JP2696688B2 - Liquid filling method and liquid filling device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a liquid filling method and a liquid filling apparatus for successively filling a plurality of containers with liquid.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a filling method for filling liquid products such as beer, soft drinks, edible oil, and neutral detergents into containers such as bottles, cans, and boxes, conventionally, the weight of the entire container filled with liquid has been conventionally used. And a capacity type for performing filling while measuring the volume of the liquid to be filled in the container.

[0003] In general, a weight-type filling method is superior to a volume-type filling method in that it is not affected by bubbles mixed during filling of liquid or a fluctuation of specific gravity and is highly accurate. It is needless to say that it is preferable to fill the liquid by a weight method when is displayed by weight.

[0004] In the case of this weight-type filling method, the liquid in the liquid column between the tip of the nozzle and the liquid level in the container is introduced into the container immediately after closing the valve. Therefore, it is necessary to control the opening and closing timing of the valve in consideration of the amount of introduction.

[0005] Therefore, first, the first container to be filled with liquid is filled with an amount of liquid equivalent to several tens of percent of the prescribed weight, and then the entire container containing the amount of liquid introduced after the valve is closed. Calculate the amount of excess or deficiency with respect to tens of percent of the specified weight, determine the appropriate timing to close the valve from this calculation result, and adjust the valve opening / closing timing to determine the next (second) container Depending on the result of the adjustment or the result of the adjustment, a filling method of filling a specified weight of liquid from the next (third) container in one filling step is adopted.

[0006]

However, in the above-mentioned filling method, the first container and the next container are left unfilled with a prescribed weight of liquid, so that these containers are insufficient by hand. This requires additional work such as replenishing the liquid for each minute, or completely discarding the liquid in these containers, and then resetting the liquid in the liquid filling device. This causes a problem that the production efficiency is not good.

An object of the present invention is to solve such a conventional problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a liquid filling method and a liquid filling apparatus capable of improving production efficiency.

[0008]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a liquid filling method for filling a plurality of containers successively with a liquid. When filling a container with liquid, an amount of liquid equivalent to several tens of percent of the specified weight of the container is introduced into the container, and then the weight of the liquid actually introduced into the container is measured. Calculates the amount of liquid to be refilled from the container, and based on the result of the calculation, replenishes the insufficient liquid into the container, thereby performing liquid filling and filling the second and subsequent containers with liquid. In some cases, the liquid is filled by introducing a specified weight of liquid into the container at one time based on the calculation result at the time of filling the liquid into the container supplied first.

A liquid filling apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention is a liquid filling apparatus for sequentially filling a plurality of containers to be supplied with a liquid, wherein the container for filling the liquid is provided. A plurality of liquid filling heads for circulating between a container supply section for supplying the liquid and a container discharge section for discharging the liquid-filled container, and for filling the liquid in the container, A weight measuring means for measuring a weight of the liquid actually introduced into the container by the head; and a calculating means for calculating an amount of liquid to be replenished from a result of the weight measurement by the weight measuring means; For each of the containers to be supplied to the heads first, an amount of liquid equivalent to several tens of percent of the specified weight is first introduced into each container,
Next, the liquid filling heads are controlled so that the shortage with respect to the specified weight is refilled in each container based on the calculation result by the calculation means, and the second and subsequent liquid filling heads are respectively assigned to the liquid filling heads. For the container supplied to the liquid filling head, a liquid having a prescribed weight is introduced into the container at one time based on the calculation result of the calculating means at the time of filling the container initially supplied to each of the liquid filling heads with liquid. Like
It is characterized by further comprising control means for controlling each of the liquid filling heads.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the liquid filling apparatus according to the second aspect, the liquid filling head circulates at a low speed at the time of filling the first liquid supply container with the liquid. When filling the liquids supplied to the second and subsequent containers to the respective liquid filling heads, the circulation speed of the liquid filling heads is controlled so that the liquid filling heads circulate at a high speed. Speed control means for controlling the speed of the vehicle.

[0011]

According to the present invention, when filling a liquid into a container to be initially supplied, first, an amount of liquid (initial filling amount) corresponding to several tens of percent of a specified weight is introduced into the container. The weight of the liquid introduced into the container is measured, and the shortage (replenishment amount) with respect to the specified weight is calculated from the measurement result.
By filling the shortage in the container, the liquid is filled.

[0012] In this way, the container supplied first can be filled with the liquid having the prescribed weight, and the container can be commercialized. Thereby, production efficiency can be improved.

In addition, when filling the second and subsequent containers with liquid, the liquid having a prescribed weight is introduced into the container at once based on the calculation result at the time of filling the first container with liquid. Is filled. In this way, the liquid filling process is performed continuously.

[0014]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. 1 to 10 are views for explaining a liquid filling method and a liquid filling apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of the liquid filling apparatus, and FIGS. FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a main controller of the liquid filling apparatus, FIGS. 5 and 6 are control flowcharts thereof, and FIGS. 7 to 10 show the operation (liquid filling method) of the liquid filling apparatus. It is a figure for explaining. Each circled number in FIGS. 5 and 6 corresponds to each circled number in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 1, this liquid filling device 1
The screw conveyor 2 that conveys the bottle 10 to be filled with the liquid to the right in the figure, the rotatable introduction wheel 3 disposed at the end side of the screw conveyor 2, and each bottle 10 introduced from the introduction wheel 3 On the other hand, a rotatable head unit 4 provided with a plurality of (here, eight) heads 11 each of which is filled with a liquid, and a rotatable head for leading a bottle 10 filled with the liquid by the head unit 4 out of the apparatus. And the main derived foil 5. In FIG. 1, 15
Denotes a bottle introduction unit where delivery of the bottle 10 is performed from the introduction foil 3 to the head unit 4, and 16 denotes a bottle introduction unit where delivery of the bottle 10 is performed from the head unit 4 to the derived foil 5. Is shown.

Each head 11 of the introduction wheel 3 and the head unit 4
And the lead-out wheel 5 are provided with bottle holding portions 3a, 4a and 5a for holding the bottle 10 at equal intervals on the circumference, respectively. It rotates in synchronization. Although not shown, a cleaning device for cleaning the bottle 10 is disposed on the left side of the liquid filling device 1, and a capping device for plugging the bottle 10 is disposed on the right side.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, each head 11 includes a liquid storage tank 21 disposed above, a valve 23 for opening and closing a nozzle 22 provided below the tank 21, and a valve 23. An air cylinder 30 for driving the
A table 50 on which the bottle 10 is placed;
A weight scale 60 such as an electronic scale for measuring the weight of the upper bottle 10
And The nozzle 22 is formed on the lower surface of a substantially cylindrical throat 25 protruding downward from the lower part of the tank 21.

A shaft 31 extending in the horizontal direction is rotatably supported on the upper side wall 24 of the tank 21.
Is disposed inside the tank 21 and the other end is disposed outside the tank 21. One end of each of levers 32 and 33 is fixed to each end of the shaft 31.

The other end of the lever 32 extends vertically in the tank 21 and is rotatably connected to the upper end of a valve stem 34 having the valve 23 attached to the lower end. The other end of the lever 33 is rotatably connected to the upper end of the piston rod 30a of the air cylinder 30.

With this configuration, when the air cylinder 30 is driven to project the piston rod 30a from the forward end (FIG. 2) to the reverse end (FIG. 3), each of the levers 32 and 33 moves around the center line of the shaft 31. By pivoting, the valve stem 34 is raised, so that the valve 23 is opened.

A guide 26 extending radially at approximately 90 degrees and having a leading end slidably in contact with the inner wall surface of the throat portion 25 is provided on the outer periphery of the upper portion of the valve 23. The vertical movement of the nozzle 23 is guided, so that the position of the valve 23 and the nozzle 22 is smoothly adjusted.

On the table 50, a body guide 41 for holding the outer peripheral portion of the main body of the bottle 10 and a neck guide 42 for holding the outer peripheral portion of the neck of the bottle 10 are provided. 2 and 3, each guide 41, 4
Only a part of 2 is shown. And these guides 4
Reference numerals 1 and 42 correspond to the bottle holder 4a (FIG. 1).
The lower part of the table 50 is connected to a weighing scale 60 via a shaft 51.

Below the table 50, a control unit 70 containing a microcomputer is arranged.
The control unit 70 receives a weight detection signal a of the weigh scale 60, and the control unit 70 outputs a cylinder drive control signal b for controlling the valve opening / closing timing based on the weight detection signal a to the air cylinder 30. Solenoid valve 35
Is output to With such feedback control,
Fluctuations in the liquid filling amount due to fluctuations in viscosity due to changes in liquid temperature are compensated.

The liquid filling apparatus 1 includes a main controller 80 as shown in FIG. 4, and the main controller 80 drives the keyboard 81, the control unit 70, the air cylinder 30, and the head unit 4 to rotate. The drive unit 82, the CRT 83, and other input / output units for changing the number of rotations are connected.

Next, the operation of the liquid filling apparatus 1 (that is, the liquid filling method) will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. When the program starts, first, in step S1 of FIG.
From 1 (FIG. 4), it is determined whether or not the target value A, that is, the total weight (specified weight) of the liquid to be filled in the bottle 10 has been input. If the target value A has been input, the process proceeds to step S2, and waits for input of a start key from the keyboard 81. If the start key has been input, the process proceeds to step S3.

In step S3, a head initialization subroutine is executed. In this case, in step S4 in FIG. 6, first, the head unit driving device 82 (FIG. 4) is controlled to rotate the head unit 4 at a low speed of about 1/2 to 1/3 of the normal rotation speed. At this time, the screw conveyor 2, the introduction wheel 3 and the extraction wheel 5 are rotated in synchronization with the rotation speed of the head unit 4. The empty bottle 10 conveyed by the screw conveyor 2 is introduced into each head 11 of the head unit 4 through the introduction wheel 3 (see FIGS. 1 and 2).

Next, in step S5, the weight of the tare, that is, the empty bottle 10 is measured by the weighing scale 60. Weight scale 6
The detection signal a of 0 is input to the control unit 70 and further input to the main control device 80. Next, in step S6,
It is determined whether the weight of the tare measured in step S5 is within the standard. If it is determined that the value is within the standard, the process proceeds to step S7.

In FIG. 7, in which the rotation positions of the head unit 4 are indicated by circles, the head unit 4 is located at the bottle transfer position with respect to the introduction wheel 3 in the rotation direction in steps S5 and S6. This is done while moving to a slightly advanced position, for example.

In step S7, initial filling is performed. That is, an amount of liquid (initial filling amount) corresponding to several tens% of the target value A set in step S1 is introduced into the bottle 10.
When the liquid is introduced, the air cylinder 30 is driven and controlled via the electromagnetic valve 35, and the valve 23 is opened until the weight 60 reaches the initial filling amount (see FIG. 3). Thereby, the liquid 20 in the tank 21 is introduced into the bottle 10 through the nozzle 22.

The value of several tens% of the target value A is set to a value such that the liquid 20 does not overflow from the mouth of the bottle 10 even if the liquid 20 easily foams, for example, 60%. You. That is, when the target value A is 500 g, 500 × 0.6 = 300 g. The process in step S7 is performed while the head unit 4 moves from the position to the position in FIG.

Next, in step S8, the initial filling amount actually filled in the bottle 10 in step S7 is measured by the weighing scale 60.
Measured by That is, at the time of the initial filling in step S7, after the valve 23 is closed, the liquid in the lower liquid column portion δ (FIG. 8) is also introduced into the bottle 10 from the nozzle 22. Can be expressed as a = A × 0.6 + δ (see FIG. 9).

In step S8, a replenishment amount b required to fill the bottle 10 with the target value A is calculated. The replenishment amount b is b = A−a = A− (A × 0.6 + δ) = 0.4A−δ. Note that the process of step S8 is performed in FIG.
This is performed while the head unit 4 moves from the position to the position, for example.

Next, in step S9, the refill amount b obtained in step S8 is filled in the bottle 10. As a replenishing method in this case, there are a method of filling the bottle 10 with the replenishing amount b at one time and a method of making the replenishing amount b the same as in the case of the initial filling.

In the same manner as in the case of the initial filling, the theoretical target value at the time of this refilling is x, and the bottle 1 is closed after the valve is closed.
Assuming that the amount of liquid introduced into 0 is δ ′, and that δ ′ is practically equal to the liquid introduction amount δ at the time of initial filling, the following equation holds. x × 0.6 + δ = 0.4A−δ This is solved for x, and x = (0.4A−2δ) /0.6

The actual replenishment amount b 'is 2 to 5 g in the above-mentioned x in order to have a positive effect on the product display amount of the bottle 10.
Is obtained as b '= x + (2-5). Note that the processing in step S9 is performed while the head unit 4 moves from the position to the position in FIG.

Next, in step S10, the liquid filling amount actually filled in the bottle 10 is measured by the weighing scale 60. Then, in a step S11, it is determined whether or not the measured value in the step S10 is within an allowable range. If the target value A is 500 g, for example,
0 to +5 g, etc. If it is determined that it is within the allowable range, the process proceeds to step S12.

Steps S10 and S1
The process 1 is performed while the head unit 4 moves from the position of FIG. 7 to the position of the bottle transfer position with respect to the lead-out wheel 5 in FIG.

If it is determined in step S6 that the weight of the tare is out of the standard, the process proceeds to step S13. If it is determined in step S11 that the actual liquid filling amount is outside the allowable range, the process proceeds to step S14. And execute the abnormality processing.

In these abnormal processes, for example, the rotation of the head unit 4 is stopped, a warning lamp is turned on,
Processing such as displaying an abnormal part on the RT 83 (FIG. 4) is performed. If the abnormal state is resolved and the operation return button is pressed, the program proceeds to step S12.

In step S12, it is determined whether or not the processing in steps S5 to S11 has been completed for all the heads. When the processing has been completed for all the heads, the head initialization subroutine in step S3 ends, and the program shifts to step S15 in FIG. The total amount of the initial filling amount a and the replenishing amount b is stored for each head in the memory as the filling amount for each bottle 10 to be introduced next to each head 11. Steps S5 to S5
If the processing in step S11 has not been completed for all heads, the program returns to step S5, and the processing returns to step S5 to step S1 for heads for which processing has not been completed.
Step 1 is repeated.

By performing the processing in step S3 in this manner, the bottle 1 is closed for each head 11 after the valve is closed.
Correction (that is, head initialization) for the liquid amount δ introduced into 0 can be performed.

In step S15, the head unit 4 is rotated at a normal rotation speed. At this time, the screw conveyor 2, the introduction wheel 3 and the extraction wheel 5 are rotated in synchronization with the rotation speed of the head unit 4.

Next, in step S16, the weight of the empty bottle (tare) 10 is measured by the weighing scale 60. In step S17, it is determined whether the weight of the tare is within the standard. If it is determined that it is within the standard, the process proceeds to step S18.

Steps S16 and S1
7 is performed while the head unit 4 moves to a position, for example, since the head unit 4 is at the bottle transfer position with the introduction wheel 3 in FIG.

In step S18, the amount of liquid corresponding to 100% of the target value A set in step S1 is supplied to the bottle 1
Fill within 0. The valve opening / closing timing in this case is
Based on the calculation result at the time of execution of the head initialization subroutine, control is performed so that the bottle 10 is filled with 100% of the specified weight of liquid at a time. In addition, the filling process is performed while the head unit 4 moves from the position to the position in FIG.

Next, in step S19, step S18
The filling amount actually filled in the bottle 10 by the weighing scale 60
Measured by In step S20, step S19
It is determined whether or not the measured value in is within an allowable range. If it is determined that it is within the allowable range, the process proceeds to step S21.

Steps S19 and S2
The process of 0 is performed while the head unit 4 moves from the position of FIG. 7 to the position of the bottle transfer position with the derivation wheel 5 in FIG.

If it is determined in step S17 that the weight of the tare is out of the standard, the process proceeds to step S22. If it is determined in step S20 that the actual liquid filling amount is outside the allowable range, the process proceeds to step S23. And execute the abnormality processing. These abnormal processes are the same as those in the head initialization subroutine. After the processing in step S22 and step S23, the program proceeds to step S21.

In the step S21, it is determined whether or not the end key is pressed from the keyboard 81. If the end key is pressed, the determination in step S21 becomes Yes, and the program ends. If the end key is not pressed,
The program returns to step S16, and from step S16 to
Step S20 is repeated.

As described above, in this embodiment, when the liquid is filled in the bottle 10 first introduced into each head 11, the head initialization for determining the liquid amount δ for each head 11 is performed. Since the specified weight of the liquid is filled in the bottle 10, it is possible to commercialize the bottle 10 filled with the liquid when the head is initialized. Thereby, production efficiency can be improved.

Further, by controlling the rotation speed of the head unit 4, the head unit 4 is rotated at a low speed at the time of head initialization, and the head initialization processing is performed during one rotation (one cycle) of the head unit 4. So that continuous operation is possible,
The transition to the liquid filling process from the second time onward can be smoothly performed, whereby the production efficiency can be further improved.

At the time of filling the second and subsequent bottles 10 with liquid into each of the heads 11, the container is filled with a prescribed weight of liquid at a time based on the calculation result at the time of head initialization. Since the processing is performed, the liquid filling processing can be automatically and continuously performed.

In the above-described embodiment, an example is shown in which the heads 11 of the head section 4 are arranged on the circumference. However, the application of the present invention is not limited to this, and each head is arranged on a straight line. The present invention can be similarly applied to those which can be circulated.

[0054]

As described above, according to the liquid filling method and the liquid filling apparatus according to the present invention, the first supplied container can be filled with the prescribed weight of liquid, so that the first container can be used as well. It can be commercialized, which has the effect of improving production efficiency.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of a liquid filling device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of each head (in a valve closed state) of the liquid filling apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of each head (in a valve open state) of the liquid filling apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a main control device of the liquid filling device.

FIG. 5 is a control flowchart of the main controller.

FIG. 6 is a control flowchart of the main control device.

FIG. 7 is a view for explaining the operation (liquid filling method) of the liquid filling apparatus.

FIG. 8 is a view for explaining the operation (liquid filling method) of the liquid filling apparatus.

FIG. 9 is a view for explaining the operation (liquid filling method) of the liquid filling apparatus.

FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the operation (liquid filling method) of the liquid filling device.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Liquid filling apparatus 4 Head part 10 Bottle (container) 11 Head 15 Bottle introduction part (container supply part) 16 Bottle lead-out part (container discharge part) 20 Liquid 60 Weight scale (weight measuring means) 70 Control unit 80 Main control device ( Computing means, control means, speed control means)

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] In a liquid filling method for successively filling liquid into a plurality of containers supplied, when filling the first supplied container with liquid, tens of percent of the prescribed weight of the container is provided. Is introduced into the container, and then the weight of the liquid actually introduced into the container is measured. From the result of the weight measurement, the amount of liquid to be replenished is calculated. The liquid is filled by replenishing the liquid in the container based on the shortage based on the calculated value. When the liquid is supplied to the second and subsequent supplied containers, the operation at the time of filling the liquid supplied to the first supplied container is performed. A liquid filling method, characterized in that a liquid having a prescribed weight is introduced into a container at a time based on the result, thereby filling the liquid. 2. A liquid filling apparatus for successively filling a plurality of containers with a liquid with a liquid, comprising: a container supply unit for supplying a container for filling the liquid; And a plurality of liquid filling heads for filling the container with liquid, each of which is provided so as to be able to circulate between the container discharging unit that discharges the container, and the liquid filling head actually introduced into the container by the liquid filling head. Weight measuring means for measuring the weight of the liquid; calculating means for calculating the amount of liquid to be replenished from the weight measurement result by the weight measuring means; and a container initially supplied to each of the liquid filling heads. First, an amount of liquid equivalent to several tens of percent of the specified weight is introduced into each container, and then, based on the calculation result by the calculating means, a shortage with respect to the specified weight is refilled in each container. Liquid filling The head is controlled, and for the containers supplied to the respective liquid filling heads after the second, the operation of the calculating means at the time of filling the liquid supplied to the containers supplied first to the respective liquid filling heads is performed. Control means for controlling each of the liquid filling heads so that a prescribed weight of liquid is introduced into the container at one time based on the calculation result. 3. When filling liquid into a container first supplied to each of the liquid filling heads, each of the liquid filling heads circulates at a low speed, and each of the liquid filling heads becomes the second or subsequent one. 3. The liquid filling apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising speed control means for controlling a circulation speed of each of the liquid filling heads so that each of the liquid filling heads circulates at a medium to high speed when the supplied liquid is filled into the container. apparatus.