JP4162584B2 - Cap clamp - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a cap fastening tool for attaching a cap to containers such as PET bottles, cans, and bottles.

  Conventionally, when screwing a cap onto an opening of a container such as a plastic bottle, an electric or mechanical tightening tool of a cap tightening machine is fitted into the cap, and a predetermined torque is applied to the cap tightening tool. An operation of mounting the cap on the container opening is performed by rotating the cap. For example, the following is disclosed in relation to such a cap mounting technique.

  In Patent Document 1, an electric motor that is rotated by a motor having a cap held in a cap holding portion and screwed in, and the rotational force from the motor is cut off by a torque limiter when a predetermined tightening strength is reached. Cap clamp is described.

In Patent Document 2, a grip ring that holds a cap inserted into a grip hole, a holder that holds the grip ring so as to be rotatable about its central axis, and a ball at a position that fits into a locking recess of the grip ring. There is described a cap tightening tool including a ball plunger for positioning and a push button for pressing a top surface of a cap held by a grip ring.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-80195 JP-A-10-72095

  However, in the case of tightening the cap using a conventional cap tightening machine, there is a problem in that capital investment is a burden because a large automated facility is required.

In addition, the electric cap tightening tool described in Patent Document 1 requires a motor, a torque limiter, gears and a speed reducer for transmitting the motor rotation, etc., so that the maintenance performance is poor and the cost is increased and the production is small. There was a problem that it was difficult to deal with.
In the cap tightening tool described in Patent Document 2, since the ball plunger for setting the tightening torque is arranged on the upper part of the holder, the operator grasps the upper part of the holder from which the plunger protrudes and tightens the cap. There is a problem that it is difficult to perform, and lack of productivity when caps are continuously attached in large quantities.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described conventional problems, and is excellent in handling and workability that can easily hold the holder portion and load a predetermined torque when the cap is tightened, and has a simple structure. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a cap fastening tool that does not require a large facility and is excellent in economic efficiency and maintainability.

  The cap tightening tool according to claim 1 includes an inner ring portion into which a cap is inserted and held, a holder portion that rotatably holds the inner ring portion, and a space between the holder portion and the inner ring portion. A torque limiter portion that prevents relative rotation within a specified torque; and a handling grip portion that incorporates the torque limiter portion and projects radially from the outer peripheral surface of the holder portion. .

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the cap tightening tool according to the first aspect, wherein the inner ring portion holds the substantially cylindrical elastic body having a taper contacting the cap and the elastic body fixed to the inside thereof. And a rigid body, and the elastic body has a taper angle of 2 to 7 degrees and is expanded downward.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the cap fastening tool according to the first or second aspect, wherein the torque limiter portion includes a locking recess formed on the outer peripheral surface of the inner ring portion at a predetermined interval, and an inner peripheral surface of the holder portion. And a plunger portion whose ball-shaped tip is fitted into the locking recess with a predetermined elastic force.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the cap tightening tool according to the third aspect, further comprising an elastic force adjusting mechanism that adjusts an elastic force of the distal end of the plunger portion that is pressed toward the locking recess. .

  According to the cap tightening tool of the first aspect, the torque limiter portion that prevents the relative rotation between the inner ring portion and the holder portion to which the cap is fitted and held is provided, so that torque can be constantly applied within the specified range. It is suitable for cap mounting on a small-scale line while reducing variations in cap tightening to suppress deformation and breakage of the cap. In addition, since it has a grip part for handling formed with a built-in torque limiter part and projecting radially from the outer peripheral surface of the holder part, it is easy to handle the holder part when tightening the cap and handleability and work In addition to superiority, it has a simple structure and is economical and easy to maintain.

  According to the cap fastening tool of claim 2, the substantially cylindrical elastic body having a taper that abuts against the cap and expands downward at a predetermined angle, and the rigid body that holds and holds the elastic body inside thereof. The inner ring part can also be configured so as to be equipped, so that it can be adapted to caps with different diameters within the range of the taper angle, and it is excellent in versatility, and the cap is elastically held, so the cap itself is damaged. Therefore, it is excellent in cap protection and wearability, and this makes it possible to improve the workability of cap wearing.

  According to the cap tightening tool of the third aspect of the present invention, a plunger portion that protrudes from the inner peripheral surface of the holder portion and that has a ball-like tip fitted with a predetermined elastic force in the locking recess of the inner ring portion is provided. Therefore, when a torque exceeding a predetermined value defined by the elastic force is applied to the inner ring portion and the holder portion, the ball-shaped tip is pushed out from the locking recess and the inner ring portion and the holder portion are Relative rotation becomes possible, and it can be moved to a position where this tip is press-fitted into the next adjacent locking recess. In this way, the holder portion can be rotated with respect to the inner ring portion that holds the cap within a predetermined torque range, and the cap can be reliably tightened under a uniform torque.

  According to the cap tightening tool of claim 4, since the elastic force adjusting mechanism for adjusting the elastic force at the tip of the plunger portion can be provided, the upper limit of the tightening torque is determined according to the working conditions such as the operator and the type of the cap. It can be adjusted and is excellent in versatility and operability.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a front sectional view of a cap fastening tool according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a plan sectional view thereof.
1 and 2, the cap tightening tool 10 according to the first embodiment includes an inner ring portion 11 in which a substantially cylindrical cap of a beverage container such as a plastic bottle is fitted and held, and an inner ring portion 11. A holder part 12 for holding the inner ring part 11, a torque limiter part 13 for preventing relative rotation between the inner ring part 11 and the holder part 12, and a torque limiter part 13 are incorporated. Then, the grip portion 14 of the cap fastening tool 10 is formed so as to project radially from the outer peripheral surface of the holder portion 12 in the eight-divided direction.
The cap fastening tool 10 is a tool used when attaching or removing a cap to an opening of a container such as a plastic bottle or a bottle, and the overall structure thereof is a radial shape from a peripheral wall formed in a substantially ring shape. A torque limiter portion 13 is built in a grip portion 14 that is formed so as to protrude from the shaft.

  The inner ring portion 11 includes an elastic body 11a having a taper whose inner wall surface is in contact with the cap and is expanded downward at a predetermined angle, and a substantially cylindrical rigid body 11b that is fixedly disposed on the outer periphery of the elastic body 11a. It is comprised so that it can replace | desorb to the holder part 12 by replacing | exchanging as needed to the elastic body from which each has a different taper angle and caliber.

The elastic body 11a formed on the inner wall surface of the inner ring portion 11 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape with a relatively soft synthetic resin, rubber, or the like, and the contact surface that is fitted to the cap expands downward at a predetermined angle. A taper is provided. As a result, even if the outer diameter of the cap applied to the cap tightening tool 10 is slightly different, it does not touch the outer periphery of the cap and does not damage the outer peripheral surface of the cap.
The taper angle of the portion (inner ring portion 11) that the elastic body 11a fits and holds in the cap is preferably in the range of 2 to 7 degrees with respect to the rotation axis direction of the cap fastening tool 10. The reason for this is that if the taper angle is smaller than 2 degrees, the applicable diameter range of the cap is narrowed and versatility is lowered. Conversely, if the taper angle exceeds 7 degrees, the cap gripping force is reduced and the cap is held to hold the cap. This is because it is difficult to transmit a predetermined torque to the motor.

  The rigid body 11b is made of a metal material such as stainless steel or aluminum alloy, or a hard synthetic resin material, and holds the elastic body 11a in a state where the elastic body 11a is bonded and fixed therein, and a torque limiter portion described later on the outer surface thereof. The locking recesses 13a into which the 13 balls 13c are pushed and fitted are provided at predetermined intervals.

  The holder portion 12 is a member that is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape with a metal material, a synthetic resin material, or the like, like the rigid body 11b, and is rotatably held with the inner ring portion 11 fitted inside the cylindrical shape. The inner ring portion 11 has a retaining ring 12a for locking the upper portion thereof. By disposing the retaining ring 12a also on the lower side of the inner ring part 11, the fitting and holding of the inner ring part 11 and the relative rotation between the inner ring part 11 and the holder part 12 can be made more reliable. it can.

The torque limiter portion 13 is incorporated in a grip portion 14 that projects radially from the outer periphery of the holder portion 12, and is a locking recess formed in a semispherical shape at a predetermined interval on the outer peripheral surface of the rigid body 11 b of the inner ring portion 11. 13a, a ball 13c whose tip is slidably fitted in the locking recess 13a and applied with a predetermined elastic force via a spring 13b, and an outer end side of the spring 13b are received by the end. And a plunger portion 13e having an elastic force applying mechanism for urging the ball 13c toward the center of the holder 12 and having a spring stopper portion 13d for fixing the spring 13b inside the through hole.
Plural plunger portions 13e are formed in the grip portion 14 of the holder portion 12 in an appropriate number, and by adjusting the number of plunger portions 13e attached to the holder portion 12, the holder portion 12 and the inner ring portion 11 are adjusted. It is possible to set a torque value for fixing the gap.
Further, by changing the strength of the spring 13b of the plural plunger portions 13e and adjusting the urging force that pushes the rear portion of the ball 13c through the spring 13b, the cap tightening tool 10 in the capping operation is idled. The operability of the ratchet function can always be properly maintained to improve the workability during capping.
In the first embodiment, the number of the plunger portions 13e is set to eight, which is easy for a finger to enter. Further, the locking recess 13a of the inner ring portion 11 is arranged at a position that divides the circumferential surface into eight equal parts and is shifted to the next every 1/8 rotation. You may make it arrange | position in the position to divide.
The torque of the holder 12 with respect to the inner ring 11 can be set to a predetermined value by a torque meter in advance according to the position and number of the spring stoppers 13d of the plunger 13e.

In FIG. 2, the grip portion 14 is provided so as to be formed at a position that divides the outer periphery of the holder portion 12 into eight equal parts, but divides into three equal parts, four equal parts, five equal parts, and 16 equal parts. It can also be provided at a position, and the number is not limited.
By inserting a finger into the space between the grip portions 14 formed so as to protrude from the outer peripheral surface of the holder portion 12 formed in this way and gripping the whole, the cap tightening tool 10 can be rotated to facilitate the handling operation. To be able to.

A method for attaching a cap to an opening of a container such as a plastic bottle using the cap fastening tool 10 configured as described above will be described.
First, as shown to Fig.3 (a), it arrange | positions so that the cap C may be covered on the opening part of the container Y, and the elastic body 11a of the cap clamping tool 10 is fitted to the outer peripheral surface of the cap C from the upper part.
Next, as shown in FIG. 3B, the holder portion 12 of the cap fastening tool 10 is rotated. At this time, as shown in FIG. 2A, the cap C is closed with respect to the container Y while the inner ring portion 11 is fixed to the holder portion 12 by the torque limiter portion 13 of the holder portion 12.
However, by applying a torque exceeding the specified value to the holder portion 12 (that is, trying to close it by applying more force after completion of closing), the balls 13c of the plunger portion 13e are arranged at equal intervals on the outer periphery of the inner ring portion 11. As shown in FIG. 2 (b), the holder portion 12 rotates with respect to the inner ring portion 11.

That is, the cap tightening tool 10 of the first embodiment is configured so that when the tightening torque of a predetermined value or more is applied to the holder portion 12, the holder portion 12 is idled and further tightening is restricted. Capping such as tightening and removing of the cap C can be efficiently performed with a constant tightening force regardless of whether there is work experience or physical strength.
Thus, variations in the tightening force of the cap in the tightening operation of the cap C can be eliminated, the cap can be tightened with a constant force, and difficulty during opening can be prevented.
Furthermore, since the cap tightening tool 10 has the grip portion 14 formed with a built-in torque limiter portion 13 and projecting radially from the outer peripheral surface of the holder portion 12, gripping when the cap C is tightened is easy. Excellent handling and workability.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 4 is a front sectional view of a cap fastening tool according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a plan sectional view thereof.
4 and 5, reference numeral 20 denotes a cap clamping tool according to the second embodiment, and reference numeral 21 denotes a torque limiter portion for preventing relative rotation between the inner ring portion 11 and the holder portion 12. In the following description, the cap tightening tool 20 of the second embodiment is similar to the cap tightening tool 10 of the first embodiment except for the configuration of the torque limiter portion, etc. Components having functions are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

The torque limiter portion 21 according to the second embodiment has a locking recess 21a formed by a cylindrical through hole at a predetermined interval on the outer peripheral surface of the rigid body 11b of the inner ring portion 11, and a distal end portion in the locking recess 21a. A locking member 21c that is movably fitted and applied with a predetermined elastic force via a spring 21b, and a spring stopper 21d that receives the outer end side of the spring 21b at its end and fixes the spring 21b inside. And a plunger portion 21f provided with an elastic force adjusting mechanism including an adjusting screw 21e for adjusting the biasing force of the spring 21b by rotating the spring stopper 21d.
Since the rigid body 11b of the inner ring portion 11 is formed of a hardened steel material or the like, the forward and backward movement of the locking member 21c in the locking recess 21a is smooth. In the second embodiment, the taper of the elastic body 11a that is in direct contact with the outer periphery of the cap is set to 5 °, but this angle can be appropriately changed according to the shape of the cap and the tightening force.

Plural number of plunger portions 21f are formed in the grip portion 14 of the holder portion 12, and an elastic force adjusting mechanism is detachably attached therein. As a result, the number of elastic force adjusting mechanisms attached to the holder portion 12 can be adjusted, and the value of the torque for fixing the space between the holder portion 12 and the inner ring portion 11 can be set.
Further, the plurality of adjusting screws 21e of the elastic force adjusting mechanism are rotated for each part, and the rear end portion of the locking member 21c is pushed through the spring 21b to move the locking member 21c toward the center of the holder 12. By adjusting the urging force, the operability of the ratchet function for idling the cap tightening tool 20 in the capping work can always be maintained appropriately, and the workability during capping can be improved.
The torque can be adjusted in advance by a torque meter according to the strength of the spring 21b of the elastic force adjusting mechanism and the number of the set springs.

The cap fastening tool 20 of the second embodiment is configured as described above, and is excellent in versatility that can adjust the torque of the cap fastening tool during the capping operation.
That is, within a predetermined torque range, the holder portion can be rotated with respect to the inner ring portion that holds the cap, and the cap can be securely wound under a uniform torque.
In addition, since it has an elastic force adjustment mechanism that adjusts the urging force of the locking member, the upper limit of the tightening torque during capping can be adjusted without depending on the conditions of individual workers, etc., and it is excellent in versatility and operability ing.
Furthermore, since the outer periphery of the cap is elastically held, the cap itself is not damaged, the cap protection is excellent, and the workability of mounting the cap can be improved.

  The present invention can be applied to a cap fastening tool for attaching a cap to a container such as a plastic bottle or bottle. The cap tightening tool is devised so that the portion without the plunger portion is cut out and the holder portion is easy to grip. That is, the grip part of the cap tightening tool is gripped and rotated in the direction of tightening with respect to the cap. When a load exceeding a certain torque is applied, the holder part idles by the ratchet mechanism, and the cap is tightened with a certain torque. Can do.

3 is a cross-sectional side view of the cap fastening tool according to Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a plane sectional view of the cap clamp. It is explanatory drawing of the use condition of the cap clamp. 6 is a cross-sectional side view of a cap fastening tool according to Embodiment 2. FIG. It is a plane sectional view of the cap clamp.

Explanation of symbols

C Cap 10 Cap tightening tool 11 of Embodiment 1 11 Inner ring portion 11a Elastic body 11b Rigid body 12 Holder portion 12a Retaining ring 13 Torque limiter portion 13a Locking recess portion 13b Spring 13c Ball 13d Spring stopping portion 13e Plunger portion 14 Grip portion 20 Cap tightening tool 21 of embodiment 2 21 Torque limiter 21a Locking recess 21b Spring 21c Locking member 21d Spring stopper 21e Adjustment screw 21f Plunger

Claims (4)

  An inner ring portion in which a cap is inserted and held, a holder portion that rotatably holds the inner ring portion, and a torque limiter that prevents relative rotation within a specified torque between the holder portion and the inner ring portion. And a gripping part for handling formed by projecting radially from the outer peripheral surface of the holder part with the torque limiter part built therein.   The inner ring portion includes a substantially cylindrical elastic body having a taper that comes into contact with the cap, and a rigid body that fixes and holds the elastic body inside thereof, and the elastic body has a taper of 2 to 7 degrees. The cap fastening tool according to claim 1, wherein the diameter of the cap tightens downward at an angle. The torque limiter part is a locking recess formed on the outer peripheral surface of the inner ring part at a predetermined interval;
3. A cap according to claim 1, further comprising: a plunger portion that protrudes from an inner peripheral surface of the holder portion and has a ball-like tip fitted into the locking recess with a predetermined elastic force. Fastening tool.   The cap clamping tool according to claim 3, further comprising an elastic force adjusting mechanism that adjusts an elastic force at a tip of the plunger portion that is pressed toward the locking recess.

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