JP2018188172A - Filling apparatus and filling method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a filling apparatus that is able to prolong a time required to fill a product liquid without decreasing filling accuracy.SOLUTION: A filling apparatus according to the invention comprises: a conveyance unit that conveys a plurality of containers along a conveyance path directed from an upstream side to a downstream side; and a filling area where from a filling nozzle fixed in position, a product liquid is filled in a container conveyed along the conveyance path. The filling area has a first filling area having a first nozzle as a filling nozzle, and a second filling area provided downstream of and adjacent to the first filling area and having a second nozzle as another filling nozzle. A preceding container is conveyed to the second filling area, filling of the product liquid is initiated from the second filling nozzle and, after that, the following container is conveyed to the first filling area. The time required to fill the preceding container after initiating the filling of the product liquid from the first filling nozzle partially overlaps to the time required to fill the following container.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a filling apparatus and a filling method capable of suppressing a decrease in filling accuracy while extending a filling time of a product liquid.

A bag-like resin bag having an opening is used as a container for storing the product liquid. This resin bag is formed from a soft resin film.
The resin bag is, for example, an opening process for expanding the opening of the resin bag held by the carrier conveyed on the guide rail, a filling process for filling the resin bag with the product liquid, and a sealing process for sealing the opening of the resin bag. Are manufactured via a filling line.

This filling line employs an intermittent conveyance method in which the resin bag is repeatedly stopped and moved. The resin bag is stopped in the areas corresponding to the opening process, the filling process, and the sealing process, and each process is performed on the stopped resin bag.
In this filling line, various proposals have been made in order to match the amount of product liquid filled in the resin bag with a predetermined internal volume, that is, to obtain high filling accuracy.

  Patent Document 1 proposes a liquid filling apparatus that fills liquid into a container from a nozzle by operating a valve that opens and closes a nozzle that discharges the liquid into the container. According to the liquid filling apparatus of Patent Document 1, the accuracy of filling the product liquid into the container can be increased by controlling the valve with high precision.

JP 2003-226302 A

By the way, the resin bag filling line sometimes fills product bags into resin bags with different volumes. To fill a resin bag with a large volume, the product solution is filled into a resin bag with a small volume. It is necessary to lengthen the filling time. On the other hand, the time required for the opening process and the sealing process is hardly affected by the size of the container.
When the resin bag is intermittently conveyed, the resin bag stops for the same time in the opening process, the filling process, and the sealing process described above. Therefore, if the filling process time is increased in order to fill a container with a large volume, there will be time for the resin bag to stop unnecessarily even though the work has already been completed in other processes.

In order to eliminate this unnecessary stop of the resin bag, if the product liquid is filled in, for example, twice, the filling time can be extended as a whole, and the stop time per time is shortened, so other steps And stop time coordination.
However, it is not desirable to divide and fill in two portions from the viewpoint of filling accuracy. This is because an error with respect to the target filling amount is likely to occur based on the opening / closing of the nozzle accompanying the filling, so that it is easily predicted that the error with respect to the target filling amount will accumulate if the filling is performed in a plurality of times.

  In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a filling device that can extend the time spent filling the product liquid without reducing the filling accuracy.

The filling device of the present invention is configured to supply a product liquid from a transfer unit that transfers a plurality of containers along a transfer path from an upstream side to a downstream side, and a filling nozzle whose position is fixed to a container that is transferred along the transfer path. A filling area to be filled, an upstream area where one or a plurality of processing steps are performed on a container conveyed on the conveyance path on the upstream side from the filling area, and a single container or a container on the conveyance path on the downstream side from the filling area. And a downstream region that performs a plurality of processing steps.
The filling area has a first filling area having a first filling nozzle as a filling nozzle and a second filling area provided adjacent to the downstream side of the first filling area and having a second filling nozzle as a filling nozzle. Then, the preceding container is transported to the second filling area, filling of the product liquid is started from the second filling nozzle, and then the subsequent container is transported to the first filling area, and the product liquid is transported from the first filling nozzle. The time spent for filling the preceding container is partially overlapped with the time spent for filling the subsequent container.

  In the filling device of the present invention, the preceding container and the subsequent container constitute a filling group in which the time spent for filling the preceding container and the time spent for filling the subsequent container partially overlap, A plurality of filling groups are formed along the transport path, and the leading container of the succeeding filling group may be transported with a time interval between the upstream container and the trailing container of the preceding filling group. preferable.

  The transport unit in the filling apparatus of the present invention transports containers in units of a group consisting of a plurality of predetermined containers, and the processing step is performed in units of groups in the upstream region and the downstream region, and the preceding process is performed in the filling region. The container of the unit of the group to be transported to the second filling area, the filling of the product liquid is started from the second filling nozzle, and then the container of the unit of the subsequent group is transported to the first filling area. Starting the filling of the product liquid from the filling nozzle, the time spent for filling the preceding container and the time spent filling the subsequent container by the container of the preceding group unit and the container of the succeeding group It is preferable to constitute a filling group in which and partially overlap.

In the filling apparatus of the present invention, in each processing step performed in the upstream region and the downstream region, the plurality of containers are transported by one section in units of groups, and the number of groups constituting the filling group is N, Assuming that the number of other groups located downstream from the group is A, each group is a number obtained by subtracting the number A of each group from the upstream region toward the filling region (NA). It is preferable that the same number of sections are transported.
N: Natural number greater than or equal to 2 A: 0 and natural number

In the filling apparatus of the present invention, assuming that the order from the head of each group is an ordinal number B, each group has an ordinal number B from the head of a plurality of groups constituting the filling group from the filling region toward the downstream region. It is preferable that the same number of sections are transported.
B: Natural number

  In the filling apparatus of the present invention, it is preferable that the respective processing steps performed in the upstream region and the downstream region and the filling are performed with the container stopped.

  It is preferable that the conveyance part in the filling apparatus of this invention controls each conveyance speed and position of a some container independently.

  In the filling apparatus of the present invention, it is preferable that the time T2 spent in filling the container with the product liquid in the filling region is longer than the time T1 spent in each processing step performed in the upstream region and the downstream region.

  Moreover, in the filling apparatus of this invention, it is preferable that the conveyance speed V2 of the container in a filling area | region is faster than the conveyance speed V1 of the container in an upstream area | region and a downstream area | region.

  In the filling device of the present invention, the filling region is provided adjacent to the first filling region, the second filling region, and the downstream side of the second filling region, and includes a third filling nozzle as a filling nozzle. Three filling areas, and the preceding container is transported to the third filling area, filling of the product liquid is started from the third filling nozzle, and then the subsequent container is transported to the second filling area, It is also possible to start the filling of the product liquid from the two filling nozzles, and then further convey the subsequent container to the first filling area and start the filling of the product liquid from the first filling nozzle.

In the filling method of the present invention, the product liquid is transferred from the transport nozzle that transports a plurality of containers along the transport path from the upstream side to the downstream side, and the filling nozzle whose position is fixed to the container that is transported along the transport path. A filling area to be filled, an upstream area where one or a plurality of processing steps are performed on a container conveyed on the conveyance path on the upstream side from the filling area, and a single container or a container on the conveyance path on the downstream side from the filling area. And a downstream region that performs a plurality of processing steps.
The filling area has a first filling area having a first filling nozzle as a filling nozzle and a second filling area provided adjacent to the downstream side of the first filling area and having a second filling nozzle as a filling nozzle. Then, the preceding container is transported to the second filling area, filling of the product liquid is started from the second filling nozzle, and then the subsequent container is transported to the first filling area, and the product liquid is transported from the first filling nozzle. The time spent for filling the preceding container is partially overlapped with the time spent for filling the subsequent container.

  According to the present invention, the filling of the product liquid into the preceding container from the second filling nozzle is started, and thereafter the filling of the product liquid from the first filling nozzle into the subsequent container is started, and the plurality of containers are used. A filling group of the containers in which the filling process partially overlaps can be configured. Thereby, it is possible to fill the container with the product liquid over a longer period of time than when being subjected to a predetermined process performed in the upstream region and the downstream region in the intermittently transported container without reducing the filling accuracy.

The characteristic part of the filling system which concerns on embodiment of this invention is simplified and shown. It is a figure which shows operation | movement of the filling system of this embodiment, (a)-(g) is following the elapsed time. It is a graph which shows the speed of the conveyance body for every process of the filling system of this embodiment. It is a figure which shows operation | movement of the filling system of the modification of this embodiment, (a)-(g) is following the elapsed time.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
As shown in FIG. 1, in the filling device 1 according to the present embodiment, the product liquid L passes through the linear transport unit 10 that transports the bag-shaped container 80 having the opening 81 and the opening 81 of the transported container 80. The container opening 20 that can be filled, the first filling unit 30 and the second filling unit 40 that fill the container 80 with a product liquid L such as a beverage, and the opening 81 of the container 80 filled with the product liquid L are heated. The container sealing part 50 which welds and closes is provided, and the cooling part 60 which cools the closed container 80 is provided. The filling device 1 includes a controller 70 that controls operations of the linear transport unit 10, the container opening 20, the first filling unit 30, the second filling unit 40, the container sealing unit 50, and the cooling unit 60.
In the filling device 1, the time spent for filling the containers 80 of the preceding group G1 partially overlaps the time spent for filling the containers 80 of the following group G2.

In the filling device 1, the containers 80 constituting the group G are supplied by the supply device S in the supply region 17 </ b> A included in the upstream region 17 upstream of the filling region 18. And the container 80 of the group G is filled with the product liquid L in any one of the 1st filling part 30 and the 2nd filling part 40 in the filling area | region 18. FIG. When filling, for each of the two groups G, a filling group F in which the time spent for filling partially overlaps is formed. After the filling process, the paper is discharged by the discharge device E in the discharge region 19C included in the downstream region 19 downstream of the filling region 18.
The filling device 1 is configured such that when the container 80 is subjected to a predetermined process in each of the container opening 20, the first filling unit 30, the second filling unit 40, the container sealing unit 50, and the cooling unit 60 constituting the filling device 1. When stopped and the predetermined processing is completed, the sheet is intermittently conveyed to the downstream side β.

Hereinafter, each element of the filling device 1 will be described.
In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the upstream side α and the downstream side β are defined based on the direction in which the container 80 is conveyed.

Moreover, this embodiment demonstrates the example by which the three containers 80 comprise one group G and are conveyed as shown in FIG. However, this invention is not limited to this, The number of the containers 80 which comprise the group G is arbitrary.
The preceding group G is set as group G1, and the group G transported thereafter is set as group G2, group G3, and group G4 sequentially. In addition, when it is not necessary to distinguish the groups G1, G2, G3, and G4, they may be simply expressed as a group G. The same applies to the filling group F1 and the filling group F2.
In the present embodiment, based on the fact that the filling device 1 includes two filling portions, the two groups G constitute a filling group F in which the time T2 spent for filling partially overlaps. A plurality of filling groups F are formed along the transport path. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the preceding filling group F1 is formed by the group G1 and the group G2, and the subsequent filling group F2 is formed by the group G3 and the group G4.

[Linear transport unit 10]
As illustrated in FIG. 1, the linear conveyance unit 10 conveys the plurality of containers 80 received from the supply device S from the upstream side α toward the downstream side β.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the linear transport unit 10 includes a guide rail 13 that forms an endless circulation path, and a plurality of transport bodies 11 that travel independently along the guide rail 13. Each of the transport bodies 11 is provided with a permanent magnet 12 and an electromagnetic coil 14 is provided along the guide rail 13 so that the linear transport unit 10 includes a linear motor.

  Each transport body 11 includes a plurality of grippers 15 that grip the container 80. The plurality of grippers 15 are fixed to the transport body 11 so as to face the outside of the guide rail 13. The gripper 15 is opened and closed by an external force, and grips the container 80 when closed. In addition, although the gripper 15 is also provided over the perimeter of the guide rail 13 with the conveyance body 11, FIG. 1 shows only some grippers 15.

In the linear transport unit 10, movement and stop of each transport body 11 are controlled independently according to an instruction from the control unit 70. Therefore, the linear transport unit 10 can arbitrarily change the position of each transport body 11, that is, the position of each gripper 15.
In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, in order to simultaneously fill the product liquid L into the three containers 80 constituting the group G, the three transport bodies 11 corresponding to the containers 80 maintain a predetermined interval. While running, repeat running and stopping at the same time.

As shown in FIG. 1, the linear transport unit 10 includes an upstream region 17, a filling region 18, and a downstream region 19 on the transport path in order from the upstream side α.
The upstream region 17 has a supply region 17A and an opening region 17B.
The filling area 18 has a first filling area 18A and a second filling area 18B.
The downstream area 19 has a sealed area 19A, a cooling area 19B, and a discharge area 19C.
As shown in FIG. 3, the container 80 stops for the time T <b> 1 in each of the above-described regions included in the upstream region 17 and the downstream region 19. Each of these regions has a length in the transport direction that can accommodate three containers 80 arranged at a predetermined interval in the transport direction. That is, these areas are divided into the same length on the transport path.

[Supply area 17A]
As shown in FIG. 1, the supply region 17 </ b> A is a region that receives the container 80 from the supply device S, and the transport body 11 stops in the supply region 17 </ b> A when receiving the container 80.
The supply area 17 </ b> A is provided on the most upstream side α of the forward path R <b> 1 in the linear transport unit 10. The conveyance body 11 stops when it reaches the supply region 17A, and receives the container 80 from the supply device S that stands by. Here, “the container 80 reaches the region” means that all of the three containers 80 are included in the region. The same applies to other regions.
In the container 80 received by the carrier 11, the two sheet materials constituting the container 80, including the opening 81, overlap with each other with almost no gap.

[Opening area 17B]
The opening area 17B is an area where the opening 81 of the container 80 received by the carrier 11 is opened so that the product liquid L can be filled.
As shown in FIG. 1, the opening region 17B includes a container opening 20 that opens the opening 81 of the container 80. The container opening 20 opens the opening 81 of the container 80 that stops in the opening region 17B.

[First filling region 18A]
The first filling region 18A is a region in which the product liquid L is filled in the container G of the group G2 located in the rear of the transport direction among the groups G constituting the filling group F1.
As shown in FIG. 1, the first filling nozzle 31 of the first filling unit 30 is arranged in the first filling region 18A.
The container 80 of the group G1 that has been transported in advance passes through the first filling region 18A as it is and heads for the second filling region 18B.
On the other hand, the containers 80 constituting the group G2 that have been conveyed stop when reaching the first filling region 18A, and filling is started. The filling is performed only for time T2. As shown in FIG. 3, the time T <b> 2 is longer than the time T <b> 1 spent on other processes included in the upstream region 17 and the downstream region 19.

[Second filling region 18B]
The second filling region 18B is a region in which the product liquid L is filled into the containers 80 of the group G1 located in the front in the transport direction among the groups G constituting the filling group F1.
As shown in FIG. 1, the second filling nozzle 41 of the second filling unit 40 is arranged in the second filling region 18 </ b> B.
The containers 80 constituting the group G1 that have been transported stop when reaching the second filling region 18B, and filling is started. The filling is performed only for time T2. As shown in FIG. 3, the time T <b> 2 is longer than the time T <b> 1 spent on other processes included in the upstream region 17 and the downstream region 19.
On the other hand, the containers 80 of the group G2 pass through the second filling region 18B as they are after the product liquid L is filled in the first filling region 18A.

[Sealed area 19A]
The sealed region 19A is a region that closes the opening 81 of the container 80 filled with the product liquid L.
As shown in FIG. 1, the sealed region 19A includes a container sealed portion 50 that closes the opening 81 of the container 80. The container sealed portion 50 closes the opening 81 of the container 80 that stops in the sealed region 19A and is heated. Fuse.

[Cooling area 19B]
The cooling region 19B is a region that cools the heat-sealed opening 81 and seals the opening 81.
As shown in FIG. 1, the cooling region 19B includes a cooling unit 60 that cools the opening 81, and the cooling unit 60 cools the opening 81 that stops in the cooling region 19B.

[Discharge area 19C]
The discharge area 19C is an area for delivering the container 80 to the discharge device E.
In the discharge area 19C, the container 80 whose conveyance has been stopped is delivered to the discharge device E. As shown in FIG. 1, the transport body 11 that has delivered the container 80 to the discharge device E in the discharge area 19C travels on the return path R2 and returns to the supply area 17A.

[First filling portion 30]
The first filling unit 30 fills the container 80 of the group G2 that has been transported to the first filling region 18A by the linear transport unit 10 with the product liquid L from the first filling nozzle 31 described later.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the first filling unit 30 includes a first filling nozzle 31 that discharges the product liquid L toward the opening 81 of the container 80, a main body 34 that is connected to the first filling nozzle 31, and a first filling A supply tank 32 for storing the product liquid L supplied to the nozzle 31 and a supply pipe 33 for supplying the product liquid L from the supply tank 32 to each first filling nozzle 31 via the main body 34 are provided.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the first filling unit 30 includes three first filling nozzles 31 corresponding to the three containers 80 constituting the group G2. These first filling nozzles 31 are arranged at the same intervals as the intervals in the conveyance direction of the three containers 80 constituting the group G2, and are arranged above the conveyance path of these containers 80.

  Each first filling nozzle 31 or supply pipe 33 is provided with an on-off valve (not shown). The on / off valve is selected to be opened or closed according to an instruction from the control unit 70, and the product liquid L is discharged from each first filling nozzle 31 when opened.

  When the container 80 reaches the first filling region 18A, the first filling unit 30 opens the on-off valve that has been closed by the instruction from the control unit 70 and discharges the product liquid L from the first filling nozzle 31. Start filling. And when only time T2 passes, according to the instruction | indication from the control part 70, the on-off valve opened until then is closed, and filling is complete | finished.

[Second filling unit 40]
The second filling unit 40 fills the container 80 of the group G1 that has been transported to the second filling region 18B by the linear transport unit 10 with the product liquid L from the second filling nozzle 41.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the second filling unit 40 includes a second filling nozzle 41 that discharges the product liquid L toward the opening 81 of the container 80, a main body 44 that is connected to the second filling nozzle 41, and a second filling A supply tank 42 for storing the product liquid L supplied to the nozzle 41, and a supply pipe 43 for supplying the product liquid L from the supply tank 42 to each of the second filling nozzles 41 via the main body 44. It has the same configuration as the filling unit 30.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the second filling unit 40 includes three second filling nozzles 41 corresponding to the three containers 80 constituting the group G1. These second filling nozzles 41 are arranged at the same intervals as the intervals in the conveyance direction of the three containers 80 constituting the group G1, and are arranged above the conveyance path of these containers 80.

  Each second filling nozzle 41 or supply pipe 43 is provided with an on-off valve (not shown). The on / off valve is selected to be opened or closed by an instruction from the control unit 70, and the product liquid L is discharged from each second filling nozzle 41 when opened.

  When the container 80 of the group G1 reaches the second filling region 18B, the second filling unit 40 opens the open / close valve that has been closed until the container 80 of the group G1 reaches the second filling region 18B, and supplies the product liquid L from the second filling nozzle 41. Discharge and start filling. Then, when a predetermined time has elapsed, according to an instruction from the control unit 70, the on-off valve that has been opened is closed and the filling is finished.

[Operation of filling device 1]
Next, operation | movement of the filling apparatus 1 is demonstrated.
As shown in the row (G1) of FIG. 3, this operation includes a supply process in which the containers 80 constituting the group G are supplied in the upstream region 17 and an opening process in which the openings 81 of the supplied containers 80 are opened. The first filling step of filling the product liquid L into the container 80 of the preceding group G1 performed in the filling region 18, the second filling step of filling the container 80 of the subsequent group G2 with the product liquid L, and the downstream region 19 A sealing step for welding and sealing the opening 81 of the container 80 filled with the product liquid L, a cooling step for cooling the welded portion of the container 80, and a discharging step for discharging the cooled container 80 to the outside. Have.
As shown in FIG. 3, the first filling step and the second filling step are two steps of each step performed in the upstream region 17 and the downstream region 19 as shown in the row (G1) and the row (G2) in FIG. Minute time is spent.
Further, as shown in the row (G1) of FIG. 3, in each step performed in the upstream region 17 and the downstream region 19, the container 80 is stopped only for the time T1, whereas the first filling step and the second filling step Stops the container 80 for a time T2 longer than the other steps.

Each process which the filling apparatus 1 has is performed for every group G comprised by the three containers 80, as shown in FIG.
In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the groups G1, G2, G3, and G4 are conveyed to the filling region 18 in this order, and the product liquid L is filled in this order.
The operation of the filling apparatus 1 will be described on the assumption that the filling group F1 is composed of the group G1 and the group G2, and the filling group F2 subsequently transferred to the filling process is composed of the group G3 and the group G4. .
In the filling apparatus 1, the container 80 of the first group G1, G3 in the transport direction among the groups G constituting the filling groups F1, F2 is filled with the product liquid L by the second filling unit 40, and the rear group G2 , G4 container 80 is filled with product liquid L by first filling unit 30.
The filling device 1 is characterized in that the time spent for filling the two groups G constituting the filling group F is partially overlapped.

[Supply process]
In the supply process, the three transport bodies 11 corresponding to the containers 80 of the group G1 are transported to the supply area 17A (FIG. 1). The transport body 11 that has reached the supply region 17A stops for a time T1 and receives the container 80 (FIGS. 2A and 3A). Thereafter, the containers 80 of the group G1 held by the transport body 11 are transported from the supply region 17A toward the opening region 17B (FIG. 3A).

[Opening process]
In the opening process, the containers 80 of the group G1 are transported from the supply area 17A to the opening area 17B (FIGS. 2B and 3B). The maximum speed of the container 80 conveyed from the supply area 17A to the opening area 17B is the speed V1. The containers 80 of the group G1 that have reached the opening region 17B are stopped for a time T1 and the respective openings 81 are opened by the container openings 20. Thereafter, the containers 80 of the group G1 are transported from the opening region 17B toward the second filling region 18B.

  On the other hand, the container 80 of the group G2 is transported corresponding to the container 80 of the group G2 in the supply process as the container 80 of the group G1 is transported toward the opening region 17B. It is delivered to the body 11 (FIGS. 2B and 3B).

[First filling step]
In the first filling step, the containers 80 of the group G1 are transported from the opening region 17B to the second filling region 18B (FIGS. 2 (c) and 3 (c)). That is, the containers 80 of the group G1 are transported by two sections from the opening region 17B (FIGS. 2B and 2C).
The maximum speed of the container 80 conveyed from the opening area 17B to the second filling area 18B is a speed V2 higher than the speed V1.

  In the first filling step, when the container 80 of the group G1 reaches the second filling region 18B from the opening region 17B, the control unit 70 instructs to open the second filling nozzle 41 of the second filling unit 40. The filling of the product liquid L into the G1 container 80 is started (FIG. 2 (c), FIG. 3 (c)).

Then, in the opening process of the containers 80 of the group G2, the respective openings 81 are opened by the container openings 20 as in the case of the containers 80 of the group G1 (FIGS. 2C and 3C).
And the container 80 of the group G2 is conveyed toward the 1st filling area | region 18A from the opening area | region 17B, after the opening part 81 is opened (FIG.3 (c)).

The filling of the product liquid L into the container 80 of the group G1 is performed continuously for the time T2 (FIGS. 3C and 3D). As will be described later, when the filling of the container 80 of the group G1 is continued, the filling of the product liquid L into the container 80 of the group G2 is started.
Then, when time T2 has elapsed since the filling of the product liquid L into the containers 80 of the group G1, according to an instruction from the control unit 70, the open / close valve that has been opened is closed, and the second filling nozzle 41 supplies the product liquid L. Finish filling. And the container 80 of the group G1 is conveyed toward the sealing area | region 19A from the 2nd filling area | region 18B (FIG.2 (e), FIG.3 (e)). That is, the containers 80 of the group G1 are transported by one section from the second filling region 18B (FIGS. 2D and 2E).
The maximum speed of the container 80 conveyed from the second filling area 18B to the sealed area 19A is the speed V1.

[Second filling step]
In the second filling step, the containers 80 of the group G2 are transported from the opening region 17B to the first filling region 18A (FIGS. 2 (d) and 3 (d)). That is, the containers 80 of the group G2 are transported by one section from the opening region 17B (FIGS. 2C and 2D).
The maximum speed of the container 80 conveyed from the opening area 17B to the first filling area 18A is the speed V1.

In the second filling step, when the container 80 of the group G2 reaches the first filling region 18A from the opening region 17B, the control unit 70 instructs to open the first filling nozzle 31 of the first filling unit 30, so that the product Filling with the liquid L is started (FIGS. 2D and 3D).
When the filling of the product liquid L into the group G2 container 80 is started, the filling of the product liquid L into the group G1 container 80 is continued (FIGS. 2D and 3D). Thus, the time spent filling the containers 80 of the group G1 and the time spent filling the containers 80 of the group G2 partially overlap.

The filling of the product liquid L into the container 80 of the group G2 is performed continuously for the time T2 (FIGS. 3D and 3E). Then, when time T2 has elapsed since the filling of the product liquid L into the containers 80 of the group G2, according to an instruction from the control unit 70, the open / close valve that has been opened is closed and the first filling nozzle 31 supplies the product liquid L. Finish filling. And the container 80 of the group G2 is conveyed toward the sealing area 19A from the 1st filling area | region 18A. That is, the containers 80 of the group G2 are transported by two sections from the first filling area 18A (FIGS. 2E and 2F).
The maximum speed of the container 80 conveyed from the first filling area 18A to the sealed area 19A is a speed V2 higher than the speed V1.

  On the other hand, when the container 80 of the group G2 reaches the first filling region 18A, the container 80 of the group G3 is received by the carrier 11 corresponding to the container 80 of the group G3 in the supply process, like the container 80 of the group G2. (FIG. 2 (d), FIG. 3 (d)). As shown in FIGS. 3B to 3D, the container 80 of the group G3 has an upstream region between the group G2 which is the tail of the group G constituting the filling group F1 and the first group G3 of the filling group F2. At a time interval corresponding to one process of the process performed at 17, the process is delivered to the transport body 11 in the supply process which is the process on the most upstream side α.

  While the container 80 of the group G3 is continuously filled with the product liquid L in the container 80 of the group G2, the opening 81 is expanded in the opening region 17B. And the container 80 of group G4 is delivered to the corresponding conveyance body 11 similarly to the container 80 of group G3 (FIG.2 (e)).

[Sealing process]
After completing the first filling step, the container 80 of the group G1 filled with a desired amount of the product liquid L is transported from the second filling region 18B to the sealed region 19A (FIGS. 2 (e) and 3 (e)). ).
The containers 80 of the group G1 that have reached the sealed region 19A are stopped for a predetermined time, and the respective opening portions 81 are thermally welded by the container sealing portion 50. Thereafter, the containers 80 of the group G1 are transported from the sealed area 19A toward the cooling area 19B (FIG. 3 (e)).

On the other hand, the container 80 of the group G2 is transported to the sealed region 19A as the container 80 of the group G1 is transported toward the cooling region 19B (FIGS. 2 (f) and 3 (f)).
The containers 80 of the group G3 are transported to the second filling area 18B as the containers 80 of the group G2 are transported to the sealed area 19A, and the product liquid L is filled in the same manner as the group G1. (FIG. 2 (f), FIG. 3 (f)). Further, the containers 80 of the group G4 are each opened by the container openings 20 in the opening region 17B in the same manner as the containers 80 of the group G3 (FIG. 2 (f)).

[Cooling process]
When the sealing process is completed, the containers 80 of the group G1 are transported from the sealed area 19A to the cooling area 19B (FIGS. 2 (f) and 3 (f)).
The maximum speed of the container 80 conveyed from the sealed area 19A to the cooling area 19B is the speed V1.
The containers 80 of the group G1 that have reached the cooling region 19B are stopped for a predetermined time, and the welded portion of the opening 81 is cooled by the cooling unit 60. Thereafter, the containers 80 of the group G1 are transported from the cooling region 19B toward the discharge region 19C (FIG. 3 (f)).

On the other hand, the container 80 of the group G2 is transported from the sealed region 19A to the cooling region 19B as the container 80 of the group G1 is transported toward the sealed region 19A (FIG. 2 (f), FIG. f)).
Further, the container 80 of the group G3 is continuously filled with the product liquid L for the time T2 (FIGS. 2 (f) and (g)).
Further, in the opening process, the containers 80 of the group G4 are opened by the container openings 20 in the opening process (FIG. 2 (f)).

[Discharge process]
When the cooling process is finished, the containers 80 of the group G1 are transported from the cooling region 19B to the discharge region 19C (FIGS. 2 (g) and 3 (g)).
The maximum speed of the container 80 conveyed from the cooling area 19B to the discharge area 19C is the speed V1.
The containers 80 of the group G1 that have reached the discharge area 19C are stopped for a predetermined time and delivered from the transport body 11 to the discharge device E.
As shown in FIG. 1, the transport body 11 that has delivered the container 80 to the discharge device E travels on the return path R2 and returns to the supply region 17A.

On the other hand, the container 80 of the group G2 is transported from the sealed region 19A to the cooling region 19B as the container 80 of the group G1 is transported from the cooling region 19B toward the discharge region 19C (FIG. 2G). FIG. 3 (g)).
When the cooling process is completed, the group G2 containers 80 are also transported from the cooling region 19B to the discharge region 19C and delivered from the transport body 11 to the discharge device E, similarly to the group G1 containers 80.
In addition, the container 80 of the group G3 that has finished the first filling step and the container 80 of the group G4 that has finished the second filling step are also sequentially subjected to the sealing step and the cooling step, and then discharged from the carrier 11 in the discharging step. Passed to E.

The filling apparatus 1 is configured by subtracting the number G of groups G positioned in front of the group G from the opening region 17B to the filling region 18, and the number N of groups G constituting the filling group F. Transport the same number of sections as (NA).
That is, as shown in FIG. 2, in the group G1, the filling group F1 is composed of two groups G, the group G1 and the group G2 (N = 2), and the group G1 is located at the head and the group G1 is in front of it. Since G is not located (A = 0), it is transported by two sections from the opening region 17B (FIGS. 2B and 2C). And since the group G1 is located ahead (A = 1), the container 80 of the group G2 is conveyed only 1 section from the opening area | region 17B (FIG.2 (c), (d)).
N: Natural number greater than or equal to 2 A: 0 and natural number

Each group G is transported from the filling region 18 to the sealed region 19A by the same number of sections as the ordinal number B from the head of the plurality of groups G constituting the filling group F.
That is, since the container 80 of the group G1 is the first from the top, it is transported by one section from the second filling region 18B (FIGS. 2D and 2E). And since the container 80 of the group G2 is the 2nd from the head, it is conveyed by 2 sections from the first filling area 18A (FIGS. 2E and 2F).
B: Natural number

Further, as the filling device 1 increases the time spent for the filling process performed in the first filling region 18A by one time, the container 80 of the first group G of the subsequent filling group F precedes. It is supplied to the carrier 11 with a time interval corresponding to the increased process time with the tail group G of the filling group F.
That is, as shown in FIG. 2, the filling device 1 spends time for two steps by increasing the time for one step in the second filling step performed in the first filling region 18 </ b> A. The container 80 of the first group G3 of the group F2 is supplied to the carrier 11 with a time interval of one step between the container 80 of the last group G2 of the preceding filling group F1 (FIG. 2). (B)-(d)).

  Moreover, as shown to the line (G1)-(G3) of FIG. 3, as for the filling apparatus 1, time T2 spent on a filling process is longer than time T1 spent on the other process mentioned above. The transport speed V2 is faster than the transport speed V1.

[Effect of filling device 1]
Hereinafter, the effects produced by the filling device 1 will be described.
The filling device 1 transports the group 80 containers 80 to the first filling unit 30 or the second filling unit 40 by the transport body 11 of the linear transport unit 10 whose transport speed and position can be individually adjusted. And while the time which the container 80 stops at each process other than a filling process is constant at time T1, in the filling process of the product liquid L, the container 80 stops only for time T2 longer than time T1.

Here, in order to lengthen the filling time of the product liquid L, a comparative example in which one filling unit is provided in the filling device 1 is assumed. In this comparative example, the filling step is sequentially performed for each container 80 of one group G transported by the transport body 11 of the linear transport unit 10. Also in this comparative example, as shown in the row (I) of FIG. 3, the time spent for the filling operation of the product liquid L is longer than the time spent for other processes.
In this comparative example, in order to allow the container 80 that has finished the opening process to be continuously transferred to the filling process, as shown in the row (II) of FIG. At the same time that the container 80 of G shifts from the filling process to the sealing process, the supply process is performed with a time interval of two processes so that the container 80 can move to the filling process. Then, as shown in row (III) of FIG. 3, the supply process is also performed for the subsequent group G containers 80 with a time interval of two processes. Thus, in the comparative example, every time the containers 80 constituting the group G are supplied, a time interval for two steps is necessary, and thus the production capacity is lowered.

In contrast to the comparative example, the present embodiment includes the first filling unit 30 and the second filling unit 40 in this order from the upstream side α, and the filling of the preceding group G1 containers 80 is performed by the second filling unit 40. And the filling of the subsequent group G2 containers 80 is performed in the first filling unit 30.
In this manner, the filling of the preceding group G1 containers 80 is performed in the second filling section 40 on the downstream side β, so that the subsequent filling of the containers 80 of the group G1 is continued and the subsequent containers 80 of the group G2 are continued. The first filling unit 30 can be used for filling. Thereby, a part of the time T2 spent for filling the preceding container 80 in the second filling region 18B and a part of the time T2 spent for filling the succeeding container 80 in the first filling region 18A. Can be duplicated.
Thus, by making time T2 overlap, production time can be shortened compared with the comparative example provided with only one filling part. For this reason, the production capacity of the filling device 1 can be improved while extending the filling time of the product liquid L.

And since the filling apparatus 1 employ | adopts the linear conveyance part 10 as a means to convey the conveyance body 11, it can perform intermittent conveyance from which a conveyance distance differs. Therefore, when the containers 80 of the groups G1 and G2 are transported from the opening region 17B to the filling region 18, each of the containers 80 is transported by a different number of sections, and promptly corresponds to the first filling region 18A or the second filling. Region 18B can be reached. And also when conveying from the filling area | region 18 to the sealing area | region 19A, each can be conveyed by the number of different divisions, and it can be made to convey to the sealing area | region 19A rapidly.
Furthermore, since the conveyance speed of the containers 80 can be set arbitrarily, the containers 80 of the group G1 can be conveyed at the conveyance speed V2 when the containers 80 are conveyed by two sections from the opening area 17B to the second filling area 18B. Further, the containers 80 of the group G2 can be transported at the transport speed V2 for two sections from the first filling region 18A to the sealed region 19A.
As described above, by adopting the linear conveyance unit 10, the time T2 for filling the container 80 with the product liquid L can be lengthened. Moreover, since it is not necessary to lengthen the time of another process according to lengthening the filling time of the product liquid L in a filling process, the production capacity of the filling apparatus 1 can be improved.

  Furthermore, the filling device 1 is configured so that the transporting body 11 has a time interval of one step between the container 80 of the first group G of the subsequent filling group F and the rear group G of the preceding filling group F. To be supplied. Thereby, even if it spends the time for two processes of each process performed in the upstream area | region 17 and the downstream area | region 19 in a 1st filling process and a 2nd filling process, it is after the preceding filling group F1 about the following filling group F2. Filling can be done continuously. Thereby, since a filling part can be used continuously for every filling group F continuously, the production capacity of the filling device 1 can be improved.

[Modification of Embodiment]
Next, a modification of the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 4, the same components as those in the embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted.

In the present modification, as shown in FIG. 4, the filling group F includes three groups G of containers 80.
In addition to the 1st filling part 30 and the 2nd filling part 40, this modification is provided with the 3rd filling part 90 of the same structure as these. In addition, the present modification includes a third filling region 18C between the sealed region 19A and the second filling region 18B. The third filling portion 90 is disposed in the third filling region 18C.

Next, the operation of this modification will be described. Below, it demonstrates centering on difference with embodiment. This modification includes a third filling step described later.
In this modification, as shown in FIG. 4, the preceding filling group F3 is formed by the groups G1, G2, and G3, and the subsequent filling group F4 is formed by the groups G4, G5, and G6.

  Also in this modified example, the containers 80 of the groups G1, G2, and G3 are transferred to the corresponding transport body 11 in the supply region 17A, transported to the opening region 17B, and the opening 81 is opened. 18 (FIGS. 4A to 4E).

However, in the present modification, the containers 80 of the group G1 are transported from the opening region 17B toward the third filling region 18C (FIG. 4C). And when the container 80 of group G1 reaches the 3rd filling area | region 18C, the product liquid L will be discharged from the 3rd filling nozzle 91, and filling will be started, and a 1st filling process will be performed like embodiment (FIG. 4 (c), (d)).
In this modification, the first group G1 is transported by three sections because the number N of groups G constituting the filling group F3 is three (FIGS. 4B and 4C).

  Next, the container 80 of group G2 is conveyed toward the 2nd filling area | region 18B from the opening area | region 17B (FIG.4 (d)). When the container 80 of the group G2 reaches the second filling region 18B, the second filling step is performed as in the embodiment (FIGS. 4D and 4E). In this modification, the group G2 is transported by a fraction of two sections because the number N of groups G constituting the filling group F3 is 3, and the number G is 1 because the group G1 is located in front (FIG. 4 ( c), (d)).

  When the container 80 of the group G2 reaches the second filling region 18B, the filling of the product liquid L into the container 80 of the group G1 is continued. Thus, also in this modification, the time spent for filling the containers 80 of the preceding group G1 partially overlaps the time spent for filling the containers 80 of the following group G2.

Next, the container 80 of group G3 is conveyed toward the 1st filling area | region 18A from the opening area | region 17B (FIG.4 (d)). When the container 80 of the group G3 reaches the first filling region 18A, a third filling step is performed (FIGS. 4E and 4F).
In this modification, the group G3 is transported by the number of one section because the number N of the groups G constituting the filling group F3 is 3, and the group A1 is 2 because the groups G1 and G2 are located in front.

In the third filling process, when the container 80 of the group G3 reaches the first filling region 18A, the control unit 70 instructs to open the first filling nozzle 31 of the first filling unit 30, so that the product liquid L is filled. Is started (FIG. 4E).
When the filling of the product liquid L into the container 80 of the group G3 is started, the filling of the product liquid L into the container 80 of the group G1 is finished, but the filling of the product liquid L into the container 80 of the group G2 is completed. Is continuing (FIG. 4E). Thus, the time spent for filling the container 80 of the preceding group G2 and the time spent for filling the container 80 of the following group G3 partially overlap.
Also in the third filling step, as in the first filling step and the second filling step, the filling of the product liquid L into the container 80 is continuously performed for the time T2. Then, when the time T2 has elapsed since the filling of the product liquid L into the containers 80 of the group G3, according to an instruction from the control unit 70, the open / close valve that has been opened is closed and the first filling nozzle 31 supplies the product liquid L. The filling is finished (FIG. 4 (g)).

And the container 80 of group G1, G2, G3 with which the product liquid L was filled in the filling area | region 18 transfers to a sealing process sequentially similarly to embodiment. At this time, the first group G1 from the top is transported by one section, the second group G2 from the top is transported by two sections, and the third group G3 from the top is transported by three sections. Then, the filling process shifts to the sealing process.
Then, the groups G1, G2, and G3 pass through the sealing step and then the cooling step, and are transferred from the transport body 11 to the discharge device E in the discharge step (FIGS. 4E to 4G).

On the other hand, the groups G4, G5, and G6 constituting the subsequent filling group F4 are also transferred to the corresponding carrier 11 in the supply region 17A, and after moving to the opening region 17B and opening the opening 81, It moves to the filling area | region 18 (FIG.4 (e)-(g)).
As shown in FIGS. 4C to 4E, the leading group G4 of the subsequent filling group F4 corresponds to the tail group G3 of the filling group F3 in the supply region 17A with a time interval corresponding to one process. Is transferred to the transporting body 11 (FIGS. 4C to 4E).
Then, after moving to the opening region 17B and opening the opening 81, when the group G3 is transported from the first filling region 18A to the downstream side β, the group G4 is transported toward the third filling region 18C. The And when the container 80 of group G4 reaches the 3rd filling area | region 18C, a 1st filling process will be performed like group G1 (FIG.4 (g)).

  As described above, the number of groups G constituting the filling group F can be increased from two filling parts as in the embodiment to three as in the present modification. Furthermore, the number of groups G can be increased to four or more.

  The preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described above, but the configuration described in the above embodiment is selected or changed to another configuration as long as it does not depart from the gist of the present invention. be able to.

For example, although the bag-shaped container 80 was mentioned as an object to convey, it is not limited to this, It can also use for a bottle and a can.
And the process performed in the upstream area | region 17 and the downstream area | region 19 can be suitably changed according to the container conveyed. Moreover, according to the container conveyed, the number of a process process can be changed suitably to single or multiple.

  The filling device 1 may fill different product liquids L with the first filling unit 30 and the second filling unit 40. Alternatively, the first filling unit 30 and the second filling unit 40 may be filled for different times.

In the embodiment, in the first filling step, the containers 80 in the group G1 are transported to the second filling region 18B at a transport speed V2 that is faster than the transport speed V1, and in the second filling step, the containers 80 in the group G2 are sealed. Although being transported toward the region 19A at the transport speed V2, the containers 80 of the group G may be transported at the transport speed V1 instead of the transport speed V2 in the filling process.
Further, although the container 80 is transported at the constant transport speed V2 in the filling step, the transport speed V2 may be changed.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Filling apparatus 10 Linear conveyance part 11 Conveyance body 12 Permanent magnet 13 Guide rail 14 Electromagnetic coil 15 Gripper 17 Upstream area | region 17A Supply area | region 17B Opening area | region 18 Filling area | region 18A First filling area | region 18B Second filling area | region 18C Third filling area | region 19 Downstream Area 19A Sealed area 19B Cooling area 19C Discharge area 20 Container opening 30 First filling part 31 First filling nozzle 32 Supply tank 33 Supply pipe 34 Main body 40 Second filling part 41 Second filling nozzle 42 Supply tank 43 Supply pipe 44 Main body 50 Container sealing part 60 Cooling part 70 Control part 80 Container 81 Opening part 90 Third filling part 91 Third filling nozzle E Discharging device S Supplying device L Product liquid R1 Outward route R2 Return α Upstream β Downstream

Claims (20)

A transport unit that transports a plurality of containers along a transport path from the upstream side toward the downstream side;
A filling region for filling the container that is transported along the transport path with a product liquid from a filling nozzle whose position is fixed;
On the upstream side of the filling region, an upstream region that performs one or a plurality of processing steps on the container that is transported along the transport path;
A downstream region that performs one or more processing steps on the container that is transported through the transport path on the downstream side of the filling region;
The filling area is
A first filling region having a first filling nozzle as the filling nozzle, and a second filling region provided adjacent to the downstream side of the first filling region and having a second filling nozzle as the filling nozzle. And
Conveying the preceding container to the second filling area, starting filling the product liquid from the second filling nozzle,
Thereafter, the subsequent container is transported to the first filling area, and filling of the product liquid is started from the first filling nozzle,
A portion of the time spent in the filling of the preceding container and the time spent in the filling of the subsequent container overlap,
A filling device characterized by that. The preceding container and the subsequent container constitute a filling group in which the time spent for filling the preceding container and the time spent for filling the subsequent container partially overlap,
A plurality of the filling groups are formed along the transport path,
2. The filling device according to claim 1, wherein the container at the head of the subsequent filling group is conveyed with a time interval between the container at the tail of the preceding filling group in the upstream region. The transport unit transports the container in a unit of a group consisting of a plurality of predetermined containers,
In the upstream region and the downstream region, the processing step is performed in units of the group,
In the filling region, the container of the preceding group unit is transported to the second filling region, and the filling of the product liquid is started from the second filling nozzle,
Thereafter, the filling of the product liquid is started from the first filling nozzle, which transports the containers of the subsequent unit of the group to the first filling region,
The time spent in filling the preceding container and the time spent in filling the subsequent container are partially due to the container of the preceding group unit and the container of the subsequent group unit. Constituting overlapping packing groups;
The filling device according to claim 2. In each of the processing steps performed in the upstream region and the downstream region, the plurality of containers are transported by one section in units of the group,
The number of the groups constituting the filling group is N,
When the number of other groups located on the downstream side of each group is A,
Each of the groups is transported from the upstream region toward the filling region by the same number of partitions as the number N minus the number A of each of the groups (NA).
The filling device according to claim 3.
N: Natural number greater than or equal to 2 A: 0 and natural number If the order from the top of each group is an ordinal number B,
Each of the groups is transported from the filling region toward the downstream region by the same number of sections as the ordinal number B from the top of the plurality of groups constituting the filling group.
The filling device according to claim 4.
B: Natural number Each of the processing steps performed in the upstream region and the downstream region;
The filling is performed with the container stopped.
The filling device according to any one of claims 1 to 5. The transport unit is
Independently controlling the transport speed and position of each of the plurality of containers;
The filling device according to any one of claims 1 to 6. The time T2 spent for filling the container with the product liquid in the filling region is:
Longer than the time T1 spent in each of the processing steps performed in the upstream region and the downstream region,
The filling device according to any one of claims 1 to 7. The conveyance speed V2 of the container in the filling area is
Faster than the conveyance speed V1 of the container in the upstream region and the downstream region,
The filling device according to any one of claims 1 to 8. The filling area is
The first filling region, the second filling region, and a third filling region provided adjacent to the downstream side of the second filling region and including a third filling nozzle as the filling nozzle,
Transporting the preceding container to the third filling region, starting the filling of the product liquid from the third filling nozzle;
Thereafter, the subsequent container is transported to the second filling area, and the filling of the product liquid is started from the second filling nozzle,
Thereafter, the subsequent container is further conveyed to the first filling area, and the filling of the product liquid is started from the first filling nozzle.
The filling device according to any one of claims 1 to 9. A transport unit that transports a plurality of containers along a transport path from the upstream side toward the downstream side;
A filling region for filling the container that is transported along the transport path with a product liquid from a filling nozzle whose position is fixed;
On the upstream side of the filling region, an upstream region that performs one or a plurality of processing steps on the container that is transported along the transport path;
A downstream region that applies one or more processing steps to the container that is transported through the transport path on the downstream side of the filling region, and a filling method by a filling device comprising:
The filling area is
A first filling region having a first filling nozzle as the filling nozzle, and a second filling region provided adjacent to the downstream side of the first filling region and having a second filling nozzle as the filling nozzle. And
Conveying the preceding container to the second filling area, starting filling the product liquid from the second filling nozzle,
Thereafter, the subsequent container is transported to the first filling area, and filling of the product liquid is started from the first filling nozzle,
A portion of the time spent in the filling of the preceding container and the time spent in the filling of the subsequent container overlap,
The filling method characterized by the above-mentioned. The preceding container and the subsequent container constitute a filling group in which the time spent for filling the preceding container and the time spent for filling the subsequent container partially overlap,
A plurality of the filling groups are formed along the transport path,
The filling method according to claim 11, wherein the container at the head of the subsequent filling group is conveyed with a time interval between the container at the tail of the preceding filling group in the upstream region. The container is transported by the transport unit in units of a group consisting of a plurality of predetermined containers,
In the upstream region and the downstream region, the processing step is performed in units of the group,
In the filling region, the container of the preceding group unit is transported to the second filling region, and the filling of the product liquid is started from the second filling nozzle,
Thereafter, the filling of the product liquid is started from the first filling nozzle, which transports the containers of the subsequent unit of the group to the first filling region,
The time spent in filling the preceding container and the time spent in filling the subsequent container are partially due to the container of the preceding group unit and the container of the subsequent group unit. Constituting overlapping packing groups;
The filling method according to claim 12. In each of the processing steps performed in the upstream region and the downstream region, the plurality of containers are transported by one section in units of the group,
The number of the groups constituting the filling group is N,
When the number of other groups located on the downstream side of each group is A,
Each of the groups is transported from the upstream region toward the filling region by the same number of partitions as the number N minus the number A of each of the groups (NA).
The filling method according to claim 13.
N: Natural number greater than or equal to 2 A: 0 and natural number If the order from the top of each group is an ordinal number B,
Each of the groups is transported from the filling region toward the downstream region by the same number of sections as the ordinal number B from the top of the plurality of groups constituting the filling group.
The filling method according to claim 14.
B: Natural number Each of the processing steps performed in the upstream region and the downstream region;
The filling is performed with the container stopped.
The filling method according to any one of claims 11 to 15. In the transport unit,
The conveyance speed and position of each of the plurality of containers are controlled independently.
The filling method according to any one of claims 11 to 16. The time T2 spent for filling the container with the product liquid in the filling region is:
Longer than the time T1 spent in each of the processing steps performed in the upstream region and the downstream region,
The filling method as described in any one of Claims 11-17. The conveyance speed V2 of the container in the filling area is
Faster than the conveyance speed V1 of the container in the upstream region and the downstream region,
The filling method according to any one of claims 11 to 18. The filling area is
The first filling region, the second filling region, and a third filling region provided adjacent to the downstream side of the second filling region and including a third filling nozzle as the filling nozzle,
Transporting the preceding container to the third filling region, starting the filling of the product liquid from the third filling nozzle;
Thereafter, the subsequent container is transported to the second filling area, and the filling of the product liquid is started from the second filling nozzle,
Thereafter, the subsequent container is further conveyed to the first filling area, and the filling of the product liquid is started from the first filling nozzle.
The filling method according to any one of claims 11 to 19.

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