JP2010274966A - Liquid filling apparatus and standby method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To achieve a liquid filling apparatus in which a needle of a filling nozzle thereof is kept out of contact with outside air during standby period. <P>SOLUTION: The liquid filling apparatus includes a filling nozzle 12 that fills a closed container 3 with a liquid by inserting a needle 122 thereinto, and a standby container 15 that houses the needle 122 when the liquid is not filled in the closed container 3. A needle base 123 fitted into a sealing member 152 when the needle 122 is housed in the standby container 15, is provided at the root of the needle 122 via a through-hole 152a formed in the sealing member 152 of the standby container 15. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid filling apparatus that fills a container with a liquid using a nozzle. The present invention also relates to a standby method for waiting a nozzle in such a liquid filling apparatus.

  Liquid filling devices are often used to fill containers with fluid objects such as beverages and ink (hereinafter referred to as liquids). The liquid filling device is intended to fill a second container (hereinafter referred to as “filling container”) with a liquid stored in a first container (hereinafter referred to as “supply container”).

  The configuration of each part of the liquid filling apparatus can vary depending on the application. In particular, the shape of the filling nozzle that injects the liquid into the filling container may vary depending on the properties of the filling liquid (for example, viscosity and volatility) and the shape and properties of the filling container.

  For example, as a device for filling a paper cup with a liquid, the liquid filling device described in Patent Document 1 can be cited. In this liquid filling apparatus, a filling nozzle whose tip is spread in a trumpet shape is used.

  On the other hand, when a closed container is filled with a liquid or when a highly volatile liquid is filled into a container, it is necessary to keep the hermeticity of the filled container during and after filling the liquid high. In such a case, there is often a method in which the opening of the filling container is sealed with an elastic body having an inward internal stress, and then the liquid is filled into the filling container via a needle inserted into the elastic body. Used.

  An example of the liquid to be filled is printer ink. There are various types of ink for printers. As the solvent, a volatile organic solvent is mainly used, and as the solute, a solvent containing a dye, a pigment, or a thermosetting resin is used. In addition, recently, development of an apparatus using a liquid discharge recording apparatus for industrial use is also progressing. For example, it is also applied to a liquid crystal display manufacturing apparatus or a solar cell manufacturing apparatus. Ink is used.

  Patent Document 2 discloses a technique for filling a sub tank with ink accumulated in a main tank. The main tank corresponds to the supply container, and the sub tank corresponds to the filling container. The main tank and the sub tank need to be sealed to prevent ink drying. For this reason, the needle is inserted into the joint rubber to fill the sub tank with the liquid. The joint rubber seals the sub-tank with internal stress, and keeps the sub-tank sealed not only when the supply nozzle is inserted but also after the supply nozzle is pulled out. Can do.

  In Patent Document 3, the standby container is stored in a state in which the nozzle is accommodated by bringing the lower surface of the nozzle into contact with the upper end of the side wall of the standby container or by inserting the nozzle into a seal member that covers the opening of the standby container. Is described, and a technique for preventing the nozzle from coming into contact with outside air in a standby state is described.

Shokai 62-137296 (Release Date: August 29, 1987) JP 2008-006772 (release date: January 17, 2008) JP2003-071363 (release date: March 11, 2003)

  However, in the liquid filling device described in Patent Document 2, in the state where the filling nozzle is waiting after leaving the filling container (hereinafter referred to as “standby state”), the filling nozzle is in contact with the outside air. There is a problem that the quality of the liquid staying in the tube tends to deteriorate.

  More specifically, there is a risk of solute precipitation or liquid solidification due to evaporation or volatilization of the solvent. When solute precipitation or liquid solidification occurs, the cross-sectional area of the liquid flow path and piping inside the filling nozzle decreases, and thus the flow path resistance increases and nozzle clogging occurs. In addition, the precipitates and solids are peeled off and filled, causing problems such as the generation of precipitates in the filling container. In particular, such a problem is likely to occur when the solvent easily evaporates or when the standby time is long.

  According to the technique described in Patent Document 3, such a problem can be avoided. However, in the configuration in which the sealed state is realized by bringing the lower surface of the nozzle into contact with the upper end surface of the side wall of the standby container, the sealed state is realized if the flatness of the upper end surface of the side wall of the standby container and the lower surface of the nozzle is slightly impaired There was a problem that it was impossible. Moreover, the structure which implement | achieves sealing of a standby container using the sealing member which covers the opening part of a standby container was not applicable to the nozzle which inserts a needle and fills a container with a liquid. This is because the sealing member has plasticity, so that the needle may be inserted too deeply or may be inserted at an angle to damage the tip of the needle or the standby container.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to realize a liquid filling apparatus in which a needle of a filling nozzle does not come into contact with outside air in a standby state.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, a liquid filling apparatus according to the present invention includes a nozzle that pierces a needle and fills the container with the liquid, and a storage container that accommodates the needle when the container is not filled with the liquid. The liquid filling apparatus includes a fitting portion that fits into the cap portion when the needle is accommodated in the housing container through a through hole formed in the cap portion of the housing container. It is formed at the root of.

  According to the said structure, when the said needle is accommodated in the said storage container through the through-hole formed in the cap part of the said storage container, the fitting part provided in the base of the said needle will be the plug of the said storage container The storage container is hermetically sealed. That is, sealing of the storage container is realized by fitting the fitting part and the plug part. For this reason, compared with the case where sealing of the said storage container is implement | achieved by contact | abutting with the side wall upper end surface of a waiting | standby container, and the lower surface of a nozzle, a storage container can be sealed more reliably. That is, when the container is not filled with liquid, the needle can be more reliably prevented from coming into contact with the outside air.

  In addition, according to the above configuration, since the fitting portion provided at the base of the needle is fitted into the plug portion, the needle is inserted too deeply, and the tip of the needle is placed on the bottom surface of the storage container. It is possible to prevent the housing container or the needle from being damaged by contact or when the needle is inserted obliquely and the tip of the needle contacts the side surface of the housing container.

In addition, the needle is not pierced into the container like when filling with liquid,
It is accommodated in the container through the through hole provided in advance in the plug portion (the diameter of the through hole is slightly larger than the diameter of the needle). Therefore, it can prevent that the said needle and the said plug part contact, and the said needle or the said plug part is damaged.

  In the liquid filling apparatus according to the present invention, it is preferable that the fitting portion is formed in a cone shape or a truncated cone shape whose apex is directed toward the tip of the needle.

  According to the said structure, the said fitting part can be more effectively fitted to the said plug part. Thereby, when the said needle is accommodated in the said storage container, the said storage container can be sealed more reliably.

  In the liquid filling apparatus according to the present invention, it is preferable that an O-ring is provided on an inner surface surrounding the through hole of the plug portion.

  According to the said structure, the said container can be sealed more reliably by pressing the said fitting part to the said O-ring.

  In the liquid filling apparatus according to the present invention, it is preferable that the fitting portion is a recess that fits into an inner edge of the plug portion that surrounds the through hole.

  According to the said structure, the said fitting part can be more effectively fitted to the said plug part. Thereby, when the said needle is accommodated in the said storage container, the said storage container can be sealed more reliably.

  In the liquid filling apparatus according to the present invention, the plug portion is divided so as to be openable and closable, and the fitting portion is formed on an inner edge of the plug portion surrounding the through hole when the plug portion is closed. It is preferable that it is a recessed part to fit.

  According to the said structure, the said fitting part can be effectively fitted to the said plug part, and also the wear and deterioration of the said plug part and a fitting part can be prevented. Therefore, according to the said structure, the said storage container can be sealed reliably, and the maintenance management of the said stopper part and a fitting part can be made easy.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, a standby method according to the present invention is a liquid filling apparatus including a nozzle that pierces a needle and fills the container with a liquid, and a storage container that stores the needle. The fitting portion formed at the base of the needle is formed in the plug portion so that the fitting portion is fitted into the plug portion of the containing container when the container is not filled with liquid. The needle is housed in the housing container through the through hole.

  According to the said structure, when the container is not filled with the liquid, it can prevent more reliably that the said needle contacts external air.

  As described above, the liquid filling apparatus according to the present invention includes a nozzle that pierces a needle and fills the container with the liquid, and a storage container that accommodates the needle when the container is not filled with the liquid. In the filling device, when the needle is accommodated in the accommodation container through a through hole formed in the closure portion of the accommodation container, a fitting portion that fits into the closure portion is at the base of the needle. Is formed. For this reason, when the container is not filled with a liquid, it can prevent more reliably that the said needle contacts external air.

It is a figure which shows the 3rd Embodiment of this invention and shows the structure of a filling nozzle and a standby container. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is the schematic which shows embodiment of this invention and shows the principal part structure of the liquid filling apparatus which concerns on this invention. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing a modification of the embodiment of the present invention and showing a main configuration of a liquid filling apparatus according to the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is a figure which shows embodiment of this invention and shows the structure of an airtight container. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the present invention, (a) is a diagram showing the configuration of a filling nozzle and a standby container, (b) is a top view showing a modification of this embodiment, c) is a cross-sectional view showing the modification of the present embodiment. The 2nd Embodiment of this invention is shown and it is a figure which shows the structure of a filling nozzle and a standby container.

[Configuration of liquid filling device]
First, the principal part structure of the liquid filling apparatus 1 is demonstrated with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a main configuration of the liquid filling apparatus 1.

  The liquid filling apparatus 1 is an apparatus for filling the liquid container 1 with the liquid stored in the supply container 2, and as shown in FIG. 2, as shown in FIG. A liquid transport pipe 13, a liquid transport pump 14, and a standby container (storage container) 15 are provided.

  The sealed container installation unit 11 is configured to install the sealed container 3. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the sealed container installation unit 11 capable of installing three sealed containers 3 is used, but the sealed container installation capable of installing two or four or more sealed containers 3 is used. May be used, or an airtight container installation part capable of installing a single airtight container 3 may be used. Further, in order to sequentially fill a large number of airtight containers 3 with liquid, the airtight container 3 that has already been filled with liquid is carried out from the airtight container setting section 11, and the airtight container 3 that has not yet been filled with liquid is taken into the airtight container setting section 11 may be added.

  The filling nozzle 12, the liquid transport pipe 13, and the liquid transport pump 14 are configured to fill the liquid stored in the supply container 2 into the sealed container 3 installed in the sealed container installation unit 11. . The filling nozzle 12 is provided with a needle. When the needle is inserted into the sealed container 3 and the liquid transport pump 14 is operated, the liquid stored in the supply container 2 is passed through the liquid transport pipe 13. It is conveyed to the filling nozzle 12 and is injected into the closed container 3 through a needle.

  2 illustrates the liquid filling apparatus 1 including a single filling nozzle 12, a liquid conveyance pipe 13, and a liquid conveyance pump 14. However, the liquid filling apparatus 1 includes a plurality of filling nozzles. 12, the liquid conveyance piping 13 and the liquid conveyance pump 14 may be provided. In particular, when a plurality of different types of liquids are filled, the same number of filling nozzles 12, liquid conveying pipes 13, and liquid conveying pumps 14 as the types of liquids to be filled are provided, and depending on the type of liquid to be filled The filling nozzle 12, the liquid transport pipe 13, and the liquid transport pump 14 may be used properly. In addition, when a plurality of closed containers 3 can be installed in the closed container installation unit 11, the same number of filling nozzles 12 as the closed containers 3 may be provided, and these closed containers 3 may be filled with liquid simultaneously.

  Further, the liquid transport pipe 13 may be any pipe as long as it is a flow path for the liquid transported from the supply container 2 to the filling nozzle 12, and the material thereof depends on the properties of the liquid to be filled. Is preferred. In this embodiment, a PFA tube is used as a liquid transport pipe. The liquid transport pipe 13 is inserted deeply into the supply container 2 so that the end reaches the bottom surface of the supply container 2 so that the liquid can continue to be transported even if the liquid accumulated in the supply container 2 decreases. I have to. On the other hand, the outer surface of the other end of the liquid transport pipe 13 is threaded so that the filling nozzle 12 can be screwed.

  The liquid transport pump 14 may be any pump that discharges the liquid sucked from the supply container 2 side to the filling nozzle 12 side, but its structure and material are in accordance with the properties of the liquid to be filled. It is preferable. In this embodiment, the tube pump is used as the liquid transport pump 14, but a diaphragm pump may be used as the liquid transport pump 14 instead of the tube pump. Further, instead of transporting the liquid by the liquid transport pump 14, the liquid may be transported by putting the supply container 2 in a pressurized tank and pressurizing the pressurized tank.

  The standby container 15 is a container for accommodating the needle of the filling nozzle 12 when the liquid is not filled. The material of the standby container 15 is preferably in accordance with the properties of the liquid to be filled. The standby container 15 is sealed by a sealing member in which a through hole is formed, and the needle of the filling nozzle 12 inserted through the through hole can be accommodated therein. At this time, the needle base provided at the base of the needle of the filling nozzle 12 closes the through hole provided in the sealing member, whereby the standby container 15 is sealed. The standby container 15 is filled with a solvent in advance, so that the liquid staying in the filling nozzle 12 is not dried even in the standby state. If the internal volume of the standby container 15 is sufficiently small, the standby container 15 may not be filled with the solvent in advance. In this case, the vapor pressure in the standby container 15 is kept sufficiently high by the solvent remaining in the filling nozzle 12.

  In FIG. 2, the liquid filling apparatus 1 including a single standby container 15 is illustrated, but the liquid filling apparatus 1 may include a plurality of standby containers 15. In particular, when a plurality of filling nozzles 12 are provided, it is preferable to provide the same number of standby containers 15 as the filling nozzles 12 so that the filling nozzles 12 can be made to wait simultaneously.

  The liquid filling apparatus 1 further moves moving means (not shown) for moving the filling nozzle 12 or the sealed container 3 and the standby container 15 in the horizontal direction, and moves the filling nozzle 12 or the sealed container 3 and the standby container 15 in the vertical direction. Moving means (not shown).

  When the closed container 3 is filled with the liquid, the horizontal movement means moves the filling nozzle 12 or the closed container 3 in the horizontal direction so that the filling nozzle 12 is disposed on the closed container 3. Then, the vertical movement means lowers the filling nozzle 12 or raises the sealed container 3 so that the needle of the filling nozzle 12 is inserted into the sealed container 3. On the other hand, when the airtight container 3 is not filled with liquid, the horizontal movement means moves the filling nozzle 12 or the standby container 15 in the horizontal direction so that the filling nozzle 12 is disposed on the standby container 15. Then, the vertical movement means lowers the filling nozzle 12 or raises the standby container 15 so that the needle of the filling nozzle 12 is accommodated in the standby container 15.

In the present embodiment, a horizontal movement means is configured by a stage (not shown) on which the sealed container 3 and the standby container 15 are placed and a motor slider (not shown) that drives the stage in the horizontal direction. However, an air drive device such as an air cylinder may be used instead of an electric drive device such as a motor slider. In addition, when sequentially filling a large number of sealed containers 3 with liquid, a configuration in which the sealed container 3 and the standby container 15 are moved in the horizontal direction is preferable to a configuration in which the filling nozzle 12 is moved in the horizontal direction. In this case, using a conveyor or the like, the operation of carrying out the sealed container 3 already filled with the liquid from directly under the filling nozzle 12 and carrying in the sealed container 3 not yet filled with the liquid directly under the filling nozzle 12 is repeated. It is good to do so.

  In the present embodiment, the vertical direction moving means is constituted by the air cylinder, but an electric drive device such as a motor slider may be used instead of an air drive drive device such as an air cylinder. In addition, if it only moves the filling container 2 up and down, it is easy to use an air cylinder.

  Next, a modification of the liquid filling apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a modification of the liquid filling apparatus 1 to which some configurations are added. Here, as the liquid to be filled in the filling container 3, a liquid that dislikes contact with air is assumed, and the configuration shown in FIG. 2 mainly includes an exhaust nozzle 21, an exhaust pipe 22, and an exhaust pump 23. A deaeration device 24 and a check valve 25 are added.

  The exhaust nozzle 21, the exhaust pipe 22, and the exhaust pump 23 are configured to evacuate the sealed container 3 before filling with liquid. The exhaust nozzle 21 is configured in the same manner as the filling nozzle 12. When the needle provided in the exhaust nozzle 21 is inserted into the sealed container 3 and the exhaust pump 23 is operated, the gas in the sealed container 3 is exhausted. It is discharged to the outside through the pipe 22. The sealed container 3 is formed of a plastic material, and can be easily evacuated or substantially vacuumed by discharging the gas in the sealed container 3.

  The deaeration device 24 and the check valve 25 are configured to remove (degas) the dissolved gas from the liquid transported to the filling nozzle 12 via the liquid transport pipe 13. A tube with fine holes is provided in the deaeration device 24, and the liquid conveyed to the filling nozzle 12 passes through this tube. At this time, since the dissolved gas diffuses out of the tube from the fine holes, the dissolved gas is removed from the liquid in the tube. The deaerator 24 is connected to the exhaust pipe 22 via the check valve 25, and the gas removed from the liquid by the deaerator 24 is discharged to the outside via the exhaust pipe 22.

  As shown in FIG. 3, a control valve 26 may be provided in the liquid transport pipe 13 so that the flow rate of the transported liquid can be controlled. The control valve 26 provided in the liquid transport pipe 13 may be anything according to the nature of the liquid to be transported and the pressure of the liquid to be transported. Further, the control valve 26 may be provided anywhere in the liquid conveyance pipe 13, but may be provided, for example, in the vicinity of the supply container 2 and in the vicinity of the filling nozzle 12 as illustrated in FIG. 3.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 3, a control valve 26 may be provided in the exhaust pipe 22 so that the flow rate of the discharged gas can be controlled. The control valve 26 provided in the exhaust pipe 22 may be anything according to the nature of the exhausted gas and the pressure of the exhausted gas. Further, the control valve 26 may be provided anywhere in the exhaust pipe 22, but for example, it may be provided in the vicinity of the exhaust nozzle 21 as shown in FIG.

Further, the liquid filling apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 3 includes a control device 27, and the operation of each part of the liquid filling device 1 is controlled by the control device 27. In the present embodiment, the operation of the horizontal direction moving means, the vertical direction moving means, the liquid transport pump 14, the exhaust pump 23, and the control valve 26 is controlled by the control device 27. For example, a personal computer or a PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) may be used as the control device 27. For transmission / reception of control signals between the control device 27 and the liquid filling device 1, LAN, C.I. C. Link or the like may be used.

[Structure of sealed container]
Next, the configuration of the sealed container 3 will be described with reference to FIG. 4A is an exploded cross-sectional view of the periphery of the cap portion of the sealed container 3, and FIG. 4B is an exploded cross-sectional view of the sealed container 3. As shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 4B, the sealed container 3 includes a sealed container body 32 having an opening formed therein and a sealed container mouth plug portion 31 attached to the opening location of the sealed container body 32. .

  Although what kind of thing may be used for the airtight container main body 32, it is preferable that it is a thing of the material according to the property of the liquid with which it fills. For example, when it is necessary to evacuate before filling the liquid, such as when the liquid to be filled does not like to be exposed to air, it is preferable to use a plastic material. In the present embodiment, a bag made of a polyethylene sheet by thermocompression bonding is used as the sealed container body 32.

  As shown in FIG. 4A, the sealed container plug 31 includes a sealed container opening 311, a sealed container sealing member 312 for sealing the sealed container opening 311, and a sealed container sealing member. It is comprised from the sealing member restraint 313 for fixing 312 to the airtight container opening part 311. FIG. The airtight container opening 311 and the sealing member restraint 313 may be any material, but are preferably in accordance with the properties of the liquid to be filled. In the present embodiment, a Teflon (registered trademark) sealed container opening 311 and a sealing member restraint 313 are used. The sealed container sealing member 312 may be anything that has elasticity, but in this embodiment, a Teflon-coated material made of silicon rubber is used as the sealed container sealing member 312.

  The outer diameter of the hermetic container sealing member 312 is preferably larger than the inner diameter of the hermetic container opening 311. Thereby, when the sealed container sealing member 312 is inserted into the sealed container opening 311, internal stress is generated in the sealed container sealing member 312. With this internal stress, the hermeticity of the sealed container 3 can be maintained even when the filling nozzle 12 is inserted or the filling nozzle 12 is removed.

  The sealing member restraint 313 is fixed to the sealed container opening 311 by a fixing means provided in the sealed container restraint 311 and the sealing member restraint 313. For example, a male screw and a female screw are respectively provided in the sealed container opening 311 and the sealing member restraint 313, and the sealing member restraint 313 is screwed to fix the sealing member restraint 313 to the sealed container opening 311. The method of doing is mentioned. Further, a claw and a claw receptacle are respectively provided in the sealed container opening 311 and the sealing member restraint 313, and the sealing member restraint 313 is fitted into the sealed container opening 311 so that the sealing member restraint 313 is sealed in the sealed container opening 311. So is the method of fixing against.

[Embodiment 1]
Next, the liquid filling apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described. The feature of the liquid filling apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is the structure of the filling nozzle 12 and the standby container 15. Since the other configuration of the liquid filling apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment has already been described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, hereinafter, the filling nozzle 12 included in the liquid filling apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment and The standby container 15 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 5 is a view showing the structure of the filling nozzle 12 and the standby container 15. A side view of the filling nozzle 12 and a cross-sectional view of the standby container 15 are shown.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the filling nozzle 12 includes a pipe mounting portion 121, a needle 122, and a needle base (fitting portion) 123, so that a flow path provided therein communicates. And these are integrated. The pipe attachment part 121, the needle 122, and the needle base 123 are all made of SUS.

  The needle base 123 in the present embodiment is cylindrical, and is provided at the base of the needle 122 so that the central axis of the needle 122 coincides with the central axis of the needle base 123. In addition, a concave portion (groove) 123 a that goes around the needle base 123 is formed (excavated) on the outer surface of the needle base 123.

  In this embodiment, the needle 122 is formed by cutting the tip of a SUS pipe having a diameter of 1.0 mm obliquely into a needle shape. However, the shape of the tip of the needle 122 may be anything as long as it can be easily inserted into the sealed container sealing member 312 and is not limited thereto. The diameter of the needle 122 may be any value as long as the required strength and flow rate are ensured, and is not limited to this. However, considering the ease of insertion into the sealed container sealing member 312, the needle 122 is preferably thinner.

  Filling the sealed container 3 with liquid by inserting the needle 122 into the sealed container sealing member 312 and injecting the liquid transported from the liquid transporting pipe 13 into the sealed container 3 through the needle 122. Done. Due to the internal stress of the hermetic container sealing member 312, when the needle 122 is inserted into the hermetic container sealing member 312, there is no gap between the needle 122 and the hermetic container sealing member 312. For this reason, liquid does not leak or outside air is not mixed.

  As shown in FIG. 5A, the standby container 15 includes a standby container main body 151 in which an opening is formed, and a standby container sealing member 152 that seals the opening. The standby container sealing member 152 may be anything as long as it has elasticity. In this embodiment, the standby container sealing member 152 is made of Teflon-coated silicon rubber.

  A circular through hole 152 a for penetrating the needle 122 is formed in the center of the standby container sealing member 152. The diameter of the through hole 152 a is sufficiently larger than the diameter of the needle 122 and slightly smaller than the diameter of the needle base 123. For this reason, the needle 122 can be accommodated in the standby container 15 without being brought into contact with the standby container sealing member 152, and the recess formed in the needle base 123 when the needle 122 is accommodated in the standby container 15. 123a and the inner edge of the standby container sealing member 152 surrounding the through hole 152a can be fitted. Thereby, sealing of the standby container 15 in the standby state is achieved.

  As described above, by utilizing the elasticity of the standby container sealing member 152, the recess 123a formed in the needle base 123 and the inner edge of the standby container sealing member 152 surrounding the through hole 152a are fitted. Instead of the configuration, the standby container sealing member 152 is divided so as to be openable and closable so that the recess 123a formed in the needle base 123 and the inner edge of the standby container sealing member 152 surrounding the through hole 152a are fitted. May be adopted. FIG. 5B and FIG. 5C show such a configuration realized by providing the standby container sealing member slide mechanism 160 around the opening of the standby container main body 151.

  FIGS. 5B and 5C are diagrams specifically showing the standby container sealing member slide mechanism 160. FIG. FIG. 5B is a top view showing the periphery of the opening of the standby container 151, and FIG. 5C is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA 'in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 5B, the standby container sealing member slide mechanism 160 includes a standby container sealing member 152, a slider 161, a rail 162, an elastic body 163, and a lid closing mechanism 164. Yes.

  The rail 162 is a part for supporting the slider 161 in a slidable manner. As shown in FIG. 5B, a circular through-hole 162a for penetrating the needle 122 is formed at the center of the rail 162. Further, the two sliders 161 are arranged on the upper surface of the rail 162 so as to face each other with the central axis of the through hole 162a interposed therebetween, and can slide linearly in the diameter direction of the through hole 162a with respect to the rail 162. It is attached.

  The lower surface of the rail 162 is fixed to the standby container 151 so that the central axis of the opening of the standby container 151 coincides with the central axis of the through hole 162a. In this embodiment, the opening of the standby container 151 is a circle having a diameter equal to that of the through hole 162a. Further, the diameter of the through hole 162a is sufficiently larger than the diameter of the needle 122. Therefore, the needle 122 can be accommodated in the standby container 15 without contacting the standby container and the rail 162.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5B, a standby container sealing member 152 is attached to the side of each slider 161 facing the through hole 162a. In the present embodiment, the standby container sealing member 152 has a semicircular shape, and the circumferential portion thereof is closely fixed to the semicircular edge formed on the side of the slider 161 facing the through hole 162a. Yes.

  As shown in FIG. 5B, a semicircular cut is formed on the edge of the standby container sealing member 152 facing the through hole 162 a, and the radius of the cut is that of the needle base 123. Slightly smaller than the radius. Therefore, when the needle 122 is accommodated in the standby container 15, each of the sliders 161 is slid toward the through hole 162 a, thereby forming the recess 123 a formed in the needle base 123 and the standby container sealing member 152. The above semicircular cut can be fitted.

  Further, when the recess 123a and the semicircular cut are fitted, the opposing sliders 161 abut against each other, and the edges of the standby container sealing members 152 in the opposing sliders 161 abut each other. Thereby, sealing of the standby container 15 is achieved in the standby state.

  The standby container sealing member 152 preferably has elasticity. In this embodiment, the standby container sealing member 152 is made of Teflon-coated silicon rubber.

  The operation of the slider 161 may be controlled in conjunction with the operation of the filling nozzle 12 by using a power source (not shown) such as a motor, as shown in FIGS. 5B and 5C. As described above, the slider 161 can be operated using the lid closing mechanism 164 and the elastic body 163.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5B, when a lid closing mechanism 164 having a right-angled triangular cross section is attached to the upper surface of each slider 161 and the needle 122 is accommodated in the standby container 15, The slider 161 is slid toward the through-hole 162a in conjunction with the downward movement of the filling nozzle 12 by pressing a contact portion (not shown) fixed around the filling nozzle 12 against the inclined surface of the closing mechanism 164 from above. Can be made.

  Each slider 161 is urged in the direction opposite to the through hole 162a by the elastic body 163, so that the standby state of the filling nozzle 12 is finished and the filling element 12 is pulled out from the standby container 15. Each slider 161 is restored to a state sufficiently separated from each other.

  The shape and arrangement of the lid closing mechanism 164 are not limited to the above description, and the slider 161 is slid toward the through-hole 162a using a force that lowers the filling nozzle 12 toward the standby container 151. Various shapes and mechanisms are possible.

  In the present embodiment, since the standby container 15 is sealed in the standby state of the needle 122 as described above, the liquid staying in the filling nozzle 12 in the standby state touches the outside air, and the quality thereof is improved. Deterioration can be suppressed. More specifically, it is possible to suppress the solute from being precipitated by the evaporation or volatilization of the solvent from the liquid staying in the filling nozzle 12 or the solidification of the liquid staying in the filling nozzle 12. . Moreover, since the needle 122 can be accommodated in the standby container 15 without making contact with the standby container sealing member 152, the needle 122 and the standby container can be used even when the standby of the filling nozzle 12 is repeated. It is difficult for the sealing member 152 to deteriorate.

  In addition, by filling the standby container 15 with the solvent in advance, it is possible to more reliably prevent the quality deterioration of the liquid staying in the filling nozzle 12. When the volume of the standby container 15 is sufficiently small, the standby container 15 may not be filled with a solvent in advance. This is because if the volume of the standby container 15 is sufficiently small, the vapor pressure of the solvent in the standby container 15 becomes sufficiently high in a short time due to the liquid remaining in the filling nozzle 12.

[Embodiment 2]
Next, a liquid filling apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The liquid filling apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment also has the structure of the filling nozzle 12 and the standby container 15. Since the other configuration of the liquid filling apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment has already been described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, hereinafter, the filling nozzle 12 included in the liquid filling apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment and The standby container 15 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the structure of the filling nozzle 12 and the standby container 15 according to the present embodiment. A side view of the filling nozzle 12 and a cross-sectional view of the standby container 15 are shown.

  The filling nozzle 12 includes a pipe mounting portion 121, a needle 122, and a needle base 123, similar to the first embodiment. However, as shown in FIG. 6, it differs from the thing of 1st Embodiment by the point by which the edge part by the side of the needle 122 of the cylindrical needle base 123 is processed into the taper shape.

  Similarly to the first embodiment, the standby container 15 includes a standby container main body 151 in which an opening is formed, and a standby container sealing member 152 that seals the opening. However, it differs from that of the first embodiment in that an O-ring 153 is fitted on the inner surface surrounding the through hole 152a of the standby container sealing member 152. The O-ring 153 used in the present embodiment is a perflo O-ring.

  The through hole 152a of the standby container sealing member 152 according to the present embodiment is formed by connecting an upper hole and a lower hole having different diameters so as to share a central axis. The diameter of the lower hole is smaller than the diameter of the upper hole, and the O-ring 153 is fitted just above the step between the upper hole and the lower hole.

When the needle 122 is accommodated in the standby container 15, the needle base 123 is fitted into the upper part (upper hole) of the through hole 152a. At this time, the end of the needle base 123 on the needle 122 side is pressed against the O-ring 153. Thereby, even if the standby container sealing member 152 is made of an inelastic material such as Teflon, the standby container 15 is sealed by the elasticity of the O-ring 153.

  When the standby container sealing member 152 is made of an elastic body, the needle base 123 is made to be slightly smaller than the diameter of the needle base 123 by making the diameter of the upper part (upper hole) of the through hole 152a slightly smaller. When fitted into the through hole 152a, internal stress of the standby container sealing member 152 can be generated. For this reason, the standby container 15 is more reliably sealed in the standby state. The accommodation of the needle 122 into the standby container 15, that is, the pressing of the needle base 123 against the O-ring 153 may be realized by pushing down the filling nozzle 12 or by pushing up the standby container 15. May be.

  Thus, also in the present embodiment, it is possible to prevent the liquid staying in the filling nozzle 12 in the standby state from touching the outside air and deteriorating its quality. Moreover, since the needle 122 can be accommodated in the standby container 15 without making contact with the standby container sealing member 152, the needle 122 and the standby container can be used even when the standby of the filling nozzle 12 is repeated. It is difficult for the sealing member 152 to deteriorate.

  Further, the filling nozzle 12 can be easily manufactured as compared with the first embodiment.

[Embodiment 3]
Next, a liquid filling apparatus 1 according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. The liquid filling apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment also has the structure of the filling nozzle 12 and the standby container 15. Since the other configuration of the liquid filling apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment has already been described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, hereinafter, the filling nozzle 12 included in the liquid filling apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment and The standby container 15 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 1 is a view showing the structure of the filling nozzle 12 and the standby container 15 according to the present embodiment. A side view of the filling nozzle 12 and a cross-sectional view of the standby container 15 are shown.

  The filling nozzle 12 includes a pipe attachment part 121, a needle 122, and a needle base 123, as in the first embodiment. However, as shown in FIG. 1, the shape of the needle base 123 is different from that of the first embodiment in that the shape of the needle base 123 is a truncated cone shape whose apex is directed toward the tip of the needle 122.

  Similarly to the first embodiment, the standby container 15 includes a standby container main body 151 in which an opening is formed, and a standby container sealing member 152 that seals the opening. However, the first embodiment is that the shape of the standby container sealing member 152 is a frustoconical shape whose apex is directed toward the bottom surface of the standby container 15 and similar to the shape of the needle base 123 (the apex angle is equal). It is different from the one.

  When the needle 122 is accommodated in the standby container 15, the needle base 123 is fitted into the through hole 152a. At this time, since the shape of the needle base 123 and the shape of the through-hole 152a are similar to each other, the needle base 123 and the standby container sealing member 152 are closely fitted without generating a gap. Thereby, the more reliable sealing of the standby container 15 in the standby state is achieved.

  Thus, also in the present embodiment, it is possible to prevent the liquid staying in the filling nozzle 12 in the standby state from touching the outside air and deteriorating its quality. Moreover, since the needle 122 can be accommodated in the standby container 15 without making contact with the standby container sealing member 152, the needle 122 and the standby container can be used even when the standby of the filling nozzle 12 is repeated. It is difficult for the sealing member 152 to deteriorate.

  Furthermore, the standby container sealing member 152 and the needle base 123 of the present embodiment have a simple structure as compared with those of the first and second embodiments. Thereby, it is not necessary to replace the O-ring, and the standby container 15 can be easily cleaned. Moreover, the manufacturing process of the filling nozzle 12 is also facilitated. For this reason, the maintenance management cost and manufacturing cost of the liquid filling apparatus 1 can be reduced.

  Although the liquid filling apparatus according to the above-described embodiment is applied to filling a liquid in a closed container, the liquid filling apparatus according to the present invention is not limited to filling in a closed container. Further, embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in the above-described three embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

  The present invention can be widely applied to all liquid filling apparatuses for filling a container with a liquid regardless of whether it is for home use or industrial use. For example, the present invention can be suitably used for a liquid filling device that fills a package with a liquid such as food, beverage, or medicine, or a liquid filling device that fills a cartridge with a liquid such as ink.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Liquid filling apparatus 11 Sealed container installation part 12 Filling nozzle 121 Piping attachment part 122 Needle 123 Needle base (fitting part)
13 Liquid transport pipe 14 Liquid transport pump 15 Standby container (container)
151 Standby Container Body 152 Standby Container Sealing Member (Mouth Portion)
152a Through-hole 2 Supply container 3 Filling container (container)

Claims (6)

A liquid filling device comprising a nozzle that pierces a needle and fills the container with a liquid, and a storage container that accommodates the needle when the container is not filled with liquid,
A fitting portion that is fitted to the cap portion when the needle is accommodated in the accommodating container through a through-hole formed in the cap portion of the accommodating container is formed at the base of the needle; A liquid filling apparatus characterized by the above.   The liquid filling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the fitting portion is formed in a cone shape or a truncated cone shape whose apex is directed toward the tip of the needle.   The liquid filling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an O-ring is provided on an inner surface surrounding the through hole of the plug part. The fitting portion is a recess that fits into an inner edge of the plug portion surrounding the through hole.
The liquid filling apparatus according to claim 1.   The plug portion is divided so as to be openable and closable, and the fitting portion is a recess that fits into an inner edge of the plug portion that surrounds the through hole when the plug portion is closed. The liquid filling apparatus according to claim 4, wherein In a liquid filling apparatus comprising a nozzle that pierces a needle and fills a container with a liquid, and a storage container that houses the needle, a standby method for waiting the nozzle,
When the container is not filled with the liquid, the fitting portion formed at the base of the needle is fitted through the through hole formed in the plug portion so that the fitting portion is fitted into the plug portion of the container. A standby method, wherein the needle is accommodated in the accommodation container.

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