JP4085624B2

JP4085624B2 - Rotating device for square bottle

Info

Publication number: JP4085624B2
Application number: JP2001381498A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 茂行松村; 和喜雄山下; 雅仁山本
Original assignee: Shibuya Corp
Current assignee: Shibuya Corp
Priority date: 2001-12-14
Filing date: 2001-12-14
Publication date: 2008-05-14
Anticipated expiration: 2021-12-14
Also published as: JP2003175910A

Description

【０００１】
【発明が属する技術分野】
本発明は、四角形ボトルの回転装置に係り、例えば、平面形状が長方形の四角形ボトルを、その長手方向を前後に向けて搬送し、その後、箱詰めを行う前に９０度回転させて横向きに整列させる場合等に用いられる四角形ボトルの回転装置に関するものである。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
前述のように搬送中の四角形ボトルを回転させる回転装置はすでに知られている（特開平１０−３３８２１１号公報）。前記公報に記載された四角形ボトルの回転装置は、ボトル搬送コンベヤと、この搬送コンベヤにより搬送される四角形ボトルのキャップ部の高さに設置された一対のベルトと、これらベルトを走行させるモータとを備えている。
【０００３】
前記一対のベルトは、一方が大径のプーリで駆動されるように懸架され、他方が小径のプーリで駆動されるように懸架されて、前記モータの駆動力を受けて異なる速度で走行するようになっている。これら両ベルトの対向する面間の距離が前記ボトルのキャップ部の径よりも僅かに小さく、このキャップ部に当接して挟み付けるようになっており、これらベルトの速度差によってボトルを回転させるようになっている。
【０００４】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
ボトルの口部に装着されるキャップは、ボトル内部を確実に密封できるとともに、適宜の力で開封が可能になるように、所定のトルクで巻き締めされており、前記構成に係る従来の四角形ボトルの回転装置のように、一対のベルトによって四角形ボトルのキャップ部を両側から挟んで回転させるようにすると、キャップがボトル本体に対して回転してしまう場合があり、キャップの締め付けトルクが変動するおそれがあった。
【０００５】
本発明は、前記課題を解決するためになされたもので、キャップのシール性を損なうことなく四角形ボトルを回転させることができる四角形ボトルの回転装置を提供することを目的とするものである。
【０００６】
また、前記従来の四角形ボトルの回転装置では、ボトル搬送コンベヤによって搬送されているボトルを、上端のキャップ部だけを両側のベルトによって挟持して回転させるようになっており、搬送コンベヤに対しては滑らせて強制的に回転させる構造のため、必要な角度だけ正確に回転させることが困難であった。そこで、他の発明は、コンベヤ側からもボトルを回転させる力を作用させて、確実にボトルを回転させることを可能にした四角形ボトルの回転装置を提供することを目的とするものである。
【０００７】
【課題を解決するための手段】
請求項１に記載の発明に係る四角形ボトルの回転装置は、横断面の形状がほぼ長方形をしており上部に断面円形部分を有する四角形ボトルを載せて搬送する搬送手段と、この搬送手段に搬送されている前記ボトルの断面円形部分に両側から当接し、搬送手段と同方向に走行する一対のベルト部材と、これら両ベルト部材を異なる速度で走行させるベルト駆動手段とを備え、両ベルト部材の速度差により前記四角形ボトルを所定角度回転させるものであって、特に、前記搬送手段が、中央に配置された前記四角形ボトルの短辺側の長さよりも幅が狭い中央コンベヤと、その左右両側に配置された平行して走行する一対の無端状走行部材と、これら両無端状走行部材を異なる速度で走行させるコンベヤ駆動手段とを備え、前記中央コンベヤが一対の無端状走行部材とそれらの上流側または下流側との間を連続的に走行して四角形ボトルを搬送するとともに、前記ベルト部材および無端状走行部材の同一側を他方側よりも高速で走行させて四角形ボトルを所定角度回転させ、ベルト部材により回転される四角形ボトルの角速度が、無端状走行部材により回転される四角形ボトルの角速度と同一となるように、ベルト部材の速度差が設定されていることを特徴とするものである。
【０００８】
この発明では、四角形ボトルの上部を一対のベルト部材によって回転させるだけでなく、この四角形ボトルを搬送している搬送手段でも、回転力を付与しているので、四角形ボトルを確実に回転させることができる。
【０００９】
また、請求項２に記載の発明に係る四角形ボトルの回転装置は、横断面の形状がほぼ長方形をしており上部に断面円形部分を有する四角形ボトルを載せて搬送する搬送手段と、この搬送手段に搬送されている前記ボトルの断面円形部分に両側から当接し、搬送手段と同方向に走行する一対のベルト部材と、これら両ベルト部材を異なる速度で走行させるベルト駆動手段とを備え、両ベルト部材の速度差により前記四角形ボトルを所定角度回転させるものであって、前記搬送手段が、中央に配置された前記四角形ボトルの短辺側の長さよりも幅が狭い中央コンベヤと、その左右両側に配置された平行して走行する一対の無端状走行部材と、これら両無端状走行部材を異なる速度で走行させるコンベヤ駆動手段とを備え、前記中央コンベヤが一対の無端状走行部材とそれらの上流側または下流側との間を連続的に走行して四角形ボトルを搬送するとともに、前記ベルト部材および無端状走行部材の同一側を他方側よりも高速で走行させて四角形ボトルを所定角度回転させ、前記四角形ボトルの断面円形部分が、上方のキャップ部とその下方のフランジ部とこのフランジ部よりも下方の小径部とを有し、前記一対のベルト部材は平ベルトからなり、四角形ボトルのフランジ部の外周に当接することを特徴とするものである。
【００１０】
この発明では、四角形ボトルのキャップ部ではなく、その下方のフランジ部を、平ベルトからなる一対のベルト部材によって挟んでこの四角形ボトルを回転させるようにしているので、キャップによるシール性を損なうおそれがなく、信頼性が向上する。
【００１３】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下、図面に示す実施の形態により本発明を説明する。図１は本発明の一実施の形態に係る四角形ボトルの回転装置の平面図、図２はその縦断面図、図３は横断面図、図４は前記回転装置の上流側および下流側を含むボトル搬送手段全体の配置とその駆動関係を示す平面図である。
【００１４】
この回転装置によって回転される四角形ボトル２は、本体部２ａの平面形状、つまり横断面の形状がほぼ長方形をしており、その上部に横断面が円形の部分２ｂを有している。この断面円形部分２ｂには、上端にキャップが装着されているキャップ部２ｃ、その下方に外方に拡大されたフランジ部２ｄ、さらにその下方に小径部２ｅが順次設けられている（図２の右端のボトル２参照）。
【００１５】
前記四角形ボトルの回転装置は、四角形ボトル２を載せて搬送するボトル搬送手段（全体を符号４で示す）と、この搬送手段４によって搬送されている四角形ボトル２の、前記断面円形部分２ｂに両側から接触しつつ、搬送手段４と同方向に走行してこのボトル２を回転させる一対のベルト部材６、８と、前記ボトル搬送手段４を走行させる複数のモータからなるコンベヤ駆動手段１０と、ベルト部材６、８を走行させるベルト駆動手段１２とを備えている。
【００１６】
先ず、前記搬送手段４について図４により説明する。この搬送手段４は、中央に配置された幅の狭いコンベヤ１４と、その左右両側に配置された幅の広いコンベヤ１６、１８（以下、図４の上方に位置するコンベヤ１６を右側コンベヤ、下方に位置するコンベヤ１８を左側コンベヤと呼ぶ）とからなる三列のコンベヤ１６、１４、１８を備えている。中央のコンベヤ１４は、前記四角形ボトル２の短辺側の長さよりも幅が狭く、後に説明するボトル回転部Ｒの中間で、上流側と下流側の二本のコンベヤ部材１４Ａ、１４Ｂに分割されている。これら両コンベヤ部材１４Ａ、１４Ｂの接続部には、渡り板１４Ｃが設けられている。
【００１７】
また、左右のコンベヤ１６、１８は、それぞれ、前記ボトル回転部Ｒに設けられた中間コンベヤ部材（無端状走行部材）１６Ｂ、１８Ｂと、その上流側のコンベヤ部材１６Ａ、１８Ａおよび下流側のコンベヤ部材１６Ｃ、１８Ｃに分割されている。前述のように中央コンベヤ１４の幅が狭くなっているので、四角形ボトル２が長手方向を前後に向けている状態（図１に符号２Ａで示す四角形ボトル参照）でも、これら左右両側のコンベヤ１６、１８上に載って搬送されるようになっている。なお、左右の上流側コンベヤ部材１６Ａ、１８Ａと中間コンベヤ部材１６Ｂ、１８Ｂとの間、および中間コンベヤ部材１６Ｂ、１８Ｂと下流側コンベヤ部材１６Ｃ、１８Ｃとの間には、それぞれ、渡り板１６Ｄ、１８Ｄ、１６Ｅ、１８Ｅが設置されている。
【００１８】
左右の上流側コンベヤ部材１６Ａ、１８Ａは、第１モータ２０の駆動軸２２に固定されたホイール２４、２６によって、図４の左方に向かって走行し、さらに、第１モータ２０の駆動軸２２の回転が、伝達ベルト２８を介して中間軸３０に伝達され、この中間軸３０に固定されたホイール３２を介して上流側の中央コンベヤ部材１４Ａも同方向に走行する。また、左右および中央の下流側コンベヤ部材１６Ｃ、１８Ｃ、１４Ｂは、第２モータ３４の駆動軸３６に固定されたホイール３８、４０、４２によって、同様に図４の左方向に向かって走行する。この実施の形態では、これら中央の上下流コンベヤ部材１４Ａ、１４Ｂおよび、左右両側の上下流コンベヤ部材１６Ａ、１６Ｃ、１８Ａ、１８Ｃは、この四角形ボトルの回転装置が設けられている容器処理ラインの搬送速度で走行されるようになっている。
【００１９】
ボトル回転部Ｒに設けられている左右両側の中間コンベヤ部材１６Ｂ、１８Ｂは、第３モータ４４および第４モータ４６によって駆動される。第３モータ４４の駆動軸４８には、ギア（第１ギア）５０が固定され、この第１ギア５０が、第４モータ４６の駆動軸５２に回転可能に嵌合したギア（第２ギア）５４に噛み合っている。この第２ギア５４には、第４モータ４６の駆動軸５２に回転可能に嵌合したホイール５６が固定されており、第３モータ４４の駆動が両ギア５０、５４を介して前記ホイール５６に伝達され、このホイール５６の回転によって右側の中間コンベヤ部材１６Ｂが走行する。
【００２０】
第４モータ４６の駆動軸５２にはホイール５８が固定されており、このホイール５８の回転によって左側の中間コンベヤ部材１８Ｂが走行する。前記第３モータ４４の駆動軸４８には、その回転を検出するエンコーダ６０が設けられており、第４モータ４６はこのエンコーダ６０によって、第３モータ４４に追従して駆動される。この実施の形態では、第３モータ４４によって走行する右側の中間コンベヤ部材１６Ｂは、前記上流側および下流側コンベヤ部材１４Ａ、１６Ａ、１８Ａ、１６Ｃ、１４Ｂ、１８Ｃと同速で走行するようになっている。そして、第４モータ４６が第３モータ４４よりも速く駆動されるように設定されており、左側の中間コンベヤ１８Ｂが右側の中間コンベヤ１６Ｂよりも速い速度で走行するようにしている。
【００２１】
前記左右の中間コンベヤ部材１６Ｂ、１８Ｂの設置されている部分がボトル回転部Ｒになっており、これら両中間コンベヤ部材１６Ｂ、１８Ｂの上方に一対のベルト部材６、８が配置されている。両中間コンベヤ部材１６Ｂ、１８Ｂの外側に直立した支柱６２、６４、６６、６８が固定され、これら支柱６２、６４、６６、６８上に水平なプレート７０が取り付けられており、この水平なプレート７０の下面側に前記一対のベルト部材６、８（以下、図１および図４の上方に示すベルト部材６を右側ベルト部材、下方に示すベルト部材８を左側ベルト部材と呼ぶ）が設けられている。
【００２２】
図１ないし図３に示すように、前記水平プレート７０には、前記左右両側の中間コンベヤ部材１６Ｂ、１８Ｂの上方の、上流側と下流側にそれぞれ位置する垂直な軸７２、７４、７６、７８が回転自在に支持されており、これら各垂直軸７２、７４、７６、７８の下端にそれぞれプーリ８０、８２、８４、８６が取り付けられている。右側の中間コンベヤ部材１６Ｂの上方に設けられた両プーリ８０、８２と、左側の中間コンベヤ部材１８Ｂの上方に設けられた両プーリ８４、８６に、それぞれ、無端状の右側ベルト部材６および左側ベルト部材８が巻き付けられている。これら両ベルト部材６、８の向かい合う部分の内側には、支持レール８８、９０が配置されており、これら各ベルト部材６、８が四角形ボトル２に接触して回転させる際にその背後を支持するようになっている。
【００２３】
この実施の形態では、両ベルト部材６、８が四角形ボトル２のキャップ部２ｃの下方に設けられたフランジ部２ｄの外周面に接触するようになっており、支持レール８８、９０に支持されている両ベルト部材６、８の向かい合う部分の間隔は、前記フランジ部２ｄの直径よりも僅かに小さくなっている。また、これらベルト部材６、８は平ベルトからなっており、これら平ベルトの幅方向のほぼ中間部が前記フランジ部２ｄの高さと一致するように配置されている。
【００２４】
前記一対のベルト部材６、８が巻き付けられたプーリ８０、８２、８４、８６のうち下流側のプーリ８２、８６は駆動プーリであり、これら駆動プーリ８２、８６が取り付けられた垂直軸７４、７８の上端にそれぞれギア９２、９４が固定されている（図５参照）。前記水平プレート７０の上方には、ベルト駆動手段としてのベルト駆動モータ１２が設置されており、このベルト駆動モータ１２の駆動軸９８に固定されたギア１００に、前記右側ベルト部材６の駆動プーリ８２に連結されているギア９２が直接噛み合っている。また、左側ベルト部材８の駆動プーリ８６に連結されているギア９４が、中間ギア１０２を介して前記駆動モータ１２のギア１００に噛み合っている。
【００２５】
前記ベルト駆動モータ１２の駆動軸９８に固定されているギア１００と、右側ベルト部材６の駆動ギア９２および中間ギア１０２は同一のギアであり、左側ベルト部材８の駆動ギア９４は、前記各ギア９２、１００、１０２よりも小さいギアになっている。従って、ベルト駆動モータ１２の駆動により、左側のベルト部材８が右側のベルト部材６よりも高速で走行する。これら左右のベルト部材６、８の速度差は、回転される四角形ボトル２の角速度が、下方の中間コンベヤ部材１６Ｂ、１８Ｂによる回転の角速度と同一になるように設定されている。なお、ベルト駆動モータ１２は、前記第４モータ４６に設けられた第２エンコーダ１０４によって、第４モータ４６に追従して運転されるようになっている。
【００２６】
この実施の形態では、長手方向を前後に向けて一列で搬送されてきた四角形ボトル２（２Ａ）を、前記一対のベルト部材６、８および一対の中間コンベヤ部材１６Ｂ、１８Ｂの速度差によって９０度回転させて、四角形ボトル２の長手方向を搬送手段４の左右方向に向けて（図１のボトル２Ｂ参照）搬送するようになっており、前記一対のベルト部材６、８の上流側には、四角形ボトル２の短辺の長さよりも僅かに間隔の広いガイド部材１０６が、そして、両ベルト部材６、８の下流側には、四角形ボトル２の長辺の長さよりも僅かに間隔の広いガイド部材１０８がそれぞれ設けられている。
【００２７】
以上の構成に係る四角形ボトルの回転装置の作動について説明する。四角形ボトル２は、上流側ガイド部材１０６に案内されて、その長手方向を前後に向けた状態（図１のボトル２Ａ参照）でこの四角形ボトルの回転装置まで搬送される。上流側の左右コンベヤ部材１６Ａ、１８Ａおよび中央のコンベヤ部材１４Ａは、第１モータ２０の駆動により等速で走行しており、四角形ボトル２は回転方向の力を加えられることなく搬送される。
【００２８】
その後、左右の上流側コンベヤ部材１６Ａ、１８Ａから左右の中間コンベヤ部材１６Ｂ、１８Ｂ上に乗り移って搬送される。これら上流側コンベヤ部材１６Ａ、１８Ａと中間コンベヤ部材１６Ｂ、１８Ｂとの間は渡り板１６Ｄ、１８Ｄによって接続されるとともに、中央のコンベヤ部材１４Ａが上流側コンベヤ部材１６Ａ、１８Ａから中間コンベヤ部材１６Ｂ、１８Ｂの上流部に渡って連続的に走行しており、これら中央のコンベヤ部材１４Ａおよび両渡り板１６Ｄ、１８Ｄによって、四角形ボトル２は上流側コンベヤ部材１６Ａ、１８Ａから中間コンベヤ部材１６Ｂ、１８Ｂ上に移される。中間コンベヤ部材１６Ｂ、１８Ｂによって搬送される四角形ボトル２は、その上流部では、左右コンベヤ部材１６Ｂ、１８Ｂの速度差によって回転されようとするが、上流側ガイド部材１０６に案内されて前記方向を向いたまま前進する。
【００２９】
上流側ガイド部材１０６の終端付近で、四角形ボトル２の上部の断面円形部分２ｂが一対のベルト部材６、８の間に進入する。この実施の形態では、両側のベルト部材６、８が、四角形ボトル２のキャップ部２ｃの下方に形成されたフランジ部２ｄの外周面に圧接される。四角形ボトル２が前進して両ベルト部材６、８間に進入するとともに、上流側ガイド部材１０６から外れると、両側のベルト部材６、８と下方に配置された両側の中間コンベヤ部材１６Ｂ、１８Ｂが、それぞれ左右異なる速度で走行しており、四角形ボトル２が前進するに伴って次第に回転される。
【００３０】
この実施の形態では、左側のベルト部材８および左側の中間コンベヤ部材１８Ｂが、右側のベルト部材６および右側の中間コンベヤ部材１６Ｂよりも速い速度で走行しており、四角形ボトル２は、図１中に矢印で示す時計回り方向に９０度回転して、長手方向を左右に向けた状態（図１のボトル２Ｂ参照）になる。この状態で下流側のガイド部材１０８間に進入した後、両側のベルト部材６、８から外れる。四角形ボトル２は、両側ベルト部材６、８から外れても、中間コンベヤ１６Ｂ、１８Ｂ上を搬送されている間は、これら中間コンベヤ１６Ｂ、１８Ｂの速度差によって回転されようとするが、下流側ガイド部材１０８に案内されて前記方向を向いたまま搬送される。その後、中間コンベヤ部材１６Ｂ、１８Ｂから下流側コンベヤ部材１６Ｃ、１８Ｃに乗り移って搬送される。これら中間コンベヤ部材１６Ｂ、１８Ｂと下流側コンベヤ部材１６Ｃ、１８Ｃとの間も渡り板１６Ｅ、１８Ｅによって接続されるとともに、中央のコンベヤ部材１４Ｂが連続的に走行しており、四角形ボトル２は、中間コンベヤ部材１６Ｂ、１８Ｂから下流側コンベヤ部材１６ｃ、１８Ｃに乗り移って搬送される。
【００３１】
この実施の形態に係る四角形ボトルの回転装置では、四角形ボトル２のキャップ部２ｃよりも下方に設けられているフランジ部２ｄを、左右一対のベルト部材６、８で挟んで回転させるので、キャップのシール状態に影響を与えるおそれがない。また、上方のベルト部材６、８と同様に、下方のコンベヤ部材１６Ｂ、１８Ｂも速度差を持たせて走行させているので、確実に四角形ボトル２を回転させることができる。
【００３２】
なお、この実施の形態では、回転される四角形ボトル２の角速度が、上下で一定になるように、両ベルト部材６、８および両中間コンベヤ部材１６Ｂ、１８Ｂの速度差が設定されているが、必ずしもこのような速度差に限定されるものではなく、少なくとも両ベルト部材６、８と両中間コンベヤ部材１６Ｂ、１８Ｂの同一側が他方側よりも高速で走行するようにすればよい。このように四角形ボトル２に対し搬送手段４側からも回転力を与えるようにすれば、上部だけを回転させる場合よりも確実にボトル４を回転させることができる。しかも、この実施の形態のように搬送手段４側からも回転力を与えるようにしていると、従来の構成のように両側のベルト部材６、８がキャップ部２ｃを挟んで回転させるようにした場合でも、ボトル本体部２ａに対するキャップの回転力が軽減されるので、キャップのゆるみや過剰な締め付けを防止することができる。
【００３３】
前記実施の形態では、中央および左右両側の上流側コンベヤ部材１４Ａ、１６Ａ、１８Ａと、下流側コンベヤ部材１４Ｂ、１６Ｃ、１８Ｃおよび右側の中間コンベヤ部材１６Ｂが同一の速度で走行し、左側の中間コンベヤ部材１８Ｂが前記各コンベヤ部材１４Ａ、１６Ａ、１８Ａ、１４Ｂ、１６Ｃ、１８Ｃ、１６Ｂよりも速い速度で走行するようにしたが、コンベヤ速度の設定は、前記実施の形態の構成に限定されるものではなく、中間コンベヤ部材１６Ｂ、１８Ｂの一方が他方よりも高速で走行すれば良く、例えば、左側の中間コンベヤ部材１８Ｂを前記上流側および下流側のコンベヤ部材１４Ａ、１６Ａ、１８Ａ、１４Ｂ、１６Ｃ、１８Ｃと同一の速度で走行させ、右側の中間コンベヤ部材１６Ｂをそれよりも遅い速度で走行させるようにし、または、上流側コンベヤ部材１４Ａ、１６Ａ、１８Ａおよび下流側コンベヤ部材１４Ｂ、１６Ｃ、１８Ｃの走行速度よりも、中間コンベヤ部材１６Ｂ、１８Ｂの一方を高速で、他方を低速で走行させるようにしても良い。なお、この場合には、高速側の中間コンベヤ部材１６Ｂまたは１８Ｂと同一側のベルト部材６または８を他方のベルト部材よりも高速で走行させることはいうまでもない。
【００３４】
また、この実施の形態では、一対のベルト部材６、８に加えて、搬送手段４側でもボトル２を回転させる構成にしているが、必ずしも搬送手段４によって四角形ボトル２に回転力を与える構成に限るものではなく、一本のコンベヤによって搬送するようにしても良い。この場合でも、コンベヤによって搬送されている四角形ボトル２の断面円形部分２ｂのキャップ部２ｃよりも下方に、一対のベルト部材６、８を当接させてこの四角形ボトル２を回転させるようにするので、キャップが緩んだり過剰に締め付けられてしまう等の問題が発生するおそれがない。
【００３５】
図６および図７は、第２の実施の形態に係る四角形ボトルの回転装置の要部を示す図であり、図６は一対のベルト部材を示す平面図、図７はこの回転装置の横断面図である。前記実施の形態では、一対のベルト部材６、８として平ベルトを用いており、この平ベルトを四角形ボトル２のキャップ部２ｃの下方に形成されているフランジ２ｄの外周面に弾接させて四角形ボトル２を回転させるようにしていたが、この実施の形態では、ベルト部材２０６、２０８として丸ベルトを用いており、この丸ベルトを四角形ボトル２のフランジ部２ｄの下方に形成されている小径部２ｅに当接させるようになっている。
【００３６】
この実施の形態では、図６に示すように、一対のベルト部材２０６、２０８の互いに向かい合っている部分（四角形ボトル２の断面円形部分２ｂを両側から挟む部分）が、多数のローラ２９０によって内側から支持されている。また、四角形ボトル２は、フランジ部２ｄの下方に形成された小径部２ｅの縦断面が半円弧状の凹部になっており、この円弧状凹部内に前記丸ベルトからなる一対のベルト部材２０６、２０８が圧接され、走行に伴ってこの四角形ボトル２を回転させる。なお、搬送手段４の構成、搬送手段４のボトル回転部Ｒに設けられている両側の中間コンベヤ部材１６Ｂ、１８Ｂに速度差を与える構成、および前記一対のベルト部材２０６、２０８に速度差を与える構成等は、前記実施の形態と同一なので、その説明を省略する。この実施の形態でも、前記第１実施の形態と同様の作用効果を奏することができる。
【００３７】
【発明の効果】
以上説明したように本発明によれば、横断面の形状がほぼ長方形をしており上部に断面円形部分を有する四角形ボトルを載せて搬送する搬送手段と、この搬送手段に搬送されている前記ボトルの断面円形部分に両側から当接し、搬送手段と同方向に走行する一対のベルト部材と、これら両ベルト部材を異なる速度で走行させるベルト駆動手段とを備え、両ベルト部材の速度差により前記四角形ボトルを所定角度回転させる四角形ボトルの回転装置において、前記搬送手段が、中央に配置された前記四角形ボトルの短辺側の長さよりも幅が狭い中央コンベヤと、その左右両側に配置された平行して走行する一対の無端状走行部材と、これら両無端状走行部材を異なる速度で走行させるコンベヤ駆動手段とを備え、前記中央コンベヤが一対の無端状走行部材とそれらの上流側または下流側との間を連続的に走行して四角形ボトルを搬送するとともに、前記ベルト部材および無端状走行部材の同一側を他方側よりも高速で走行させて四角形ボトルを所定角度回転させ、ベルト部材により回転される四角形ボトルの角速度が、無端状走行部材により回転される四角形ボトルの角速度と同一となるように、ベルト部材の速度差が設定されているので、四角形ボトルを確実に回転させることができる。
【００３８】
また、請求項２に記載した発明は、横断面の形状がほぼ長方形をしており上部に断面円形部分を有する四角形ボトルを載せて搬送する搬送手段と、この搬送手段に搬送されている前記ボトルの断面円形部分に両側から当接し、搬送手段と同方向に走行する一対のベルト部材と、これら両ベルト部材を異なる速度で走行させるベルト駆動手段とを備え、両ベルト部材の速度差により前記四角形ボトルを所定角度回転させる四角形ボトルの回転装置において、前記搬送手段が、中央に配置された前記四角形ボトルの短辺側の長さよりも幅が狭い中央コンベヤと、その左右両側に配置された平行して走行する一対の無端状走行部材と、これら両無端状走行部材を異なる速度で走行させるコンベヤ駆動手段とを備え、前記中央コンベヤが一対の無端状走行部材とそれらの上流側または下流側との間を連続的に走行して四角形ボトルを搬送するとともに、前記ベルト部材および無端状走行部材の同一側を他方側よりも高速で走行させて四角形ボトルを所定角度回転させ、前記四角形ボトルの断面円形部分が、上方のキャップ部とその下方のフランジ部とこのフランジ部よりも下方の小径部とを有し、前記一対のベルト部材は平ベルトからなり、四角形ボトルのフランジ部の外周に当接するようにしており、キャップ部を保持して回転させることがないので、キャップの締め付けトルクが変動することがなく、信頼性が向上する。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の一実施の形態に係る四角形ボトルの回転装置を示す平面図である。
【図２】前記四角形ボトルの回転装置の縦断面図である。
【図３】前記四角形ボトルの回転装置の横断面図である。
【図４】前記四角形ボトルの回転装置に用いられる搬送手段の全体の構成を示す平面図である。
【図５】一対のベルト部材の駆動部を示す平面図である。
【図６】第２の実施の形態に係る四角形ボトルの回転装置に設けられた一対のベルト部材を示す平面図である。
【図７】第２の実施の形態に係る四角形ボトルの回転装置の横断面図である。
【符号の説明】
２四角形ボトル
２ｂ断面円形部分
２ｃキャップ部
２ｄフランジ部
２ｅ小径部
４搬送手段
６ベルト部材
８ベルト部材
１２ベルト駆動手段（モータ）
１６Ｂ無端状走行部材（右側の中間コンベヤ部材）
１８Ｂ無端状走行部材（左側の中間コンベヤ部材）
４４コンベヤ駆動手段（モータ）
４６コンベヤ駆動手段（モータ）[0001]
[Technical field to which the invention belongs]
The present invention relates to a rotation device for a square bottle, for example, a rectangular bottle having a rectangular planar shape is conveyed with its longitudinal direction directed back and forth, and then rotated 90 degrees and aligned sideways before boxing. The present invention relates to a rotating device for a square bottle used in some cases.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As described above, a rotating device for rotating a square bottle being conveyed is already known (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-338211). The rectangular bottle rotating device described in the publication includes a bottle transport conveyor, a pair of belts installed at the height of the cap portion of the square bottle transported by the transport conveyor, and a motor for running these belts. I have.
[0003]
The pair of belts are suspended so that one is driven by a large-diameter pulley and the other is suspended by being driven by a small-diameter pulley so that the belts run at different speeds by receiving the driving force of the motor. It has become. The distance between the opposed surfaces of these two belts is slightly smaller than the diameter of the cap portion of the bottle, and is in contact with the cap portion so that the bottle is rotated by the speed difference between these belts. It has become.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The cap attached to the mouth of the bottle is tightly sealed with a predetermined torque so that the inside of the bottle can be reliably sealed and can be opened with an appropriate force. If the square bottle cap part is sandwiched and rotated by a pair of belts as in the case of the rotating device of the above, the cap may rotate with respect to the bottle body, and the tightening torque of the cap may fluctuate. was there.
[0005]
The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a square bottle rotating device that can rotate a square bottle without impairing the sealing performance of the cap.
[0006]
Further, in the conventional square bottle rotating device, the bottle being conveyed by the bottle conveying conveyor is rotated by sandwiching only the cap portion at the upper end between the belts on both sides. Due to the structure of sliding and forcibly rotating, it was difficult to rotate it exactly the required angle. Accordingly, another object of the present invention is to provide a square bottle rotating device that can rotate a bottle reliably by applying a force for rotating the bottle from the conveyor side.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The rotating device of the square bottle according to the invention of claim 1 The cross-sectional shape is almost rectangular A conveying means for placing and conveying a square bottle having a circular cross section on the upper part, and a pair of belt members that abut on both sides of the circular cross section of the bottle conveyed by the conveying means and run in the same direction as the conveying means And belt drive means for running these belt members at different speeds, and rotating the square bottle by a predetermined angle due to the speed difference between the belt members, in particular, the conveying means, A central conveyor narrower than the length of the short side of the square bottle arranged in the center, and arranged on both the left and right sides thereof A pair of endless traveling members traveling in parallel, Endless Conveyor drive means for running the running member at different speeds, The central conveyor continuously travels between a pair of endless traveling members and their upstream side or downstream side to convey square bottles, The same side of the belt member and the endless running member is run at a higher speed than the other side. Rotate the square bottle by a predetermined angle The speed difference of the belt member is set so that the angular speed of the square bottle rotated by the belt member is the same as the angular speed of the square bottle rotated by the endless traveling member. .
[0008]
In the present invention, not only the upper part of the quadrangular bottle is rotated by the pair of belt members, but also the conveying means that conveys the quadrangular bottle gives a rotational force, so that the quadrangular bottle can be reliably rotated. it can.
[0009]
Moreover, the rotation device of the square bottle according to the invention of claim 2 The cross-sectional shape is almost rectangular A conveying means for placing and conveying a square bottle having a circular cross section on the upper part, and a pair of belt members that abut on both sides of the circular cross section of the bottle conveyed by the conveying means and run in the same direction as the conveying means And belt drive means for running these belt members at different speeds, and rotating the square bottle by a predetermined angle due to the speed difference between the belt members, The transport means includes a central conveyor having a width smaller than the length of the short side of the square bottle disposed in the center, a pair of endless traveling members disposed in parallel on the left and right sides thereof, and both Conveyor driving means for causing the endless traveling member to travel at different speeds, and the central conveyor continuously travels between the pair of endless traveling members and their upstream side or downstream side to convey the square bottles. And the same side of the belt member and the endless running member is run at a higher speed than the other side to rotate the square bottle by a predetermined angle, Above Square bottle The circular section has an upper cap portion, a lower flange portion, and a smaller diameter portion lower than the flange portion, and the pair of belt members are flat belts that contact the outer periphery of the flange portion of the square bottle. It is characterized by touching.
[0010]
In this invention, not the cap part of the square bottle, but the flange below it Part , Consisting of flat belt Since this square bottle is rotated by being sandwiched between a pair of belt members, there is no possibility of impairing the sealing performance by the cap, and the reliability is improved.
[0013]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The present invention will be described below with reference to embodiments shown in the drawings. FIG. 1 is a plan view of a rectangular bottle rotating device according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view thereof, FIG. 3 is a transverse sectional view, and FIG. 4 includes an upstream side and a downstream side of the rotating device. It is a top view which shows arrangement | positioning of the whole bottle conveyance means, and its drive relationship.
[0014]
The square bottle 2 rotated by the rotating device has a main body portion 2a having a planar shape, that is, a cross-sectional shape that is substantially rectangular, and has a portion 2b having a circular cross-section at the top. The circular section 2b is provided with a cap portion 2c having a cap attached to the upper end, a flange portion 2d expanded outwardly below the cap portion 2c, and a small-diameter portion 2e disposed below the cap portion 2c (see FIG. 2). (See bottle 2 on the far right).
[0015]
The square bottle rotating device includes a bottle conveying means (indicated by reference numeral 4 as a whole) for carrying the square bottle 2 and conveying the square bottle 2 on both sides of the circular section 2b of the square bottle 2 conveyed by the conveying means 4. A pair of belt members 6 and 8 for rotating the bottle 2 while traveling in the same direction as the conveying means 4, a conveyor driving means 10 comprising a plurality of motors for running the bottle conveying means 4, and a belt Belt driving means 12 for running the members 6 and 8 is provided.
[0016]
First, the conveying means 4 will be described with reference to FIG. The conveying means 4 includes a narrow conveyor 14 disposed in the center and wide conveyors 16 and 18 disposed on the left and right sides thereof (hereinafter, the conveyor 16 positioned above in FIG. Three conveyors 16, 14, 18 are provided. The central conveyor 14 is narrower than the length of the short side of the square bottle 2 and is divided into two conveyor members 14A and 14B on the upstream side and downstream side in the middle of the bottle rotating portion R described later. ing. A connecting plate 14 C is provided at a connection portion between both the conveyor members 14 A and 14 B.
[0017]
The left and right conveyors 16 and 18 are intermediate conveyor members (endless traveling members) 16B and 18B provided in the bottle rotating part R, and upstream conveyor members 16A and 18A and downstream conveyor members, respectively. It is divided into 16C and 18C. As described above, since the width of the central conveyor 14 is narrow, even in a state where the square bottle 2 is oriented in the longitudinal direction back and forth (see the square bottle indicated by reference numeral 2A in FIG. 1), 18 is transported on the board. In addition, between the left and right upstream conveyor members 16A, 18A and the intermediate conveyor members 16B, 18B, and between the intermediate conveyor members 16B, 18B and the downstream conveyor members 16C, 18C, respectively, the transition plates 16D, 18D, 16E and 18E are installed.
[0018]
The left and right upstream conveyor members 16 A and 18 A travel toward the left in FIG. 4 by wheels 24 and 26 fixed to the drive shaft 22 of the first motor 20, and further, the drive shaft 22 of the first motor 20. Is transmitted to the intermediate shaft 30 via the transmission belt 28, and the central conveyor member 14A on the upstream side also travels in the same direction via a wheel 32 fixed to the intermediate shaft 30. Similarly, the left and right and central downstream conveyor members 16C, 18C, and 14B travel in the same direction toward the left in FIG. 4 by wheels 38, 40, and 42 fixed to the drive shaft 36 of the second motor 34. In this embodiment, the central upstream and downstream conveyor members 14A and 14B and the upstream and downstream conveyor members 16A, 16C, 18A, and 18C on both the left and right sides are transported on a container processing line in which a rotating device for the square bottles is provided. It is designed to run at speed.
[0019]
The intermediate conveyor members 16 B and 18 B on the left and right sides provided in the bottle rotating unit R are driven by a third motor 44 and a fourth motor 46. A gear (first gear) 50 is fixed to the drive shaft 48 of the third motor 44, and the first gear 50 is rotatably fitted to the drive shaft 52 of the fourth motor 46 (second gear). 54 is engaged. A wheel 56 that is rotatably fitted to the drive shaft 52 of the fourth motor 46 is fixed to the second gear 54, and the drive of the third motor 44 is applied to the wheel 56 via both gears 50 and 54. The right intermediate conveyor member 16B travels as the wheel 56 rotates.
[0020]
A wheel 58 is fixed to the drive shaft 52 of the fourth motor 46, and the left intermediate conveyor member 18 B travels by the rotation of the wheel 58. The drive shaft 48 of the third motor 44 is provided with an encoder 60 that detects the rotation thereof. The fourth motor 46 is driven by the encoder 60 following the third motor 44. In this embodiment, the right intermediate conveyor member 16B driven by the third motor 44 runs at the same speed as the upstream and downstream conveyor members 14A, 16A, 18A, 16C, 14B, and 18C. Yes. The fourth motor 46 is set to be driven faster than the third motor 44, so that the left intermediate conveyor 18B travels at a faster speed than the right intermediate conveyor 16B.
[0021]
A portion where the left and right intermediate conveyor members 16B and 18B are installed is a bottle rotating portion R, and a pair of belt members 6 and 8 are disposed above the intermediate conveyor members 16B and 18B. Upright struts 62, 64, 66, 68 are fixed to the outside of the intermediate conveyor members 16B, 18B, and a horizontal plate 70 is mounted on the struts 62, 64, 66, 68. A pair of belt members 6 and 8 (hereinafter, the belt member 6 shown in the upper part of FIGS. 1 and 4 is called a right belt member and the belt member 8 shown in the lower part is called a left belt member) are provided on the lower surface side of the belt. .
[0022]
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the horizontal plate 70 includes vertical shafts 72, 74, 76, 78 located on the upstream and downstream sides of the intermediate conveyor members 16B, 18B on the left and right sides, respectively. Are rotatably supported, and pulleys 80, 82, 84, and 86 are attached to lower ends of the vertical shafts 72, 74, 76, and 78, respectively. The pulleys 80 and 82 provided above the right intermediate conveyor member 16B and the pulleys 84 and 86 provided above the left intermediate conveyor member 18B are respectively connected to the endless right belt member 6 and the left belt. The member 8 is wound. Support rails 88 and 90 are arranged inside the facing portions of both belt members 6 and 8, and each belt member 6 and 8 supports the back of the belt member 6 and 8 when rotating in contact with the square bottle 2. It is like that.
[0023]
In this embodiment, both belt members 6 and 8 come into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the flange portion 2d provided below the cap portion 2c of the square bottle 2, and are supported by the support rails 88 and 90. The distance between the facing portions of the two belt members 6 and 8 is slightly smaller than the diameter of the flange portion 2d. The belt members 6 and 8 are flat belts, and are arranged so that a substantially middle portion in the width direction of the flat belts coincides with the height of the flange portion 2d.
[0024]
Out of the pulleys 80, 82, 84, 86 around which the pair of belt members 6, 8 are wound, the pulleys 82, 86 on the downstream side are drive pulleys, and the vertical shafts 74, 78 to which these drive pulleys 82, 86 are attached. Gears 92 and 94 are fixed to the upper end of each (see FIG. 5). Above the horizontal plate 70, a belt drive motor 12 as a belt drive means is installed. A drive pulley 82 of the right belt member 6 is attached to a gear 100 fixed to a drive shaft 98 of the belt drive motor 12. Is directly meshed with the gear 92. A gear 94 connected to the drive pulley 86 of the left belt member 8 meshes with the gear 100 of the drive motor 12 via the intermediate gear 102.
[0025]
The gear 100 fixed to the drive shaft 98 of the belt drive motor 12, the drive gear 92 and the intermediate gear 102 of the right belt member 6 are the same gear, and the drive gear 94 of the left belt member 8 is the gears described above. The gear is smaller than 92, 100, and 102. Accordingly, the belt driving motor 12 drives the left belt member 8 at a higher speed than the right belt member 6. The speed difference between the left and right belt members 6 and 8 is set so that the angular speed of the rotated square bottle 2 is the same as the angular speed of rotation by the lower intermediate conveyor members 16B and 18B. The belt drive motor 12 is driven to follow the fourth motor 46 by a second encoder 104 provided in the fourth motor 46.
[0026]
In this embodiment, the square bottles 2 (2A) that have been conveyed in a line with the longitudinal direction back and forth are rotated 90 degrees by the speed difference between the pair of belt members 6 and 8 and the pair of intermediate conveyor members 16B and 18B. The rectangular bottle 2 is rotated so that the longitudinal direction of the rectangular bottle 2 is directed in the left-right direction of the conveying means 4 (see the bottle 2B in FIG. 1), and on the upstream side of the pair of belt members 6 and 8, A guide member 106 that is slightly wider than the length of the short side of the square bottle 2, and a guide that is slightly wider than the length of the long side of the square bottle 2 is provided downstream of the belt members 6 and 8. Each member 108 is provided.
[0027]
The operation of the square bottle rotating device according to the above configuration will be described. The square bottle 2 is guided by the upstream guide member 106 and conveyed to the rotating device of the square bottle in a state where the longitudinal direction thereof is directed back and forth (see the bottle 2A in FIG. 1). The left and right conveyor members 16A and 18A on the upstream side and the central conveyor member 14A are traveling at a constant speed by driving the first motor 20, and the square bottle 2 is conveyed without being applied with a force in the rotational direction.
[0028]
Thereafter, the left and right upstream conveyor members 16A and 18A are transferred onto the left and right intermediate conveyor members 16B and 18B. The upstream conveyor members 16A, 18A and the intermediate conveyor members 16B, 18B are connected by the jumpers 16D, 18D, and the central conveyor member 14A is connected to the intermediate conveyor members 16B, 18B from the upstream conveyor members 16A, 18A. It runs continuously over the upstream portion, and the square bottle 2 is transferred from the upstream conveyor members 16A and 18A onto the intermediate conveyor members 16B and 18B by the central conveyor member 14A and the crossing plates 16D and 18D. The square bottle 2 conveyed by the intermediate conveyor members 16B and 18B tends to rotate at the upstream portion due to the speed difference between the left and right conveyor members 16B and 18B, but is guided by the upstream guide member 106 to face the direction. Move forward as it is.
[0029]
Near the end of the upstream guide member 106, the circular section 2 b at the top of the square bottle 2 enters between the pair of belt members 6, 8. In this embodiment, the belt members 6 and 8 on both sides are pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the flange portion 2d formed below the cap portion 2c of the square bottle 2. When the square bottle 2 moves forward and enters between the belt members 6 and 8, and is disengaged from the upstream guide member 106, the belt members 6 and 8 on both sides and the intermediate conveyor members 16B and 18B on both sides disposed below are provided. , Respectively, run at different speeds on the left and right, and gradually rotate as the square bottle 2 moves forward.
[0030]
In this embodiment, the left belt member 8 and the left intermediate conveyor member 18B are traveling at a higher speed than the right belt member 6 and the right intermediate conveyor member 16B. Is rotated 90 degrees in the clockwise direction indicated by the arrow, and the longitudinal direction is directed left and right (see bottle 2B in FIG. 1). After entering between the downstream guide members 108 in this state, the belt members 6 and 8 on both sides are disengaged. Even if the square bottle 2 is detached from the belt members 6 and 8 on both sides, while it is being conveyed on the intermediate conveyors 16B and 18B, it tends to rotate due to the speed difference between the intermediate conveyors 16B and 18B. It is guided by the member 108 and conveyed while facing the direction. Thereafter, the intermediate conveyor members 16B and 18B are transferred to the downstream conveyor members 16C and 18C and conveyed. The intermediate conveyor members 16B and 18B and the downstream conveyor members 16C and 18C are also connected by the jumpers 16E and 18E, and the central conveyor member 14B continuously runs. It is transferred from the members 16B and 18B to the downstream conveyor members 16c and 18C.
[0031]
In the rotation device for the square bottle according to this embodiment, the flange portion 2d provided below the cap portion 2c of the square bottle 2 is rotated between the pair of left and right belt members 6 and 8, so that the cap There is no risk of affecting the sealing condition. Further, as with the upper belt members 6 and 8, the lower conveyor members 16B and 18B are also driven with a speed difference, so that the square bottle 2 can be reliably rotated.
[0032]
In this embodiment, the speed difference between the belt members 6 and 8 and the intermediate conveyor members 16B and 18B is set so that the angular velocity of the rotated square bottle 2 is constant up and down. The speed difference is not necessarily limited to this, and it is only necessary that at least the same side of the belt members 6 and 8 and the intermediate conveyor members 16B and 18B travel at a higher speed than the other side. In this way, if the rotational force is also applied to the rectangular bottle 2 from the conveying means 4 side, the bottle 4 can be rotated more reliably than when only the upper part is rotated. Moreover, when the rotational force is also applied from the conveying means 4 side as in this embodiment, the belt members 6 and 8 on both sides are rotated with the cap portion 2c sandwiched as in the conventional configuration. Even in this case, since the rotational force of the cap with respect to the bottle main body 2a is reduced, the cap can be prevented from being loosened or excessively tightened.
[0033]
In the embodiment described above, the upstream conveyor members 14A, 16A, 18A at the center and the left and right sides, the downstream conveyor members 14B, 16C, 18C, and the right intermediate conveyor member 16B run at the same speed, and the left intermediate conveyor The member 18B travels at a speed faster than the conveyor members 14A, 16A, 18A, 14B, 16C, 18C, and 16B. However, the setting of the conveyor speed is not limited to the configuration of the above embodiment. For example, one of the intermediate conveyor members 16B and 18B may travel at a higher speed than the other. For example, the intermediate conveyor member 18B on the left side may be used as the upstream and downstream conveyor members 14A, 16A, 18A, 14B, 16C, 18C So that the right intermediate conveyor member 16B runs at a slower speed. Alternatively, one of the intermediate conveyor members 16B and 18B is run at a higher speed and the other is run at a lower speed than the running speed of the upstream conveyor members 14A, 16A and 18A and the downstream conveyor members 14B, 16C and 18C. Also good. In this case, it goes without saying that the belt member 6 or 8 on the same side as the intermediate conveyor member 16B or 18B on the high speed side runs at a higher speed than the other belt member.
[0034]
In this embodiment, in addition to the pair of belt members 6 and 8, the bottle 2 is also rotated on the conveying means 4 side. However, the conveying means 4 does not necessarily provide a rotational force to the square bottle 2. It is not limited, and it may be conveyed by a single conveyor. Even in this case, the square bottle 2 is rotated by contacting the pair of belt members 6 and 8 below the cap portion 2c of the circular section 2b of the square bottle 2 conveyed by the conveyor. There is no risk of problems such as loosening or excessive tightening of the cap.
[0035]
6 and 7 are views showing the main part of the rotating device for the square bottle according to the second embodiment, FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a pair of belt members, and FIG. 7 is a cross section of the rotating device. FIG. In the above-described embodiment, a flat belt is used as the pair of belt members 6 and 8, and this flat belt is elastically brought into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the flange 2d formed below the cap portion 2c of the quadrangular bottle 2. Although the bottle 2 is rotated, in this embodiment, round belts are used as the belt members 206 and 208, and this round belt is formed in a small diameter portion formed below the flange portion 2d of the square bottle 2. 2e.
[0036]
In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the portions of the pair of belt members 206, 208 facing each other (portions sandwiching the cross-sectional circular portion 2 b of the square bottle 2 from both sides) are formed from the inside by a large number of rollers 290. It is supported. Further, the rectangular bottle 2 has a semicircular arc-shaped recess in the longitudinal section of the small diameter portion 2e formed below the flange portion 2d, and a pair of belt members 206 made of the round belt in the arc-shaped recess. 208 is pressed and this square bottle 2 is rotated as it travels. In addition, the structure of the conveying means 4, the structure which gives a speed difference to the intermediate conveyor members 16B and 18B on both sides provided in the bottle rotating portion R of the conveying means 4, and the speed difference to the pair of belt members 206 and 208 are given. Since the configuration and the like are the same as those of the above embodiment, the description thereof is omitted. Also in this embodiment, the same effect as the first embodiment can be obtained.
[0037]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, The cross-sectional shape is almost rectangular A conveying means for placing and conveying a square bottle having a circular cross section on the upper part, and a pair of belt members that abut on both sides of the circular cross section of the bottle conveyed by the conveying means and run in the same direction as the conveying means And a belt driving means for causing both belt members to travel at different speeds, and in the rotating device for a square bottle that rotates the square bottle by a predetermined angle due to the speed difference between the belt members, the conveying means includes: A central conveyor that is narrower than the length of the short side of the square bottle arranged in the center, and arranged on both the left and right sides thereof A pair of endless traveling members traveling in parallel, Endless Conveyor drive means for running the running member at different speeds, The central conveyor continuously travels between a pair of endless traveling members and their upstream side or downstream side to convey square bottles, The same side of the belt member and the endless running member is run at a higher speed than the other side. Rotate the square bottle by a predetermined angle The belt member speed difference is set so that the angular velocity of the quadrangle bottle rotated by the belt member is the same as the angular velocity of the quadrangle bottle rotated by the endless running member, so that the quadrangle bottle is reliably rotated. Can be made.
[0038]
The invention described in claim 2 The cross-sectional shape is almost rectangular A conveying means for placing and conveying a square bottle having a circular cross section on the upper part, and a pair of belt members that abut on both sides of the circular cross section of the bottle conveyed by the conveying means and run in the same direction as the conveying means And a belt driving means that causes the belt members to travel at different speeds, and a rotation device for the square bottle that rotates the square bottle by a predetermined angle due to the speed difference between the belt members, The transport means includes a central conveyor having a width smaller than the length of the short side of the square bottle disposed in the center, a pair of endless traveling members disposed in parallel on the left and right sides thereof, and both Conveyor driving means for causing the endless traveling member to travel at different speeds, and the central conveyor continuously travels between the pair of endless traveling members and their upstream side or downstream side to convey the square bottles. And the same side of the belt member and the endless running member is run at a higher speed than the other side to rotate the square bottle by a predetermined angle, Above Square bottle The circular section has an upper cap portion, a lower flange portion, and a smaller diameter portion lower than the flange portion, and the pair of belt members are flat belts that contact the outer periphery of the flange portion of the square bottle. Since the cap portion is held in contact with the cap portion and does not rotate, the tightening torque of the cap does not fluctuate and the reliability is improved.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a square bottle rotating device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the square bottle rotating device.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the square bottle rotating device.
FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the overall configuration of a conveying means used in the rectangular bottle rotating device.
FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a drive unit of a pair of belt members.
FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a pair of belt members provided in the quadrangle bottle rotating device according to the second embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a transverse cross-sectional view of a square bottle rotating device according to a second embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
2 square bottle
2b Circular section
2c Cap part
2d flange
2e Small diameter part
4 Transport means
6 Belt member
8 Belt member
12 Belt drive means (motor)
16B Endless running member (right intermediate conveyor member)
18B Endless traveling member (left intermediate conveyor member)
44 Conveyor drive means (motor)
46 Conveyor drive means (motor)

Claims

Conveying means for carrying a rectangular bottle having a substantially rectangular cross section and having a circular cross section at the top, and abutting from both sides to the circular cross section of the bottle being conveyed to the conveying means, and conveying A quadrilateral bottle rotating device comprising a pair of belt members that run in the same direction as the means and belt driving means for causing the belt members to run at different speeds, and rotating the square bottle by a predetermined angle according to the speed difference between the belt members. In
The transport means includes a central conveyor having a width smaller than the length of the short side of the square bottle disposed in the center, a pair of endless traveling members disposed in parallel on the left and right sides thereof , and both Conveyor driving means for causing the endless traveling member to travel at different speeds, and the central conveyor continuously travels between the pair of endless traveling members and their upstream side or downstream side to convey the square bottles. In addition, the same side of the belt member and the endless traveling member is caused to travel at a higher speed than the other side to rotate the square bottle by a predetermined angle , and the angular velocity of the square bottle rotated by the belt member is rotated by the endless traveling member. A quadrature bottle rotating device, wherein a speed difference of a belt member is set so as to be equal to an angular velocity of a square bottle.

Conveying means for carrying a rectangular bottle having a substantially rectangular cross section and having a circular cross section at the top, and abutting from both sides to the circular cross section of the bottle being conveyed to the conveying means, and conveying A quadrilateral bottle rotating device comprising a pair of belt members that run in the same direction as the means and belt driving means for causing the belt members to run at different speeds, and rotating the square bottle by a predetermined angle according to the speed difference between the belt members. In
The transport means includes a central conveyor having a width smaller than the length of the short side of the square bottle disposed in the center, a pair of endless traveling members disposed in parallel on the left and right sides thereof, and both Conveyor driving means for causing the endless traveling member to travel at different speeds, and the central conveyor continuously travels between the pair of endless traveling members and their upstream side or downstream side to convey the square bottles. In addition, the same side of the belt member and the endless traveling member is driven at a higher speed than the other side to rotate the square bottle by a predetermined angle, and the circular section of the square bottle has an upper cap portion and a flange portion below the upper cap portion. And the pair of belt members are flat belts and abut against the outer periphery of the flange portion of the square bottle. Rotating device of a square bottle.