a seedling pot on the other surface side of the label and then welding the label to the side wall portion of the seedling pot by relatively moving the ultrasonic welding machine and the support member. A pot structure manufacturing apparatus, wherein a structure is manufactured, and then the pot structure is moved away from the support member in a state where the label supply mechanism is stopped.   The pot structure manufacturing apparatus according to claim 3 or 4, wherein a label detection sensor is provided on the support member, and the label detection sensor controls switching between driving and stopping of the label supply mechanism.   A pot structure with a label welded to the side wall of a seedling pot.

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