JP2014076618A - Preform feeder - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a preform feeder which can be easily applied to preforms having various shapes.SOLUTION: The provided feeder includes: a pair of guide rails 7 on the left and right for guiding, toward the next step by supporting a preform 1 of a made-of-resin bottle via a large-diameter site of the mouthpiece thereof, the preform 1 assuming a fundamental disposition F0 of the body portion thereof being suspended; and detection means for detecting preforms 1 being guided while assuming abnormal dispositions of deviating from the fundamental disposition F0; the same detection means includes: at least two photoelectric sensors S3and S3positioned differently above and below; and a judgment unit 14 for judging abnormal dispositions on the basis of combinations of detection results of the at least two photoelectric sensors S3and S3; a rejection aperture unit 15A through which preforms 1 fall depending on judgments thereon by the judgment unit 14 is formed on the downstream side of the photoelectric sensors S3and S3.

Description

  The present invention supports a preform of a resin bottle from below through a large diameter portion of its mouth, and supplies a pair of left and right for the next process in a basic posture where the main body of the preform is suspended. A preform supply apparatus for detecting an abnormal posture preform deviating from the basic posture and rejecting the abnormal posture preform from the guide rail in response to detection by the detection device About.

  As prior art document information related to this type of preform supply apparatus, there is Patent Document 1 shown below. In the preform supply apparatus described in Patent Document 1, one sensor that optically detects a preform in a lateral orientation that deviates from the basic orientation is provided. Depending on the detection result by this sensor, By moving the movable part provided on a part of the guide rail sideways, a kind of pitfall is temporarily formed, and by dropping the preform in the horizontal position downward, the preform remains downstream in the horizontal position. It is prevented from being conveyed to the side.

JP-T-2007-515359 (paragraphs 0081 and 0085, FIGS. 1 and 5)

  However, in the preform supply apparatus described in Patent Document 1, the position of the large-diameter flange portion, which is provided below the cylindrical mouth portion of the preform, is provided as a sensor for detecting the preform in the lateral orientation. Therefore, depending on the shape of the preform, there is a possibility that the preform in the horizontal posture cannot be detected with high accuracy.

  Therefore, in view of the problems given by the prior art exemplified above, the object of the present invention is a profile that can be easily applied to preforms having various shapes in which the ratio between the length of the cylindrical mouth portion and the diameter of the flange portion is different. The object is to provide a renovation supply apparatus.

The characteristic configuration of the preform supply apparatus according to the present invention is as follows.
A pair of left and right guide rails for guiding the preform to the next process in a basic posture in which the main body of the preform is suspended by supporting the preform of the resin bottle from below through the large-diameter portion of the mouth; Detecting means for detecting a preform guided on the guide rail in an abnormal posture deviating from the basic posture;
The detection means includes at least two photoelectric sensors having different vertical positions, and determination means for determining an abnormal posture of the preform based on a combination of detection results from the two photoelectric sensors.
In accordance with the detection by the detection means, a drain opening for dropping the preform downward is formed in a part of the guide rail on the downstream side of the photoelectric sensor.

  In the preform supply apparatus having the above-described characteristic configuration, the abnormal posture of the preform is determined based on a combination of detection results of at least two photoelectric sensors having different vertical positions. For preforms of various shapes with different ratios of length and flange diameter, etc., the determination of whether or not the posture is abnormal is relatively high compared to a configuration that uses a detection result from a single photoelectric sensor. It can be carried out.

  According to another characteristic configuration of the present invention, the two photoelectric sensors include an intermediate photoelectric sensor shielded by a preform supported in a horizontal posture on the guide rail, and a plug supported in a horizontal posture on the guide rail. The lower photoelectric sensor is shielded from light by the main body portion of the preform in the basic posture without being shielded from light by reforming.

  With this configuration, when the preform crossing the photoelectric sensor is mainly composed of a preform in a basic posture and a preform in a sideways abnormal posture, the sideways abnormal posture is taken. The preform can be detected with high accuracy and can be rejected at the exclusion opening.

  Another characteristic configuration of the present invention is that the detection means includes an upper photoelectric sensor shielded from light at a position above the mouth of the preform in the basic posture in addition to the two photoelectric sensors.

  In this configuration, the preform that crosses the photoelectric sensor is in a state where the preform is in an upside-down position, in addition to the preform in the basic posture, and the preform in a state where the preforms are stacked one above the other. In the case of inclusion, it is also possible to detect a preform in a state where the preforms are stacked one above the other and reject it at the exclusion opening.

  According to another characteristic configuration of the present invention, as a part of the guide rail, a switching operation is performed between a small opening position that allows the preform to be guided to the next process and a large opening position that forms the discharge opening. A pair of left and right open / close gates is provided.

  When the open / close gate is provided only on one side of the left and right guide rails, when the open / close gate is switched to the large open position, the preform is rotated by the portion of the guide rail facing the open / close gate in the width direction. Since the force is applied and it is easy to fall while rotating, the impact force when colliding with an object existing at the dropping point increases, and the risk of damage to the surface of the preform increases. However, with this configuration, by switching the pair of left and right open / close gates to the left and right open positions evenly, it becomes difficult to apply inadvertent rotational force to the preform. The surface is hard to be damaged.

  Another feature of the present invention is that a stopper that can be switched between a blocking position for damming the preform and a release position for releasing the damming is provided upstream of the gate member. .

  With this configuration, after switching the open / close gate to the large open position in order to reject the preform in an abnormal posture, the stopper is switched from the release position to the blocking position, and the preform is dammed upstream of the gate member. When the gate member is returned from the large open position to the small open position, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the preform is sandwiched between the gate members and damaged.

  Another characteristic configuration of the present invention is that a discharge assisting means for blowing a downward air flow onto the preform that has entered the discharge opening is provided.

  With this configuration, it is possible to promote the fall of the preform from the evacuation opening by blowing a downward air flow onto the preform, so that the evacuated preform is compared with a configuration that merely forms the evacuation opening. Since the time during which the reforming stays in the evacuation opening can be shortened and the period during which the evacuation opening is held can be shortened, it is possible to apply the preform to a preform supply apparatus having a higher preform conveying speed.

  Another characteristic configuration of the present invention is that a posture correcting means for continuously blowing a downward air flow to the preform is provided on the upstream side of the detecting means.

  In this configuration, there is a case where a preform having a posture that is relatively close to the basic posture among the preforms classified as abnormal postures can be corrected to the basic posture by a downward air flow blown from the posture correcting means. The proportion of the preform that needs to be discharged at the discharge opening is reduced, and as a result, the processing capacity of the preform supply device is improved.

  Another feature of the present invention is a preliminary detection means for detecting a preform having an abnormal posture deviating from the basic posture, and a rejection from a side at a position above the guide rail based on detection by the preliminary detection means. And a preliminary evacuation device for providing an air flow is provided upstream of the detection means.

  With this configuration, at least a part of a preform in an abnormal posture other than a sideways fall, in particular, a preform in an abnormal posture that protrudes upward from the guide rail, is located upstream from the detection means of the discharge opening. Therefore, the ratio of the preform in the abnormal posture reaching the evacuation opening is reduced, the load applied to the evacuation opening is reduced, and as a result, the processing capacity of the preform supply device is improved.

  Another feature of the present invention comprises a conveyor for supplying a preform to the upstream end of the guide rail, and auxiliary determination means for determining retention of the preform at the upstream end of the guide rail, The conveyor is temporarily stopped based on the determination of stay by the auxiliary determination means.

  With this configuration, when the preform starts to stay at the upstream end of the guide rail, the supply of the preform by the conveyor is stopped. Therefore, an amount of the preform that cannot be discharged by the discharge device provided in the preform supply device. It is possible to prevent the situation where the reform is supplied, which is advantageous.

It is a perspective view which shows the preform supply apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the vicinity of an auxiliary unscrambler. It is a side view which shows the attachment position of the photoelectric sensor of a 2nd selective exclusion apparatus. It is sectional drawing which shows the process process of the preform in the 2nd selective excretion apparatus vicinity. It is sectional drawing which shows the process process of the preform in the 2nd selective excretion apparatus vicinity. It is sectional drawing which shows the process process of the preform in the 2nd selective excretion apparatus vicinity. It is sectional drawing which shows the process process of the preform in the 2nd selective excretion apparatus vicinity. It is a perspective view which shows the vicinity of the auxiliary | assistant unscrambler by another embodiment.

EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Below, the form for implementing this invention is demonstrated, referring drawings.
FIG. 1 shows a part of a production line for blow-molding a bottle from a preform 1 of a resin bottle.
The preform 1 includes a cylindrical mouth portion 1M having a male screw portion on the outer periphery, and a main body portion 1B extending downward from the lower end of the mouth portion 1M, and near the boundary between the mouth portion main body 1M and the main body portion 1B. Is provided with a large-diameter neck ring 1R.
Here, the preform 1 is formed of polyethylene terephthalate resin, but is not limited thereto, and may be polypropylene resin or polyethylene resin.

(Schematic configuration of preform supply device)
In the production line, as an aligning / conveying means for aligning a large number of preforms 1 supplied in a random posture in a single row as much as possible and conveying them toward a downstream process, The unscrambler 3 and the auxiliary unscrambler 4 are connected in series with each other, both of which have a gentle inclined posture that descends toward the downstream side.

  Among them, the upstream unscrambler 3 includes a pair of left and right rotating rollers 5 (an example of guide rails) that rotate in opposite directions, and the auxiliary unscrambler 4 includes a pair of left and right long plate-shaped transport rails 7. (An example of a guide rail). Here, the unscrambler 3 and the auxiliary unscrambler 4 correspond to the preform supply apparatus according to the present invention.

  Various methods can be used as a method of supplying a large number of preforms 1 supplied to the production line by containers or the like to the unscrambler 3, but here, two generally horizontally extending supply conveyors C1 and C2 are used. It is done. In plan view, the second supply conveyor C2 on the downstream side is arranged linearly with respect to the unscrambler 3, but the first supply conveyor C1 on the upstream side is arranged substantially at right angles to the second supply conveyor C2. ing.

  In the unscrambler 3, the preform 1 is basically supported by the pair of left and right rotating rollers 5 by the neck ring 1R, and takes a stable basic posture F0 in which the mouth portion 1M faces upward and the main body portion 1B faces generally downward. easy.

  Similarly, in the auxiliary unscrambler 4, the preform 1 is basically supported by a pair of left and right plate-shaped transport rails 7 (an example of guide rails) by the neck ring 1R, and slides down downstream in the same basic posture F0. Go.

  As illustrated in FIG. 1, the preforms 1 discharged from the auxiliary unscrambler 4 in a line are sent to a rinser 50 as a downstream process, for example, and the preform 1 subjected to a cleaning operation by the rinser 50 is sterilized. A container (not shown) which is sent to the device 51 and sterilized by ultraviolet rays or the like and then supplied to the blow molding device 52 and formed into a bottle shape or the like by the blow molding device 52 is filled with a content such as a beverage by the filling device 53. Receive filling.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the shaft cores of the pair of rotating rollers 5 provided in the unscrambler 3 are parallel to each other and are inclined so as to face downward toward the next process. The intersecting perpendiculars are generally horizontal.

  The pair of rotating rollers 5 are rotationally driven at the same speed by a driving mechanism (not shown) such as a motor disposed at one end of the rotating roller 5, but the rotating direction of the rotating rollers 5 is as indicated by arrows. The circumferential surfaces of the pair of rotating rollers 5 facing each other are reversely moved so as to move upward.

  The preform 1 is suspended between a pair of rotating rollers 5 through a lower end of the outer periphery of the large-diameter neck ring 1R in a basic posture F0 in which the mouth portion 1M faces upward and the main body portion 1B faces generally downward. The distance between the pair of rotating rollers 5 is set so that portions other than the neck ring 1 </ b> R of the preform 1 basically do not come into contact with the rotating roller 5.

  Guide bodies 6 are arranged on the left and right sides of the pair of rotating rollers 5. The guide body 6 extends substantially continuously over the entire length of the pair of rotating rollers 5, and the cross section of the guide body 6 has a hopper shape in which a lower opening communicates with a gap between the pair of rotating rollers 5. ing.

  The unscrambler 3 is provided with a plurality of (for example, three) posture correcting members 30 in a state of being separated from each other along the conveying direction of the preform 1. The set of posture correction members 30 includes a swing arm 31 that is rotatably supported around an axis 31P installed in each of the left and right guide bodies 6, and a stopper 32 that is fixed to each of the left and right guide bodies 6. Have.

  Each swing arm 31 tends to swing toward the opposite guide body 6 due to its own weight, but the tip of the swing arm 31 is a pair of rotations unless it comes into contact with the preform 1 by contact with the stopper 32. The posture is maintained so as to reach the middle of the roller 5.

Further, the pair of left and right swing arms 31 constituting the pair of posture correction members 30 are arranged slightly displaced from each other along the conveying direction of the preform 1.
Since the height of the tip of the posture correcting member 30 is set to a position higher than the upper end of the preform 1 in the basic posture F0, the preform 1 conveyed in the basic posture F0 does not contact the posture correcting member 30. Passes beside the posture correction member 30.

  However, for example, a state of being positioned above the upper end of the preform 1 in the basic posture F0 as in the case where the preform 1 is transported in a state of being carried on the preform 1 transported in the basic posture F0. When the preforms 1 of the abnormal posture are conveyed, the preforms 1 of the abnormal posture are dammed by the tip of the swing arm 31 and consequently removed from the preform 1 of the basic posture F0. In some cases, it is corrected to the basic posture F0 and conveyed.

  The preform 1 supplied to the vicinity of the upstream end portion of the unscrambler 3 by the second supply conveyor C <b> 2 is generally collected on the upper surfaces of the pair of rotating rollers 5 by the action of the guide body 6 and the posture correcting member 30. Is conveyed to the downstream side at a substantially constant speed by the action given by the rotational movement of the rotation roller and the inclined arrangement of the rotary roller 5 that faces downward toward the next process.

  The preform 1 supplied to the vicinity of the upper ends of the pair of rotating rollers 5 is basically conveyed in a single line downstream at a constant speed by the action of the left and right guide bodies 6, but as shown in Table 2 In addition, the preform 1 to be transported tends to take various postures including the basic posture F0.

  As a rejecting device for discharging the preform 1 in various abnormal postures other than the basic posture F0 from the pair of rotating rollers 5 and supplying only the preform 1 having the basic posture F0 as much as possible to the next process, The Rambler 3 is provided with a first selective waste device R1, and the auxiliary unscrambler 4 is provided with a second selective waste device R2.

  Near the upstream end of the rotating roller 5, there is a first photoelectric sensor unit S1 (an example of auxiliary determining means) that detects the preform 1 that is located a predetermined length above the upper end of the rotating roller 5. Is provided.

  When the supply speed of the preform 1 by the second supply conveyor C2 exceeds the processing speed of the preform 1 flowing downstream along the pair of rotating rollers 5, it is deposited near the upstream end of the rotating roller 5. Since the amount of the preform 1 becomes excessive (an example of a staying state), the light beam of the first photoelectric sensor unit S1 is blocked by the vicinity of the upper end of the deposited preform 1, and the control device 40 described later causes the first photoelectric sensor to operate. Based on the cutoff signal sent from the part S1, the second supply conveyor C2 is stopped until the cutoff signal disappears.

  The first photoelectric sensor unit S1 includes a light emitting element S1A and a light receiving element S1B disposed below the preform 1 conveyed in the basic posture F0, and the preform 1 interposed above these elements S1A and S1B. If not, the reflecting mirror S1R is disposed at a height near the upper end of the guide body 6 so as to reflect the light beam emitted upward from the light emitting element S1A toward the light receiving element S1B. Here, the light emitting element S1A and the light receiving element S1B are integrally provided below the pair of rotating rollers 5 as a single module, and the light beam emitted upward from the light emitting element S1A is a pair of rotating rollers 5. And the light beam reflected by the reflection mirror S1R passes between the pair of rotating rollers 5 and reaches the light receiving element S1B.

(Configuration of the first selective evacuation device)
A first selective evacuation device R1 provided in the vicinity of the downstream end of the unscrambler 3 is a second photoelectric sensor pair S2 (preliminary detection) that detects a light shield located above the upper end of the preform 1 in the basic posture F0. One example of the means) and the second light sensor pair S2 in accordance with the detection of the light shielding body, the side of the pair of rotating rollers 5 is traversed from the side of the rotating roller 5 at a position above the rotating roller 5. An air ejection mechanism 9 (an example of a preliminary evacuation device) that applies an air flow for evacuation.

  The second photoelectric sensor pair S2 is generally composed of a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element that are arranged to face each other so as to sandwich the conveyance path of the groove-shaped preform 1 formed between the pair of rotating rollers 5. The height of the light beam irradiated horizontally from the light receiving element to the light receiving element is positioned slightly above the upper ends of the pair of rotating rollers 5.

  The air ejection mechanism 9 has a plurality of air nozzles 9A arranged at intervals along the conveying direction of the preform 1, and high-pressure air generating means (not shown) is connected to the base end side of the air nozzle 9A. Yes. The plurality of air nozzles 9 </ b> A are disposed on the sides of the pair of rotating rollers 5, and the openings of the air nozzles 9 </ b> A are directed to a space slightly above the upper ends of the pair of rotating rollers 5.

  The high pressure air generating means includes a compressed air chamber (not shown) for storing high pressure air of a constant pressure formed by an air pump or the like, and an open / close valve (not shown) interposed between the compressed air chamber and the air nozzle 9A. And can be configured.

  In the first selective rejecting device R1, as illustrated in 8 (a) of Table 2 to be described later in particular, the lower end of one preform 1 is inserted into the pair of rotating rollers 5 while being stuck into the mouth of another preform 1. The preform 1 with the abnormal posture pattern supported in the vertical direction temporarily blocks the light beam of the second optical sensor pair S2, so that a constant blocking signal is sent from the light receiving element S2B to the control device 40. An opening operation signal is sent from the device 40 to the opening / closing valve of the air nozzle 9A, and the opening / closing valve is opened for a certain length of time.

  As a result, the preform 1 having the abnormal posture pattern described above is discharged to the discharge duct 10 provided on the opposite side of the air nozzle 9A with the pair of rotating rollers 5 sandwiched between the air nozzles 9A. .

  The preform 1 discharged to the discharge duct 10 is part of the first conveyor C1 on the upstream side by a collection conveyor 11 and a third horizontal conveyor C3 that are arranged generally obliquely upward from below the discharge duct 10. Returned to On the other hand, the preform 1 that has not been rejected by the first selective rejecting device R1 is supplied from the downstream end of the pair of rotating rollers 5 to the auxiliary unscrambler 4 adjacent to the downstream side.

The recovery conveyor 11 includes a generally horizontal upstream portion 11A having a starting point below the discharge duct 10, an intermediate portion 11B extending upward from the downstream end of the upstream portion 11A at a steep slope, and a downstream side of the intermediate portion 11B. And a downstream portion 11C extending generally horizontally from the end to above the third horizontal conveyor C3.
On the upper surface of the conveyor belt constituting the recovery conveyor 11, plate-like blades 35 capable of supporting several preforms 1 in a steep attitude of the intermediate portion 11B are erected at equal intervals in the conveying direction.

  Note that a first auxiliary air nozzle 8 (posture correction) that continuously blows a downward air flow to the preform 1 upstream of the second photoelectric sensor pair S2 of the first selective evacuation device R1 with respect to the conveying direction of the preform 1. An example of means) is provided. From the first auxiliary air nozzle 8, a generally downward air flow is blown, and this air flow is applied to the preform 1 that moves downstream on the pair of rotating rollers 5 with a posture largely deviating from the basic posture F 0. An action of approaching the basic attitude F0 and an action of correcting the preform 1 moving on the pair of rotating rollers 5 in an incomplete attitude close to the basic attitude F0 to the true basic attitude F0 as much as possible. cause.

(Configuration of the second selective evacuation device)
The second selective scrambler R2 provided in the auxiliary unscrambler 4 has different vertical positions as detection means for detecting the preform 1 guided on the upstream conveying rail 7A in an abnormal posture deviating from the basic posture F0. three sets of photoelectric sensor pair _{S3 H, S3 M, S3 L} , these three sets of photoelectric sensors S3 _H, S3 _M, S3 _L by the detection of the preform 1 based on a combination of results abnormal posture determination unit 14 In the middle of the guide rail 7, an opening / closing gate 15 is provided that can eject the preform 1 downward according to the determination by the determination means 14.

The open / close gate 15 is switched between a small open position where the preform 1 in the basic posture F0 can pass between the left and right gate members 16 described later and a large open position where the left and right gate members 16 are largely separated. In the position, a rejection opening 15A is temporarily formed on the guide rail 7 on the downstream side of the photoelectric sensor pairs S3 _H , S3 _M , S3 _L , and the preform 1 in the corresponding abnormal posture is located below the rejection opening 15A. Is dropped from the transport path of the upstream transport rail 7A.

Each of the photoelectric sensor pairs S3 _H , S3 _M , and S3 _L includes a light emitting portion and a light receiving portion that face each other across the conveyance path of the preform 1 formed along the guide rail 7, and is disposed at the uppermost position. The upper photoelectric sensor pair S3 _H (an example of the upper photoelectric sensor), the intermediate photoelectric sensor pair S3 _M (an example of the photoelectric sensor) disposed at an intermediate height, and the lower third photoelectric element disposed at the lowermost position. It consists of a sensor pair S3 _L (an example of a photoelectric sensor).

The light beam of the upper photoelectric sensor pair S3 _H is a position above the mouth portion 1M of the preform 1 the reference position F0, and, overlapping at its side state on the mouth portion 1M of the preform 1 basic position F0 It is arranged at a height that is shielded by the preform 1.
The light beam of the intermediate photoelectric sensor pair S3 _M is disposed at a height that is blocked by the preform 1 supported by the horizontal position on the conveying rails 7A on the upstream side.
The light beam of the lower photoelectric sensor pair S3 _L is not shielded by the preform supported in the horizontal posture on the upstream side transport rail 7A, but at a height that is shielded by the main body 1B of the preform 1 in the basic posture. Has been placed.

The three pairs of photoelectric sensors S3 _H , S3 _M , and S3 _L can be arranged at substantially the same position in the transport direction of the preform 1 as shown in FIG.
In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the preforms 1 are prevented from falling from the outside in the width direction when the preforms 1 are stacked up and down from both ends in the width direction of the upstream conveying rail 7 </ b> A. The vertical wall portion 7C for extending generally extends vertically upward. Some of the vertical wall portion 7C, a slit to allow the entry of the arm member 21A of the stopper 21 (not shown) are formed, further, generated in three sets of photoelectric sensor pair S3 _H, S3 _M, S3 _L A through-hole (not shown) that allows passage of the light beam is also formed.

Further, similar vertical wall portions 7C also extend upward from both ends in the width direction of the downstream-side transport rail 7B, which will be described later, in order to prevent the preform 1 from dropping also in the vicinity of the second selective waste disposal device R2. The vertical wall portion (not shown) is generally erected vertically upward.
In FIG. 2, only the vicinity of the upstream end portion of the vertical wall portion 7C is shown, and these vertical wall portions are omitted in FIGS. 1 and 4-7.

The open / close gate 15 includes a pair of left and right rectangular plate-shaped gate members 16 and a reciprocating drive mechanism 17 for moving each gate member 16 laterally between a small open position and a large open position.
In the small opening position, the end surface on the inner side in the width direction of the gate member 16 and the end surface on the inner side in the width direction of the guide rail 7 are in a generally aligned state, so that the guide rail 7 on the upstream side of the gate member 16 is aligned. Then, the gate member 16 in the small opening position and the guide rail 7 on the downstream side of the gate member 16 cooperate with each other, so that the preform 1 in the basic posture F0 can be sent out downstream of the auxiliary unscrambler 4. .

  The reciprocating drive mechanism 17 includes a cylinder member 17A having a generally rectangular parallelepiped outer shape, and a rod member 17B that can move to and from the cylinder member 17A sideward, and the tip of the rod member 17B has a plate-like joint member 17C. The gate member 16 is connected to the end face on the outer side in the width direction.

  Further, the back side of the cylinder member 17A is fixed to the building side via a support member 18 illustrated as a plate in the drawing, and the movement locus of the gate member 16 is between the support member 18 and the gate member 16. In general, a pair of front and rear guide mechanisms 20 are provided for guiding the guide in the width direction of the guide rail 7. The guide mechanism 20 includes a cylindrical member 20A extending outward in the width direction from the gate member 16, one end slidably supported in the cylindrical member 20A, and the other end fixed to the support member 18. And an auxiliary rod 20B.

  The reciprocating drive mechanism 17 can be realized by various configurations. For example, the interior of the cylinder member 17A is hermetically sealed in two chambers by a piston member (not shown) connected to the base end side of the rod member 17B. The two chambers are divided and communicated with the above-described compressed air chamber (not shown) or the like by separate air pipes, and the open / close valves provided in these air pipes are alternately controlled by the control device 40, The left and right gate members 16 can be opened and closed by sliding the piston member.

The position between the photoelectric sensor pairs S3 _H , S3 _M , S3 _L and the open / close gate 15 with respect to the conveying direction of the preform 1 on the guide rail 7 is opened and closed when the gate member 16 is returned from the large open position to the small open position. A stopper 21 for damming the preform 1 upstream of the gate 15 is provided.

  As illustrated in FIG. 2, the stopper 21 is supported by an arm member 21 </ b> A that is swingably supported around an axis X that extends in a generally vertical direction, and the arm member 21 </ b> A is released from a blocking position (indicated by a two-dot chain line). And a solenoid type actuator 21B that swings between a position (indicated by a solid line). In the release position, the tip of the arm member 21A is retracted to the side of the guide rail 7 so as not to interfere with the preform 1. However, in the blocking position, the tip of the arm member 21A is located between the pair of guide rails 7. By entering the space, the preform 1 to be moved downstream is dammed up.

  In addition, the second selective evacuation apparatus R2 includes a second auxiliary air nozzle 23 (exhaust assisting means) for blowing a downward air flow toward a part of the evacuation opening 15A. The second auxiliary air nozzle 23 is disposed above the gate member 16, and the tip of the nozzle is located slightly upstream from the downstream end of the gate member 16, and is 0 from the vertical with respect to the guide rail 7. It is installed in an inclined posture that is tilted downstream in the range of 60 ° to 60 °.

  From the second auxiliary air nozzle 23, an air flow starts to be blown immediately after the gate member 16 is switched to the large open position by the action of an electromagnetic valve or the like operated by the control device 40, and the gate member 16 is switched to the small open position. Immediately after being turned on, the air flow is stopped. The air flow blown out from the second auxiliary air nozzle 23 plays a role of positively dropping the preform 1 located in the formed exhaust opening 15A.

  In addition, the preform 1 is transported on the downstream side by applying a force to the second auxiliary air nozzle 23 to push the upstream side toward the upstream side of the preform 1 that tends to fall obliquely downward due to the initial speed directed toward the downstream side. The role of preventing collision with the upstream end face of the rail 7B may be secured.

(Operation of three pairs of photoelectric sensors)
Table 1 below is based on all patterns (combinations) of detection results (ON or OFF) that can be shown by the three pairs of photoelectric sensors S3 _H , S3 _M , and S3 _{L of} the second selective exclusion device R2 and each pattern. The contents of the processing performed by the control device 40, that is, whether or not the preform 1 is rejected by the open / close gate 15 are shown.

Table 2 shown after Table 1 shows the posture of the preform 1 that is predicted to show each pattern of detection results (ON or OFF) indicated by the three pairs of photoelectric sensors S3 _H , S3 _M , and S3 _L. An example is illustrated along with the contents of processing by the control device 40 (same as in Table 1).

As illustrated in Table 2, when the upper photoelectric sensor pair S3 _H is blocked (OFF) (pattern 5-8) is another sufficiently higher than the upper end of the preform 1 that is transported in a basic position F0 Because the preform 1 is regarded as a kind of abnormal state that is stacked in various forms, the open / close gate is independent of the detection results (ON / OFF) of the intermediate photoelectric sensor pair S3 _M and the lower photoelectric sensor pair S3 _L. 15 is switched to a large open position where the preform 1 can be discharged.

Further, as illustrated in pattern 3 of Table 2, the upper photoelectric sensor pair S3 _H is not shielded (ON), the lower photoelectric sensor pair S3 _L also not shielded (ON), only the intermediate photoelectric sensor pair S3 _M blackout In the case of being turned off (OFF), it is presumed that the preform 1 is in an abnormal state in which the preform 1 is laid down on the guide rail 7 as exemplified in patterns 3 (a) and 3 (b) in Table 2. Therefore, the open / close gate 15 is switched to the large open position where the preform 1 can be discharged.

  In the pattern 3, as shown in the patterns 3 (c) and 3 (d) in Table 2, the preform 1 is similar to the basic posture F0 and does not necessarily cause jamming on the downstream side. Although it may occur rarely, it is difficult to distinguish between the patterns 3 (a) and 3 (b), and therefore it is rejected by the open / close gate 15 switched to the large open position.

As illustrated in pattern 4 (a) of Table 2, when the preform 1 in the basic posture F0 passes between the three pairs of photoelectric sensors S3 _H , S3 _M , and S3 _{L in} a correct state, the upper photoelectric sensor pair S3 _H is not shielded (oN), the intermediate photoelectric sensor pair S3 _M and lower photoelectric sensor pair S3 _L is blocked (OFF), the opening and closing gate 15 is held in ShoHiraku position, the preform 1 is downstream It is supplied to the rinser 50 via the transport rail 7B on the side.

Further, as illustrated in patterns 4 (b) and 4 (c) of Table 2, when the axis of the preform 1 is inclined with respect to the vertical direction, the degree of inclination is determined by the upper photoelectric sensor pair. S3 _H is not shielded (ON), if (OFF) range intermediate photoelectric sensor pair S3 _M and lower photoelectric sensor pair S3 _L is blocked, there is a low possibility to cause jamming of downstream, Treated as within the range of the basic posture F0 and not rejected.

As illustrated in pattern 1 of Table 2, if the preform 1 in any posture has not yet reached the three pairs of photoelectric sensors S3 _H , S3 _M , S3 _L , the rejection of the preform 1 is Since it is not necessary, the open / close gate 15 is held in the small open position.

Besides the above pattern, as illustrated in pattern 2 of Table 2, the state in which the preforms 1 for some reason inclined significantly from the basic position F0, the vicinity of the lower end of the body portion 1B to shield the lower photoelectric sensor pair S3 _L But at least in theory.

  The preform 1 having such a posture is considered to possibly cause jamming on the downstream side and should be rejected. However, since it is difficult to distinguish from the pattern 1, the open / close gate 15 is located at the small open position. Is not retained immediately. However, since the preform 1 showing the pattern 2 is likely to move to the pattern 3 (d) or the like based on a slight movement to the downstream side at the next moment, it is assumed that the preform 1 is safely discarded after all.

(Operation of the second selective exclusion device)
FIGS. 4 to 7 show examples of the operation of the second selective evacuation device R2 corresponding to various situations of the preform 1 on the guide rail 7. FIG.
FIG. 4 shows a case where all the preforms 1 are conveyed on the guide rail 7 in the basic posture F0. Since the detection results of the three pairs of photoelectric sensors S3 _H , S3 _M , S3 _L are pattern 4, the open / close gate 15 remains held at the small open position.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, when one of the preform 1 is conveyed in an abnormal posture lying fallen state on the guide rail 7, the upper photoelectric sensor pair S3 _H is not shielded (ON), the lower photoelectric sensor pair S3 _L also not shielded (ON), only the intermediate photoelectric sensor pair S3 _M is blocked (OFF).

Therefore, the determination unit 14 of the control device 40 determines the pattern 3 from each signal sent from the photoelectric sensor pair S3 _H , S3 _M , S3 _L , and at the next moment (for example, 0.1 second after receiving the signal). As shown in FIG. 6, the open / close gate 15 is switched to the large open position, and the corresponding preform 1 is dropped and discharged by its own weight and the air flow discharged from the second auxiliary air nozzle 23.

  Subsequently, at the next moment when the open / close gate 15 is switched to the large open position (for example, 0.1 second after signal reception), the stopper 21 is switched from the release position to the shut-off position as illustrated in FIG. Thus, the upstream preform 1 is dammed, and immediately after that, the open / close gate 15 is returned to the small open position, and the normal state shown in FIG. 4 is restored.

  The first time length from the determination of the evacuation by the determination means 14 to the switching of the gate member 16 to the large open position, the second time length for holding the gate member 16 in the large open position for the evacuation of the preform 1, the gate The third time length from the switching of the member 16 to the large open position to the switching of the stopper 21 to the blocking position, the fourth time length for holding the stopper 21 in the blocking position, and the gate member 16 to the small opening position For the fifth time length from the return operation to the return operation to the release position of the stopper 21, an icon such as a lever displayed on a monitor screen (not shown) connected to the control device 40 is used as a pointing device. It is possible to configure so that the setting can be changed individually and freely.

Appropriate values for the first to fifth time lengths are the distances from the photoelectric sensor pairs S3 _H , S3 _M , S3 _L to the upstream end of the gate member 16 and the gate member 16 along the transport direction. It depends on the length, the conveyance speed of the preform 1, which varies depending on the inclination angle of the guide rail 7, the shape and mass of the preform 1 to be processed, the strength of the air flow discharged from the second auxiliary air nozzle 23, and the like. Is predicted.

  Therefore, by setting the above-described first to fifth time lengths to appropriate values, it is possible to increase the rejection rate of the preform 1 in the abnormal posture. For example, the gate member 16 is set to the wide open position. When switching, the preform 1 in the basic posture F0 adjacent to the front and rear of the preform 1 in the abnormal posture is prevented from dropping and being rejected together with the preform 1 in the abnormal posture, and only the preform 1 in the abnormal posture is suppressed. It is possible to approach a favorable state of being rejected.

  For example, data of appropriate values of the first to fifth time lengths are collected for each shape of the preform 1 by a trial preform process performed using the actual preform 1 in advance, and monitored. By selecting a corresponding one of a plurality of types of preforms 1 shown on the screen with a pointing device or the like, each of the first to fifth time lengths is easily set to the most appropriate value. It can be configured as follows.

(Other photoelectric sensors)
In addition, as shown in FIG. 1, in the position which overlaps with 2nd selective excretion apparatus R2, in the area | region adjacent to the upstream of the opening-and-closing gate 15, the 4th for detecting the state where the preforms 1 overlapped up and down was detected. A photoelectric sensor unit S4 is provided, and a fifth photoelectric sensor unit S5 for detecting a state in which the preforms 1 are vertically overlapped in the downstream region is also provided on the downstream side of the second selective waste device R2. It has been.

  The fourth photoelectric sensor unit S4 is disposed slightly downstream from the arm member 21A of the stopper 21 that constitutes a part of the second selective waste device R2, and is similar to the first photoelectric sensor unit S1. The module-shaped light emitting element S4A and light receiving element S4B, and the reflecting mirror S4R, contrary to the first photoelectric sensor unit S1, the reflecting mirror S4R is disposed below, and the light emitting element S4A and light receiving element S4B are located above. Is arranged. If the preform 1 does not exist below these elements S1A and S1B, the light beam emitted downward from the light emitting element S5A passes between the pair of guide rails 7B and reaches the reflection mirror S5R, and the reflection mirror The light beam reflected by S5R passes between the pair of guide rails 7B and reaches the light receiving element S5B.

  The fifth photoelectric sensor unit S5 can be composed of, for example, a module-shaped light emitting element and light receiving element disposed above and a reflecting mirror disposed below, as in the fourth photoelectric sensor unit S4. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the light emitting elements and the light receiving elements arranged opposite to each other in the width direction with respect to the conveying direction at a height above the upper end of the preform 1 conveyed in the basic posture F <b> 0 on the guide rail 7. It is also possible to configure with elements.

  The fourth photoelectric sensor unit S4 and the fifth photoelectric sensor unit S5 are, for example, a preform 1 in which only the downstream fifth photoelectric sensor unit S5 is stacked up and down without blocking the upstream fourth photoelectric sensor unit S4. (If there is a high possibility that the preform 1 is clogged in the vicinity of the open / close gate 15), it is used in such a manner as to issue an alarm and prompt manual management.

  Further, when the shutoff state of the fourth photoelectric sensor unit S4 continues for a certain time or longer (the possibility that the preform 1 is clogged at the outlet of the downstream end of the auxiliary unscrambler 4 is high), an alarm is issued. You may comprise.

[Another embodiment]
<1> For example, in the case where the preform 1 having the posture belonging to the patterns 5 to 8 in Table 2 is hardly supplied to the auxiliary unscrambler 4 because the rejection rate by the first selective rejection device R1 is sufficiently high, FIG. as will be illustrated, omitting the upper photoelectric sensor pair S3 _H, the second selection displacing device R2 only intermediate photoelectric sensor pair S3 _M and lower photoelectric sensor pair S3 _L may be provided as a photoelectric sensor which constitutes the.

<2> In the above embodiment, the second selective evacuation device R2 including the plurality of photoelectric sensor pairs S3 _H , S3 _M , and S3 _L is provided in the auxiliary unscrambler 4 that does not include the pair of rotating rollers 5. The unscrambler 3 including the pair of rotating rollers 5 may be provided. In the case of this latter configuration, for example, a configuration in which the light beam passes in an oblique direction in order to avoid interference of the light beam emitted from the light emitting portion of the photoelectric sensor pair with the rotating roller 5 may be adopted. .

<3> The open / close gate 15 is not limited to a slide-type configuration in which the gate member 16 moves generally horizontally, and the gate member 16 swings downward around an axis parallel to the conveying direction of the preform 1. It may be implemented by a swinging type structure in which the opening is formed.

<4> In the first selective evacuation apparatus R1, instead of the photoelectric sensor pair, a CCD camera that images the preform 1 and an image analysis unit that determines an abnormal posture of the preform 1 from an image captured by the CCD camera are installed. It is also possible.

<5> Although the pair of rotating rollers 5 is disposed at an angle on the unscrambler 3, instead of the pair of rotating rollers 5, left and right conveying rails similar to the auxiliary unscrambler 4 are provided and supported by the conveying rails. You may provide the mechanism which sends out the preform 1 by an air flow toward the downstream.

<6> The configuration in which the air ejection mechanism 9 is driven based on the detection result of the second photoelectric sensor pair in the first selective evacuation device R1 is effective for saving energy consumed, but depending on the energy situation or the like May be configured to always drive the air ejection mechanism 9 during operation of the unscrambler 3.

  A pair of left and right guides that guide the next process in the basic posture in which the main body of the preform is suspended downward by supporting the preform of the resin bottle from below through the large-diameter portion of the mouth. A rail, a detection means for detecting a preform guided on the guide rail with an abnormal posture deviating from the basic posture, and a means for rejecting the preform of the abnormal posture detected by the detection means from the guide rail. The present invention is an invention that can be used as a technique for solving the problems conventionally found in a reform supply apparatus.

F0 basic posture R1 first selective waste device R2 second selective waste device S1 first photoelectric sensor unit (auxiliary determination means)
S2 Second photoelectric sensor pair (preliminary detection means)
S3 _H Upper photoelectric sensor pair (Upper photoelectric sensor)
S3 _M Intermediate photoelectric sensor pair (photoelectric sensor)
S3 _L lower photoelectric sensor pair (photoelectric sensor)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Preform 1B Main-body part 1M Mouth part 1R Neck ring 2 Preform carrying-in part 3 Unscrambler 4 Auxiliary unscrambler 5 Rotating roller 7A Conveying rail (guide rail)
8 First auxiliary air nozzle (posture correction means)
9 Air ejection mechanism (preliminary exhaust device)
9A Air nozzle 10 Exhaust duct 11 Recovery duct 14 Determination means 15 Opening / closing gate 15A Exhaust opening 16 Gate member 21 Stopper 23 Second auxiliary air nozzle (exhaust assist means)
40 Control device

Claims (9)

A pair of left and right guide rails for guiding the preform to the next process in a basic posture in which the main body of the preform is suspended by supporting the preform of the resin bottle from below through the large-diameter portion of the mouth; Detecting means for detecting a preform guided on the guide rail in an abnormal posture deviating from the basic posture;
The detection means includes at least two photoelectric sensors having different positions in the vertical direction, and determination means for determining an abnormal posture of the preform based on a combination of detection results obtained by the two photoelectric sensors.
A preform supply device in which a drain opening for dropping the preform downward is formed in a part of the guide rail on the downstream side of the photoelectric sensor based on the determination by the determination means.   The two photoelectric sensors are not shielded from light by a preform supported in a horizontal posture on the guide rail and are shielded by a preform supported in a horizontal posture on the guide rail. The preform supply apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a lower photoelectric sensor shielded from light by the main body of the preform.   The preform supply apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the detection unit includes an upper photoelectric sensor that is shielded from light at a position above the mouth portion of the preform in the basic posture, in addition to the two photoelectric sensors.   As a part of the guide rail, a pair of left and right open / close gates that are switched between a small open position that allows the preform to be guided to the next process and a large open position that forms the evacuation opening are provided. The preform supply apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3.   The preform supply apparatus according to claim 4, wherein a stopper that can be switched between a blocking position for damming the preform and a release position for releasing the damming is provided upstream of the opening / closing gate.   The preform supply apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a discharge assisting unit that blows a downward air flow onto the preform that has entered the discharge opening.   The preform supply apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a posture correction unit that continuously blows a downward air flow onto the preform is provided upstream of the detection unit.   Preliminary detection means for detecting a preform in an abnormal posture deviating from the basic posture, and preliminary waste for applying an air flow for waste from the side at a position above the guide rail based on detection by the preliminary detection means. The preform supply apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the apparatus is provided upstream of the detection means.   A conveyor for supplying the preform to the upstream end of the guide rail; and auxiliary determination means for determining retention of the preform at the upstream end of the guide rail, based on the determination of retention by the auxiliary determination means. The preform supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the conveyor is temporarily stopped.

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