JP3757044B2 - Fluid food filling equipment - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a filling apparatus for filling a flexible bag-shaped container made of a laminated film of metal foil or the like with a fluid food such as a jelly beverage.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, a flexible bag-like container made of a material made by laminating a metal foil on a synthetic resin film and having a straw-like mouth portion having a flange on the outer periphery, for example, a jelly-like beverage, sports Products filled with fluid food such as drinks and juices are commercially available. As such bag-like containers, there are a self-supporting type having an independent bottom wall and a gusset type without such a bottom wall. Recently, there are many compact gusset-type bag-like containers. in use.
[0003]
FIG. 13 shows an example of such a gusset-type bag-like container. The figure (a) is a perspective view, (b) is a fragmentary sectional view in a conveyance state.
As shown in FIG. 13 (a), the gusset-type bag-like container 10 is formed by heat-sealing the above-mentioned metal foil laminate film or the like into a bag shape. The bag has a front surface portion 11, a back surface portion 12, and both side surface portions 13 and 13. An elongated straw-shaped mouth portion 30 is inserted into the upper sides of the front surface portion 11 and the back surface portion 12, and the front surface portion 11 and the back surface. It is heat-sealed integrally with the film of the part 12. A flange 31 is formed on the outer periphery of the mouth portion 30. Further, the bottom 15 is formed by flatly heat-sealing the lower side of each film.
[0004]
As shown in FIG. 13B, the bag-like container 10 is supported by hanging and aligning a flange 31 in the mouth portion 30 in a bar-shaped hanger 20 having a U-shaped cross section. Supplied in state. In addition, after filling the bag-like container 10 with the liquid food, the cap 30 is put on the mouth portion 30.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, when such a gusset-type bag-like container 10 is used to fill the liquid food into the container and mass production of the baggage product of the liquid food on a factory production line or the like, the following problems occur. occured.
[0006]
When liquid food is filled in the bag-like container 10, the front part 11, the back part 12, and both side parts 13 and 13 of the container body 16 are swollen by the filled contents and spread in the thickness direction, The space between the mouth portion 30 and the bottom portion shrinks. However, as described above, the gusset-type bag-like container 10 has a structure that does not have a bottom wall like the self-supporting type. Therefore, when the internal pressure of the bag-like container 10 is lost due to the end of injection of the fluid food, Due to the weight or the like, the container main body 16 tries to return to a shape close to the original flat shape again.
[0007]
For this reason, since the container main body 16 shown in FIG. 13A swelled by the contents shrinks in the thickness direction, and the contents are pushed out by the proximity of the front face portion 11 and the back face portion 12, the contents are There are problems that the bag-like container 10 spills outside from the mouth portion 30 and the filling amount is insufficient, or the contents adhere from the mouth portion 30 to the container body 16 to cause dirt and the like.
[0008]
The amount of spillage tends to increase as the liquid food is filled more with respect to the internal volume of the bag-like container 10, the liquid food is more likely to foam, and the temperature of the liquid food at the time of filling is higher. However, since these conditions are determined by the form of the product, the characteristics of the liquid food itself, etc., it was not possible to prevent spillage by these conditions.
[0009]
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an improved liquid food so that the contents after filling can be prevented from spilling from the mouth of the container body when the liquid food is filled into a flexible bag-like container. It is to provide a filling device.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention has flexibility.In addition, the gusset type without an independent bottom wallIn an apparatus for filling liquid food into a bag-like container having a mouth portion having a flange,SaidFilling machine for filling fluid food from the mouth of the containerWhen,Cap supply means for supplying and covering the mouth of the container with a cap; and tightening means for screwing and tightening the cap into the mouth of the container;In a state where the container is suspended by engaging the flange of the mouth of the container, a filling station where the filling machine is disposed, a cap supply station where the cap supplying means is disposed, and a cap tightening means And a supporting means that moves up and down by an elevating means at least below a filling position by the filling machine, and the elevating means is configured such that the container is the filling station. When the liquid food is filled from the filling machine, the support plate is raised so as to come into contact with the bottom of the container, while when the container is moved by the conveying means, the bottom of the container is Lower the support plate awayAn apparatus for filling a liquid food characterized by the above is provided.
[0011]
  According to the present invention, first, the empty container is transported in a suspended state by the transport means, and is transported to the liquid food filling position along the transport path. When the liquid food is poured into the container from the filling machine, the support plate is brought into contact with the lower surface of the container. As a result, the lower surface of the container is supported by the support plate, the container hangs down due to the weight of the filled liquid food, and the shape of the container body that has once expanded is prevented from returning to the original flat shape again, The filled liquid food is prevented from spilling from the mouth. After the injection of the liquid food is thus completed, a cap is supplied to the mouth portion of the container by the cap supply means, and the cap is screwed into the mouth portion and tightened by the tightening means.In addition, a support plate that is moved up and down by lifting means is disposed at least below the filling position by the filling machine, and the lifting means is filled with fluid food from the filling machine when the container stops at the filling station. When the container is moved, the support plate is raised so as to come into contact with the bottom of the container, and when the container is moved by the conveying means, the support plate is lowered so as to be separated from the bottom of the container. The contents can be prevented from being spilled, and when the container moves between the positions, the container can be moved smoothly without tilting the container by applying a frictional force to the container by the support plate. .
[0012]
In a preferred aspect of the present invention, the support plate is disposed below each of a filling position of the transport path by the filling machine, a cap supply position by the cap supply means, and a cap tightening position by the tightening means. ing. According to this, not only when filling liquid food, but also at the cap supply position and the cap tightening position by the tightening means, the cap is supplied or tightened by bringing the support plate into contact with the lower surface of the container. Can prevent spillage due to impact.
[0013]
  In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention,The transport means has a disk-shaped transport table having a notch for engaging the flange of the container at the periphery, and the lifting means is provided coaxially with the transport table, and the transport table A rotating drum that rotates integrally with the rotating drum, a cam groove formed on the peripheral surface of the rotating drum, and a support that is erected on a base so that the intermediate portion can be pivoted, and one end portion is supported by the support plate It has a lift lever that is connected in a freely rotatable manner and has the other end fitted into the cam groove via a cam follower.
[0014]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
1 to 12 show an embodiment of a fluid food filling device according to the present invention. 1 is a schematic plan view of the entire apparatus, FIG. 2 is a partial sectional view of the filling machine, FIG. 3 is a partial sectional view of the filling machine in a deaerated state, and FIG. 4 is a partial sectional view of the filling machine in an injection state. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of the filling machine at the end of injection, FIG. 6 is a front view of the support plate and its driving unit, and FIG. 7 is a support plate viewed from the direction of the arrows AA ′ with a part cut away. It is a top view of the drive part. 8A and 8B show the cleaning device, wherein FIG. 8A is a cross-sectional view seen from the direction of the arrow B-B ′ in FIG. 8B, and FIG. 8B is a partial cross-sectional view seen from the front. 9A and 9B show the cap supply means, where FIG. 9A is an explanatory view seen from the front, FIG. 9B is an enlarged view of the inside of a circle, and FIG. 9C or FIG. FIG. 10 is a plan view of the main part of the cap screwing means, and FIG. 11 is a partial sectional view of the cap tightener. 12A and 12B show the container discharging means, where FIG. 12A is a plan view of the main part and FIG. 12B is a front view of the main part.
[0015]
As shown in FIG. 1, the fluid food filling apparatus 100 according to the present invention includes a container supply unit 110 that supplies the bag-like container 10 a in an empty state from the hanger 20. The container supply means 110 has a cross-sectional shape similar to that of the hanger 20, and includes a guide rail 110a that holds and supports the flange 31 (see FIG. 13) of the container 10a and a container 10a in FIG. It is comprised with the pusher which is pushed in the arrow direction of not shown. In addition, as a film which comprises the container 10a, laminated films, such as polyester, EVOH or aluminum foil, nylon, polyethylene, are used preferably.
[0016]
A conveying means 120 is disposed at the end of the container supply means 110. The transport unit 120 includes a disk-shaped transport table 121 that is supported by a support shaft 122 and rotates intermittently in a counterclockwise direction. A plurality of U-shaped notches 123... 123 for engaging the flange 31 of the mouth 30 of the container 10a are provided on the outer periphery of the transfer table 121 at predetermined intervals.
[0017]
Then, along the outer periphery of the transfer table 121, the container supply station A, the container confirmation station B, the filling station C, the cleaning station D, the cap supply station E, and the cap tightening at intervals corresponding to the notches 123. Station F and container removal station G are provided.
[0018]
Further, an annular conveyance guide 124 is provided that is annularly and horizontally disposed along the outer periphery of the conveyance table 121 and guides the container 10 a being conveyed so as not to be detached from the conveyance table 121. The transport guide 124 is provided with cutout portions 125 and 125 at positions corresponding to the container supply station A and the container removal station G to enable the introduction or withdrawal of the mouth portion 30 of the container 10a. .
[0019]
The support shaft 122 and the transport guide 124 are supported on a base 130 shown in FIG. 6, and the transport means 120 of the present invention is configured by the transport table 121, the support shaft 122, the transport guide 124, and the base 130. It is configured.
[0020]
Hereinafter, the devices arranged in each station will be described in order.
The container supply station A is located at the end of the container supply means 110, introduces the mouth portion 30 of the container 10a supplied by a pusher (not shown) through the cutout portion 125 of the transport guide 124, and introduces the flange 31 of the container 10a. It has a structure in which it is suspended and supported by the notch 123 of the transfer table 121. The container 10 a is sequentially sent to the container confirmation station B, the filling station C, the cleaning station D, the cap supply station E, the cap tightening station F, and the container removal station G by the intermittent rotation of the transfer table 121.
In the container confirmation station B, a container detection sensor (not shown) is arranged to confirm the presence or absence of the container 10a and to control the operation of the subsequent processes.
[0021]
Above the filling station C, the filling machine 200 shown in FIGS. 2 to 5 is disposed with the inlet side facing the mouth 30 of the container 10a suspended from the notch 123 of the transfer table 12. Yes. The filling machine 200 is moved up and down by a drive mechanism (not shown) as a whole. The filling machine 200 includes an outer cylinder 210 having a flow path 210a penetrating in the vertical direction, and a branch having a branch flow path 212a connected from the side to the middle of the outer cylinder 210 and communicating with the flow path 210a. A tube 212. A container fitting port 211 is provided at the lower end of the outer cylinder 210 so as to cover and fit the mouth portion 30 of the container 10a from above when the filling machine 200 is lowered.
[0022]
A vent pipe 220 is inserted into the outer cylinder 210 so as to be slidable up and down. The lower end of the vent pipe 220 forms an air nozzle 221. The upper end of the ventilation pipe 220 is connected to the air tube 223, and the air tube 223 is connected to the vacuum line 223a and the compressed air line 223b via the switching valve 222. Further, a rod 233 connected to an operating rod 231 a of an air cylinder 231 installed at the upper part of the filling machine 200 is inserted into the vent pipe 220, and the tip of the rod 233 is an air nozzle 221 of the vent pipe 220. The valve body 230 is formed.
[0023]
When the rod 233 is pushed out by the operation of the air cylinder 231, the lower end of the rod 233 protrudes from the air nozzle 221, the valve body 230 is separated, and the air nozzle 221 is opened. At this time, the air nozzle 221 of the vent pipe 220 contacts the inner periphery of the container fitting port 211 at the lower end of the outer cylinder 210 to close the opening at the lower end of the outer cylinder 210. Further, when the rod 233 is pulled up by the operation of the air cylinder 231, the valve body 230 at the lower end of the rod 233 closes the air nozzle 221 of the vent pipe 220 and lifts the vent pipe 220.
[0024]
Further, the outer diameter of the vent pipe 220 is reduced in the lower half, and the air nozzle 221 of the vent pipe 220 is in contact with the inner periphery of the container fitting port 211 at the lower end of the outer cylinder 210 as shown in FIGS. In the state shown in FIG. 4 where the branch flow path 212a is closed and the vent pipe 220 is lifted, the branch flow path 212a is opened to communicate with the flow path 210a. The compression coil spring 232 disposed in the vent pipe 220 is provided to urge the valve body 230 upward and close the air nozzle 221 when the branch pipe 232 is lifted.
[0025]
As shown in FIG. 6 or 7, below the fluid food filling station C, when the fluid food is injected into the container 10a from the filling machine 200, the support that comes into contact with and separates from the lower surface of the container 10a. A plate 310 is provided. The support plate 310 extends in a fan shape from the filling station C to the cap supply station E in parallel with the transport table 121 below the transport table 121. Any material can be used for the support plate 310 as long as it can withstand the weight of the contents, such as synthetic resin or metal. The support plate 310 may be disposed only below the filling station C, or may be extended in a range reaching the cap fastening station F from the filling station C. Further, the support plate 310 may be provided independently at each of the work stations C to F.
[0026]
A support bar 320 is suspended downward from the center of the lower surface of the support plate 310. One end of two parallel arms 330 and 340 is provided at the center and lower end of the support bar 320. Are connected in a freely rotatable manner. The other ends of the parallel arms 330 and 340 are rotatably connected to the upper end portion and the central portion of the support column 350 erected on the base 130 of the apparatus. Further, the other end portion of the upper parallel arm 330 is extended in a V shape toward the opposite side of the support column 350 and forms an elevating lever 331 for moving the support bar 320 up and down.
[0027]
On the other hand, a rotating drum 140 provided on the outer periphery with a cam groove 141 for guiding the vertical movement of the support bar 320 is coaxially arranged on the support shaft 122 of the transport table 121 so as to rotate integrally with the transport table 211. The cam follower 331a provided at the tip of the elevating lever 331 is slidably fitted in the cam groove 141. The support rod 320 and the support plate 310 are moved up and down at a predetermined timing by the cooperation of the cam groove 141 and the lift lever 331. The elevation height can support the bottom portion of the container 10b filled with the contents when it is raised, and is not high enough to buffer the bottom portion of the container 10a when it is lowered.
[0028]
Subsequent to the liquid food filling station C, a washing station D for washing the container mouth 30 filled with the contents is arranged.
[0029]
  As shown in FIG. 8, this washing stationDAbove, a washer 400 having an annular shape and a hollow interior so as to surround the outer periphery of the container mouth 30 is a washing station.DThe cleaning device 400 is moved up and down as shown by an imaginary line in FIG. 5B by a driving mechanism (not shown). A conduit 420 with an electromagnetic valve for cleaning water is connected to the outer wall of the cleaning device 400. An inclined surface 430 inclined obliquely downward is provided on the inner periphery of the cleaning device 400, and a plurality of cleaning water injection ports 431... 431 are formed on the inclined surface 430. The water sprayed from the spray ports 431... 431 is sprayed on the outer periphery of the mouth portion 30 of the container 10b filled with the contents.
[0030]
Subsequent to the cleaning station D, a cap supply station E for placing a cap 40 on the cleaned container mouth 30 is disposed. Above the cap supply station E, the cap 40 is attached to each container mouth 30. The cap supply means 500 for supplying each one of them is arranged toward the mouth portion 30 of the container 10b to which the supply end portion is conveyed.
[0031]
As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the cap supply means 500 includes a box-shaped cap hopper 510 that is a container for the cap 40, a vibration base 520 on which the cap hopper 510 is placed, and a cap hopper 510. The cap shunt 530 extends obliquely downward from one side. The cap hopper 510 is vibrated by the vibration base 520, and the cap 40 in the cap hopper 510 is introduced into the passage 531 of the cap chute 530.
[0032]
A holding piece 532 made of an elastic material that temporarily holds the cap 40 is provided at the distal end portion of the cap shunt 530, and the cap 40 falling through the passage 531 of the cap shunt 530 is temporarily held. It is like that. The tip of the cap shunt 530 is disposed at a position where the tip of the mouth 30 of the container 10b collides with the inner periphery of the cap 40 held at the tip of the cap shunt 530. A guide plate 540 supported so as to be swingable up and down is disposed adjacent to the tip of the cap shoe 530.
[0033]
Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 9B to 9D, the cap 40 held by the holding piece 532 of the cap shunt 530 is placed at the tip of the mouth portion 30 of the container 10b conveyed by the conveying means 120. It abuts and comes out of the holding piece 532 made of an elastic material and rests on the mouth portion 30. When the container 10b is further transported in this state, the cap 40 abuts against the guide plate 540 and is given a downward pressing force, and is accurately placed on the mouth portion 30.
[0034]
Further, as shown in FIG. 10, a cap screwing portion 600 for screwing the cap 40 over the container mouth portion 30 is provided on the transport path between the cap supply station E and the cap tightening station F. Yes. The cap screwing means 600 supports a support plate 640 that is bolted to the conveyance guide 124, a rubber pad 610 that is supported at one end with respect to the support plate 640 via an adjustment piece 620, and the other end of the rubber pad 610. And a support 630 to be configured. The adjustment piece 620 slides in the radial direction with respect to the support plate 640 when the fixing screw is loosened, and the amount of protrusion in the radial direction can be adjusted. Further, the support 630 biases the other end of the rubber pad 610 radially inward by a spring 631.
[0035]
Therefore, when the container 10b moves with the rotation of the transfer table 121, the cap 40 placed on the mouth 30 of the container 10b rotates in contact with the rubber pad 610 as indicated by the arrow in FIG. Is made.
[0036]
Subsequent to the cap supply station E, a cap tightening station F for completely tightening the cap 40 screwed to some extent by the cap screwing portion 600 to the container mouth 30 is arranged.
[0037]
As shown in FIG. 11, a cap 700 for the cap 40 is disposed above the cap tightening station F. The tightening device 700 has a cylindrical casing 701 that is vertically supported by a support column 710 via an arm 711, and an air motor 732 with a torque clutch is disposed at the lower end thereof. The air motor 732 is driven to rotate by being supplied with air from an air supply pipe 733 provided at the top thereof. A cap chuck 731 that is detachably fitted to the outer periphery of the cap 40 is attached to the rotation shaft of the air motor 732. The tightening device 700 moves up and down as shown by an imaginary line in the drawing by a driving mechanism (not shown).
[0038]
Therefore, when the container 10 c covered with the cap 40 moves and is disposed at the cap clamping station F, the clamp 700 is lowered, and the cap chuck 731 is fitted to the outer periphery of the cap 40. In this state, the air motor 732 rotates and the cap chuck 731 rotates, and the cap 40 is wound up. When the winding is finished, the tightening device 700 is raised by a driving mechanism (not shown), and the cap chuck 731 is separated from the cap 40.
[0039]
Subsequent to the cap fastening station F, a container removal station G for removing the container 10c filled with liquid food and sealed by the cap 40 from the cutout portion 123 of the transfer table 121 is arranged.
[0040]
In the container removal station G, a container discharge means 800 as shown in FIG. 12 is disposed. The container discharge means 800 includes an air cylinder 820 arranged in the radial direction above the transfer table 121, and a plate-like pusher 810 that is connected to the operation rod and moves forward and backward in the radial direction. It is configured. The plate-like pusher 810 has its tip bent downward so as to come into contact with the cap 40 placed on the mouth 30 of the container 10c from the inner peripheral side.
[0041]
Therefore, when the pusher 810 is pushed out by the action of the air cylinder 820, the cap 40 portion of the container 10c is pushed outward as shown by the imaginary line in FIG. It is removed from the notch 123 and discharged.
[0042]
In addition, the raising / lowering operations of the filling machine 200, the cleaning device 400, and the tightening device 700 may be performed independently by separate drive mechanisms, or some of the above may be performed simultaneously by the same drive mechanism. Good.
[0043]
Next, the operation of the liquid food filling device according to the present invention will be described.
First, in the container supply station A shown in FIG. 1, the empty container 10a that is suspended and supported by the guide rail 110a of the container supply means 110 is pushed by a pusher (not shown) and conveyed from the tip of the guide rail 110a. One by one is inserted into each notch 123 of the table 121 in turn, and the flange 31 is locked to the notch 123 and supported by being suspended. Then, by the intermittent rotation of the transfer table 121, it is sequentially sent to each of the container confirmation station B, the filling station C, the cleaning station D, the cap supply station E, the cap clamping station F, and the container removal station G.
[0044]
In the container confirmation station B, the presence or absence of the container 10a suspended from each notch 123 is confirmed by a container detection sensor (not shown), and the operation of each device arranged in the subsequent station is controlled. That is, when the notch 123 where the container 10a is not confirmed comes, the filling machine 200, the cleaning device 400, the tightening device 700, and the like are not operated.
[0045]
Next, in the filling station C, first, when the empty container 10a is transported and the transport table 121 is stopped, the filling machine 200 shown in FIG. 2 is lowered, and the container fitting port 211 becomes the mouth part 30 of the container 10a. It is covered from above. At this time, the vent pipe 220 is lowered by the operation of the air cylinder 231, the lower end of the vent pipe 220 comes into contact with the inner periphery of the container fitting port 211, and the flow path 210 a is closed. Further, the rod 233 is pushed downward, the valve body 230 is separated from the air nozzle 221 of the vent pipe 220, and the air nozzle 221 is opened.
[0046]
In this state, as shown in FIG. 3, the switching valve 222 of the air tube 223 is switched to the vacuum line 223a, and the air in the container 10a is sucked and discharged through the air tube 223 as shown by an arrow in FIG. As a result, it is possible to prevent air from remaining in the container 10a so that it cannot escape and fill the corners of the container 10a with fluid food.
[0047]
When the inside of the container 10a is sufficiently deaerated, as shown in FIG. 4, the rod 233 of the air cylinder 231 is pulled up, the air nozzle 221 of the vent pipe 220 is closed by the valve body 230, and the vent pipe 220 is lifted upward. Then, the container fitting port 211 is opened. At this time, the reduced diameter portion of the vent tube 220 opens the outlet of the branch channel 212a. As a result, the branch flow path 212 a of the branch pipe 212 and the flow path 210 a in the outer cylinder 210 communicate with each other, and the tip of the flow path 210 a is opened at the container fitting port 211. Then, as shown by the arrows in FIG. 4, a predetermined amount of liquid food is fed from a quantitative supply device (not shown) through the branch flow path 212a and the flow path 210a, and through the mouth portion 30 from the container fitting port 211 into the container 10a. Filled.
[0048]
When a predetermined amount of fluid food is filled in this way, as shown in FIG. 5, the rod 30 of the air cylinder 231 is pushed downward, the vent pipe 220 is lowered, the container fitting port 211 is closed, and the valve body 230 is opened again. Subsequently, the switching valve 222 of the air tube 223 is switched to the compressed air line 223b side, and compressed air is injected into the container 10a through the air tube 223 as indicated by an arrow in FIG. As a result, all of the liquid food left in the mouth portion 30 of the container 10a is pushed into the main body of the container 10a.
[0049]
Thus, when the filling operation of the liquid food is finished, the entire filling machine 200 is raised, and the container fitting port 211 is removed from the mouth portion 30 of the container 10a. Thereafter, the container 10 a is transported to the next cleaning station D by the rotation of the transport table 121.
[0050]
During the filling operation, the container 10a is supported below the transfer table 121 by the support plate 310 shown in FIGS. That is, the rotary drum 140 rotates with the rotation of the transport table 121, the cam follower 331a fitted in the cam groove 141 formed on the outer periphery thereof moves up and down, and the lift lever 331 and the parallel arm 330 integrated therewith are moved up and down. Rock. As a result, the parallel arms 330 and 340 constituting the parallel link move the support plate 310 up and down.
[0051]
The ascending / descending operation of the support plate 310 is lifted when the transport table 121 is intermittently rotated and the containers 10 held in the notches 123 are placed at the respective stations and temporarily stopped, so that the transport table 121 is moved to the next station. The timing is set to descend when rotating to send. For this reason, when the empty container 10a moves to the filling station C and stops, the support plate 310 stops at the raised position, and abuts on and supports the bottom of the container 10a.
[0052]
As described above, when the liquid food is filled in the container 10a and the pressure of the liquid food is released, the flexible bag-like container 10a hangs down and flattenes due to the weight of the liquid food. Although there is a possibility of spilling from the mouth part 30, in the present invention, since the support plate 310 supports the bottom part of the container 10a as described above, spillage immediately after filling can be prevented.
[0053]
Note that the spilled liquid food may occur immediately after the container 10a is filled with the liquid food and the applied pressure of the liquid food is released or when the container 10a is transported to the next station and stopped. In many cases, the carrier table 121 is rarely blown out while rotating. During the movement of the container 10a, if the support plate 310 is in contact with the bottom of the container 10a, the container 10a is inclined. In this embodiment, the support plate 310 is lowered during the movement, and the container 10a It is designed to move away from the bottom.
[0054]
Further, in the case of this embodiment, the support plate 310 extends in a fan shape from the filling station C to the cap supply station E, and not only the filling station C but also a cleaning station D and a cap supply station E described later. In this case, the bottom of the container 10a is supported to prevent spillage due to impact or the like.
[0055]
Next, when the container 10b filled with the liquid food moves to the washing station D and stops, the annular washer 400 shown in FIG. 8 descends, and a plurality of formed on the inclined surface 430 on the inner periphery thereof. The injection ports 431... 431 are directed to the outer periphery of the mouth portion 30. In this state, washing water is jetted from the jet nozzles 431... 431 and sprayed on the outer periphery of the mouth portion 30 of the container 10b, and the liquid food adhering to the outer periphery of the mouth portion 30 is washed and removed. As a result, it is possible to prevent dirt and the like from occurring between the cap 40 and the mouth portion 30. When the cleaning is completed in this manner, the cleaning device 400 moves up and returns to the original position.
[0056]
Next, when the container 10b filled with the liquid food moves to the cap supply station E and stops, as shown in FIGS. 9 (b) to 9 (d), a holding piece is formed at the lower end of the cap chute 530 of the cap supply means 500. The cap 40 held at 532 collides with the upper end portion of the mouth portion 30, comes out of the holding piece 532 made of an elastic material, and is placed on the upper portion of the mouth portion 30. Further, as the container 10b advances through the cap supply station E, the upper surface of the cap 40 abuts against the guide plate 540 disposed adjacent to the cap chute 530 and is given a pressing force, as shown in FIG. , It is put on the mouth 30 accurately.
[0057]
Next, when the container 10c covered with the cap 40 moves between the cap supply station E and the cap tightening station F, the cap 40 is placed inside the rubber pad 610 of the cap screwing means 600 as shown in FIG. It slides in contact with the peripheral surface, rotates as indicated by the arrow in FIG. 10 by the frictional force of the rubber pad 610, and is screwed into the mouth portion 30. Thereby, since the cap 40 is screwed into the mouth part 30, there is no possibility that the cap 40 is detached.
[0058]
Further, when the container 10c moves to the cap tightening station F and stops, the tightening device 700 shown in FIG. 11 is lowered, and the cap chuck 731 is fitted to the outer periphery of the cap 40. Then, the cap chuck 731 is rotated by the air motor 732 and the cap 40 is wound with a predetermined torque. When the tightening is thus completed, the tightening device 700 is raised and returned to the original position.
[0059]
Finally, when the container 10c moves to the container removal station G and stops, the air cylinder 820 of the container discharge means 800 shown in FIG. 12 is activated to push out the pusher 810, and the part of the cap 40 of the container 10c is moved radially outward. And push out from the notch 123 of the transport table 121. As a result, the container 10c is removed from the transfer table 121, discharged through the cutout portion 125 of the transfer guide 124, and slid down onto an inclined shooter (not shown).
[0060]
As described above, the container filling and container sealing of the liquid food can be automatically performed, and the liquid food can be prevented from being spilled at the time of filling when the flexible bag-like container is used.
[0061]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, when the flexible bag-shaped container is filled with the liquid food, the bottom of the container is supported by the support plate. The inconvenience that the flexible container extends up and down and the filled liquid food spills from the mouth can be avoided.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of an entire apparatus showing an embodiment of a liquid food filling apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of a filling machine in the apparatus.
FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of the filling machine in a deaerated state in the apparatus.
FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of a filling machine in an injection state in the apparatus,
FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of the filling machine at the end of injection in the apparatus.
FIG. 6 is a front view showing a support plate and a driving unit thereof in the apparatus.
7 is a plan view seen from the direction of the arrow line A-A ′ of FIG.
8A and 8B show a cleaning device in the present apparatus, wherein FIG. 8A is a cross-sectional view as seen from the direction of the arrow B-B ′ in FIG. 8B, and FIG.
9A and 9B show cap supply means in the present apparatus, wherein FIG. 9A is a front view, FIG. 9B is an enlarged view of a circle, and FIGS. 9C and 9D are views showing a supply state.
FIG. 10 is a plan view of an essential part of a cap screwing means in the apparatus.
FIG. 11 is a partial cross-sectional view of a cap tightener in the present apparatus.
12A and 12B show container discharging means in the present apparatus, wherein FIG. 12A is a plan view of the main part, and FIG.
FIGS. 13A and 13B show an example of a general gusset-type bag-like container, in which FIG. 13A is a perspective view and FIG. 13B is a partial cross-sectional view in a transported state.
[Explanation of symbols]
10a, 10b, 10c containers
30 mouth
31 Flange
40 cap 40
100 Filling device
110 Container supply means
120 Conveying means
121 Transport table
122 Spindle
123 Notch
124 Transport guide
125 Cutout
130 base
140 Rotating drum
141 Cam groove
200 Filling machine
210 outer cylinder
210a flow path
211 Container fitting port
212 Branch pipe
212a Branch channel
220 Vent pipe
221 Air nozzle
222 Switching valve
223 Air tube
223a Vacuum line
223b Compressed air line
230 Disc
231 and 820 Air cylinder
232 compression coil spring
233 rod
310 Support plate
320 Support rod
330,340 parallel arm
350, 410, 710 strut
331 Lifting lever
400 washer
411 support
420 conduit
430 Inclined surface
431 injection port
500 Cap supply means
510 cap hopper
520 vibration base
530 cap shout
531 passage
532 holding piece
540 Guide plate
600 Cap screwing means
610 Rubber pad
620 Adjustment piece
630 support
640 substrate
700 Clamp
701 casing
731 Cap chuck part
732 Air motor
733 Air supply pipe
800 Container discharge means
810 pusher
A Container supply station
B container confirmation station
C filling station
D Cleaning station
E Cap supply station
F Cap tightening station
G Container removal station

Claims (3)

In an apparatus for filling fluid food into a gusset-type bag-like container that has flexibility and does not have an independent bottom wall and has a mouth portion having a flange,
A filling machine for filling a liquid food from the mouth portion of the container,
Cap supply means for supplying and covering the mouth of the container with a cap;
Tightening means for screwing and tightening the cap into the mouth of the container;
In a state where the container is suspended by engaging the flange of the mouth of the container, a filling station where the filling machine is arranged, a cap supply station where the cap supplying means is arranged, and a cap tightening means A transport means for sequentially transporting to the arranged cap tightening station,
At least below a filling position by the filling machine, a support plate that is moved up and down by an elevating means is disposed, and the elevating means stops when the container stops at the filling station and is filled with fluid food from the filling machine. The support plate is raised so as to abut against the bottom of the container, and the support plate is lowered so as to be separated from the bottom of the container when the container is moved by the conveying means. Filling equipment.   2. The flow according to claim 1, wherein the support plate is disposed below a filling position by the filling machine, a cap feeding position by the cap feeding means, and a cap fastening position by the fastening means in the transport path. Food filling equipment. The transport means has a disk-shaped transport table having a notch for engaging the flange of the container at the periphery, and the lifting means is provided coaxially with the transport table, and the transport table A rotating drum that rotates integrally with the rotating drum, a cam groove formed on the peripheral surface of the rotating drum, and a support that is erected on a base so that the intermediate portion can be pivoted, and one end portion is supported by the support plate The liquid food filling device according to claim 1 or 2 , further comprising a lift lever that is rotatably connected and has the other end fitted into the cam groove via a cam follower .

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