JP4317970B2 - Container transfer device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
[Technical field to which the invention belongs]
The present invention relates to a container transport apparatus that transports containers by arranging a conveyor between a plurality of container processing apparatuses such as a labeler and a caser.
[0002]
[Prior art]
For example, in a beverage production line, container processing devices such as filler, capper, labeler, and caser are sequentially arranged, and the containers are transported by connecting the container processing devices by a transport conveyor. The process is to be performed. During the actual operation of such a production line, it is rare that all the processing apparatuses continue to operate without stopping, and a situation in which one of the apparatuses stops is often generated. For this reason, the production line is provided with an accumulation conveyor so that even if any one machine stops, operation can be performed without stopping other devices (for example, see Patent Document 1).
[0003]
However, when the upstream side container processing apparatus is a labeler or filler, once the operation is stopped, all the containers carried into the apparatus become defective, so the caser and capper disposed on the downstream side. When the downstream side container processing apparatus such as an inspection machine is stopped, the supply of the container to the upstream side container processing apparatus is stopped by a stopper disposed on the upstream side of the upstream side container processing apparatus, and the upstream side container processing apparatus Containers already carried in are continuously processed and discharged.
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2000-72235 A (page 2-4, FIG. 1)
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
For example, when the apparatus downstream of the labeler is stopped as described above, since all containers already loaded in the labeler must be discharged, a considerable length of accumulator is necessary. If the label is a shrink label, that is, a label attached in a cylindrical shape to a container, and then a shrink label is applied to the container by passing through a shrink tunnel and thermally shrinking, a downstream container processing apparatus is used. When the operation stops, it is necessary to discharge not only the containers in the labeler but also all the containers introduced into the shrink tunnel. The length of the conveyor and the length of the accumulator conveyor between the shrink tunnel and the downstream container processing equipment We need to make it even longer.
[0006]
In addition, when the stop of the downstream container processing apparatus is released and the supply of the container to the shrink labeler is resumed, the container at the end of the discharge from the accumulation conveyor is not overtaken, and the subsequent container It must be supplied so that the distance from the last container is as narrow as possible. In front of the downstream container processing equipment, containers waiting to be processed are waiting in a dense state, and if the interval is too wide, the operation will resume and the first container processed will receive a big impact. This is because the PET container or the like may be deformed.
[0007]
The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, the length of the conveyor can be shortened, and the containers can be conveyed to the downstream container processing apparatus in the processed order, Moreover, it is an object of the present invention to provide a container transport device capable of narrowing the interval between the last container that has been accumulated and the first container that has been processed after restarting when the operation is resumed.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The container transport device according to the present invention includes an upstream container processing device, a downstream container processing device provided downstream of the upstream container processing device, and a container from the upstream container processing device to the downstream container processing device. A transfer conveyor connected to the transfer conveyor and capable of storing containers discharged from the upstream side container processing apparatus, and a branching means provided at a connection portion between the upstream portion of the accumulation conveyor and the transfer conveyor A first sensor that is provided downstream of the branching means of the transport conveyor and detects that the container has stayed close to the branching means of the transport conveyor, and a merge that joins the containers on the accumulation conveyor onto the transport conveyor means, a full sensor for detecting that the container is retained on the conveyor on the downstream side of the merging means, provided upstream of the confluence means, A second sensor for containers on serial conveyor is detected to be discharged, provided on the upstream side of the upstream container processing device, a first stopper for stopping the supply of the containers to the upstream side container processing device, A third sensor for detecting the position of the last container when discharging the container from the accumulation conveyor, and a second stopper provided before the merging means for stopping the container on the accumulation conveyor, When the sensor detects the stagnation of the container, the first stopper is operated to stop the supply of the container to the upstream side container processing device, and when the first sensor on the downstream side of the branching means detects the stagnation of the container, the branching switching means to the accumulation conveyor side, the containers discharged from the upstream side container processing apparatus is introduced into the accumulation conveyors, when the downstream vessel treatment device is restored, the The signal of two sensors to discharge containers on the accumulation conveyor, in which so as to resume the supply of containers to the upstream side container processing device to release the first stopper by the signal of the third sensor.
[0009]
In the container transport apparatus according to the present invention, when the downstream container processing apparatus stops, the full sensor detects that the container has accumulated on the transport conveyor, and supplies a new container to the upstream container processing apparatus. While stopping, the container already supplied in the upstream container processing apparatus is dispensed. When the container discharged from the upstream side container processing apparatus is detected by the sensor on the downstream side of the branching apparatus to stay on the transfer conveyor that transports the container to the downstream side container processing apparatus, the branching apparatus is accumulated from the transfer conveyor. Switch to conveyor and store containers on the accumulator conveyor.
[0010]
When the downstream container processing apparatus resumes operation, first, the containers on the transport conveyor are supplied to the downstream container processing apparatus, and subsequently the containers on the accumulator conveyor are also joined and supplied to the transport conveyor. Further, the movement of the last container on the accumulator is detected by the sensor, the stopping means is released, and the container is supplied to the upstream container processing apparatus. In this way, the container conveyance status is detected by the sensors provided in each part, the containers are accumulated on the conveyance conveyor and the accumulation conveyor, and after restarting the operation, the discharge status of the containers on the accumulation conveyor is confirmed and stopped. The means is retracted and the supply of the container to the upstream container processing apparatus is resumed.
[0011]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a container transport device comprising: an upstream side container processing device, a labeler for mounting a film label on the container; and a container provided with a film label on the downstream side of the labeler. It is characterized by comprising a shrink tunnel that heats and shrinks the label.
[0012]
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 showing a simplified overall configuration of a container transport device according to an embodiment of the present invention. This container transport device includes a shrink labeler 2 for mounting a film-like label on a container (not shown), and a shrink tunnel 4 for heating the container to thermally weld the label, and discharging from the shrink tunnel 4. The thus-contained container is transported to a downstream container processing apparatus (caser in this embodiment).
[0013]
Containers that have been continuously conveyed by the upstream supply conveyor 8 are cut into the shrink labeler 2 at predetermined intervals by the infeed screw 10 and supplied via the inlet star wheel 12. In the shrink labeler 2, a label in which a film is formed in a cylindrical shape is placed on a container and then discharged onto the conveyor 16 through the outlet star wheel 14.
[0014]
The container covered with the film label in the shrink labeler 2 is carried into the shrink tunnel 4 by the conveyor 16. The container transported in the shrink tunnel 4 is heated, and the film label that is put on the container is heat-shrinked to adhere to the outer surface of the container.
[0015]
The containers heated in the shrink tunnel 4 and thermally welded with the film labels are transported in a single row by the transport conveyor 18 and sent to a downstream container processing apparatus (caser) 6. On the upstream side of the caser 6, although not shown, a branching device that branches the containers transported in one row into a plurality of rows is provided, and the containers branched into a plurality of rows by the branching device are casers 6. Boxed by.
[0016]
An accumulating conveyor 20 is arranged in parallel with the conveying conveyor 18 that connects the shrink tunnel 4 and the caser 6. The accumulation conveyor 20 is connected to the transport conveyor 18 via a branching device 22 in the upstream portion, and connected to the transport conveyor 18 via a junction device 24 in the downstream portion. The branching device 20 can branch the container that has been transported on the transport conveyor 18 to either the transport conveyor 18 or the accumulator conveyor 20. Further, the junction device 24 can join the containers on the accumulation conveyor 20 onto the transport conveyor 18.
[0017]
FIG. 2 shows an example of the branching device 22 provided at the upstream connection portion between the transport conveyor 18 and the accumulation conveyor 20, and a part 28 of the transport conveyor 18 rotates around the upstream fulcrum 26. It is a movable branch guide. The branch guide 28 is rotated by a driving means (not shown). When the branch guide 28 is moved to a position indicated by a solid line in FIG. 2, the container discharged from the shrink tunnel 4 remains on the transport conveyor 18 as it is. Is sent to the caser 6. When the branch guide 28 is rotated to the position indicated by the imaginary line in FIG. 2, the container discharged from the shrink tunnel 4 and transported upstream of the transport conveyor 18 is accumulated via the branch guide 28. It is introduced into the conveyor 20.
[0018]
FIG. 3 shows an example of a merging device 24 provided at a downstream connection portion between the transport conveyor 18 and the accumulator conveyor 20, and a part 30 of the transport conveyor 18 is centered on a downstream fulcrum 32. It is a turnable confluence guide. This merging guide 30 is also rotated by a driving means (not shown). When the merging guide 30 is moved to the position indicated by the solid line in FIG. 3, a portion of the conveying conveyor 18 parallel to the accumulation conveyor 20 is conveyed. The containers thus fed are sent to the caser 6 as they are through the downstream portion of the transport conveyor 18. On the other hand, when the merging guide 30 is rotated to the position indicated by the imaginary line in FIG. 3, the containers accumulated on the accumulation conveyor 20 are merged onto the conveying conveyor 18 via the merging guide 30.
[0019]
A first stopper 34 is provided on the upstream side of the infeed screw 10 that separates the container supplied to the shrink labeler 2 at a predetermined interval. The first stopper 34 stops the supply of the container to the shrink labeler 2 when it moves forward and protrudes onto the supply conveyor 8. In addition, this 1st stopper 34 is not restricted to the structure driven by a cylinder like illustration, You may make it stop the infeed screw 10 and the supply conveyor 8. FIG. Further, a second stopper 36 for stopping the container on the accumulation conveyor 20 is provided in front of the junction device 24 provided at the downstream end of the accumulation conveyor 20.
[0020]
A full sensor 38 that detects that a container has accumulated on the transport conveyor 18 is provided between the junction device 24 of the transport conveyor 18 and the accumulation conveyor 20 and the downstream caser 6. When the full sensor 38 detects that the container has stayed on the transport conveyor 18, this detection signal is input to a control device (not shown) and provided upstream of the shrink labeler 2 by a command signal from the control device. The first stopper 34 is advanced.
[0021]
The full sensor 38 detects, for example, the passage of the container by turning off the light when the container passes by checking that the light passing through the container is turned off. Possible sensors are used. And if this sensor detects the state from which light was interrupted for more than predetermined time, it will judge that the container stayed on the conveyance conveyor 18. FIG.
[0022]
Further, a sensor having the same function as the full sensor 38 is located slightly downstream of the branching device 22 on the transport conveyor 18 which is a connecting portion with the accumulation conveyor 20 (hereinafter, this sensor is referred to as a first sensor 40). ) And a little upstream of the merging device 24 on the conveyor 18 (hereinafter, this sensor is referred to as a second sensor 42). The first sensor 40 provided on the downstream side of the branching device 22 is, more precisely, provided on the downstream side of the branching position by the branching device 22, that is, the position of the fulcrum 26. Precisely, it is provided at the merging position by the merging device 24, that is, upstream of the fulcrum 32.
[0023]
The first sensor 40 provided on the downstream side of the branch position by the branch device 22 detects the switching timing of the branch guide 28 of the branch device 22 to the accumulation conveyor 20 side. That is, when the first sensor 40 is kept off for a predetermined time, the control device determines that the container has stayed on the transport conveyor 18 and rotates the branch guide 28 from the transport conveyor 18 side to the accumulation conveyor 20 side. . Similarly, the second sensor 42 provided on the upstream side of the merging position by the merging device 24 is a merging guide at the time of returning, that is, when returning the container accumulated on the accumulating conveyor 20 onto the conveying conveyor 18. The switching timing of 30 to the accumulation conveyor 20 side, the retraction timing of the second stopper 36 and the timing of switching the branching guide 28 of the branching device 22 to the conveying conveyor 18 side are detected. In addition, a sensor (hereinafter referred to as a third sensor 44) is also provided in an intermediate portion of the accumulation conveyor 20, and this sensor 44 detects the backward timing of the first stopper 34. The position of the sensor 44 is determined by the capacity and the diameter of the shrink labeler 2 and the caser 6, etc., but the top container at the time of restarting the operation does not overtake the final container when the container on the accumulation conveyor 20 is dispensed, And it is preferable to set it at a position where the interval does not become so large.
[0024]
The operation of the container transport device including the labeler (shrink labeler 2) having the above-described configuration will be described. During normal operation, the first stopper 34 is retracted and can supply the container to the shrink labeler 2, the branch guide 28 of the branching device 22 is switched to the transport conveyor 18 side, and the joining is performed. The merging guide 30 of the apparatus 24 is also switched to the transport conveyor 18 side, and the containers sent from the shrink labeler 2 and the shrink tunnel 4 are transported by the transport conveyor 18 without entering the accumulation conveyor 20. .
[0025]
When the operation is started in the above-described state, the containers conveyed by the supply conveyor 8 from the upstream side of the shrink labeler 2 are separated at predetermined intervals by the infeed screw 10, and inside the shrink labeler 2 through the inlet star wheel 12. To be supplied. Each container is covered with a film label formed in a cylindrical shape in the shrink labeler 2 and then discharged onto the conveyor 16 by the outlet star wheel 14. The container covered with these film labels is heated while being introduced into the shrink tunnel 4 and conveyed. When the film label placed on the container is heated, it heat shrinks and adheres to the outer surface of the container.
[0026]
The containers discharged from the shrink tunnel 4 are continuously conveyed by the conveying conveyor 18 in a row at a predetermined interval. Since the branch guide 28 of the branching device 22 is switched to the transport conveyor 18 side, the container is transported on the transport conveyor 18 as it is without entering the accumulation conveyor 20 side. Further, the confluence guide 30 of the confluence device 24 is also switched to the transport conveyor 18 side, and the container passes through the position of the confluence device 24 of the transport conveyor 18 and is supplied to the caser 6. The first sensor 40, the second sensor 42, and the full sensor 38 arranged along the transport conveyor 18 are turned on and off according to the passage of the container, respectively, and confirm that the container is flowing normally. On the other hand, the third sensor 44 provided in the accumulation conveyor 20 is, of course, in the on state, and the control device (not shown) determines that no container is flowing.
[0027]
When the caser 6 serving as a downstream container processing apparatus stops for some reason, the container gradually accumulates from the position of the transport conveyor 18 before the caser 6 toward the upstream side. When the rear end of the container staying on the transport conveyor 18 reaches the position of the full sensor 38, the full sensor 38 remains off. When this state continues for a predetermined time, the control device advances the first stopper 34 provided on the upstream side of the shrink labeler 2 and stops the supply of the container to the shrink labeler 2.
[0028]
When the downstream caser 6 is stopped and the supply of the container to the upstream shrink labeler 2 is stopped, all containers already introduced into the shrink labeler 2 and the shrink tunnel 4 are all within the shrink tunnel 4. Therefore, the operation of the shrink labeler 2 and the shrink tunnel 4 is continued. When the dispensing from the shrink labeler 2 and the shrink tunnel 4 proceeds, the rearmost position of the container staying on the transport conveyor 18 gradually extends to the upstream side. When the last of the staying container reaches the position of the first sensor 40 and the first sensor 40 is turned off for a predetermined time, the control device causes the branch guide 28 of the branching device 22 to be driven by a signal from the first sensor 40. While switching to the accumulation conveyor 20 side, the 2nd stopper 36 provided in the downstream part of the accumulation conveyor 20 is advanced.
[0029]
Then, the container discharged from the shrink tunnel 4 is introduced onto the accumulation conveyor 20 through the branch guide 28. The containers introduced onto the accumulation conveyor 20 are stopped by the second stopper 36 and accumulated on the accumulation conveyor 20 in one row. In addition, after the accumulator 20 advances the 1st stopper 34 and stops supply of the container to the shrink labeler 2, all the containers discharged from the shrink labeler 2 and the shrink tunnel 4 are transported on the conveyor 18 and the accumulator conveyor 20. Of course, it has a length that can be accumulated.
[0030]
Further, when the trouble of the caser 6 is solved and the operation is resumed, the container on the transport conveyor 18 is carried into the caser 6 and the last of the containers staying on the transport conveyor 18 gradually moves to the downstream side. I will do it. When the last container on the conveyor 18 passes the second sensor 42, the second sensor 42 is turned on. When the ON state of the second sensor 42 continues for a predetermined time, the controller then discharges the merging guide 30 of the merging device 24 to the accumulating conveyor in order to discharge the containers accumulated on the accumulating conveyor 20 onto the conveying conveyor 18. While rotating to 20 side, the 2nd stopper 36 provided near the downstream end of the accumulation conveyor 20 is retracted. Further, the branch guide 28 of the branching device 22 is switched to the transport conveyor 18 side.
[0031]
When the discharge from the accumulation conveyor 20 to the conveyance conveyor 18 proceeds and the last container on the accumulation conveyor 20 passes the third sensor 44, the third sensor 44 is turned on. When this state continues for a predetermined time, the first stopper 34 is moved backward, the container is supplied to the shrink labeler 2 again, and the operation of the shrink labeler 2 is resumed.
[0032]
Thus, in the said embodiment, the conveyance state of a container is confirmed by the full sensor 38 and the 1st thru | or 3rd sensors 40, 42, 44, and according to the signal from these sensors 38, 40, 42, 44, The control device controls the operation of the branching device 22, the merging device 24 and the first and second stoppers 34, 36 to efficiently use the transport conveyor 18 and the accumulator conveyor 20, thereby increasing the length of the conveyors 18, 20. It is possible to shorten the length. Further, the sensor 40 detects the introduction of the container to the accumulation conveyor 20 by switching the branching device 22, the discharge of the container from the accumulation conveyor 20 by switching the junction device 24, or the supply or stop of the container to the shrink labeler 2. , 42, 44, the containers can be supplied to the downstream caser 6 in the order processed by the shrink labeler 2 and the shrink tunnel 4. The interval between the container and the first container after restarting operation can be made as small as possible.
[0033]
In the above-described embodiment, the upstream container processing apparatus includes the shrink labeler and the shrink tunnel. However, the upstream container processing apparatus is not limited to this, and may be a glue labeler or a filler. Moreover, although the accumulation conveyor 20 was the structure which conveys a container by a single row, it may be not only a single row but the wide conveyor which can convey multiple rows. Further, the transport conveyor 18 and the accumulator conveyor 20 are arranged in parallel, a branching device 22 is provided on the upstream side of the accumulator conveyor 20 to introduce containers from the transport conveyor 18, and a merging device 24 is provided on the downstream side of the transport conveyor 18. Although the container is discharged, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration. For example, the accumulation conveyor is configured to be capable of forward and reverse rotation, and the container is placed on the accumulation conveyor from the container introduction unit to which the conveyance conveyor and the accumulation conveyor are connected. After accumulating and resuming operation, the accumulating conveyor may be reversed to discharge the accumulated container from the introduction portion side. Further, the configurations of the branching device 22 and the merging device 24 are not limited to those shown in the drawings, and other configurations may be used.
[0034]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, in the container transport device according to the present invention, the lengths of the transport conveyor and the accumulator conveyor are shortened by smoothly branching and joining the transport conveyor and the accumulator conveyor by controlling each sensor and stopping means. can do. Moreover, a container can be conveyed to the downstream container processing apparatus according to the processed order. Moreover, the interval between the last container and the first container can be reduced when the operation is resumed.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view showing a simplified overall configuration of a container transport device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a branching device of the container transfer device.
FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a merging device of the container transfer device.
[Explanation of symbols]
2 Labelers (Shrink Labelers)
4 Shrink tunnel 6 Container processing equipment (caser)
18 Conveyor 20 Accumulator 22 Branching means (branching device)
24 Merging means (merging device)
34 Stopping means upstream of the labeler 40 Sensor downstream of the branching means 44 Sensor of the accumulator

Claims (2)

An upstream container processing apparatus, a downstream container processing apparatus provided on the downstream side of the upstream container processing apparatus, a transport conveyor for transporting containers from the upstream container processing apparatus to the downstream container processing apparatus, and the transport More than the accumulator connected to the conveyor and capable of storing the containers discharged from the upstream container processing device, the branching means provided at the connection between the upstream part of the accumulator and the conveyor, and the branching means of the conveyor A first sensor that is provided on the downstream side and detects that the container has stayed close to the branching unit on the conveyor; a merging unit that merges the container on the accumulation conveyor onto the conveyor; and a downstream side of the merging unit a full sensor for detecting that the container on the conveyor is retained in, provided on the upstream side of the merging means, the container on the conveyor is discharged A second sensor for detecting that it has been provided on the upstream side of the upstream container processing device, a first stopper for stopping the supply of the containers to the upstream side container processing apparatus, when discharging the container from accumulation conveyor A third sensor for detecting the position of the last container, and a second stopper provided in front of the merging means for stopping the container on the accumulation conveyor ,
When the full sensor detects the stagnation of the container, the first stopper is operated to stop the supply of the container to the upstream side container processing device, and the first sensor downstream of the branching unit detects the stagnation of the container. The branching means is switched to the accumulation conveyor side, the container discharged from the upstream container processing apparatus is introduced into the accumulation conveyor, and when the downstream container processing apparatus returns, the signal from the second sensor is used to A container transporting apparatus characterized in that the container is discharged, the first stopper is released by a signal from the third sensor, and the supply of the container to the upstream container processing apparatus is resumed.   The upstream container processing apparatus is composed of a labeler for mounting a film label on the container, and a shrink tunnel that is provided on the downstream side of the labeler and heats the container with the film label to heat-shrink the label. The container transport device according to claim 1, wherein

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