JP2012006623A - Method for manufacturing tubed product, and device for filling - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a technology for preventing air from building up in the mouth of a tube even when a tube container is being filled up with contents while a cap member thereof is on the tube mouth.SOLUTION: A method for manufacturing tubed products includes the following steps: an insertion step for inserting a filling nozzle and a sucking nozzle into a tube container having a cap member thereon from the open end of the tube body, and arranging at least the sucking port of the sucking nozzle in a tube mouth; a first filling step in which, after the insertion step, the filling nozzle begins discharging the contents, and at the same time, the sucking nozzle starts sucking air, so that the tube mouth is filled with the contents while the air is sucked by the sucking mouth as the contents is being discharged from the filling nozzle; and a second filling step in which the tube body is filled with the contents such that, after the first filling step, the filling nozzle continues discharging the contents while the sucking nozzle stops sucking.

Description

  The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a tubed product and a filling device.

  Conventionally, as a tube container for filling cream-like contents such as body cream and toothpaste, the tube body portion of a hollow cylinder having a substantially circular cross section and the tip end side of this tube body portion are integrated and tapered. The tube mouth portion formed so as to become the sealing portion in which the open end formed on the opposite side of the tube body portion of the tube body portion is flattened and sealed in a linear shape, for example Are generally used. Moreover, for example, a screw-type or hinge-type cap is often attached to the tube mouth portion of the tube container so as to close the tube mouth portion so as to be freely opened and closed. Various filling devices for filling the tube container with contents have been developed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2003-226309 A

  As a method for manufacturing a tube-filled product, the tube body portion is in a state where the cap member is attached to the tube base portion of the hollow cylindrical tube body portion and the tube container is held in a posture in which the tube mouth portion side is downward. Generally, after filling (filling) the contents from the open end (open end) formed on the side opposite to the tube mouth, the open end of the tube body is sealed linearly by a method such as thermocompression bonding. It is.

  However, when filling a viscous material such as a cream-like content, the conventional filling method described above has a so-called air reservoir (air reservoir) that is held in a state where air is accumulated in the tube mouth portion when the content is filled. The reality is that it easily occurs. As a result, when the user starts using a tube-filled product in which the tube container is filled with the contents, the contents are filled to the tube mouth part even if the tube body part of the tube container is pushed and pushed out. For this reason, there are cases where the contents are not smoothly pushed out to the outside.

  As an example of a method for suppressing the air accumulation in the manufacturing process of the tube-containing product, a method of injecting the contents from the open end of the tube body portion in the tube container with the cap removed may be considered as an example. In this case, it is also considered that the occurrence of air accumulation can be avoided by discharging the air accumulated in the tube body portion of the tube container to the outside together with the contents filled in the tube mouth portion. However, this method can avoid the accumulation of air, but the tube mouth portion becomes dirty due to leakage of a part of the contents from the tube mouth portion, which requires time for cleaning. Moreover, in order to complete a product containing a tube, it is necessary to fit a cap to the tube mouth part after cleaning the tube mouth part, and it is assumed that productivity (production efficiency) of the product containing the tube is lowered. .

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and the purpose thereof is to manufacture a tube-containing product even when the contents are filled in a state where a cap is fitted to the tube mouth portion of the tube container. An object of the present invention is to provide a technique capable of suppressing the occurrence of air accumulation at the tube mouth portion.

  The present invention employs the following means in order to solve the above-described problems. That is, the present invention includes a tube body portion, a tube mouth portion that is integrally formed on the distal end side of the tube body portion, has a smaller diameter than the tube body portion, and is open to the outside, and the tube mouth portion A manufacturing method for manufacturing a tube-filled product by filling a tube container having a cap member fitted into the contents using a filling device with a filling device, wherein the filling device has a discharge port formed on the tip side thereof A filling nozzle that discharges the contents from a suction nozzle, and a suction nozzle that has an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the tube mouth portion and that acts on the suction port formed on the distal end thereof, and the manufacturing method includes: The tube body portion is formed on the opposite side of the tube mouth portion with respect to the tube container in which the cap member is fitted to the tube mouth portion. Inserting the filling nozzle and the suction nozzle from the open end and disposing at least the suction port of the suction nozzle at the tube mouth base, and discharging the contents by the filling nozzle after the insertion step; First, the suction by the suction nozzle is started, and the contents accumulated in the tube mouth portion are sucked from the suction port while the air accumulated in the tube mouth portion is sucked together with the contents discharged from the filling nozzle. After the filling step and the first filling step, the second filling for filling the tube body portion with the content by continuing the discharge of the content by the filling nozzle while the suction by the suction nozzle is stopped A process for producing a tube-containing product.

  According to the present invention, in the first filling step, for example, the contents from the filling nozzle are discharged so as to cover the tapered tube mouth portion, and the air collected in the tube mouth portion as it is ( Even in a situation where it is difficult to escape (air), the air can be sucked together with the contents from the suction port set at the base of the tube port. In this way, the contents can be filled without causing an air pool at the tube opening.

  In the subsequent second filling step, the content is discharged from the filling nozzle in a state where the suction by the suction nozzle is stopped, and the content of the tube body is filled. Then, when the prescribed amount of contents is filled in the entire tube container, the second filling step is finished. At the start of the second filling process, the air at the tube mouth has already been sucked by the suction nozzle and the contents are filled, so even if the operation of the suction nozzle is stopped in the second filling process, There is no risk of air accumulation at the tube mouth.

  Thus, according to the method for manufacturing a tube-containing product according to the present invention, even if the contents are filled with the cap fitted to the mouth portion of the tube container, an air pool is generated in the tube mouth portion. It becomes possible to suppress.

  In addition, according to the present invention, the cap member can be filled with the cap member fitted into the tube mouth portion while suppressing the occurrence of air accumulation at the tube mouth portion, so that the cap member as in the prior art can be performed. It is possible to prevent the tube mouth portion from being contaminated by the contents leaking from the tube mouth portion as in the case of filling the contents with the state removed. Therefore, it does not take time and effort to clean the tube mouth part, and the work of fitting the cap member into the tube mouth part after that can be omitted, so that the productivity of the tube-containing product can be improved.

  Moreover, you may make it the manufacturing method of the product containing a tube concerning this invention further include the sealing process which seals the said open end of the said tube trunk | drum part after a said 2nd filling process.

  Further, in the method for manufacturing a tube-containing product according to the present invention, in the second filling step, the insertion depth of the filling nozzle into the tube container decreases as the filling height of the contents in the tube container increases. It may be adjusted to do.

  The present invention can also be understood as a filling device for filling a tube container with contents. That is, the present invention includes a tube body portion, a tube mouth portion that is integrally formed on the distal end side of the tube body portion, has a smaller diameter than the tube body portion, and is open to the outside, and the tube mouth portion A filling device that fills a tube container with a cap member fitted into the tube body, and is inserted into the tube body portion from an open end formed on the opposite side to the tube mouth portion, and A filling nozzle that discharges contents from a discharge port formed on the distal end side thereof, an outer diameter that is inserted into the inside from the open end of the tube body portion and is smaller than the inner diameter of the tube mouth portion; and A suction nozzle that applies suction to a suction port formed on the distal end side, and the tube container in which the cap member is fitted to the tube mouth base In a state where at least the suction port of the suction nozzle is arranged at the tube mouth part, the discharge of the content by the filling nozzle and the suction by the suction nozzle are performed, and the tube mouth together with the content discharged from the filling nozzle A first filling process of filling the contents into the tube mouth part while sucking air accumulated in the part from the suction port, and after the first filling process, the suction by the suction nozzle is stopped And a second filling process for filling the tube body part with the contents by continuing to discharge the contents by the filling nozzle.

  In the filling device according to the present invention, a notch portion formed by notching a part of the edge may be provided at a tip portion where the suction port is formed in the suction nozzle. If it does in this way, since it becomes easy to guide the air of a tube mouth part into the inside of a suction nozzle with the contents discharged from the filling nozzle through a notch part, the suction efficiency of air can be raised. In addition, the number of the notch parts formed in the front-end | tip part of a suction nozzle, ie, the part in which a suction port is formed, may be one, and may be plural. Various shapes such as a semicircle, an ellipse, a rectangle, and a polygon can be adopted as the shape of the notch.

  In the filling device according to the present invention, the suction nozzle is integrally incorporated in the filling nozzle, and the front end side of the suction nozzle protrudes from the discharge port formed on the front end side of the filling nozzle. good. Usually, the tube mouth part is formed at the center or in the vicinity thereof in the cross-sectional direction of the tube container, and it is considered that the tube mouth part is rarely arranged extremely eccentrically. Therefore, the first filling process (also referred to as the first filling step) can be performed by adopting a configuration in which the suction nozzle is incorporated in the filling nozzle as described above, for example, a configuration in which the filling nozzle and the suction nozzle are arranged coaxially. The suction nozzle can be set in the vicinity of the center of the cross section of the tube base (cross section in the direction orthogonal to the axial direction). Thereby, the air remaining in the tube mouth portion of the tube container can be efficiently sucked. However, the arrangement relationship between the suction nozzle and the filling nozzle may be other than the above-described relationship. For example, the suction nozzle may be arranged along the outer surface of the filling nozzle.

  In addition, the protrusion length at which the tip side of the suction nozzle protrudes from the discharge port of the filling nozzle is such that the tip of the filling nozzle is at the boundary between the tube body part and the tube mouth part in the first filling process or the first filling step described above. It is preferable to set the length so as not to contact the shoulder portion to be formed.

  Further, in the filling device according to the present invention, a container holder for holding the tube container in which the cap member is fitted, an insertion depth of the filling nozzle and the suction nozzle with respect to the tube container held by the container holder. Adjusting means capable of adjusting the thickness, and when the filling means performs the second filling process, the adjusting means determines at least the insertion depth of the filling nozzle with respect to the tube container, and the filling of the contents in the tube container. It may be decreased as the height increases. At that time, the insertion depth of the filling nozzle may be gradually changed according to the filling height of the contents, or may be changed stepwise.

  Further, when the filling nozzle and the suction nozzle are integrally configured as described above, the adjusting means moves the container holder up and down, or raises and lowers the filling nozzle and the suction nozzle integrally. You may make it adjust in conjunction with the insertion depth to.

  In the filling device according to the present invention, the outer diameter of the filling nozzle may be set larger than the inner diameter of the tube mouth portion. Thereby, the filling process of the content to a tube container can be performed efficiently. For example, the outer diameter of the filling nozzle may be set to a dimension that can ensure a predetermined clearance from the inner surface of the tube body. Thus, by increasing the outer diameter of the filling nozzle as much as possible, the time required for the first and second filling processes can be shortened, and the productivity of the tube-containing product can be further improved.

  The means for solving the problems in the present invention can be combined as much as possible.

  According to the present invention, in manufacturing a tube-containing product, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of air accumulation in the tube mouth portion even when the contents are filled with a cap fitted to the tube mouth portion of the tube container. Technology can be provided.

It is a perspective view which shows an example of the product containing a tube manufactured by the manufacturing method using the filling apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a schematic block diagram which shows the filling apparatus which concerns on embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process flow which concerns on the filling process of embodiment. In the filling process of embodiment, it is a figure which shows the state by which the tube container was set to the tube holder. In the filling process of embodiment, it is a figure which shows the state which inserted the filling nozzle and the suction nozzle in the tube container. It is the figure which illustrated the shape of the suction opening in the suction nozzle of an embodiment.

  DETAILED DESCRIPTION Exemplary embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the dimensions, materials, shapes, relative arrangements, and the like of the components described in this embodiment are intended to limit the technical scope of the invention only to those unless otherwise specified. is not. In the following drawings, parts that are the same as the parts described in the previous drawings are given the same numbers. Moreover, description of each embodiment of the filling apparatus which concerns on this invention demonstrated below serves as description of the manufacturing method of the product containing a tube concerning this invention.

[Products with tubes]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a tube-containing product manufactured by a manufacturing method using a filling device 1 according to the present invention. The tube-containing product 20 is a tube-shaped container 25 including a hollow tubular tube body portion 21, a tube mouth portion 22, a sealing end portion 23, and a cap member 24. 26 is filled.

In the tube container 25, the tube mouth portion 22 is formed integrally with the tube body portion 21 on the distal end side of the tube body portion 21. The tube mouth portion 22 is formed in a tapered shape so as to have a smaller diameter than the tube body portion 21 and is open to the outside. Here, the tube body part 21 has flexibility, and when the tube body part 21 is deformed by the action of a finger pressed by the user, the contents 26 filled in the tube container 25 are transferred to the tube mouth part 22. Can be pushed out to the outside.

  A screw groove that engages with a screw groove (not shown) formed in the cap member 24 and screwes the cap member 24 into the tube mouth portion 22 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the tube mouth portion 22. The cap member 24 closes the tube mouth part 22 by, for example, screwing between screw grooves, and the tube mouth part 22 is opened to the outside by releasing the screwing. In addition, the cap member 24 that closes the tube mouth portion 22 as described above is not limited to the one using the screw engagement between the screw grooves as described above, but, for example, the tube mouth portion by a lid member that is rotated by a hinge-type spring. Various forms such as a method of closing 22 can be adopted. Further, the sealing end portion 23 is an open end (an end opened outward) formed at the other end side of the tube body portion 21, that is, the end portion on the opposite side to the side where the tube base portion 22 is formed. Part) is flatly crushed and sealed by, for example, thermocompression bonding or the like.

  Moreover, the material of the tube trunk | drum 21 can consider the material of the content 26 accommodated in the tube container 25, and other matters, and can use what was used conventionally, for example, polyethylene, a polypropylene, Polyester, EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer), AL (aluminum) laminated tube, AL (aluminum) metal metal tube, and the like can be suitably used.

  Further, the tube body portion 21 may be provided with a so-called barrier layer on the inner surface side in contact with the contents 26 filled therein. In this barrier layer, for example, a volatile component such as a fragrance contained in the content 26 passes through the tube body portion 21, or water vapor such as external moisture passes through the tube body portion 21 and the content. 26 can be provided for the purpose of preventing the penetration of the contents 26 and the like, whereby the alteration of the contents 26 can be suppressed over a long period of time. As the material of the barrier layer, it is possible to suitably use a flexible material that prevents permeation of water vapor, gas, etc., for example, aluminum foil, EVOH (ethylene vinyl alcohol), nylon (polyamide), vapor deposition film (Silica, carbon, aluminum, etc.), PAN (polyacrylonitrile), etc. may be employed.

[Filling device]
Next, the filling apparatus 1 for filling the tube container 25 with, for example, a cream-like content 26 will be described. FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating the filling device 1 according to the embodiment. The filling device 1 includes a supply device 3, a suction device 4, a tube holder 5, a holder driving device 6, and a control unit 7.

  The tube holder 5 is a member for holding the tube container 25 and corresponds to the container holder in the present invention. The tube holder 25 is not filled with the contents 26, and the tube container 25 in a state before the open end 27 is sealed is set. The tube container 25 is set in the tube holder 5 in a state in which the cap member 24 is fitted to the tube mouth portion 22 and in such a posture that the cap member 24 is downward (the open end 27 is upward). . That is, the tube container 25 is set with respect to the tube holder 5 so that the cap member 24 faces downward. The tube holder 5 is driven to move up and down by a holder driving device 6 as will be described later. The holder driving device 6 is a driving device for moving the tube holder 5 up and down, and may be configured to include, for example, a mechanical cam or an electronic cam.

The control unit 7 is a control unit that controls the entire filling apparatus 1 and includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that is a central processing unit (not shown) connected to each other by a bidirectional bus, a memory, and the like. The memory stores a control program related to the content filling process executed by the CPU. For example, a volatile RAM (Random Access Me
mory) and a nonvolatile ROM (Read Only Memory). The ROM stores programs and parameters necessary for the function of the filling device 1. The above-described holder driving device 6 is also electrically connected to the control unit 7 through electric wiring, and the raising / lowering of the tube holder 5 is controlled based on a control command signal output from the control unit 7. .

  Next, the supply device 3 will be described. The supply device 3 includes a hopper 31, which is a content storage tank, a filling cylinder 32, an air cylinder 33, a switching valve 34, a solenoid valve 35, a filling nozzle 36, an air pump 38, and the like.

  The hopper 31 is a storage tank that stores the contents 26 for filling the tube container 25. In this embodiment, cream-like viscous contents are stored. A switching valve 34 is provided below the hopper 31. The switching valve 34 is a so-called rotary switching valve, and includes a casing part 340 and a rotary valve part 341 accommodated in the casing part 340. The rotary valve portion 341 has an internal passage 342 therein. In the example of this figure, a cylindrical rotary valve portion 341 is rotatably accommodated inside a rectangular parallelepiped casing member 340. As shown in FIG. 2, an internal passage 342 is formed in the rotary valve portion 341 in a substantially L shape.

  A filling nozzle 36 is attached to the lower part of the switching valve 34 configured as described above, and a filling cylinder 32 is attached to the side of the switching valve 34. The first port 343 to the third port 345 are formed on three different surfaces among the six surfaces constituting the casing portion 340. The first port 343 in the casing part 340 is connected to the hopper 31, the second port 344 is connected to the filling nozzle 36, and the third port 345 is connected to the filling cylinder 32.

  An actuator (not shown) is attached to the switching valve 34. This actuator is electrically connected to the control unit 7, and the rotation position (stop position) of the rotary valve unit 341 is controlled based on a control command signal output from the control unit 7. Specifically, based on the control signal from the control unit 7, the stop position of the rotary valve unit 341 is the illustrated first communication position and the second communication position rotated 90 ° clockwise from the first communication position. The two positions can be selectively switched.

  When the rotary valve portion 341 of the switching valve 34 is controlled to the first continuous position by the control command signal from the control portion 7, the internal passage 342 is connected to both the first port 343 and the third port 345. As a result, the hopper 31 and the filling cylinder 32 communicate with each other through the first port 343, the internal passage 342, and the third port 345. Further, when the rotary valve unit 341 is switched to the second communication position based on the control command signal from the control unit 7, the internal passage 342 is connected to both the third port 345 and the second port 344. As a result, the filling cylinder 32 and the filling nozzle 36 communicate with each other via the third port 345, the internal passage 342, and the second port 344. As described above, the internal passage 342 functions as a 90 ° elbow joint that switches between connecting the first port 343 and the third port 345 or connecting the second port 344 and the third port 345. .

  The filling nozzle 36 is an instrument that fills the tube container 25 with the contents 26 stored in the hopper 31. The filling nozzle 36 is formed in a hollow cylindrical shape, and is connected to the second port 344 of the switching valve 34 (casing portion 340) described above on the proximal end side in the axial direction. Further, a discharge port 360 for discharging the content 26 is formed at the front end side of the filling nozzle 36, and the content 26 supplied through the internal passage 342 of the switching valve 34 is discharged from the discharge port 360. It is discharged outward.

  A filling piston 320 is slidably provided on the inner wall surface of the filling cylinder 32. One end of the rod member 37 is connected to the filling piston 320. Of the internal space in the filling cylinder 32, the space sandwiched between the switching valve 34 and the filling piston 320 is referred to as a cylinder storage chamber 321.

  An air cylinder 33 is provided adjacent to the filling cylinder 32. Inside the air cylinder 33 is housed a driving piston 330 slidable with respect to the inner wall surface. The other end of the rod member 37 is connected to the driving piston 330. The internal space of the air cylinder 33 is divided into two by the driving piston 330. Here, of the internal space of the air cylinder 33 divided by the driving piston 330, the chamber closer to the filling cylinder 32 is referred to as a “first pressure chamber 331”, and the chamber farther from the filling cylinder 32 is referred to as the “first pressure chamber 331”. This is referred to as “two pressure chambers 332”.

  The first pressure chamber 331 and the second pressure chamber 332 of the air cylinder 33 are connected to an air pump 38 via an electromagnetic valve 35, and are configured such that air of a predetermined pressure is pumped from the air pump 38. . The electromagnetic valve 35 is connected to the control unit 7 through electrical wiring, and is controlled based on a control command signal output from the control unit 7. The control unit 7 controls energization to the electromagnetic valve 35 from a power source (not shown) and release thereof. When the solenoid valve 35 is energized, by adjusting the control voltage, the position of a valve body (not shown) such as a spool valve accommodated in the solenoid valve 35 is set to the “first control position” and the “second control position”. It is possible to switch to one of the “control positions”.

  When the valve body is controlled to the first control position when the solenoid valve 35 is energized, the air pressure-fed from the air pump 38 is introduced into the first pressure chamber 331 in the air cylinder 33. When the valve body is controlled to the second control position, the air pressure-fed from the air pump 38 is introduced into the second pressure chamber 332 in the air cylinder 33. In addition, when the solenoid valve 35 is not energized, the air in the first pressure chamber 331 and the second pressure chamber 332 is appropriately discharged (exhaust) through the exhaust port (not shown) of the solenoid valve 35. The pressure in the space is configured to be in an equilibrium state (equal pressure).

  Next, the suction device 4 will be described. The suction device 4 includes a suction nozzle 41, a vacuum pump 42, a discharge passage 43, a separator 44, and the like. The suction nozzle 41 is connected to the vacuum pump 42 via the discharge passage 43. A separator 44 is attached in the middle of the discharge passage 43. The vacuum pump 42 is connected to the control unit 7 through electric wiring, and the operation state is controlled based on a control command signal output from the control unit 7. The energization of the vacuum pump 42 is performed from a power source (not shown).

  The suction nozzle 41 has a hollow cylindrical shape like the filling nozzle 36 as shown in the figure, and has a smaller diameter than the filling nozzle 36. A suction port 410, which is an opening, is formed at the tip end side in the axial direction of the suction nozzle 41. When the vacuum pump 42 is activated (operated) by a control command signal from the control unit 7, suction of the suction nozzle 41 is performed. A negative pressure suction force acts on the port 410. The separator 44 is a rectangular gas-liquid separator in which connection ports with the discharge passage 43 are formed at two locations on the upper surface.

Next, the relationship between the filling nozzle 36 and the suction nozzle 41 will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the suction nozzle 41 in this embodiment is incorporated in the filling nozzle 36, and both are integrally fixed. In the illustrated example, the suction nozzle 41 is incorporated in the vicinity of the center (center) of the horizontal section (transverse section) of the filling nozzle 36. Further, in the configuration example of FIG. 2, the filling nozzle 36 and the suction nozzle 41 are arranged coaxially with each other. However, as will be described later, appropriate changes can be made to the arrangement method of the filling nozzle 36 and the suction nozzle 41.

  The suction nozzle 41 protrudes from the discharge port 360 of the filling nozzle 36 so as to extend downward. That is, the suction nozzle 41 is fixed to the filling nozzle 36 with the tip side including the suction port 410 facing the outside from the discharge port 360 of the filling nozzle 36. Accordingly, paying attention to the difference in height at which the discharge port 360 in the filling nozzle 36 and the suction port 410 in the suction nozzle 41 are arranged, the suction port 410 is disposed relatively lower than the discharge port 360. Note that the vertical direction in this specification is defined as a direction parallel to the axial direction of the filling nozzle 36 and the suction nozzle 41.

[Production method of tubed products]
Next, the manufacturing method which manufactures the product 20 with a tube by filling the viscous content 26 in the tube container 25 using the filling apparatus 1 of the said structure is demonstrated. Here, first, after explaining the basic operation state of the supply device 3 when the tube container 25 is filled with the contents 26 by the filling device 1, characteristic processing contents will be described with reference to a flowchart.

  When the content 26 is discharged from the discharge port 360 of the filling nozzle 36 to fill the tube container 25 with the content 26, the content 26 stored in the hopper 31 is once drawn into the filling cylinder 32 and then the filling cylinder 32. The control unit 7 controls the switching valve 34 and the electromagnetic valve 35 so that the content 26 is pushed out toward the filling nozzle 36 by the filling piston 320.

  In this case, first, the control unit 7 controls the switching valve 34 to the “first continuous position” so that the hopper 31 and the filling cylinder 32 are in communication with each other. In this state, the control unit 7 energizes the electromagnetic valve 35 to control the valve body to the “first control position”.

  Then, air from the air pump 38 is introduced into the first pressure chamber 331 of the air cylinder 33. Then, the first pressure chamber 331 has a higher pressure than the second pressure chamber 332, so that the driving piston 330 moves in a direction (in the right direction in FIG. 2) to decrease the volume of the second pressure chamber 332. To do. As a result, the filling piston 320 in the filling cylinder 32 also moves in the same direction as the driving piston 330 via the rod member 37, and the volume of the cylinder storage chamber 321 in the filling cylinder 32 increases. At this time, since the hopper 31 and the filling cylinder 32 communicate with each other, the contents 26 stored in the hopper 31 can be guided (drawn) to the cylinder storage chamber 321 of the filling cylinder 32.

  On the other hand, when the content 26 in the filling cylinder 32 is pushed out toward the filling nozzle 36, the control unit 7 switches the switching valve 34 to the “second communication position” to cause the filling cylinder 32 and the filling nozzle 36 to communicate with each other. Further, the control unit 7 switches the electromagnetic valve 35 to the “second control position”.

Then, air from the air pump 38 is introduced into the second pressure chamber 332 of the air cylinder 33. In this way, the second pressure chamber 332 has a higher pressure than the first pressure chamber 331, so that the driving piston 330 decreases the volume of the first pressure chamber 331 (leftward in FIG. 2). Move to. As a result, the filling piston 320 in the filling cylinder 32 also moves in the same direction as the driving piston 330 via the rod member 37, and the volume of the cylinder storage chamber 321 in the filling cylinder 32 decreases. At this time, since the filling cylinder 32 and the filling nozzle 36 communicate with each other, the contents 26 existing in the cylinder storage chamber 321 of the filling cylinder 32 are pushed out toward the internal passage 342. Then, after the contents 26 are supplied to the filling nozzle 36, the contents 26 are discharged to the tube container 25 from the discharge port 360 on the tip side.

  Here, the characteristic processing content according to the manufacturing method when manufacturing the tube-containing product 20 in the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a process flow related to the filling process in the present embodiment. Each step of the control routine shown in this figure is realized by the control unit 7 executing a control program stored in the control unit 7. The above filling process refers to a process of filling the tube container 25 with the content 26 using the filling device 1 and includes a first filling process and a second filling process performed after the first filling process. . In the present embodiment, the control unit 12 that executes this control routine corresponds to the filling means in the filling apparatus of the present invention.

  First, in step S <b> 101, the tube container 25 is set in the tube holder 5. As shown in FIG. 4, the tube container 25 is set in the tube holder 5 in a state in which the cap member 24 is fitted to the tube mouth portion 22 and in such a posture that the cap member 24 is downward. When the tube container 25 is set in the tube holder 5, the sealing end 23 is not yet formed on the other end of the tube body portion 21 where the cap member 24 is fitted, and the open end 27 is not formed. Is formed.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the tube mouth portion 22 in the tube container 25 is formed so that its inner diameter is slightly smaller than that of the tube body portion 21. In the illustrated example, the diameter of the tube mouth portion 22 is reduced to about one third of that of the tube body portion 21, and a shoulder portion 28 is formed at the boundary position between the tube body portion 21 and the tube mouth portion 22. ing.

  Here, the outer diameters of the filling nozzle 36 and the suction nozzle 41 are determined in consideration of the shape of the tube container 25 to be filled with the contents 26, mainly the inner diameters of the tube mouth portion 22 and the tube body portion 21. ing. The outer diameter of the filling nozzle 36 is determined as a size smaller than the inner diameter of the tube mouth portion 22. In addition, the outer diameter of the filling nozzle 36 is determined to be larger than the inner diameter of the tube mouth portion 22 and smaller than the inner diameter of the tube body portion 21.

  Step S102 in this processing flow is an insertion process in which the filling nozzle 36 and the suction nozzle 41 are inserted from the open end 27 of the tube container 25, and the suction port 410 of the suction nozzle 41 is disposed in the tube mouth base portion 22.

  That is, the control unit 7 transmits a control command signal to the holder driving device 6 to operate the holder driving device 6 and raise the tube holder 5. Then, the tube container 25 gradually approaches the filling nozzle 36 and the suction nozzle 41, and each nozzle is inserted into the tube container 25 from the open end 27 of the tube body part 21. As shown in FIG. 5, in this step, the insertion depth of the suction nozzle 41 with respect to the tube container 25 is adjusted so that the suction port 410 of the suction nozzle 41 faces the inside of the tube mouth base portion 22. In FIG. 5, the suction nozzle 410 is arranged such that the suction port 410 of the suction nozzle 41 is disposed at a position about several millimeters (for example, about 2 to 5 mm) from the tip where the tube base 22 contacts the cap member 24. 41 is inserted into the tube container 25.

  In the filling apparatus 1, the relationship between the filling nozzle 36 and the suction nozzle 41 incorporated therein is a fixed relationship. Therefore, in this step, by operating the holder driving device 6, the insertion depths of the filling nozzle 36 and the suction nozzle 41 with respect to the tube container 25 are adjusted in conjunction with each other.

Since the outer diameter of the filling nozzle 36 is larger than the inner diameter of the tube mouth portion 22, if the insertion depth of the filling nozzle 36 with respect to the tube container 25 becomes too deep, the discharge port 360 may collide with the shoulder portion 28. . Therefore, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the protruding length of the suction nozzle 41 that protrudes downward from the discharge port 360 of the filling nozzle 36 is changed to the suction port 410 of the suction nozzle 41 as described above. The length is set such that the discharge port 360 of the filling nozzle 36 does not come into contact with the shoulder portion 28 even if it is inserted deep inside 22.

  When step S102 ends, the process proceeds to step S103. Here, description will be given with reference to FIG. In this step, the control unit 7 controls the supply device 3 and the suction device 4 to start the discharge of the content 26 by the filling nozzle 36 and the suction by the suction nozzle 41, and the content discharged from the filling nozzle 36. 26 is a first filling step of performing a first filling process of filling the tube mouth part 22 with the contents while sucking air accumulated in the tube mouth part 22 together with the suction hole 410 from the suction opening 410. Note that, in the initial state where the filling process according to the filling device 1 is started, it is assumed that the switching valve 34 is held in the first continuous position and is not energized with respect to the electromagnetic valve 35. .

  Here, the control content of the supply device 3 in the first filling process will be described. When the first filling process is performed, the control unit 7 energizes the electromagnetic valve 35 to control the first control position. Then, in a state where the hopper 31 and the filling cylinder 32 are in communication, the filling piston 320 moves in a direction away from the switching valve 34. As a result, when the volume of the cylinder storage chamber 321 increases, the content 26 stored in the hopper 31 is drawn into the filling cylinder 32.

  Next, the control unit 7 switches the position of the valve body (not shown) to the second control position by adjusting the voltage control on the electromagnetic valve 35 after switching the switching valve 34 to the second communication position. As a result, the filling piston 320 moves in a direction approaching the switching valve 34 in a state where the filling cylinder 32 and the filling nozzle 36 are in communication. As a result, the volume of the cylinder storage chamber 321 is reduced, and the contents 26 in the cylinder storage chamber 321 are pushed out toward the internal passage 342 of the switching valve 34. The content 26 thus pushed out is supplied to the filling nozzle 36 through the internal passage 342 and then discharged into the tube container 25 from the discharge port 360.

  In the first filling process, the discharge port 360 of the filling nozzle 36 is disposed in the tube body portion 21. Therefore, the contents 26 discharged from the discharge port 360 flow into the tube port portion 22 directly or from the shoulder portion 28. Then, since the cap member 24 is fitted to the tube mouth portion 22, the air accumulated in the tube mouth portion 22 loses escape, and the air retained in a state where the air remains in the tube mouth portion 22. Accumulation tends to occur.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the discharge of the content 26 by the filling nozzle 36 is started when the first filling process is performed, the control unit 7 operates the vacuum pump 42 so that the suction port 410 of the suction nozzle 41 is operated. A negative pressure suction force is applied to (generated). Then, when a negative pressure suction force is generated at the suction port 410 of the suction nozzle 41, the air accumulated in the tube port base portion 22 together with the contents 26 discharged from the filling nozzle 36 is sucked from the suction port 410. In this embodiment, the vacuum pump 42 is used to apply a suction force to the suction port 410 of the suction nozzle 41. However, various devices can be used as long as they exhibit the same function. Of course, it may be.

Thereby, the air remaining in the tube mouth portion 22 together with the contents 26 from the tube mouth portion 22 can be sucked and discharged from the inside of the tube container 25 through the discharge passage 43. In the present embodiment, the discharge amount (unit time discharge amount) discharged from the discharge port 360 of the filling nozzle 36 per unit time is the fluid (content 26, air per unit time) from the suction port 410 of the suction nozzle 41. Etc.) is set to be sufficiently larger than the suction amount (amount of suction per unit time). Therefore, according to the first filling process, the contents 26 can be filled into the tube mouth portion 22 while inhaling air from the tube mouth portion 22.

  The contents 26 and air in the tube mouth portion 22 sucked from the suction port 410 of the suction nozzle 41 are guided to the separator 44 through the discharge passage 43. Then, the contents 26 that are guided to the separator 44 and mixed with air are separated in the process of passing through the separator 44, and only the air is sucked into the vacuum pump 42.

  In this description, the vacuum pump 42 is operated after the discharge of the contents 26 by the filling nozzle 36 is started. However, the front-rear relationship may be reversed and can be changed as appropriate. The first filling process is continued until the filling of the contents 26 into the tube base 22 is completed. For example, the duration of the first filling process can be set in advance as an appropriate time based on parameter values such as the volume of the tube mouth portion 22, the discharge amount per unit time, and the suction amount per unit time.

  Here, in this control routine, the elapsed time (duration) since the start of the first filling process (first filling process) in step S103 is measured by a clock device (not shown). In step S104, it is determined whether or not the elapsed time Δt1 measured by the timepiece device has reached a specified time Δtb1. If an affirmative determination is made (Δt1 ≧ Δtb1), it is determined that the filling of the contents 26 into the tube base portion 22 is completed and the first filling process may be terminated, and the process proceeds to step S105.

  The specified time Δtb1 here is an elapsed time required from the start of the first filling process until the filling of the contents 26 into the tube mouth portion 22 is completed, and the parameters such as the volume of the tube mouth portion 22 are described above. Can be set in advance as an appropriate time. In addition, when a negative determination is made in step S104 (Δt1 <Δtb1), it is determined that the first filling process should be continued because the filling of the contents 26 into the tube base portion 22 has not yet been completed. The In this case, the process returns to step S103, and the determination process of step S104 is performed again after a predetermined time has elapsed. Then, the first filling process is continued until an affirmative determination is made in step S104.

  When the first filling process ends, the process proceeds to the second filling process in step S105. That is, the second filling step is a step in which the control unit 7 stops only the operation of the vacuum pump 42 so that the negative pressure suction force acting on the suction port 410 of the suction nozzle 41 disappears. Thus, the second filling process for filling the tube body portion 21 with the content 26 is performed by continuing the discharge of the content 26 by the filling nozzle 36 in a state where the suction by the suction nozzle 41 is stopped.

  During the second filling process, the control unit 7 outputs a control command signal to the holder driving device 6 to lower the tube holder 5. Here, as the filling height of the contents 26 into the tube container 25 (also referred to as the tube body portion 21) increases, the tube holder 6 is moved so that the insertion depth of the filling nozzle 36 into the tube container 25 decreases. It was made to descend gradually or stepwise.

At that time, the insertion depth of the filling nozzle 36 into the tube container 25 is decreased according to the filling height of the contents 26 so that the discharge port 360 of the filling nozzle 36 is always higher than the filling height of the contents 26. (The tube holder 5 may be lowered). On the contrary, the insertion depth of the filling nozzle 36 according to the filling height of the content 26 is maintained so that the discharge port 360 is slightly hidden in the content 26 after being discharged to the tube body portion 21. May be decreased (the tube holder 5 may be lowered). Further, in this step, changing the insertion depth of the filling nozzle 36 into the tube container 25 according to the filling height of the contents 26 into the tube body portion 21 is not essential for the implementation of the present invention. The insertion depth of the filling nozzle 36 during the filling process may be kept constant.

  The control unit 7 ends the second filling process when the filling amount of the content 26 in the entire tube container 25 reaches the specified amount. In this control routine, the elapsed time (continuation time) from the start of the second filling step (second filling process) in step S105 is measured by the timepiece device. In step S106, it is determined whether or not the elapsed time Δt2 measured by the timepiece device has reached the specified time Δtb2. If an affirmative determination is made (Δt2 ≧ Δtb2), it is determined that the specified amount of content 26 has been filled in the tube container 25, and the process proceeds to step S107.

  The specified time Δtb2 here is an elapsed time required from the start of the second filling process until the filling amount of the contents 26 in the entire tube container 25 reaches the specified amount. An appropriate time may be set in advance based on the discharge amount of the nozzle 36 per unit time. If a negative determination is made in step S106 (Δt2 <Δtb2), it is determined that the second filling process should be continued. In this case, the process returns to step S105, and the determination process of step S106 is performed again after a predetermined time has elapsed. Then, the second filling process is continuously performed until an affirmative determination is made in step S106.

  In step S107, the control unit 7 switches the switching valve 34 to the first continuous position and stops energization of the electromagnetic valve 35. Then, the first pressure chamber 331 and the second pressure chamber 332 in the air cylinder 33 become equal pressure. As a result, the supply of the contents 26 to the filling nozzle 36 is stopped, whereby the second filling process is completed.

  When the filling nozzle 36 and the suction nozzle 41 are inserted into the tube container 25 at the time when the second filling process is completed, the control unit 7 lowers the tube holder 5 to the holder driving device 6 to move each nozzle. After withdrawing from the tube container 25, the process proceeds to step S108. In step S108, the open end 27 of the tube container 25 is sandwiched between crimping tools of a thermocompression bonding apparatus (not shown) so as to be crushed, and the open end 27 is sealed by fusion with ultrasonic waves or the like. Part 23 is formed. Thereby, the tube-containing product 20 formed by filling the tube container 25 with the contents 26 is completed. When the sealing process according to this step ends, the control unit 7 ends the execution of this control routine.

  According to the filling device 1 and the manufacturing method of the tube-containing product 20 according to the present invention described above, the filling of the contents 26 into the tube container 25 is performed in the first filling process and the second filling process. . In the first filling process, the contents 26 discharged from the filling nozzle 36 are sucked by the suction nozzle 41 together with the air accumulated in the tube mouth part 22, so that the tube mouth part does not cause air accumulation. 22 can be filled with the contents 26 honeyfully. After the filling into the tube mouth portion 22 is completed, the contents 26 can be efficiently filled into the entire tube container 25 by the filling nozzle 36 in a state where the suction by the suction nozzle 41 is stopped.

  Accordingly, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of air accumulation in the tube mouth portion 22 when the tube-containing product 20 is manufactured. Therefore, it is possible to suitably suppress the occurrence of problems such as insufficient filling of the tube mouth part or separation of components of the contents filled in the tube mouth part.

  In addition, according to the filling device 1 and the method for manufacturing the tube-containing product 20 according to the present invention, the contents in a state where the cap member 24 is fitted in the tube container 25 while suppressing the occurrence of air accumulation in the tube mouth portion 22. Twenty-six fillings can be performed. Therefore, unlike the case of filling with the cap member 24 removed, the contents 26 leaked from the tube mouth portion 22 are not contaminated, and the cleaning work is not required. And since the operation | work which fits the cap member 24 to the tube mouth part 22 after cleaning the tube mouth part 22 in this way can be omitted, the filling efficiency of the content to the tube container 20, and the productivity of the product 25 with a tube are improved. can do.

[Modification]
In this embodiment, the example which adjusts the insertion depth with respect to the tube container 25 of the filling nozzle 36 and the suction nozzle 41 by raising / lowering the tube holder 5 by the action | operation of the holder drive device 6 was demonstrated. The insertion depth with respect to the tube container 25 may be adjusted by fixing and raising and lowering each nozzle integrally. In the above control example, the insertion depths of the filling nozzle 36 and the suction nozzle 41 with respect to the tube container 25 are adjusted in conjunction with each other, but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the insertion depth of each nozzle into the tube container 25 may be individually adjusted using an elevating device that can raise and lower the filling nozzle 36 and the suction nozzle 41 individually.

  In the filling device 1 according to this embodiment, the example in which the suction nozzle 41 is incorporated in the filling nozzle 36 has been described. For example, the suction nozzle 41 having a small diameter is configured as the filling nozzle 36 having a large diameter. You may install so that the outer surface of a cylinder may be followed.

  Moreover, in the filling apparatus 1 of this embodiment, although the outer diameter of the filling nozzle 36 is made larger than the inner diameter of the tube mouth part 22, it is not limited to this. That is, the filling nozzle 36 having an outer diameter equal to or smaller than the inner diameter of the tube mouth portion 22 can be applied. Further, the outer diameter of the filling nozzle 36 may be set as large as possible after securing a predetermined clearance (for example, about 5 mm to 10 mm) with the inner wall of the tube body portion 21. As a result, the contents 26 can be discharged from the discharge port 360 of the filling nozzle 36 over a wide range of the horizontal cross section of the tube container 25, and the time required for the second filling process can be shortened. Productivity of the product 20 can be improved.

  Moreover, regarding the suction nozzle 41, the insertion depth to the tube mouth part 22 at the time of a 1st filling process can add an appropriate change. As shown in FIG. 6, the shape of the tip of the suction nozzle 41 is not only a normal type as shown in (a) but also a part of the edge as shown in (b) and (c). You may employ | adopt the tip notch type which provided the notch part formed in the tip in the front-end | tip part. The tip notch types 1 and 2 shown in each of (b) and (c) are, for example, semi-elliptical, A circular notch is provided.

Comparing the suction characteristics of the suction nozzles shown in (a) to (c), in the first filling process, the suction characteristics of the air accumulated in the tube mouth portion 22 together with the contents 26 discharged from the filling nozzle 36 are as follows. The most excellent was the notch type 1 of (b), and the next most excellent was the notch type 2 of (c). Compared to the normal type (a), by providing a notch at the tip as shown in (b) and (c), the contents 26 and air in the tube mouth 22 are passed through the notch by the suction nozzle 41. It becomes easy to guide to the inside, and the suction efficiency can be increased. In addition, in (b) and (c) in this figure, two semi-elliptical cutouts are provided at positions different from each other by 180 ° at the tip, but the number, dimensions, Various changes can be made to the shape and the like. Needless to say, the suction nozzle 41 can be appropriately changed in dimensions such as the inner diameter and the outer diameter.

  As mentioned above, although each embodiment which concerns on this invention was described, the technique regarding the manufacturing method of the product containing a tube of this invention, and the filling apparatus which fills a tube container with the contents can include these combinations as much as possible. .

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Filling device 3 ... Supply device 4 ... Suction device 5 ... Tube holder 6 ... Holder drive device 7 ... Control part 20 ... Tube containing product 21 ... Tube body part 22 · · Tube mouth 23 · · Sealing end 24 · · Cap member 25 · · Tube container 26 · · Contents 27 · · Open end 31 · · Hopper 32 · · Filling cylinder 33 · · Air cylinder 34 · Switching Valve 35 ・ ・ Solenoid valve 36 ・ ・ Filling nozzle 41 ・ ・ Suction nozzle

Claims (6)

A tube body part, a tube base part integrally formed on the distal end side of the tube body part, having a smaller diameter than the tube body part and opened to the outside, and a cap member fitted to the tube mouth part A manufacturing method for manufacturing a product containing a tube by filling a tube container with a content using a filling device,
The filling device has a filling nozzle that discharges contents from a discharge port formed on the tip side thereof, and an outer diameter that is smaller than the inner diameter of the tube mouth base portion, and is sucked into a suction port formed on the tip side thereof A suction nozzle for acting,
The manufacturing method includes:
The filling nozzle and the suction nozzle are inserted into the tube container in a state where the cap member is fitted to the tube mouth portion from an open end formed on the tube body portion opposite to the tube mouth portion. And an insertion step of disposing at least the suction port of the suction nozzle at the tube mouth part,
After the inserting step, the discharge of the content by the filling nozzle and the suction by the suction nozzle are started, and the air accumulated in the tube mouth portion together with the content discharged from the filling nozzle is sucked from the suction port. A first filling step of filling the tube mouth portion with contents,
After the first filling step, a second filling step of filling the tube body portion with the content by continuing to discharge the content by the filling nozzle in a state where the suction by the suction nozzle is stopped,
Of tubed products including   The manufacturing method of the tube containing product of Claim 1 with which the notch part formed by notching a part of edge is provided in the front-end | tip part in which the said suction inlet is formed in the said suction nozzle.   3. The suction nozzle according to claim 1, wherein the suction nozzle is integrally incorporated in the filling nozzle, and a front end side of the suction nozzle including the suction port protrudes from the discharge port of the filling nozzle. Manufacturing method of tubed products.   The manufacturing method of the tube containing product as described in any one of Claim 1 to 3 which further includes the sealing process of sealing the said open end of the said tube trunk | drum after the said 2nd filling process. A tube body part, a tube base part integrally formed on the distal end side of the tube body part, having a smaller diameter than the tube body part and opened to the outside, and a cap member fitted to the tube mouth part A filling device for filling a tube container with the contents,
In the tube body portion, a filling nozzle that is inserted into the inside from an open end formed on the side opposite to the tube mouth portion and discharges contents from a discharge port formed on the tip side thereof;
A suction nozzle that is inserted into the inside from the open end of the tube body portion and has an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the tube mouth portion and causes suction to act on a suction port formed on the distal end side thereof;
In the state where at least the suction port of the suction nozzle is disposed at the tube mouth portion with respect to the tube container in which the cap member is fitted to the tube mouth portion, the discharge of the contents and the suction by the filling nozzle are performed. A first filling process in which suction is performed by a nozzle, and the contents discharged from the filling nozzle are filled into the tube mouth portion while sucking air accumulated in the tube mouth portion from the suction port. And, after the first filling process, a second filling process for filling the tube body part with the contents by continuing to discharge the contents by the filling nozzle in a state where the suction by the suction nozzle is stopped. Filling means for performing,
A filling device comprising:   The filling device according to claim 5, wherein a notch portion formed by notching a part of an end edge is provided at a tip portion where the suction port is formed in the suction nozzle.

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