JP2013028451A - Apparatus and method for feeding shape-retaining material - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To surely and successively feed a shape-retaining material.SOLUTION: A feeding apparatus 1 for successively feeding a following shape-retaining material after a preceding material includes: a conveying device 5 for conveying the materials; a holding device 14 for temporarily holding the following material; a transferring device 17 for transferring the holding device between a standby position where a starting end of the following material stays away from the conveying device and a feeding position where the starting end of the following material is fed to the conveying device; and a sensor 19 for detecting a finishing end of the preceding material on an upstream side of the conveying device. The holding device holds the following material in advance when the preceding material is conveyed by the conveying device. The transferring device transfers the holding device from the standby position to the feeding position based on the output of the sensor so that the starting end of the following material can be successively fed to the conveying device after the finishing end of the preceding material. The holding device releases the following material when the conveying device starts conveying the following material.

Description

  The present invention relates to a shape-retaining material supply apparatus and method.

  2. Description of the Related Art A mask having a band-shaped member made of a material having shape retentivity at a portion that comes in contact with the wearer's nose is known. In this mask, the band-shaped member is deformed according to the shape of the wearer's face, and the shape of the mask is held by the band-shaped member. Therefore, the mask can be kept in close contact with the face of the wearer.

  In order to continuously manufacture such a mask, it is necessary to continuously supply a shape-retaining material.

  Patent Document 1 describes a supply device that continuously supplies a flexible material such as gauze. In this supply device, the first flexible material unwound from the first supply roll is supplied to the drive roll via the first nip roll and the first idle roll that are arranged to face each other, and the next is driven by the drive roll. Sent to the process. An affixing portion is provided between the first nip roll and the drive roll, where the end of the first flexible material and the start of the second flexible material are connected to each other. If it demonstrates concretely, the starting end of the 2nd flexible material unwound from the 2nd roll will be previously hold | maintained with the tape for connection in the affixing part. When the end of the first flexible material reaches the attaching portion, the end of the first flexible material and the start of the second flexible material are connected to each other by the connecting tape. As a result, the supply of the second flexible material is started following the first flexible material, so that the flexible material is continuously supplied.

  Note that the second flexible material is supplied to the drive roll via the second nip roll and the second idle roll that are arranged to face each other. When the second flexible material is to be held on the affixing portion, first, the second flexible material is gripped between the second nip roll and the second idle roll. The second idle roll is then rotated manually to advance the second flexible material. As a result, the second flexible material hangs down from the second nip roll due to gravity and reaches the lower attaching portion. That is, the starting end of the second flexible material that has passed through the second nip roll almost automatically reaches the attaching portion.

Japanese Utility Model Publication No.59-40248

  If the shape-retaining material is supplied using the above-described supply device, it appears that the shape-retaining material can be continuously supplied.

  However, when the shape-retaining material passes through the second nip roll and the second idle roll, the shape-retaining material is preferable due to the difference in the degree of slip between the shape-retaining material and these rolls. It may be deformed without any changes. In this case, the shape-retaining material is held on the pasting portion in a state where the deformed shape is held. As a result, there is a possibility that the end of the preceding shape-retaining material and the start end of the subsequent shape-retaining material are connected by the tape in a state where they are offset from each other in the width direction or the heat direction. The connection portion formed in this manner may temporarily increase the width or thickness of the shape-retaining material, and as a result, there may be a problem that it cannot pass through the downstream processing department. Alternatively, the end of the preceding shape-retaining material and the beginning of the subsequent shape-retaining material may be separated from each other.

  That is, the supply device described above is not suitable for supplying the shape-retaining material. There is a need for an apparatus and method suitable for continuous supply of shape-retaining materials.

  According to the present invention, there is provided a feeding device for feeding a subsequent material to a preceding material, the material having a shape-retaining property and having a strip shape or a linear shape, and a feeding device for feeding the material, Hold between the holding device for temporarily holding the subsequent material, the standby position where the starting end of the subsequent material is separated from the feeding device, and the supply position where the starting end of the subsequent material is supplied to the feeding device A moving device for moving the device and a sensor for detecting the end of the preceding material upstream of the feeding device, the holding device following when the preceding material is being fed by the feeding device The moving device supplies the holding device from the standby position based on the output of the sensor so that the leading end of the succeeding material is supplied to the feeding device following the end of the preceding material. To position Is dynamic, the holding device releases holding of the subsequent material feed of the subsequent material begins by feeding device, feed device is provided.

  According to the present invention, there is also provided a supply method for supplying a succeeding material to a preceding material, the material having a shape-retaining property and having a strip shape or a linear shape. Between the device, a holding device for temporarily holding the subsequent material, a standby position where the leading edge of the subsequent material is separated from the feeder, and a supply position where the leading edge of the subsequent material is fed to the feeder Preparing a moving device for moving the holding device and a sensor for detecting the end of the preceding material upstream of the feeding device, and the holding device sends the preceding material by the feeding device. Pre-holding the subsequent material as it is being held, and holding based on the output of the sensor so that the moving device feeds the leading end of the subsequent material to the feeder following the end of the preceding material Dress A step of moving the to the supply position from the standby position, the holding device, the holding device is provided a method is provided comprising the steps of releasing the retention of the subsequent material to be moved to the supply position.

  The shape-retaining material can be continuously supplied reliably.

It is a general view of a supply apparatus. It is a top view of a holding device. It is a top view of a guide apparatus. It is a figure explaining supply control of a supply device. It is a figure explaining supply control of a supply device. It is a flowchart which shows the supply control routine of the Example by this invention.

  FIG. 1 shows a supply device 1 for feeding a subsequent shape-retaining material following a preceding shape-retaining material. Here, the shape-retaining material is composed of a material having plastic deformability that retains its shape once deformed. Specifically, for example, as described in Japanese Patent No. 3582854, this shape-retaining material has a return angle of 20 degrees or less after 10 minutes from bending the material by 180 degrees, and 90 It is made of a material having a return angle of 15 degrees or less after elapse of 10 minutes. The shape-retaining material is made of, for example, a metal or a plastic such as stretched polyethylene. For example, “Forte (trade name)” supplied from Sekisui Molding Co., Ltd., “Techno Roto (trade name)” supplied from Mitsui Chemicals, Inc., or the like can be used.

  Further, the shape-retaining material has a strip shape or a linear shape. In an embodiment according to the present invention, the shape-retaining material is composed of a strip material having a width of about 3.5 mm and a thickness of about 0.5 mm.

  Referring to FIG. 1, the supply apparatus 1 includes a plurality of, for example, first and second material rolls 2a and 2b. First and second shape-retaining materials 3a and 3b are wound around the first and second material rolls 2a and 2b. The first and second shape-retaining materials 3a and 3b rewound from the first and second material rolls 2a and 2b are respectively fed through a common feeding device 5 via the first and second conveying devices 4a and 4b. It is conveyed to.

  The first transport device 4a includes an idle roll pair 6a, an idle roll 7a, a dancer roll 6a, and an idle roll 9a. On the other hand, the second transport device 4b includes an idle roll pair 6b, an idle roll 7b, a dancer roll 8b, an idle roll 9c, and an idle roll 9b.

  In the example shown in FIG. 1, the dancer rolls 8a and 8b can move in the lateral direction. As a result, the first and second shape retaining materials 3a and 3b can be temporarily stored. Therefore, the speeds of the first and second shape-retaining materials 3a and 3b sent from the first and second transfer devices 4a and 4b to the feeding device 5 can be maintained almost constant.

  Between the idle roll pair 6a and the idle roll 7a, a first cutter 10a for cutting the first shape-retaining material 3a is provided. Further, a first sensor 11a for detecting that the remaining material amount of the roll 2a is smaller than a predetermined lower limit amount is attached to the dancer roll 8a, for example. Similarly, a second cutter 10b for cutting the second shape retaining material 3b is provided between the idle roll pair 6b and the idle roll 7b. Further, a second sensor 11b for detecting that the remaining material amount of the roll 2b is smaller than a predetermined lower limit amount is attached to the dancer roll 8b, for example. In the embodiment according to the present invention, the first and second shape-retaining materials 3a and 3 are fixed to the cores of the rolls 2a and 2b, respectively. For this reason, when all the shape-retaining materials 3a, 3b are rewound from the rolls 2a, 2b, the shape-retaining materials 3a, 3b are further fed by the feeding device 5, thereby the shape-retaining materials 3a, 3b. Tension increases. As a result, the dancer rolls 8a and 8b move to the left in FIG. 1 and are separated from the first and second sensors 11a and 11b. The first and second sensors 11a and 11b detect such separation of the first and second dancer rolls 8a and 8b, thereby reducing the remaining material amount of the first and second material rolls 2a and 2b. Detect that the amount is less than the limit amount.

  For example, the feeding device 5 includes a pair of nip rolls 5a and 5b that face each other and rotate in opposite directions. The nip rolls 5a and 5b are of a type that grips and sends the shape-retaining materials 3a and 3b sent between the nip rolls 5a and 5b, and are rotated by an electric motor or the like. The shape-retaining materials 3a and 3b sent from the feeding device 5 are then conveyed via the guide member 12 to the next section, for example, the shape-retaining material cutting section 13. In the cutting section 13, the shape-retaining materials 3a and 3b are cut to a predetermined length. The cut shape-retaining material is incorporated into, for example, a mask or a packaging bag.

  A holding device 14 for temporarily holding the shape-retaining materials 3a and 3b is disposed substantially vertically below the feeding device 5. As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the holding device 14 includes a main body 15 and a pair of movable members 16 a and 16 b attached to the main body 15. The movable members 16a and 16b are movable between a closed position shown in FIG. 2 (A) and an open position shown in FIG. 2 (B). In the closed position, the shape-retaining materials 3a and 3b are held and held by the movable members 16a and 16b. In the open position, the shape-retaining materials 3a and 3b are released from the movable members 16a and 16b and can freely move.

  A moving device 17 is attached to, for example, the main body 15 of the holding device 14. The moving device 17 moves the holding device 14 between the standby position and the supply position in a substantially vertical direction.

  Further, a sensor 19 for detecting the end of the shape-retaining materials 3a and 3b is provided between the holding device 14 and the feeding device 5, that is, upstream of the feeding device 5.

  Furthermore, between the holding device 14 and the feeding device 5, a guide device 20 for temporarily guiding the shape-retaining materials 3 a and 3 b held by the holding device 14 to the feeding device 5 is provided. The guide device 20 includes a main body 21 and a pair of movable members 22 a and 22 b attached to the main body 21. The movable members 22a and 22b are movable between a closed position shown in FIG. 3 (A) and an open position shown in FIG. 3 (B). In the closed position, a guide passage 23 that surrounds the shape-retaining materials 3a and 3b in the circumferential direction is defined by the movable members 22a and 22b. In the open position, the shape-retaining materials 3a and 3b are released from the guide passage 23 and can freely move.

  Referring to FIG. 1 again, the supply device 1 is provided with a computer 24 including a microprocessor, a memory, an input / output port, and the like. Signals from the sensors 11a, 11b, and 19 are input to the computer 24, and control signals from the computer 24 are output to the cutters 10a and 10b and the moving device 17.

  One of the shape-retaining materials 3a and 3b is sent to the feeding device 5 via the conveying devices 4a and 4b, and the other is held by the holding device 14. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the first shape-retaining material 3 a is sent to the feeding device 5 through the first conveying device 4 a, and the second shape-retaining material 3 b is held by the holding device 14. In this case, the second shape-retaining material 3b is held by the holding device 14 on the upstream side of the starting end 3bL. FIG. 1 shows the case where the holding device 14 is in the standby position. In this standby position, the starting end 3bL of the second shape-retaining material 3b is located away from the feeding device 5.

  When the first sensor 11a detects that the remaining material amount of the first material roll 2a is less than the lower limit amount when the first shape-retaining material 3a is being sent to the feeding device 5. That is, when the first dancer roll 8a is separated from the first sensor 11a, the first shape-retaining material 3a is cut by the first cutter 10a. As a result, an end is formed in the first shape-retaining material 3a.

  Next, when the first shape-retaining material 3a is further conveyed and the end of the first shape-retaining material 3a is detected by the sensor 19, the holding device 14 is moved by the moving device 17 as shown in FIG. It is moved to the supply position. As a result, the start end 3bL of the second shape-retaining material 3b is supplied to the feeding device 5 following the end of the first shape-retaining material 3a. In this way, the second shape-retaining material 3b is supplied subsequently to the first shape-retaining material 3a.

  In this case, it is preferable that the end of the first shape-retaining material 3a and the start end of the second shape-retaining material 3b are in contact with each other. However, a slight gap may be formed between the terminal end of the first shape retaining material 3a and the starting end of the second shape retaining material 3b.

  In any case, in the embodiment according to the present invention, the second shape-retaining material 3b is conveyed to the feeding device 5 in a substantially linear shape. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of problems in the downstream processing department. Further, in order to supply the second shape-retaining material 3b following the first shape-retaining material 3a, a connecting tool such as a tape is not required. Therefore, the shape-retaining materials 3a and 3b can be supplied easily and inexpensively.

  When the feeding of the second shape-retaining material 3b by the feeding device 5 starts, the movable members 16a and 16b of the holding device 14 are moved to the open position, and the holding of the second shape-retaining material 3b by the holding device 14 is released. Is done. Further, the movable members 22a and 22b of the guide device 20 are moved to the open position. As a result, as shown in FIG. 5, the second shape-retaining material 3 b is conveyed from the idle roll 9 b to the feeding device 5 without passing through the holding device 14 and the guide device 20.

  Next, when the holding of the second shape-retaining material 3b by the holding device 14 is released, the holding device 14 is lowered to the standby position. Further, the movable members 16a and 16b of the holding device 14 and the movable members 22a and 22b of the guide device 20 are returned to the closed positions.

  While the second shape-retaining material 3b is being sent to the feeding device 5, a new first material roll 2a is prepared. Next, as shown in FIG. 5, the new first shape-retaining material 3 a is held by the holding device 14. This holding work is performed by an operator, for example.

  If the remaining material amount of the second material roll 2b becomes smaller than the lower limit amount while the second shape retaining material 3b is being sent to the feeding device 5, the second shape retaining property is obtained by the second cutter 10b. The material 3b is cut. When the end of the second shape retaining material 3b is detected by the sensor 19, the retaining device 14 is moved to the supply position by the moving device 17. Therefore, the first shape-retaining material 3a is supplied subsequently to the second shape-retaining material 3b.

  Accordingly, generally speaking, the holding device 14 holds the succeeding materials 3b and 3a in advance when the preceding materials 3a and 3b are being fed by the feeding device 5, and the moving device 14 leads the preceding materials 3b and 3a. Based on the output of the sensor 19, the holding device 14 is moved from the standby position to the supply position based on the output of the sensor 19 so that the starting ends of the subsequent materials 3b and 3a are supplied to the feeding device 5 following the end of the materials 3a and 3b. The device 14 releases the holding of the subsequent materials 3b and 3a when the feeding of the subsequent materials 3b and 3a by the feeding device 5 starts.

  FIG. 6 shows a routine for carrying out the supply control of the embodiment according to the present invention. Referring to FIG. 6, in Step 100, whether or not the remaining material charge of the rolls 2a and 2b is less than the lower limit amount, that is, whether the dancer rolls 8a and 8b are separated from the first and second sensors 11a and 11b. It is determined whether or not. Step 100 is repeated until the dancer rolls 8a and 8b are separated from the first and second sensors 11a and 11b. When the dancer rolls 8a and 8b are separated from the first and second sensors 11a and 11b, the process proceeds to step 101 where the shape-retaining materials 3a and 3b are cut by the cutters 10a and 10b. In the subsequent step 102, it is determined whether or not the end of the shape-retaining material 3a, 3b formed by cutting has been detected by the sensor 19. Step 102 is repeated until the end is detected by the sensor 19. When the end is detected, the process proceeds to step 103 where the holding device 14 is moved to the supply position. Next, the movable members of the holding device 14 and the guide device 20 are moved to the open position. In the following step 105, the holding device 14 is lowered to the standby position. In subsequent step 106, the movable members of the holding device 14 and the guide device 20 are moved to the closed position.

  In the embodiments described so far, the holding device 14 is moved almost vertically upward to the supply position. However, the holding device 14 may be moved downward, sideways, or diagonally to the supply position. Such a configuration can be employed because the supplied material has shape retention.

  In the embodiments described so far, the holding device 14 holds the shape-retaining materials 3a and 3b by holding them. However, the shape-retaining materials 3a and 3b can be held by other means such as vacuum suction.

  Furthermore, in the embodiment described so far, the first and second dancer rolls 8a and 8b are separated from the first and second sensors 11a and 11b by the sensors 11a and 11b to detect the material. It is determined that the remaining material amount of the rolls 2a and 2b is less than the lower limit amount. However, it may be determined whether or not the remaining material amount of the material rolls 2a and 2b is smaller than the lower limit amount based on the weight or rotation speed of the material rolls 2a and 2b.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Feeding device 3a, 3b Shape-retaining material 5 Feeding device 14 Holding device 17 Moving device 19 Sensor

Claims (9)

A supply device for supplying a subsequent material to a preceding material, the material having a shape-retaining property and having a strip shape or a linear shape,
A feeding device for feeding the material;
A holding device for temporarily holding subsequent material;
A moving device for moving the holding device between a standby position where the beginning of the subsequent material is separated from the feeder and a supply position where the beginning of the subsequent material is fed to the feeder;
A sensor for detecting the end of the preceding material upstream of the feeder;
Comprising
The holding device holds the subsequent material in advance when the preceding material is being sent by the feeding device,
The moving device moves the holding device from the standby position to the supply position based on the output of the sensor so that the leading end of the subsequent material is supplied to the feeding device following the end of the preceding material,
The holding device releases the holding of the subsequent material when the feeding of the subsequent material by the feeding device starts.
Feeding device.   The supply device according to claim 1, wherein the holding device is disposed substantially vertically below the feeding device, and the moving direction of the holding device from the standby position to the supply position is substantially upward in the vertical direction.   The feeding device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the holding device holds the subsequent material upstream of the starting end.   4. The feeding device according to claim 1, wherein the leading end of the preceding material and the leading end of the following material are fed without being connected to each other.   The supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the moving device moves the holding device to a standby position when the holding of the subsequent material by the holding device is released.   The feeding device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the feeding device includes a pair of rolls that face each other and rotate in opposite directions.   The preceding material is unwound from the material roll and supplied to the feeding device, and further includes a cutting device for cutting the preceding material when the remaining material amount of the material roll becomes smaller than a predetermined amount. The supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 6.   The supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising a guide device for temporarily guiding a subsequent material between the feeding device and the holding device. A supply method for supplying a succeeding material to a preceding material, the material having a shape-retaining property and having a strip shape or a linear shape,
A feeding device for feeding the material, a holding device for temporarily holding the subsequent material, a standby position in which the leading edge of the subsequent material is separated from the feeding device, and the leading edge of the subsequent material is supplied to the feeding device. Providing a moving device for moving the holding device between the supply position and a sensor for detecting the end of the preceding material upstream of the feeding device;
Pre-holding subsequent material when the preceding material is being fed by the feeder with the holding device;
Moving the holding device from the standby position to the supply position based on the output of the sensor so that the moving device supplies the leading end of the subsequent material to the feeding device following the end of the preceding material; and
Releasing the holding of the subsequent material by the holding device when the holding device is moved to the supply position;
Including supply method.

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