JP2017001888A - Container holding and conveying method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a container holding and conveying method where containers having a different outside diameter are stably gripped with the grip arms of vertical plural steps and conveyed at a high speed.SOLUTION: In a container holding and conveying method,: a plurality of sets of grip arms (31A, 31B) are simultaneously closed when starting the reception of a container (B); and the grip arm (31B) positioned corresponding to the large diameter part (Bm) of the container (B) grips the large diameter part (Bm) of the container (B) with the inner periphery gripping surface (33i) of claw parts (33A, 33B) and an outer periphery gripping surface (33o) at a container carry-in position (Pi) which is an upstream side from a container grip position (Pc) connected with a carry-in route (Li) and a periphery route (R).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

The present invention relates to a container holding / conveying method installed in a carry-in conveyor, a filling device, a capper device, a carry-out conveyor, or an intermediate carrying device that connects these to each other, for example, in a liquid filling facility, etc. A grip arm stably holds a plurality of types of containers having different body outer diameters at a height and is suitable for high-speed conveyance.

  A container having two upper and lower grip arms for gripping containers such as alcoholic beverages and seasonings, such as a container having a substantially circular cross section or a container having a substantially circular cross section and a different outer diameter at a height position. A gripping device is disclosed in Patent Document 1, for example.

Japanese Patent No. 3211500

  In Patent Document 1, the upper and lower grip arms and the upper and lower grip arms are driven to open and close, respectively, in the container holding portions disposed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction on the outer peripheral portion of the rotating body. Two sets of opening / closing cam mechanisms were provided. This complicates the opening / closing cam mechanism, which is the opening / closing drive mechanism for the grip arm, increases the weight, and increases the problem of high-speed conveyance. In addition, there is a problem that adjustment of the two sets of opening / closing cam mechanisms has to be performed individually, and adjustment is difficult.

The present invention is to solve the above problems, the gripping bar arranged above under a plurality of stages, straight container, or a height different containers cylinder part outer diameter position stably gripped, it is conveyed at high speed An object of the present invention is to provide a possible container holding and conveying method .

The present invention receives and holds the container (B) supplied from the carry-in path (Li) in the container holding part (20) arranged at regular intervals in the circumferential direction on the outer peripheral part of the swivel body (23), A container holding and conveying method capable of conveying the container (B) along the circumferential path (R),
  Using a plurality of sets of grip arms (31A to 31D) arranged corresponding to positions where the outer diameter of the container (B) is different from the container (B) with a predetermined interval in the vertical direction in the container holding part (20),
  The grip arms (31A to 31D) are provided with arm portions (32A, 32B) each having a base end portion supported by a pair of opening and closing shafts (30), and free end portions of the arm portions (32A, 32B). The swing shaft includes a claw portion (33A, 33B) supported openably and closably via a swing shaft (34A, 34B) parallel to the open / close shaft (30) and biased in the opening direction. (34A, 34B) are arranged such that a pin connection straight line (Ls) connecting the shaft centers of the swing shafts (34A, 34B) is positioned outside the circumferential path (R), and the claw The portion (33A, 33B) is formed with an inner peripheral gripping surface (33i) and an outer peripheral gripping surface (33o) having a predetermined angle that can grip the side surface of the container (B),
  When receiving the container (B), multiple sets of grip arms (31A to 31D) are closed simultaneously, upstream from the container grip position (Pc) where the loading path (Li) and the circumferential path (R) are connected In the container loading position (Pi), the grip arm (31B ...) arranged corresponding to the large diameter part (Bm ...) of the container (B) is an inner peripheral gripping surface (33A, 33B) ( The large diameter portion (Bm...) Of the container (B) is gripped by 33i) and the outer peripheral gripping surface (33o).

According to the above configuration, each arm portion uses a grip arm in which the claw portion is supported so as to be openable and closable via the swinging shaft located outside the circumferential path, and the swinging shaft is located outside the circumferential path. Since the grip grip arm is closed at the container loading position upstream from the container grip position, the container is gripped so as to hold the container with the inner and outer gripping surfaces of the claw portion. Can be firmly held, and a container having a large weight can be reliably delivered.

In the container holding and conveying method, when the container (B) is received, the large diameter portion of the container (B) is first gripped by the pair of grip arms (31B ...), and then the remaining grip arms (31A ...). It is desirable that the small diameter portion of the container (B) is gripped.

According to the above method, a container whose outer diameter changes in the vertical position is first obtained by first grasping the large diameter portion of the container with a pair of grip arms and then grasping the small diameter portion of the container with the remaining grip arms. Even if the container is heavy, it can be reliably held against the centrifugal force, and the container can be transported smoothly at high speed.

Further, in the container holding and conveying method, from the container grip position (Pc) to the upstream container carry-in position (Pi), the inner peripheral gripping surface (33i) and the outer peripheral gripping surface (33o) of the pair of claws (33A, 33B) The container (B) is gripped so that the open distance (Aw, Am, As, Bw, Bs) at the tip of the claw part (33A, 33B) is reduced and held while the container (B) is gripped by It is desirable to move to the pivot axis (Oc) side.

According to the above configuration, by grasping so as to embrace the container with the four grasping surfaces, the heavy container transferred from the carry-in path to the circumferential path is securely gripped against a large centrifugal force, Stable delivery and high-speed conveyance are possible. Further, since the container can be embraced, it is possible to grip containers having different outer diameters without changing the members in accordance with the change of the container.

Furthermore, in the container holding and conveying method,
  Among the plurality of sets of grip arms (31A to 31D), one set is a drive grip arm (31A) that is driven to open and close by being interlocked by an interlocking gear (42a) provided on each of the opening and closing shafts (30). The grip arm (31B ...) is an idle grip arm (31B ...) that is biased in the closing direction and is controlled to be closed by the drive grip arm (31A),
  It is desirable that the grip arm (31B...) That grips at least the large diameter portion (Bm...) Of the container (B) at the start of reception centers the gripping position of the container (B).

Further, in the container holding and conveying method, an arm operation member (61) is provided on the pair of opening and closing shafts (30), and the plurality of sets of grip arms are biased in the closing movement direction and closed by the arm operation member (61). It is an idle grip arm (31C, 31D) whose closing movement is restricted via a movement restricting member (63A), and the grip arm that grips at least the large diameter part (Bm ...) of the container (B) at the start of receiving ( 31D) preferably centers the gripping position of the container (B).

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the grip arms arranged in the upper and lower stages are closed, and the container is held by the inner peripheral gripping surface and the outer peripheral gripping surface of the claw at the container loading position upstream of the container grip position. Therefore, stable delivery of the container and high-speed conveyance of the container can be performed.

It is side surface fragmentary sectional view which shows Example 1 of the container holding | maintenance conveying apparatus which enforces the container holding | maintenance conveying method which concerns on this invention, and shows a container holding part. It is a back surface fragmentary sectional view of a container holding part. (A)-(e) is a top view which shows operation | movement of a grip arm, (a) shows the container receiving state of a drive grip arm, (b) shows the container receiving state of a floating grip arm, (c) is The intermediate state from container reception to gripping of the drive grip arm is shown, (d) shows the container gripping state of the drive grip arm, and (e) shows the container gripping state of the floating grip arm. (A)-(c) shows one side of a drive grip arm, (a) is a top view, (b) is a side fragmentary sectional view, (c) is an exploded perspective view. (A) And (b) shows one side of a floating grip arm, (a) is a top view, (b) is a side surface fragmentary sectional view. It is a whole longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows a container holding | maintenance conveyance apparatus. (A) And (b) shows a filling installation, (a) is a whole top view, (b) shows the schematic partial enlarged view of a supply conveyance apparatus. It is side surface fragmentary sectional view which shows Example 2 of the container holding | maintenance conveying apparatus which enforces the container holding | maintenance conveying method which concerns on this invention, and shows a container holding part. (A) And (b) shows Example 3 of the container holding | maintenance conveyance apparatus which implements the container holding | maintenance conveyance method based on this invention, (a) is a fragmentary sectional view of the side view which shows a container holding part, (b) FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view in rear view showing a container holding part. (A)-(d) shows a container holding | maintenance part, (a) is a front view which shows the holding position of a container, (b) is AA sectional drawing shown to (a), (c) is (a). BB sectional drawing shown, (d) is CC sectional drawing shown to (a). (A) And (b) shows Example 4 of the container holding | maintenance conveying apparatus which enforces the container holding | maintenance conveying method which concerns on this invention, (a) is a fragmentary sectional view of the side view which shows a container holding part, (b) FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view in rear view showing a container holding part. (A)-(f) shows a container holding | maintenance part, (a) is a front view which shows the holding position of a container, (b) is DD sectional drawing shown to (a), (c) is (a). EE cross section shown, (d) is FF cross section shown in (a), (e) is GG cross section shown in (a), (f) is DD cross section shown in (a). The modification of a figure is shown. (A) And (b) shows Example 5 of the container holding | maintenance conveying apparatus which enforces the container holding | maintenance conveying method which concerns on this invention, (a) is a fragmentary sectional view of the side view which shows a container holding part, (b) FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view in rear view showing a container holding part. (A)-(e) shows a container holding | maintenance part, (a) is a front view which shows the holding position of a container, (b) is II sectional drawing shown to (a), (c) is (a). JJ sectional drawing shown, (d) is KK sectional drawing shown to (a), (e) is LL sectional drawing shown to (a).

The container holding and conveying device for carrying out the container holding and conveying method according to the present invention is a resin, glass, or porcelain having a substantially circular cross section or a substantially circular cross section, and the outer diameter of the body portion changes in the height direction. Such containers, for example, beverages such as liquor and containers for seasonings can be held and conveyed along the circumferential path, and can correspond to containers of different types (shapes).

[Example 1]
Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.
The container holding and conveying apparatus of the first embodiment is a supply and conveying apparatus 12 provided in a filling facility.

[Filling equipment]
As shown in FIG. 7, this filling facility is configured to supply a container B supplied from an inlet conveyor (container loading device) 11 having a screw shaft 11 a for conveyance via a supply conveyance device 12 (container unloading device). 13 to fill the container B with the liquid. Next, the container B is supplied from the filling device 13 to the crown cap 15 via the first intermediate transfer device 14, and a cap is attached to the mouth of the container B. Further, the container B is supplied from the crown capper 15 to the tightening capper 17 via the second intermediate transfer device 16, and the cap of the container B is tightened. Further, the container B is discharged from the tightening capper 17 to the outlet conveyor 19 via the discharge conveying device 18.

  The supply transport device 12, the first intermediate transport device 14, the second intermediate transport device 16 and the discharge transport device 18 are container holding and transport devices according to the present invention and have the same structure. explain.

[Supply conveying device]
As shown in FIG. 6, the supply / conveyance device 12 is provided with a turning table (turning member) 23 that is rotationally driven by a table turning device 22, and the container holding portion 20 is arranged in the circumferential direction on the outer periphery of the turning table 23. It is installed at regular intervals. And the container holding | maintenance apparatus 21 is provided in these container holding | maintenance parts 20, respectively. Further, as shown in FIG. 7 (b), the container B sequentially loaded from the carry-in path Li of the inlet conveyor 11 via the screw shaft 11a is placed at the position shown in FIGS. 3 (a) and 3 (b). To receive. 3D and 3E, the container B is loaded into the container holding device 21 at the container loading position Pi, and the container B is gripped at the container grip position Pc. Further, the container B is transported along the circumferential path R, and the container B is opened to the holding device (not shown) of the filling device 13 at the container unloading position Po while opening the container holding device 21 from the container ungrip position Pu. Is configured to deliver. In the filling device 13, the container B is filled with the filling liquid while being transported along the filling path Lo. Note that the grip position and the ungrip position of the container B are appropriately adjusted depending on the shape and size of the container B, the conveyance speed, and the like.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the container holding device 21 includes a bearing sleeve 25, which is erected on the pivot axis Oc of the base 24, so that the pivot shaft 26 is rotatably supported via a bearing. Yes. A turning table 23 that is a turning body is attached to the upper end of the turning shaft 26. The table turning device 22 of the turning table 23 includes an input gear 22a attached to the lower end portion of the turning shaft 26, an output gear 22b that meshes with the input gear 22a, and a table drive that rotationally drives the output gear 22b via a reduction gear. The turntable 23 is rotationally driven in the direction of the arrow at a predetermined speed by the table drive motor 22c.

Here, the container B to be held and conveyed by the container holding device 21 is, for example, a wine bottle having a body having a substantially circular cross section as shown in FIG. In detail, the container B has a bottom taper Bb having a small diameter at the bottom and a gradually increasing diameter from the bottom to the middle, a large diameter Bm at the middle, and a shoulder from the large diameter Bm to the mouth Bp. A shoulder-side taper portion having a gradually decreasing diameter is formed. Then, the bottom taper portion Bb is gripped by a drive grip arm 31A of the supply / conveyance device 12 , which will be described later, and the large-diameter portion Bm is gripped by an idle grip arm 31B. Of course, the container B is not limited to the wine bottle as described above, and can be used for a container B made of resin or ceramics.

[Container holding part]
The container holding device 21 provided in these container holding parts 20 does not use a star wheel or an outer guide, but a pair of upper and lower grip arms 31A and 31B, and a container B having a different outer diameter at the upper and lower positions. The bottom taper portion Bb and the large diameter portion Bm are respectively gripped.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 7, the container holding part 20 is arrange | positioned at regular intervals along the circumference path | route R centering on the turning axis Oc in the turning table 23. As shown in FIG. Further, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3D and 3E, the turning table 23 is separated from the holding axis Sc which passes through the container gripping position in the radial direction around the turning axis Oc. A pair of open / close shaft sleeves 27 and 27 are penetrated in parallel with the pivot axis Oc, and open / close shafts 30 and 30 are rotatably supported by the open / close shaft sleeves 27 and 27, respectively. The base end of the drive grip arm 31A is fixed to the bottom of the open / close shafts 30 and 30 via a key (fixing tool), and the base end of the idle grip arm 31B is fixed to the upper end of the open / close shaft 30 and 30 via a bearing member. And is rotatably supported.

(Drive grip arm)
As shown in FIGS. 4A to 4C, the drive grip arm 31A includes a metal arm portion 32A and a resin claw portion 33A. A shaft hole 32a is formed in the base end portion of the arm portion 32A and is fixed to the base end portion of the opening / closing shaft 30 via a key. A claw portion 33A is supported on the free end portion of the arm portion 32A via a swing pin (swing shaft) 34A parallel to the opening / closing shaft 30 so as to be freely opened and closed. Further, the arm portion 32A and the claw portion 33A are provided with a claw portion opening urging member 35A that urges the claw portion 33A in the opening direction around the swing pin 34A. Furthermore, a closing stopper portion 36A that is formed on the claw portion 33A and serves as a closing limit for the claw portion 33A, and an opening stopper portion 37A that is formed on the arm portion 32A and that serves as an opening limit for the claw portion 33A are provided.

  As shown in FIG. 3D, in the drive grip arm 31A, the swing pin 34A has a pin connecting straight line Ls that connects the shaft centers of the pair of swing pins 34A with a predetermined distance from the circumferential path R. It is arrange | positioned so that it may be located outside only the holding distance Ro. Further, two substantially planar inner and outer peripheral gripping surfaces 33i and 33o capable of gripping the side surface of the bottom taper portion Bb of the container B correspond to the outer diameter of the body portion of the container B on the inner surfaces facing each other at the claw portion 33A. And a predetermined angle α (for example, 110 ° to 150 °).

  The claw opening urging member 35A is configured as a magnet. That is, in the open posture of the claw portion 33A, magnet accommodation holes are respectively formed on the sliding contact surfaces where the claw portion 33A and the arm portion 32A face each other. Then, the permanent magnet pieces 35n and 35s are inserted and fixed in these magnet housing holes so that the opposite surfaces have opposite polarities that are attracted to each other. Here, at the facing position where the permanent magnet pieces 35n and 35s are attracted to each other, the magnet receiving hole is positioned at the facing or approaching position with the opening limit of the claw portion 33A, but the facing surfaces of the permanent magnet pieces 35n and 35s are the same. As the polarity, the position of the magnet accommodation hole may be separated by the opening limit of the claw portion 33A so that the claw portion 33A becomes the opening limit.

  In the above-described configuration, the permanent magnet pieces 35n and 35s are formed so that the entire surface of the magnet receiving hole is substantially the same as the opening of the claw portion 33, or the substantially entire surface is coincident with each other. The claw portion 33 is urged to rotate in a direction that opens around the swing pin 34A.

  Further, closing movement restricting rods (closing movement restricting members) 38 </ b> A that extend toward the floating grip arm 31 </ b> B are erected and fixed in parallel with the opening / closing shafts 30 at intermediate positions of these arm portions 32 </ b> A.

(Floating grip arm)
As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the floating grip arm 31B includes an arm portion 32B having a base end portion supported by the opening / closing shaft 30, and a free end portion of the arm portion 32B parallel to the opening / closing shaft 30. Provided with a claw portion 33B supported to be freely opened and closed via a swing pin (swing shaft) 34B, and a claw portion opening for biasing the claw portion 33B around the swing pin 34B in the opening direction. A biasing member 35B, a closing stopper portion 36B that is formed on the claw portion 33B and restricts the closing limit of the claw portion 33B, and an opening stopper portion 37B that is formed on the arm portion 32B and restricts the opening limit of the claw portion 33B. ing. The swing pin 34B has two substantially flat surfaces at the point where the pin connection straight line Ls connecting the shaft centers of the pair of swing pins 34B is positioned outside the circumferential path R, and the claw portion 33B. The inner and outer peripheral gripping surfaces 33i and 33o are common to the drive grip arm 31A in that they are formed at a predetermined angle α.

  On the contrary, a) a shaft hole 32b into which the opening / closing shaft 30 is rotatably fitted is formed at the base end portion of the metal arm portion 32B, and b) a closing restriction rod (for closing restriction). A member) a point where a rod receiving portion (passive portion) 38B to be engaged with 38A is formed, and c) a grip spring (grip biasing member) 39 for biasing the pair of arm portions 32B in the closing direction. Is different from the drive grip arm 31A.

  That is, the idle grip arm 31B includes a metal arm portion 32B and a resin claw portion 33B. The shaft hole 32b of the arm portion 32B is rotatably supported on the upper end portion of the opening / closing shaft 30 via a bush or a bearing. Further, the claw part opening urging member (open urging member) 35B, the closing stopper part 36B and the opening stopper part 37B provided at the free ends of the claw part 33B and the arm part 32B are the same as the drive grip arm 31A. Composed.

  Further, an elongated hole-shaped rod receiving portion (passive portion) 38B with one end opened is formed on the inner surface at an intermediate position of the arm portion 32B so that the upper end portion of the closing movement regulating rod 38A is removably engaged. Has been. The gripping spring 39 is connected between connecting pins 39a that are erected near the base end at the intermediate portion of the arm portion 32B.

(Open / close drive mechanism)
The open / close drive mechanism for opening and closing the drive and idle grip arms 31A and 31B includes a cam-type arm open / close device 41 for rotating one open / close shaft 30 and one open / close as shown in FIGS. A gear-type opening / closing shaft interlocking mechanism 42 that interlocks the shaft 30 with the other opening / closing shaft so as to rotate in a relative direction. The arm opening / closing device 41 is disposed at a predetermined position on the lower end portion of one opening / closing shaft 30 via a cam follower 44 attached via an opening / closing arm 43 and a circumferential path R below the turning table 23 by the base 24. An opening / closing cam 45 against which the cam follower 44 is abutted, and a cam abutting spring 46 for abutting the cam follower 44 against the opening / closing cam 45. The gear-type interlocking mechanism includes interlocking gears 42a and 42a that are fixed to the pair of opening and closing shafts 30 and 30 and mesh with each other. Here, the cam abutment spring 46 may be a torsion coil spring that is externally fitted to one opening / closing shaft 30.

[Arm part and claw part]
3 (a) and 3 (b), when the container B is carried between the claw portions 33A and 33B along the carry-in path Li, the container B pushes the inner peripheral gripping surfaces 33i and 33i and the claw portions 33A and 33B. Is closed. When the container loading position Pi is reached, the container B is gripped by the claw portions 33A and 33B through the four gripping surfaces of the inner peripheral gripping surfaces 33i and 33i and the outer peripheral gripping surfaces 33o and 33o. Furthermore, the arm portions 32A and 32B of the drive and idle grip arms 31A and 31B are closed by the action of the arm opening and closing device 41, the opening and closing shaft interlocking mechanism 42, and the grip spring 39. At the container loading position Pi shown in FIGS. 3A to 3C, the pin connection straight line Ls is positioned on the outer peripheral side of the circumferential path R by the holding distance Ro, so that the axis of the container B is the holding shaft. When moving from the action point Pr, which is the intersection of the center Sc and the pin connection line Ls, to the container grip position Pc shown in FIGS. 3D and 3E, the arm portions 32A and 32B are closed and the container B is moved. While being gripped by the four inner and outer peripheral gripping surfaces 33i and 33o, the tips of the claw portions 33A and 33B are reduced to open distances Aw → Am → As and Bw → Bs, respectively, so that a pair of outer peripheral gripping surfaces 33o and 33o are formed. Approach each other. As a result, at the container grip position Pc, the container B is gripped so as to embrace the bottom tapered portion Bb and the large diameter portion Bm with the four inner and outer peripheral gripping surfaces 33i, 33o. Therefore, even when a heavy container B filled with liquid along the circumferential path R is conveyed at high speed and a large centrifugal force is applied, the container B can be stably held. Further, as shown in FIG. 7B, the container B can be delivered from the container ungrip position Pu to the container carry-out position Po while the side surfaces of the container B are gripped by the four inner and outer peripheral gripping surfaces 33i and 33o. Stable delivery of the container B is possible.

[Receiving operation of container]
As the drive grip arm 31A and the idle grip arm 31B, those having shapes that can correspond to the outer diameters of the various types of containers B are selected. Then, the container is swung in the open state along the circumferential path R from the container carry-out position Po to the container carry-in position Pi.

  As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the container B guided to the screw shaft 11a along the carry-in path Li by the inlet conveyor 11 is a pair of claw portions 33A and 33B of the drive and floating grip arms 31A and 31B. It is carried in between. At the same time, the opening / closing cam 45 of the arm opening / closing device 41 rotates the pair of opening / closing shafts 30 and 30 in the relative direction via the cam follower 44 and the interlocking gear 42a, thereby closing the drive grip arm 31A. Further, by the action of the grip spring 39, the idle grip arm 31B is closed in synchronization with the drive grip arm 31A via the rod receiving portion 38B while being restricted by the movement of the closing movement restricting rod 38A. Next, when the container B is pushed along the carry-in path Li, the inner peripheral gripping surfaces 33i and 33i are pushed and the claw portions 33A and 33B are closed.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 (a) and 3 (b), when the container carry-in position Pi at the turning angle (−θ2) is reached upstream from the container grip position Pc, the axis of the container B is in the idle grip in the idle grip arm 31B. By reaching the action point Pr on the pin connection straight line Ls that connects the axes of the swing pins 34B and 34B of the arm 31B, the outer peripheral gripping surface 33o abuts on the large diameter portion Bm, and the four inner and outer peripheral gripping surfaces 33i and 33o. To grip the large-diameter portion Bm of the container B. At this time, the bottom taper portion Bb of the container B is not gripped by the claw portion 33A on the drive grip arm 31A side.

Further, in the drive grip arm 31A, when the arm portion 32A is closed and the container B is pushed into the back side to reach the turning angle −θ1, as shown in FIG. Bb is gripped at four points on the inner and outer peripheral gripping surfaces 33i and 33o.

  Furthermore, the arm B 32 of the drive grip arm 31A is closed by the arm opening / closing device 41, and the container B is held on the holding axis Sc while the container B is held by the four inner and outer peripheral gripping surfaces 33i, 33o. Along the back. In addition, when the container B is pushed into the back side of the floating grip arm 31B, the claw portion 33B is closed while the arm portion 32B is closed.

  3D and 3E, when the axis of the container B reaches the container grip position Pc on the circumferential path R, the claw portions 33A and 33B of the driving and floating grip arms 31A and 31B are moved. At the container grip position Pc, the large-diameter portion Bm and the bottom taper portion Bb of the container B are held in the claw portions 33A and 33B by the upper and lower two-stage drive and idle grip arms 31A and 31B at the container grip position Pc. Is gripped by.

  That is, since the pin connection straight line Ls connecting the shaft centers of the swing pins 34A and 34B is disposed on the outer peripheral side from the container grip position Pc on the circumferential path R by the holding distance Ro from the circumferential path R. In a so-called toggle link mechanism composed of the arm portions 32A, 32B, the swing pins 34A, 34B, and the claw portions 33A, 33B, the dislocation point determined by the angles and positions of the inner and outer gripping surfaces 33i, 33o and the position of the swing pins However, it becomes a position in the vicinity of the action point Pr, and the shaft center of the container B moves beyond the action point Pr to the container grip position Pc on the inner peripheral side, thereby realizing a strong gripping state. This is because the axis of the container B is the container grip compared to the open distances Aw and Bw between the tips of the claw 33B when the axis of the container B is at the outer peripheral side action point Pr at the container loading position Pi. Since the open distances As and Bs between the tip portions of the claw portion 33B at the position Pc are shortened, it is clear that the centrifugal force received by the container B on the circumferential path R can be satisfactorily maintained.

  When the container B is transported from the container grip position Pc along the circumferential path R and approaches the container ungrip position Pu, the pair of opening and closing shafts 30 and 30 are opened by the opening and closing cam 45 via the cam follower 44 and the interlocking gear 42a. It is rotated in the relative direction. When the arm portion 32A of the pair of drive grip arms 31A is opened and the closing restriction rod 38A is engaged with the rod receiving portion 38B, the idle grip arm 31B is opened in synchronization with the drive grip arm 31A. . Thereby, the container B is delivered from the supply conveyance device 12 to the filling device 13 at the container carry-out position Po.

  According to the first embodiment, the arm opening / closing device 41 rotates the opening / closing shaft 30 in the relative direction via the opening / closing shaft interlocking mechanism 42 to close the pair of drive grip arms 31A. Then, the closing movement operation of the pair of idle grip arms 31B is restricted by the closing movement restriction rod 38A provided on the drive grip arm 31A. As a result, first, the large-diameter portion Bm of the large-diameter container B can be gripped by the idle grip arm 31B, and the small-diameter bottom taper portion Bb can be gripped by the drive grip arm 31A. Thereby, the container B whose outer diameter changes at the upper and lower positions can be reliably held at a plurality of positions, and the container B is reliably held against centrifugal force even if the container B is heavy. Therefore, the container B can be smoothly and reliably transported at high speed.

  Further, only the drive grip arm 31A needs to be opened and closed by the arm opening / closing device 41. Compared to an opening / closing mechanism that opens and closes a plurality of grip arms, the structure can be simplified, and the weight reduction can contribute to higher speed. .

  Further, since the pin connection straight line Ls connecting the shaft centers of the swing pins 34A and 34B is arranged on the outer peripheral side by the holding distance Ro from the container grip position Pc on the circumferential path R, the shift point of the so-called toggle link mechanism is provided. The container B is fed to the container grip position Pc beyond, and can be gripped so that the body part of the container B is held by the four inner and outer peripheral gripping surfaces 33i and 33o of the pair of claw portions 33A and 33B. Thereby, it is possible to realize high-speed conveyance of the container B having a large weight while the container B is firmly held.

[Example 2]
Second Embodiment A container holding and conveying apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. Note that the same members as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  In the first embodiment, a drive grip arm 31A is disposed in the lower stage in order to hold and convey the container B in which the container B is formed with a small-diameter bottom taper Bb on the bottom side and the large-diameter part Bm on the middle upper part. The floating grip arm 31B is arranged on the upper stage. On the other hand, in the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, a bottle-shaped container B having a bottom large-diameter portion Bn formed on the bottom side and a small-diameter neck-side small diameter portion Bt in the middle upper portion is held and conveyed. For this purpose, the drive grip arm 31A is arranged on the upper stage, and the idle grip arm 31B is arranged on the lower stage.

  Therefore, except for the driving of the second embodiment and the arrangement of the idle grip arms 31A and 31B, the second embodiment is configured in the same manner as the first embodiment, and the same operational effects can be achieved. For this reason, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same member and description is abbreviate | omitted.

  In the first and second embodiments, the floating grip arms 31B that grip the large-diameter portion Bm are a pair, but in order to hold the container B that becomes heavier due to liquid filling, the large-diameter side surface is provided. It is also possible to provide two or more sets of free grip arms for gripping.

[Example 3]
A third embodiment of the container holding and conveying apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The same members as those in the first and second embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  Example 3 handles a bottle B having a bottom large diameter part Bn formed on the bottom side and a small diameter neck side small diameter part Bt on the middle upper part (the bottom large diameter part Bn is smaller than Example 2). It is. In the first embodiment, the grip biasing member of the floating grip arm 31B is the grip spring 39 connected between the arm portions 32B. However, in the third embodiment, the grip biasing member is an arm restraining member. An arm restraining lever 51, a restraining rod (opening restricting member) 52 provided on these arm restraining levers 51 for restricting the opening of the floating grip arm 31B, and an arm restraining lever 51 in the closing direction are attached. A restraining spring (a closing urging member) 53 is provided.

In addition, a floating centering mechanism 47 is provided on the arm restraining lever 51 or the floating grip arm 31B in order to hold the container B on the holding axis Sc.
This container holding and conveying apparatus is provided with a drive grip arm 31A for gripping the neck-side small-diameter portion Bt at the upper stage of the open / close shafts 30 and 30, and at the lower stage with an idle grip arm 31B for gripping the bottom large-diameter part Bn. . Further, a pair of arm restraining levers 51 are rotatably provided on the open / close shafts 30, 30 below the floating grip arm 31B via bushes or bearings.

As shown in FIG. 10 (d), a restraining spring 53 is connected to an intermediate portion of these arm restraining levers 51 via a connecting pin 53a, and urges the arm restraining levers 51 in the closing direction. ing. In addition, restraining rods 52 are fixed upright at the free ends of both arm restraining levers 51, and the upper ends of these restraining rods 52 extend to the outside of the arm portion 32B of the floating grip arm 31B, respectively. Restrained. Further, the floating centering mechanism 47 is provided with centering gears 47a and 47b that mesh with each other at the base end portion of the pair of floating grip arms 31B. Accordingly, the pair of floating grip arms 31B are held at the symmetrical positions of the holding axis Sc, and are opened and closed in synchronization with the relative direction, so that the container B is held on the holding axis Sc. Instead of the centering gears 47a and 47b of the floating centering mechanism 47, a known centering pin / cam mechanism may be provided.

  According to the third embodiment, in addition to the function and effect of the first embodiment, the grip spring 39 can be deleted from the idle grip arm 31B. Therefore, the shape and freedom of operation of the claw portion 33B are improved, and the grip spring 39 There is no need to consider the interference between the container B and the container B.

Further, the floating centering mechanism 47 can restrict the floating grip arm 31B to an appropriate position on the holding axis Sc, and can improve the gripping accuracy of the container B.
The gripping force of the idle grip arm 31B can be increased by leaving the grip spring 39 in the idle grip arm 31B. Since the floating grip arm 31B is provided with the floating centering mechanism 47, only one arm restricting lever 51 may be provided with the restricting rod 52.

[Example 4]
Embodiment 4 of the container holding and conveying apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same member as Examples 1-3, and description is abbreviate | omitted.

The container holding and conveying apparatus of Example 4 handles a bottle-shaped container B having a bottom large-diameter portion Bn formed on the bottom side and a small-diameter neck-side small-diameter portion Bt on the middle upper portion. In the container holding and conveying apparatus of the fourth embodiment, all the grip arms are configured by the floating grip arms 31C to 31E that are closed and biased by the grip biasing member, and all the floating grip arms 31C are driven by the arm operation member 61. Open / close -31E. The first to third idle grip arms 31C to 31E have the same structure as the idle grip arm 31B. The pair of opening and closing shafts 30, 30 includes a first floating grip arm 31C that grips the neck-side small diameter portion Bt of the container B, a second floating grip arm 31D that grips the intermediate middle diameter portion Bu, and a bottom large diameter portion. Third floating grip arms 31E for gripping Bn are arranged in three upper and lower stages.

  The arm operation member 61 includes an arm operation lever 62 rotatably supported on the opening and closing shafts 30 and 30 between the first floating grip arm 31C and the second floating grip arm 31D, and free end portions of the arm operation levers 62. Arm regulating rods that extend downward in parallel to the opening / closing shaft 30 and extend only to the inner side (holding axis Sc side) of the arm portion 32B of the first to third floating grip arms 31C to 31E to restrict only the closing movement ( Arm regulating member) 63A and rod receiving portions (passive portions) 63B formed on the respective arm portions 32A.

  In the first to third floating grip arms 31C to 31E, the claw portions 33B of the first to third arm portions 32B are respectively connected to the neck side small diameter portion Bt, the intermediate middle diameter portion Bu, and the bottom large diameter portion Bn of the container B. Correspondingly, the structure is the same as the floating grip arm 31B of the first embodiment except that the inner and outer gripping surfaces 33i and 33o are formed, and grip springs (grip biasing members) are respectively connected via the connecting pins 39a. 39 is connected and urged to close.

[Container delivery operation]
The first to third idle grip arms 31C to 31E are pivoted along the circumferential path R from the container ungrip position Pu to the container grip position Pc in an open state. And the container B is carried in between the 1st-3rd floating grip arms 31C-31E along the carrying-in path | route Li by the entrance conveyor 11. FIG. At the same time, the pair of opening / closing shafts 30 and 30 are rotated in the relative direction by the opening / closing cam 45 via the cam follower 44 and the interlocking gear 42a. As a result, the arm operating lever 62 is closed and the arm regulating rod 63A is moved in the closing direction, so that the first to third floating grip arms 31C to 31E are moved by the action of the grip spring 39, respectively. Closed.

  And if it becomes the container carrying-in position Pi, it will be hold | gripped in order from the large diameter side of the container B by the 1st-3rd floating grip arms 31C-31E. That is, the bottom large-diameter portion Bn is first gripped by the third idle grip arm 31E. Subsequently, the intermediate middle diameter portion Bu is gripped by the second idle grip arm 31D. Further, the neck-side small diameter part Bt is gripped by the first idle grip arm 31C. When the container grip position Pc is reached, the gripping operation by the first to third floating grip arms 31C to 31E is performed by the four inner and outer peripheral gripping surfaces 33i and 33o of the claw portion 33B in the same manner as the floating grip arm 31B of the first embodiment. It is gripped so that it is carried in.

The release operation and delivery operation of the container B at the container ungrip position Pu are the same.
According to the fourth embodiment, the arm opening / closing device 41 rotates the pair of opening / closing shafts 30 and 30 in the relative direction via the opening / closing shaft interlocking mechanism 42, and the arm operation lever via the opening / closing shaft 30 by the opening / closing driving mechanism. 62 is closed, and the closing movement of the first to third floating grip arms 31C to 31E urged to close by the action of the grip spring 39 is regulated by the arm regulating rod 63A of the arm operating lever 62, The neck side small diameter part Bt, the intermediate medium diameter part Bu, and the bottom large diameter part Bn on the side part of the container B are respectively held by the first to third floating grip arms 31C to 31E. Therefore, the container B whose outer diameter changes in the vertical position can be reliably held, and even when the container B is heavy, the container B can be reliably held against the centrifugal force due to high-speed conveyance. it can. Thereby, the container B can be smoothly and reliably conveyed.

  A centering mechanism including a pair of centering gears may be provided between the base end portions of the first to third floating grip arms 31C to 31E and / or between the base end portions of the arm operation lever 62.

As shown in FIG. 12 (f), the claw portion 33C is formed with a gripping surface that continues from the flat surface on the inner peripheral side to the circular arc surface on the outer peripheral side, and the neck side small diameter portion Bt is gripped by the two gripping surfaces. May be. This is because the container B can be held sufficiently firmly by gripping the intermediate medium diameter portion Bu and the bottom large diameter portion Bn by the second and third floating grip arms 31D and 31E. This is because centering may be performed.
[Example 5]
Embodiment 5 of the container holding and conveying apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 13 and FIG. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same member as Examples 1-4, and description is abbreviate | omitted.

The container holding and conveying apparatus of the fifth embodiment handles a bottle-shaped container B having a bottom large-diameter portion Bn formed on the bottom side and a small-diameter neck-side small diameter portion Bt on the middle upper portion. Of the first to third floating grip arms 31C to 31E of the fourth embodiment that are opened and closed by the arm operating member 61, only the first and second floating grip arms 31C and 31D are provided. In addition to the closing biasing member of the second floating grip arm 31D that grips the bottom large-diameter portion Bn, an arm restraining lever 51, a restraining rod 52, and a restraining spring 53 are provided as in the third embodiment. ing. Furthermore, a restraining centering mechanism 48 is provided to open and close the pair of arm restraining levers 51 in synchronization. The restraining centering mechanism 48 is configured by providing centering gears 48 a and 48 b that mesh with each other at the base end portion of the pair of arm restraining levers 51. Instead of the centering gears 48a and 48b of the restraining centering mechanism 48, a known centering pin / cam mechanism may be provided.
According to the fifth embodiment, the second floating grip arm 31D is closed and biased by the restraining spring 53 in addition to the gripping spring 39, and is placed at an appropriate position on the holding axis Sc by the restraining centering mechanism 48. Since it is held, the container B can be gripped with high accuracy and strength.

Aw, Bw Open distance As, Bs Open distance B Container Li carry-in path Ls Pin connection straight line Oc Swivel axis Pc Container grip position Pu Container ungrip position R Circumferential path Sc Holding axis 11 Inlet conveyor (container loading device)
12 Supplying and conveying device (container holding and conveying device)
13 Filling device 14 First intermediate transfer device (container holding transfer device)
20 container holding part 21 container holding device 22 table turning device 23 turning table (swivel body)
26 Rotating shaft 27 Opening and closing shaft sleeve 30 Opening and closing shaft 31A Driving grip arm 31B Free grip arms 31C to 31E First to third free grip arms 32A and 32B Arm portions 33A and 33B Claw portion 33o Outer peripheral gripping surface 33i Inner peripheral gripping surface 34A, 34B Oscillating pin ( Oscillating shaft)
35A, 35B Claw opening urging members 36A, 36B Closing stoppers 37A, 37B Opening stopper 38A Closing restriction rod (closing restriction member)
38B Rod receiving part (passive part)
39 Grip spring (grip biasing member)
41 Arm Opening / Closing Device 42 Opening / Closing Axis Linking Mechanism 47 Centering Mechanism for Freedom 48 Centering Mechanism for Restraining 51 Arm restraining lever (arm restraining member)
52 Restraint rod (Opening restriction member)
53 Restraint spring (Closed biasing member)
61 Arm operation member 62 Arm operation lever 63A Arm restriction rod (closing movement restriction member)
63B Rod receiving part (passive part)

Claims (5)

A container holding and conveying method that can receive and hold a container supplied from the carry-in path to a container holding part that is arranged at regular intervals in the circumferential direction on the outer peripheral part of the swivel body, and can transport the container along the circumferential path. There,
In the container holding part, using a plurality of sets of grip arms arranged corresponding to positions where the outer diameter of the container is different with a predetermined interval in the vertical direction,
The grip arm is supported by an arm portion whose base end portion is supported by a pair of opening and closing shafts, and a free end portion of the arm portion so as to be openable and closable via a swing shaft parallel to the opening and closing shaft. And the swing shaft is disposed such that a pin connection straight line connecting the shaft centers of the swing shaft is located outside the circumferential path, and the swing shaft is biased in the opening direction. Further, the claw portion is formed with an inner peripheral gripping surface and an outer peripheral gripping surface capable of gripping the side surface of the container having a predetermined angle,
At the start of receiving a container, multiple sets of grip arms are simultaneously closed and arranged corresponding to the large diameter portion of the container at the container loading position upstream of the container grip position where the loading path and the circumferential path are connected. The container holding and conveying method, wherein the grip arm grips the large-diameter portion of the container by an inner peripheral gripping surface and an outer peripheral gripping surface of the claw portion. The container holding and conveying method according to claim 1,
A container holding and conveying method, wherein when receiving a container, the large diameter portion of the container is first gripped by a pair of grip arms, and then the small diameter portion of the container is gripped by the remaining grip arms. The container holding and conveying method according to claim 1 or 2,
From the container loading position to the container grip position, with the container gripped by the inner and outer gripping surfaces of the pair of claws, the container grips so that the open distance at the tip of the pawl is reduced and held The container holding and conveying method, wherein the container holding and conveying method is characterized in that: A container holding and conveying method according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
Among the plurality of sets of grip arms, one set is a drive grip arm that is driven to open and close by being interlocked by an interlocking gear provided on each of the opening and closing shafts, and the remaining grip arms are biased in the closing direction and driven It is an idle grip arm whose closing is restricted by the grip arm,
The container holding and conveying method, wherein the grip arm that grips the container at least first when receiving starts centers the gripping position of the container. A container holding and conveying method according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
Arm operation members are provided on a pair of opening and closing shafts,
The plurality of sets of grip arms are idle grip arms that are biased in the closing direction and closed by the arm operating member via an arm regulating member.
The container holding and conveying method, wherein the grip arm that grips the container at least first when receiving starts centers the gripping position of the container.

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