JP2023160634A - Container processing system - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a container processing system that is advantageous in terms of installation of a processing device and temporal durability of a conveying device for conveying a container.SOLUTION: A container processing device 10 includes: an endless conveyor belt 20; a plurality of belt guide rollers 22 that movably support the conveyor belt 20, the belt guide rollers 22 including a belt drive roller 22a that actively rotates to move the conveyor belt 20; a plurality of container conveyance support parts 21 attached to the conveyor belt 20 at a distance from each other and suspend and support a container; and at least one processing device 50 that is provided along a conveyance path and performs processing using the container.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD This disclosure relates to container processing systems.

In a container processing system that performs various treatments using containers such as bags and cans, it is possible to simultaneously transport a large number of containers and perform one or more treatments on each container. For example, a packaging machine that sequentially performs various processes while simultaneously transporting a plurality of bags can efficiently perform various processes on a large number of bags.

Bags can be conveyed in various ways in such packaging machines. For example, a rotary type conveyance system using a rotating table (see Patent Document 1), an oval type conveyance system using a chain drive (see Patent Documents 2 and 3), and a rectangular type conveyance system using a chain drive (see Patent Document 4) ) is known as a bag conveyance method.

JP 2019-172315 Publication JP2002-302227A JP2014-218282A Special Publication No. 56-48363

Although it is possible to transport bags by various methods as described above, there are technical problems inherent in the conventional transport methods.

For example, in a rotary conveyance system using a rotary table, as the number of processing steps (that is, the number of processing stations) increases, the diameter of the rotary table increases, resulting in an increase in the size of the entire packaging machine. Furthermore, the installation of various processing devices (for example, drive mechanisms) arranged along the annular bag conveyance path tends to be complicated, which is disadvantageous in terms of maintainability of the device and unitization of the various processing devices.

Furthermore, in a conveyance system using a chain drive, the chain stretches over time. Therefore, the durability of the bag conveyance device over time is not necessarily good, and the accuracy of the bag conveyance position gradually deteriorates as the operating time of the packaging machine passes.

The present disclosure has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and aims to provide a container processing system that is advantageous in terms of installation of processing equipment and durability over time of a transportation device that transports containers. .

One aspect of the present disclosure is a container processing system that performs processing using the container while transporting the container along a transport path, the system including an endless transport belt and a plurality of belts that movably support the transport belt. A plurality of belt guide rollers including a belt drive roller that is a guide roller and actively rotates to move the conveyor belt, and a plurality of container conveyors that are attached to the conveyor belt at a distance from each other and that suspend and support the containers. The present invention relates to a container processing system that includes a support section and at least one processing device that is provided along a conveyance path and performs processing using containers.

The conveyor belt may include at least one of steel and carbon fiber.

The conveyor belt may include multiple element belts that are superimposed on each other.

The container handling system includes a plurality of attachment supports provided for each of the plurality of container conveyance supports for attaching the corresponding container conveyance support to the conveyor belt, and each belt guide roller is provided with one of the plurality of attachment supports. Each belt guide roller may have at least one housing recess that fits into the protruding portion toward the belt guide roller.

The container processing system may include a moving mechanism frame and a roller support section that is detachably attached to the moving mechanism frame and rotatably supports each of the plurality of belt guide rollers.

The container processing system includes a plurality of positioning members that are provided for each of the plurality of container transport supports and move integrally with the corresponding container transport support, and a positioning roller support that extends at a processing station where processing is performed. and a lower positioning roller that is rotatably supported by a positioning roller support in the processing station, the roller being configured to move the positioning member provided for the container transport support downward when the container transport support passes through the processing station. and a pair of horizontal positioning rollers rotatably supported by a positioning roller support in the processing station and provided horizontally apart from each other via a passage space, the container transport support being A pair of horizontal positioning rollers may be provided, through which a positioning member provided for the container transport support section passes through the passage space when passing through the station.

The conveyor belt may move so as to draw an endless movement trajectory when viewed in the height direction.

The conveyor belt may move so as to draw an endless movement trajectory when viewed in the horizontal direction.

The container may be a bag, and the plurality of container transport supports may include a plurality of gripper pairs that suspend and support the bag, and each of the plurality of gripper pairs may include a plurality of grippers that grip both sides of the bag.

According to the present disclosure, it is advantageous in terms of installation of a processing device and durability over time of a conveyance device that conveys containers.

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an example of a packaging machine. FIG. 2 is a side view of the packaging machine shown in FIG. 1 (see arrow "II" in FIG. 1). FIG. 3 is a side view showing an example of the bag. FIG. 4 is an enlarged plan view of a part of the packaging machine. FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the packaging machine along section line VV in FIG. 4. FIG. 6 is a plan view showing only some elements of the packaging machine. FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the packaging machine along section line VII-VII in FIG.

Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Below, a case will be exemplified in which the technology of the present disclosure is applied to a packaging machine (container processing system) that performs packaging processing using bags.

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an example of a packaging machine (container processing system) 10. FIG. 2 is a side view of the packaging machine 10 shown in FIG. 1 (see arrow "II" in FIG. 1). FIG. 3 is a side view showing an example of the bag B. FIG.

The packaging machine 10 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 transports a plurality of bags B (see FIG. 3) along a transport path, performs processing (packaging processing) using each bag B, and processes the inside of each bag B. Enclose the contents. The packaging machine 10 includes at least an endless conveyor belt 20, a plurality of belt guide rollers 22 that movably support the conveyor belt 20, and a plurality of gripper pairs (container conveyance support parts) 21 attached to the conveyor belt 20. One processing device 50 (in this example, a plurality of processing devices 50).

The conveyor belt 20 is constituted by an integral and flexible annular body. The conveyor belt 20 of this example is constituted by an annular belt (steel belt) made of steel.

However, the specific composition and structure of the conveyor belt 20 is not limited. The conveyor belt 20 preferably has a durable and strong material and structure, particularly a material and structure that exhibits little change in shape over time (for example, elongation with use over time).

The conveyor belt 20 may contain a metal material, or may contain a non-metal material such as resin. As an example, it is preferable that the conveyor belt 20 includes at least one of steel and carbon fiber. The entire conveyor belt 20 may be made of a single material (single composition), or may include a plurality of materials.

The cross-sectional shape and cross-sectional size of the conveyor belt 20 are not limited. The conveyor belt 20 may have a polygonal cross-sectional shape such as a quadrangle, a cross-sectional shape having a curved outline such as a circle or an ellipse, or any other cross-sectional shape.

The conveyor belt 20 of this example includes a plurality of endless element belts (specifically, a first element belt 20a made of steel and a second element belt 20b made of steel (see FIG. 4 described later)) which are overlapped with each other. including. A conveyor belt 20 comprising a plurality of element belts 20a, 20b superimposed in the thickness direction is advantageous to ensure both good strength and good flexibility.

The constituent materials of the plurality of element belts 20a, 20b included in the conveyor belt 20 are not limited, and the plurality of element belts 20a, 20b may have the same composition or different compositions. Good too.

When the conveyor belt 20 has a plurality of element belts 20a, 20b, the method of attaching the plurality of element belts 20a, 20b to each other is not limited. For example, it is possible to firmly join the plurality of element belts 20a and 20b together by welding.

When the plurality of element belts 20a, 20b are attached to each other via fixing devices such as bolts, the fixing devices may deteriorate over time (for example, elongate over time). In particular, when the endless conveyor belt 20 as a whole is constructed by joining non-endless element belts 20a and 20b, deterioration over time is likely to occur at the joint between the element belts 20a and 20b. Tend.

Therefore, from the viewpoint of suppressing deterioration over time of the conveyor belt 20, as an example, the outer surface (front surface) of the annular first element belt 20a and the annular second element disposed so as to surround the first element belt 20a. The inner surface (back surface) of the belt 20b is joined to the widest possible range (for example, the entire outer surface of the first element belt 20a and the entire inner surface of the second element belt 20b are joined to each other). It is preferable.

The plurality of belt guide rollers 22 include belt drive rollers that actively rotate to move the conveyor belt 20. The belt guide roller 22 of this example includes a driving pulley 22a and a driven pulley 22b, and the driving pulley 22a works as a belt driving roller.

The drive pulley 22a is fixedly attached to the rotation drive shaft 23, and is connected to a conveyance drive motor 35 (see FIG. 2; for example, a servo motor) via the rotation drive shaft 23. As shown in FIG. 2, the rotary drive shaft 23 is rotatably supported by the pedestal 25 via a rotary bearing 36, and rotates integrally with the drive pulley 22a. The drive pulley 22 a actively rotates intermittently together with the rotation drive shaft 23 around the rotation drive shaft 23 according to the power output from the conveyance drive motor 35 .

The driven pulley 22b is rotatably supported by the driven shaft 24, and is provided to be rotatable about the driven shaft 24. The driven shaft 24 passively rotates by receiving force from the conveyor belt 20 (particularly the portion of the conveyor belt 20 that is directly supported by the driven shaft 24), and rotates as the conveyor belt 20 moves.

The conveyor belt 20 moves intermittently while being guided by the drive pulley 22a and the driven pulley 22b in accordance with the intermittent rotation of the drive pulley 22a.

The conveyor belt 20 is moved while being guided by a plurality of belt guide rollers 22, and the movement trajectory of the conveyor belt 20 is determined according to the arrangement of the plurality of belt guide rollers 22. In this example, the conveyor belt 20 has a plurality of belt guide rollers so that the conveyor belt 20 draws an endless movement trajectory when the conveyor belt 20 is viewed in the height direction (direction perpendicular to the plane of the paper in FIG. 1). It is moved while being guided by 22.

The movement trajectory of the conveyor belt 20 shown in FIG. 1 is classified as an oval movement trajectory. That is, while the conveyor belt 20 moves between the belt guide rollers 22 (driving pulley 22a and driven pulley 22b) located at both ends, it follows a linear trajectory from one belt guide roller 22 to the other belt guide roller 22. draw On the other hand, while the conveyor belt 20 is supported by each of the belt guide rollers 22 located at both ends, it draws a semicircular trajectory, and the traveling direction of the conveyor belt 20 is reversed.

A plurality of gripper pairs 21 are attached to the conveyor belt 20 at equal intervals from each other and support the bag B. Each gripper pair 21 includes a plurality of grippers 21a (ie, a left gripper 21a and a right gripper 21a) that can be opened and closed, and can grip and release both sides B3 of the bag B. Each gripper 21a in this example opens (see the dotted line in FIG. 4, which will be described later) or closes (see the dotted line in FIG. (see solid line). However, the specific method of opening and closing each gripper 21a is not limited.

The bag B used in this example includes a rectangular front sheet and a back sheet, as shown in FIG. Closed. On the other hand, the upper ends of the front and back sheets of bag B (excluding both side parts B3) are not fixed to each other and form a mouth B1 that can be opened and closed.

Each pair of grippers 21 supports the bag B in a suspended state such that the opening B1 of the bag B is positioned relatively upward and the bottom B2 is positioned relatively downward.

A plurality of processing devices 50 are provided along the transport path of the bags B (see FIGS. 1 and 2), and perform various processing using the bags B. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the processing device 50 includes a bag feeding device 51, a printing device 52, a printing inspection device 53, an opening device 54, a solid material input device 55, a liquid injection device 56, a first seal device 57, and a second seal. A device 58, a cooling device 59 and a bag release device 60 are provided.

The bag feeding device 51 to the second sealing device 58 are respectively provided in the first to eighth processing stations S1 to S8 located adjacent to each other in sequence. The cooling device 59 and the bag discharging device 60 are provided at a ninth processing station S9 located adjacent to the eighth processing station S8 where the second sealing device 58 is provided.

Each gripper pair 21, which is intermittently conveyed by the conveyor belt 20, stops intermittently in sequence at the first processing station S1 to the ninth processing station S9.

The bag feeding device 51 supplies a bag B (empty bag) to the gripper pair 21 that is intermittently stopped at the first processing station S1, and both sides B3 of the bag B are held by each gripper 21a of the gripper pair 21. Let them grasp it.

The printing device 52 prints arbitrary information (for example, manufacturing date (packaging processing date), etc.) on the bag B supported by the gripper pair 21 that is intermittently stopped at the second processing station S2. The print inspection device 53 checks the print state on the bag B supported by the gripper pair 21 that is intermittently stopped at the third processing station S3.

The opening device 54 opens the opening B1 of the bag B supported by the gripper pair 21 that is intermittently stopped at the fourth processing station S4, and brings the opening B1 into an open state. The solid material input device 55 inputs solid contents into the bag B through the mouth B1 (open state) of the bag B supported by the gripper pair 21 that is intermittently stopped at the fifth processing station S5. . The liquid injection device 56 injects the liquid contents into the bag B through the mouth B1 (open state) of the bag B supported by the gripper pair 21 that is intermittently stopped at the sixth processing station S6.

The first sealing device 57 closes the mouth B1 of the bag B supported by the gripper pair 21 that is intermittently stopped at the seventh processing station S7, and seals the mouth B1 (in this example, the first heating Seal treatment). The second sealing device 58 performs a sealing process (second heat sealing process in this example) on the opening B1 (closed state) of the bag B supported by the gripper pair 21 that is intermittently stopped at the eighth processing station S8. conduct. The cooling device 59 cools the opening B1 (particularly the sealed area) of the bag B supported by the gripper pair 21 that is intermittently stopped at the ninth processing station S9, and stabilizes the sealing state of the opening B1. .

The bag discharging device 60 discharges the bag B that has been subjected to the cooling process by the cooling device 59 at the ninth processing station S9. When the cooling device 59 cools the mouth B1 (particularly the sealed portion) by chucking (gripping) the mouth B1 of the bag B, the cooling device 59 may also be used as at least a part of the bag discharging device 60. For example, while the gripper pair 21 is intermittently stopped together with the bag B at the ninth processing station S9, the cooling device 59 chucks the opening B1 of the bag B, and then the gripper pair 21 releases its grip on the bag B. Thereafter, the bag B may be released by the cooling device 59 releasing the chuck at the opening B1.

The bag B released from the gripper pair 21 and the cooling device 59 may be sent to a subsequent stage while being guided by a chute of the bag discharge device 60, or may be stored in a storage section such as a basket by natural fall.

Note that in FIGS. 1 and 2, the processing devices 50 (ie, the bag feeding device 51 to the bag discharging device 60) are shown in a simplified manner, and the specific configuration of each processing device 50 is not limited. However, each of the above-mentioned processing devices 50 operates according to the transport timing of the plurality of bags B (that is, the movement timing of the transport belt 20 and the plurality of gripper pairs 21).

In this example, as shown in FIG. 2, the conveyance belt 20 is driven by the power output from the conveyance drive motor 35, while at least one processing device 50 (main In the example, a bag feeding device 51, an opening device 54, a solid material input device 55, a liquid injection device 56, a first sealing device 57, a second sealing device 58, a cooling device 59, and a bag discharging device 60 are driven.

That is, the device drive shaft 30 is attached to the processing drive motor 34 that is fixedly supported by the gantry 25 . The device drive shaft 30 is rotatably supported by the pedestal 25 via a plurality of drive bearings 31 , and is rotated by the processing drive motor 34 .

A plurality of drive cams 32 are fixed to the device drive shaft 30, and each drive cam 32 rotates together with the device drive shaft 30. Each drive cam 32 is provided with a corresponding power transmission rod 33. Each power transmission rod 33 is moved up and down according to the rotation of the corresponding drive cam 32 (that is, according to the force received from the corresponding drive cam 32).

In this example, a plurality of power transmission rods 33 are provided. Each power transmission rod 33 is connected to a bag feeding device 51 , an opening device 54 , a solids feeding device 55 , a liquid injection device 56 , a first sealing device 57 , a second sealing device 58 , a cooling device 59 and a bag discharging device 60 to transmit power. That is, each of the bag supply device 51, opening device 54, solid material input device 55, liquid injection device 56, first seal device 57, second seal device 58, cooling device 59, and bag discharge device 60 is connected to a corresponding power transmission rod. It is driven according to the vertical movement of 33. Note that the cooling device 59 and the bag discharging device 60 are connected to a common power transmission rod 33 and are driven according to the vertical movement of the common power transmission rod 33.

Note that the processing drive motor 34 drives the processing device 50 and the transport drive motor 35 drives the drive pulley 22a (and thus drives the transport belt 20) in synchronization with each other. The specific method of synchronous driving between the processing drive motor 34 and the transport drive motor 35 is not limited, and for example, the processing drive motor 34 and the transport drive motor 35 may be driven under the control of a control device (not shown). good.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged plan view of a part of the packaging machine 10. In FIG. 4, the symbol "C" indicates an omitted line. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the packaging machine 10 taken along the cross-sectional line VV in FIG.

Each gripper pair 21 is attached to the conveyor belt 20 via a corresponding gripper support (attachment support) 66 . That is, a plurality of gripper support parts 66 of the same number as the gripper pairs 21 are fixed to the conveyor belt 20 at the same intervals as the intervals between the gripper pairs 21.

Each gripper support portion 66 in this example has an inner support portion 66a and an outer support portion 66b that sandwich the conveyor belt 20 therebetween. As shown in FIG. 5, the support inner portion 66a, the support outer portion 66b, and the conveyor belt 20 located between the support inner portion 66a and the support outer portion 66b are integrally fixed by a plurality of fixing devices 67. , a gripper support 66 is attached to the conveyor belt 20.

Each gripper pair 21 (pair of grippers 21a) is attached to a gripper attachment part 68, which is attached to a positioning member 65, which is attached to a gripper support 66 (particularly to the support outer part 66b). . Each gripper attachment part 68 may support the corresponding pair of grippers 21 so that the distance between the grippers 21a (particularly between the openable and closable gripping parts of the grippers 21a) is variable, or the distance between the grippers 21a can be changed. It may be supported to maintain a constant value.

In this way, each gripper pair 21 of this example is fixedly attached to the conveyor belt 20 via the gripper attachment part 68, the positioning member 65, the gripper support part 66, and the fixture 67. Each gripper pair 21 moves integrally with the corresponding gripper mounting section 68, the corresponding positioning member 65, the corresponding gripper support section 66, and the corresponding fixture 67 in accordance with the travel of the conveyor belt 20.

Each belt guide roller 22 (each of the driving pulley 22a and the driven pulley 22b (see FIG. 1)) has at least one accommodation recess 41 (in this example, a plurality (six) of accommodation recesses 41). Each accommodation recess 41 has a shape and size that matches the portion of each gripper support portion 66 that protrudes toward each belt guide roller 22 side (in this example, the support inner portion 66a).

Each gripper pair 21 moves around each belt guide roller 22 with the corresponding gripper support 66 (particularly the inner support portion 66a) fitted into the accommodation recess 41. As a result, it is possible to reduce or avoid unintentional displacement of the movement trajectory of the gripper pair 21 due to contact between each belt guide roller 22 and the gripper support 66, and each gripper pair 21 is placed on the desired movement trajectory. can be moved with high precision and smoothly.

A roller support member 45 extends in each of the processing stations where processing is performed by the processing device 50 (first processing station S1 to ninth processing station S9 in this example). Positioning rollers 49a, 49b, 49c, and 49d (see FIG. 5) are provided. The positioning rollers 49a, 49b, 49c, and 49d guide each positioning member 65 downstream while restricting the position of each positioning member 65 moving through the first processing station S1 to the ninth processing station S9, and guide each positioning member 65 downstream. In turn, each bag B) is conveyed with high precision and smoothly along the conveyance path.

In this example, a plurality of upper positioning rollers 49a, a plurality of lower positioning rollers 49b, a plurality of horizontal positioning rollers 49c, and a plurality of horizontal positioning rollers 49d are provided. A plurality of upper positioning rollers 49a, lower positioning rollers 49b, horizontal positioning rollers 49c, and horizontal positioning rollers 49d are each provided at equal intervals along the transport path of the gripper pair 21.

The upper positioning roller 49a is positioned above the positioning member 65, and the lower positioning roller 49b is positioned below the positioning member 65.

The horizontal positioning rollers 49c and 49d constitute a pair of horizontal positioning rollers that are provided apart from each other in the horizontal direction with a space (passing space) interposed therebetween. A plurality of pairs of horizontal positioning rollers 49c and 49d are provided at each of the upper and lower positions. The horizontal positioning rollers 49c and 49d provided at the upper position limit the horizontal movement of the upper end of the positioning member 65, and the horizontal positioning rollers 49c and 49d provided at the lower position limit the horizontal movement of the lower end of the positioning member 65. do.

As shown in FIG. 5, a roller support member 45 that rotatably supports a horizontal positioning roller 49d via a roller support shaft 48 is fixed to a support stay 46, and a roller support member 45 rotatably supports a horizontal positioning roller 49c. A roller support member 45 is supported via a roller support shaft 47 extending in the horizontal direction.

The roller support shaft 47 provided at the upper position rotatably supports the upper positioning roller 49a, and the roller support shaft 47 provided at the lower position rotatably supports the lower positioning roller 49b.

The support stay 46 provided at the upper position is fixed to the moving mechanism frame 44 provided at the upper position, and the support stay 46 provided at the lower position is fixed to the moving mechanism frame 44 provided at the lower position.

A positioning member 65 provided for each gripper pair 21 when each gripper pair 21 passes through the first processing station S1 to the ninth processing station S9 is placed on a lower positioning roller 49b and supported from below, and is used for upper positioning. Upward movement is restricted by rollers 49a. The positioning member 65 moves downstream through the passage space between the horizontal positioning rollers 49c and 49d, while its movement in the lateral direction (horizontal direction) is restricted by the horizontal positioning rollers 49c and 49d.

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing only some elements of the packaging machine 10. FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the packaging machine 10 along section line VII-VII in FIG.

Two roller supports 42 are provided so as to be assigned to the drive pulley 22a and the driven pulley 22b, respectively. One roller support part 42 (first roller support part 42a) assigned to the drive pulley 22a rotates the rotary drive shaft 23, which rotates integrally with the drive pulley 22a, via a support member bearing 70 (see FIG. 7). Support freely.

The other roller support part 42 (second roller support part 42b) assigned to the driven pulley 22b has a tension adjustment groove 75. A driven shaft 24 that rotatably supports the driven pulley 22b via the pulley bearing 71 is movably arranged in the tension adjustment groove 75. The second roller support portion 42b has an upper support portion and a lower support portion extending above and below the driven pulley 22b, and a tension adjustment groove 75 is formed in each of the upper support portion and the lower support portion. . Each tension adjustment groove 75 extends in a direction away from the drive pulley 22a (rightward in FIGS. 6 and 7) and has a width that allows the driven shaft 24 to move.

A bolt support part 74 is attached to each of the upper support part and the lower support part of the second roller support part 42b, and each bolt support part 74 supports a corresponding tension adjustment bolt 73. These tension adjustment bolts 73 each protrude from a corresponding bolt support portion 74 toward a mounting block 72 fixed to each of the upper and lower ends of the driven shaft 24 .

The amount of protrusion of each tension adjustment bolt 73 from the corresponding bolt support portion 74 can be adjusted manually or mechanically, and the tension of the conveyor belt 20 can be adjusted according to the amount of protrusion of each tension adjustment bolt 73. is possible. That is, the tension of the conveyor belt 20 is determined according to the distance between the driving pulley 22a and the driven pulley 22b. The distance between the driving pulley 22a and the driven pulley 22b is determined according to the amount of protrusion from the bolt support portion 74 of each tension adjustment bolt 73 that contacts the mounting block 72 and variably determines the position of the driven shaft 24. .

Both ends of each moving mechanism frame 44 are fixed to the two roller supports 42 described above by fasteners 69 (see FIG. 6). That is, each roller support section 42 is detachably attached to the moving mechanism frame 44.

Each moving mechanism frame 44 provided at the upper position is supported by a moving mechanism frame 44 provided at the lower position via a plurality of frame beams 43. The moving mechanism frame 44 provided at the lower position is supported by the pedestal 25 as shown in FIG.

As described above, the packaging machine 10 of the present embodiment includes an endless conveyor belt 20 and a plurality of belt guide rollers 22 that movably support the conveyor belt 20, and actively rotates to support the conveyor belt 20. a plurality of belt guide rollers 22 including a drive pulley 22a that moves the bag B; and a plurality of gripper pairs 21 that are attached to the conveyor belt 20 at a distance from each other and suspend and support the bag B, each gripper pair 21 being attached to both sides of the bag B. It includes a plurality of gripper pairs 21 including a plurality of grippers 21a that grip part B3, and at least one processing device 50 that is provided along the conveyance path and processes bag B.

The endless conveyor belt 20 used as a conveyance device for conveying the bags B in this way can be flexibly adapted to the conveyance path of each gripper pair 21, and is unlikely to stretch over time. Therefore, the packaging machine 10 of this embodiment is advantageous in terms of installation of various devices, and is also advantageous in terms of durability of the bag conveying device over time.

In particular, the conveyor belt 20 of this embodiment includes steel. This provides a conveyor belt 20 with excellent flexibility and durability over time.

Further, the conveyor belt 20 of this embodiment includes a plurality of element belts 20a and 20b that are overlapped with each other. As a result, it is possible to provide a conveyor belt 20 that is more flexible, for example, than when the conveyor belt 20 is configured as a single body.

Furthermore, the packaging machine 10 of the present embodiment includes a plurality of gripper support parts 66 that are provided for each of the plurality of gripper pairs 21 and attaches the corresponding gripper pair 21 to the conveyor belt 20, and each belt guide roller 22 Each gripper support part 66 has at least one accommodation recess 41 that fits into a support inner part 66a that projects toward each belt guide roller 22 side.

As a result, the gripper support portion 66 can be moved by each belt guide roller 22 with the support inner portion 66a accommodated in the storage recess 41, and each gripper pair 21 can move on a desired movement trajectory with high precision and smoothness. Can be moved.

The packaging machine 10 of this embodiment also includes a moving mechanism frame 44 and a roller support section 42 that is detachably attached to the moving mechanism frame 44 and rotatably supports each of the plurality of belt guide rollers 22. Be prepared. Thereby, the roller support part 42 can be removed from the moving mechanism frame 44, and maintenance of the apparatus can be easily carried out.

Furthermore, the packaging machine 10 of this embodiment includes a plurality of positioning members 65 that are provided for each of the plurality of gripper pairs 21 and move integrally with the corresponding gripper pair 21, and a first processing station S1 where processing is performed. - A positioning roller support section 42 extending in the ninth processing station S9, and a lower positioning roller 49b rotatably supported by the positioning roller support section 42 in the first processing station to the ninth processing station S9, comprising a pair of grippers. 21 passes through the first to ninth processing stations S9, a lower positioning roller 49b that supports the positioning member 65 provided for the gripper pair 21 from below, and the first to ninth processing stations S9. A pair of horizontal positioning rollers 49c and 49d are rotatably supported by a positioning roller support section 42 and are provided horizontally apart from each other via a passage space, and the gripper pair 21 is connected to the first processing station to the ninth processing station. A positioning member 65 provided for the gripper pair 21 when passing through station S9 includes a pair of horizontal positioning rollers 49c and 49d through which the gripper pair 21 passes through the passage space.

Since the roller support member 45 is guided downstream while being positionally restricted by such positioning rollers 49b, 49c, and 49d, the corresponding gripper pair 21 can move with high precision along a desired conveyance path. As a result, processing accuracy by each processing device 50 can also be improved.

[Modified example]
The conveyor belt 20 may move so that the conveyor belt 20 draws an endless movement trajectory when viewed in the horizontal direction. As an example of a packaging machine equipped with such a conveyor belt 20, for example, it has the same device configuration as the packaging machine 10 of the above-described embodiment (see FIG. 1), but the rotary drive shaft 23 and the driven shaft 24 are An example is a packaging machine (not shown) that extends in the horizontal direction rather than in the direction. The state in which such a packaging machine is viewed from the horizontal direction is similar to the state in which the packaging machine 10 of the above-described embodiment is viewed from above (see FIG. 1).

Further, the drive pulley 22a may be continuously (non-intermittently) rotated by the transport drive motor 35, and the transport belt 20 may be continuously moved in accordance with the continuous rotation of the drive pulley 22a.

Furthermore, the movement trajectory of the conveyor belt 20 is not limited to the above-mentioned oval movement trajectory, but may be any other trajectory (for example, a linear movement trajectory, a rectangular movement trajectory, a U-shaped movement trajectory, or a circular movement trajectory). sell.

In the above-described embodiment, the packaging machine 10 (bag processing system) using bag B has been described. The technology of the packaging machine 10 described above can also be applied as appropriate.

The above-mentioned packaging machine 10 seals the contents inside each bag B, but instead of the process of sealing the contents, a container processing method is provided which is equipped with one or more processing devices 50 for attaching a device such as a spout to the bag B. The techniques described above may be applied to the system (instrument attachment device). Further, the above-mentioned technique can also be applied to a container processing system that performs processing using other containers such as cans instead of bag B. For example, the above-mentioned technique may be applied to a container processing system (can dispensing machine) that performs a process of dispensing contents into the inside of a can.

The present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments and variations described above. For example, various modifications may be made to each element of the above-described embodiments and modifications, and configurations may be partially or wholly combined between the above-described embodiments and modifications. Further, the effects achieved by the present disclosure are not limited to the above-mentioned effects, and unique effects depending on the specific configuration of each embodiment may also be achieved. As described above, various additions, changes, and partial deletions can be made to each element described in the claims, specification, and drawings without departing from the technical idea and gist of the present disclosure.

[Additional notes]
The present disclosure can also have the following configuration.

[Item 1]
A container processing system that performs processing using the container while transporting the container along a transport route,
An endless conveyor belt,
a plurality of belt guide rollers that movably support the conveyor belt and include a belt drive roller that actively rotates to move the conveyor belt;
a plurality of container conveyance support parts that are attached to the conveyance belt at a distance from each other and suspend and support the containers;
at least one processing device that is provided along the transport path and performs the processing using the container;
A container processing system comprising:

[Item 2]
The container processing system according to item 1, wherein the conveyor belt includes at least one of steel and carbon fiber.

[Item 3]
3. The container processing system according to item 1 or 2, wherein the conveyor belt includes a plurality of element belts stacked on top of each other.

[Item 4]
A plurality of attachment supports are provided for each of the plurality of container conveyance support parts and attach the corresponding container conveyance support parts to the conveyance belt,
The container processing system according to any one of items 1 to 3, wherein each belt guide roller has at least one accommodation recess that fits into a portion of each attachment support portion that protrudes toward each belt guide roller.

[Item 5]
a moving mechanism frame;
a roller support part that is detachably attached to the moving mechanism frame and rotatably supports each of the plurality of belt guide rollers;
The container processing system according to any one of items 1 to 4, comprising:

[Item 6]
a plurality of positioning members that are provided for each of the plurality of container transport support parts and move integrally with the corresponding container transport support part;
a positioning roller support extending at a processing station where the processing is performed;
A lower positioning roller rotatably supported by the positioning roller support in the processing station, the lower positioning roller being configured to lower the positioning member provided for the container transport support when the container transport support passes through the processing station. a lower positioning roller supported from the
a pair of horizontal positioning rollers that are rotatably supported by the positioning roller support section in the processing station and are provided horizontally apart from each other via a passage space, when the container conveyance support section passes through the processing station; a pair of horizontal positioning rollers, in which a positioning member provided for the container conveyance support section passes through the passage space;
The container processing system according to any one of items 1 to 5, comprising:

[Item 7]
7. The container processing system according to any one of items 1 to 6, wherein the conveyor belt moves so as to draw an endless movement trajectory when viewed in the height direction.

[Item 8]
7. The container processing system according to any one of items 1 to 6, wherein the conveyor belt moves so as to draw an endless movement trajectory when viewed in the horizontal direction.
[Item 9]
the container is a bag;
The plurality of container transport support parts include a plurality of gripper pairs that suspend and support the bags,
9. The container processing system according to any one of items 1 to 8, wherein each of the plurality of gripper pairs includes a plurality of grippers that grip both sides of the bag.

10 packaging machine, 20 conveyor belt, 20a first element belt, 20b second element belt, 21 gripper pair, 21a gripper, 22 belt guide roller, 22a drive pulley, 22b driven pulley, 23 rotational drive shaft, 24 driven shaft, 25 Frame, 27 Opening/closing lever, 30 Device drive shaft, 31 Drive bearing, 32 Drive cam, 33 Power transmission rod, 34 Processing drive motor, 35 Conveyance drive motor, 36 Rotation bearing, 37 Shaft support, 41 Accommodation recess, 42 Roller support part, 42a first roller support part, 42b second roller support part, 43 frame beam part, 44 movement mechanism frame, 45 roller support member, 46 support stay, 47 roller support shaft, 48 roller support shaft, 49a upper positioning roller, 49b lower positioning roller, 49c horizontal positioning roller, 49d horizontal positioning roller, 50 processing device, 51 bag feeding device, 52 printing device, 53 printing inspection device, 54 opening device, 55 solids input device, 56 liquid injection device, 57th 1 sealing device, 58 second sealing device, 59 cooling device, 60 bag release device, 65 positioning member, 66 gripper support portion, 66a support inner portion, 66b support outer portion, 67 fixture, 68 gripper attachment portion, 69 fastener , 70 support member bearing, 71 pulley bearing, 72 mounting block, 73 tension adjustment bolt, 74 bolt support section, 75 tension adjustment groove, B bag, B1 mouth, B2 bottom, B3 side, S1 first processing station, S2 2nd processing station, S3 3rd processing station, S4 4th processing station, S5 5th processing station, S6 6th processing station, S7 7th processing station, S8 8th processing station, S9 9th processing station

Claims (9)

A container processing system that performs processing using the container while transporting the container along a transport route,
An endless conveyor belt,
a plurality of belt guide rollers that movably support the conveyor belt and include a belt drive roller that actively rotates to move the conveyor belt;
a plurality of container conveyance support parts that are attached to the conveyance belt at a distance from each other and suspend and support the containers;
at least one processing device that is provided along the transport path and performs the processing using the container;
A container processing system comprising: The container processing system according to claim 1, wherein the conveyor belt includes at least one of steel and carbon fiber. The container processing system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the conveyor belt includes a plurality of element belts that are superimposed on each other. A plurality of attachment supports are provided for each of the plurality of container conveyance support parts and attach the corresponding container conveyance support parts to the conveyance belt,
3. The container processing system according to claim 1, wherein each belt guide roller has at least one accommodation recess that fits into a portion of each attachment support that projects toward each belt guide roller. a moving mechanism frame;
a roller support part that is detachably attached to the moving mechanism frame and rotatably supports each of the plurality of belt guide rollers;
The container processing system according to claim 1 or 2, comprising: a plurality of positioning members that are provided for each of the plurality of container transport support parts and move integrally with the corresponding container transport support part;
a positioning roller support extending at a processing station where the processing is performed;
A lower positioning roller rotatably supported by the positioning roller support in the processing station, the lower positioning roller being configured to lower the positioning member provided for the container transport support when the container transport support passes through the processing station. a lower positioning roller supported from the
a pair of horizontal positioning rollers that are rotatably supported by the positioning roller support section in the processing station and are provided horizontally apart from each other via a passage space, when the container conveyance support section passes through the processing station; a pair of horizontal positioning rollers, in which a positioning member provided for the container conveyance support section passes through the passage space;
The container processing system according to claim 1 or 2, comprising: The container processing system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the conveyor belt moves so as to draw an endless movement trajectory when viewed in the height direction. The container processing system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the conveyor belt moves so as to draw an endless movement trajectory when viewed in a horizontal direction. the container is a bag;
The plurality of container transport support parts include a plurality of gripper pairs that suspend and support the bags,
The container processing system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each of the plurality of gripper pairs includes a plurality of grippers that grip both sides of the bag.

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