JP5532205B2 - Liquid supply device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a tank holder for tilting a tank, a liquid supply device for supplying liquid in the tank held by the tank holder, and supplying liquid in the tank by switching a plurality of liquid supply units The present invention relates to a liquid supply system.

  The pouch is manufactured, for example, in the order of a gravure printing process, a laminating process, a slitting process, and a bag making process. Among these, in the laminating step, an adhesive is applied to the printing surface side of the gravure-printed original film and dried by heating (Patent Documents 1 and 2).

  The application of the adhesive to the original film is performed by transferring the adhesive contained in the container (housing part) to the original film using a roll, so that not only a large amount of adhesive is used. The supply of adhesive cannot be interrupted. The adhesive used here is a two-component mixed type of a main agent and a curing agent, and the viscosity is adjusted with a solvent. The adhesive is accommodated in a tank (drum can) in a state where the viscosity is adjusted before being supplied to the accommodation container. Since it is a two-component mixed adhesive, there is a risk of curing when stored in a tank for a long time, so it is necessary to mix a small amount for each lot. The tank prepared in this manner is sequentially replaced according to the supply status of the adhesive so that the supply of the adhesive to the storage container is not interrupted.

JP-A-8-224828 JP 2009-51011 A

  However, in the above-described conventional laminating process, an operator has to be present to replace the tank, and it takes a long time to replace the tank. When replacing the tank, first, when the remaining amount of the tank being supplied is reduced to a predetermined amount, the operator tilts the tank so that the remaining adhesive can be reliably supplied. After the supply of the adhesive is continued in this state, when the adhesive in the tank is almost exhausted, the operator switches the tank that supplies the adhesive to the storage container to another tank. This completes the tank replacement. Therefore, the worker has to witness from the inclination of the tank to the switching, and thus it takes a long time.

  Also, the tank must be replaced every time the amount of adhesive in each tank reaches a predetermined amount, and since the amount of adhesive contained in each tank is small as described above, an operator frequently witnesses. There was a need. Furthermore, if the tank is placed without being fixed so that the operator can easily tilt the tank, the tank may fall over when an earthquake occurs.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a tank holder, a liquid supply device, and a liquid supply system that can greatly reduce the burden on an operator and that make it difficult for the tank to fall over even if an earthquake occurs. To do.

In order to solve the above problems, a liquid supply apparatus of the present invention includes a base, a holding base that holds the tank, and a lifting member that is fixed to the base and lifts and lowers the holding base. When the amount of the liquid decreases , a tank holder that is an air cylinder set to a constant pressure that pivots and tilts the holding table upward with one piece of the holding table as a support shaft ;
A suction pipe having a suction port arranged at a predetermined position in the tank, and a liquid supply unit comprising a pump for sucking the liquid in the tank from the suction pipe;
Containing the liquid supplied by the operation of the pump, and containing a part of the outer peripheral surface of the coating roll immersed in the liquid;
A liquid level sensor that is fixed at a predetermined height position of the container and detects the presence or absence of contact with the liquid in the container;
A control unit that operates each tank connected to the storage unit or a switching unit that switches each pump to the storage unit when the liquid level sensor detects that the liquid is not in contact with the storage unit. It is said.

In the liquid supply apparatus of the present invention, the inclination angle of the holding table by the elevating member is preferably 0 degree when the amount of liquid in the tank is a predetermined amount or more, and the maximum inclination angle is 10 degrees.

In the liquid supply apparatus of the present invention, it is preferable that the predetermined position where the suction port of the suction pipe is disposed is in the vicinity of the support shaft that rotates and tilts the holding base.

In the liquid supply apparatus of the present invention, the control unit preferably switches the liquid supply unit connected to the storage unit after a predetermined time has elapsed after detecting that the liquid level sensor is no longer in contact with the liquid in the storage unit. .

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a tank holder, a liquid supply device, and a liquid supply system that can greatly reduce the burden on an operator and that make it difficult for the tank to fall over even if an earthquake occurs.

It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the structure of the tank holder which concerns on embodiment of this invention, Comprising: It is a figure which shows the state which the holding stand does not incline with respect to a base. It is a top view which shows the structure of the tank holder which concerns on embodiment of this invention, Comprising: It is a figure which shows the state in which the holding stand is not inclined with respect to the base. It is a front view which shows the structure of the tank holder which concerns on embodiment of this invention, Comprising: It is a figure which shows the state which the holding stand does not incline with respect to a base. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the structure of the accommodating part which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the structure of the tank holder which concerns on embodiment of this invention, Comprising: It is a figure which shows the state which the holding stand rotated upwards and inclined with respect to the base. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the liquid supply path | route and control system in the liquid supply apparatus and liquid supply system which concern on embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the liquid supply path | route and control system in the liquid supply apparatus and liquid supply system which concern on a modification.

Hereinafter, a tank holder, a liquid supply apparatus, and a liquid supply system according to embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a configuration of a tank holder 10 according to this embodiment, and is a view showing a state in which the holding table is not inclined with respect to the base. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the configuration of the tank holder 10 and shows a state in which the holding table is not inclined with respect to the base. FIG. 3 is a front view showing the configuration of the tank holder 10 and shows a state in which the holding table is not inclined with respect to the base. FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the configuration of the storage container 31. FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the configuration of the tank holder 10, and shows a state in which the holding base is rotated upward and inclined with respect to the base.

  The present embodiment is an example in which the present invention is applied to supply of an adhesive in a laminating process, and the liquid 16 accommodated in the tank 15 is a two-liquid mixed adhesive whose viscosity is adjusted with a solvent. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and can also be applied to the supply of an adhesive other than the two-component mixed type and a liquid other than the adhesive.

  The tank holder 10 according to the present embodiment includes a base 11, a holding base 12, and an air cylinder 14 that is a lifting member. The liquid supply apparatus according to this embodiment includes the tank holder 10, the suction pipe 21, the pump 22, the storage container 31 (storage unit), the liquid level sensor 25, and the control unit 24. Among the liquid supply devices, the tank holder 10, the suction pipe 21, and the pump 22 constitute a liquid supply unit. Furthermore, the liquid supply system according to the present embodiment includes a plurality of liquid supply units described above and a switching unit 26.

  The liquid 16 supplied by the liquid supply device and the liquid supply system is stored in a tank 15, and the tank 15 is held on a holding table 12 of the tank holder 10. The holding table 12 includes a plate-like base portion 12a having a rectangular shape in plan view, and wall portions 12b extending upward from three sides of the upper surface of the base portion 12a. The holding table 12 is disposed on the base 11 via a hinge 13. The base 11 includes a base body 11a having a substantially rectangular shape in plan view, and base legs 11b provided along the edge of the lower surface of the base body 11a. The base leg 11b may be welded to the base body 11a using, for example, a square pipe. The base 11 and the holding base 12 have substantially the same shape and flat area, and are arranged so as to overlap in plan view.

  An upper piece 13 a of the hinge 13 is fixed to the lower surface of the base 12 a of the holding table 12, and a lower piece 13 b of the hinge 13 is fixed to the upper surface of the base body 11 a of the base 11. With this configuration, the holding table 12 can be rotated upward about the hinge 13 as a support shaft, and the holding table 12 can be inclined with respect to the base 11 placed on the horizontal plane. (FIG. 5).

  Here, in the holding table 12, one side 12c coupled to the hinge 13 is a side facing the side 12d where the wall portion 12b is not provided. The tank 15 is placed on the holding table 12 from the side 12d side where the wall portion 12b is not provided, and the side surface is abutted and supported by the wall portion 12b. Here, it is preferable to provide movement restricting means on the base 12 a of the holding base 12 so that the tank 15 does not slide in a direction away from the hinge 13. Examples of the movement restricting means include a chain that connects the opposing wall portions 12b, and a protrusion provided on the upper surface of the base portion 12a.

  As described above, since the tank 15 is supported by the wall portion 12b of the holding base 12 and the movement is restricted by the movement restricting means, it is possible to suppress the movement or vibration of the tank 15 on the holding base 12. This is preferable in terms of safety management and the position of the suction tube 21 is also stable, so that the supply to the storage container 31 is ensured.

  As the tank 15, an arbitrary container (for example, a drum can) can be used according to the type, weight, and other conditions of the liquid 16. The base 11 and the holding base 12 are preferably made of a metal material having rigidity that does not deform even when the tank 15 containing the liquid 16 is mounted.

  As the elevating member, the air cylinder 14 is preferable in that the inclination angle of the tank 15 can be easily set according to the weight of the liquid in the tank 15, and the air cylinder 14 includes the cylinder body 14a, the shaft portion 14b, And a roller 14c. The cylinder body 14a is fixed in a fixing recess 17a of a fixing member 17 coupled to the lower surface of the base body 11a. The upper portion of the cylinder body 14a is supported by a fixed hole portion 11c that is a through hole provided in the base body 11a.

  The elevating member is not limited to the air cylinder 14, and for example, a spring can be used. As with the air cylinder 14, one end of the spring is fixed to the base 11 and the other end is brought into contact with the recess 12 e of the holding base 12. A spring having an elastic force corresponding to the weight of the tank 15 containing a predetermined amount of liquid 16 is selected, and the holding table 12 is rotated and inclined by the elastic force with the hinge 13 as a support shaft.

  The cylinder body 14a biases the shaft portion 14b upward (upward in FIG. 1) with a constant pressure. A roller 14c is disposed at the upper end of the shaft portion 14b, and is always in contact with the recess 12e provided on the lower surface of the base portion 12a by the urging force from the cylinder body 14a. The roller 14c is rotatable in a direction from the side 12c side to the side 12d side of the holding table 12.

  The pressure of the air cylinder 14 is set corresponding to the weight of the tank 15 that contains a predetermined amount of liquid 16. Specifically, when the amount of the liquid 16 in the tank 15 is equal to or larger than a predetermined amount, the inclination angle of the holding table 12 by the air cylinder 14 is set to be 0 degree. Further, the pressure of the air cylinder 14 is set based on the amount (predetermined amount) of the liquid 16 when the holding table 12 starts to tilt and the maximum tilt angle of the holding table 12. Here, the inclination angle of the holding base 12 is an angle formed by the upper surface of the base 11 and the lower surface of the holding base 12 when the base 11 is installed horizontally. The upper surface of the base main body 11a and the upper surface of the base 12a of the holding base 12 are parallel to each other (FIGS. 1 to 3).

  The amount (predetermined amount) of the liquid 16 and the maximum inclination angle when the holding table 12 starts to tilt due to the pressure of the air cylinder 14 depend on the type of the liquid 16, the shape of the tank 15, the shape of the suction pipe 21, and other conditions. It can be set arbitrarily depending on the situation. The predetermined amount of the liquid 16 at the start of the inclination may be 50% of the capacity of the tank 15, for example. Further, it is preferable to set the maximum inclination angle to 10 degrees, for example, because the tank 15 can be stably held. Here, as the setting of the maximum inclination angle, it is preferable to attach a stopper at a position where the maximum inclination angle is obtained, or to set the maximum stroke length of the air cylinder to a length corresponding to the maximum inclination angle of 10 degrees.

With the above configuration, the holding table 12 is tilted upward with the hinge 13 on one side of the holding table 12 as a support shaft by the pressure of the air cylinder 14 according to the amount of the liquid 16 in the tank 15. That is, in a state where the liquid 16 is sufficiently contained in the tank 15, the tank 15 on the holding table 12 is held without being inclined due to its own weight, and after the amount of the liquid 16 becomes less than a predetermined amount, the liquid 16 The tank 15 automatically and gradually inclines in accordance with the amount (FIG. 5).
Further, since the tank 15 is tilted by the air cylinder 14 at a constant pressure, the liquid level of the liquid 16 in the tank 15 can be smoothly tilted without shaking. Accordingly, even when the amount of the liquid 16 is reduced, it is difficult to entrain air when the liquid 16 is sucked by the suction pipe 21.

A suction tube 21 for sucking the liquid 16 is fixed to the inner wall of the tank 15. The suction pipe 21 has a suction port 21 a disposed at a predetermined position in the tank 15. The predetermined position where the suction port 21a of the suction pipe 21 is disposed is preferably on the hinge 13 side where the holding base 12 is rotated and inclined, and more preferably in the vicinity of the hinge 13. In other words, the predetermined position is a position where the liquid 16 in the tank 15 can be sucked in any time from before the tank 15 is inclined until the tank 15 is inclined to the maximum inclination angle by the air cylinder 14. is there. Further, it is preferable to provide a backflow prevention valve at the suction port 21 a of the suction pipe 21.

The liquid 16 in the tank 15 is sucked to the outside of the tank 15 by operating the pump 22 connected to the suction pipe 21. The sucked liquid 16 is accommodated in an accommodating container 31 as an accommodating portion through the feeding pipe 23 (FIG. 4). A part of the outer peripheral surface of the application roll 32 for transferring the liquid 16 is immersed in the container, and when the application roll 32 is rotated, the liquid 16 in the container 31 is placed on the outer periphery of the application roll 32. Applied. The coating roll 32 is opposed to a long original film that is conveyed by a conveyance roll (not shown), and the liquid 16 is transferred to the original film by synchronously rotating the application roll 32 and the conveyance roll. The

On the other hand, a liquid level sensor 25 that detects the presence or absence of contact with the liquid 16 stored in the storage container 31 is fixed at a predetermined height position inside the storage container 31. The liquid level sensor 25 preferably has a simple structure in which the liquid easily flows down so that the adhesive as the liquid 16 remains on the surface and does not solidify. For example, a cylindrical sensor is preferable. The detection result by the liquid level sensor 25 is output to the control unit 24. The control unit 24 controls the operation of the pump 22 according to the detection result by the liquid level sensor 25.

The liquid supply system of the present embodiment includes a plurality of the above-described liquid supply units, and the tanks 15a, 15b, and 15c are held in the tank holders of the respective liquid supply devices. A common pump 22 is used to suck liquid from the tanks 15a, 15b, and 15c. In addition, the liquid supply system includes a switching unit 26 that connects each tank to the storage container 31 in a switchable manner (FIG. 6). By using the common pump 22, it is possible to prevent complication of equipment and control. Here, FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a liquid supply path and a control system in the liquid supply apparatus and the liquid supply system according to the present embodiment.

The control unit 24 operates the switching unit 26 according to the detection result by the liquid level sensor 25 to switch the tanks 15a, 15b, and 15c connected to the storage container 31. The switching is preferably performed after elapse of a predetermined time after detecting that the liquid level sensor 25 is not in contact with the liquid 16 in the container 31.

Note that the number of liquid supply units provided in the liquid supply system is preferably set arbitrarily according to the usage amount, curing characteristics, and other conditions of the liquid 16.

In the configuration shown in FIG. 6, the common pump 22 is used. Instead, pumps 22a, 22b, and 22c for sucking liquid may be connected to the tanks 15a, 15b, and 15c, respectively. (FIG. 7). Here, FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a liquid supply path and a control system in the liquid supply apparatus and the liquid supply system according to the modification. 6 and 7 show an example in which three tanks are respectively held by three tank holders, but the number of tanks can be arbitrarily set. In the modification shown in FIG. 7, the switching unit 26 is arranged so that each pump can be connected to the storage container 31 in a switchable manner.

Next, the supply / switching procedure of the liquid 16 using the tank holder 10, the liquid supply apparatus, and the liquid supply system of the present embodiment will be described.
Before the start of application by the application roll 32 and during the application operation, the liquid level of the container 31 is always detected by the liquid level sensor 25. When it is detected that the liquid level of the liquid 16 has fallen and the liquid level sensor 25 is not in contact with the liquid 16, the liquid level sensor 25 outputs a liquid level lowering signal to the control unit 24. Upon receiving this signal, the control unit 24 operates the switching unit 26 to select one of the tanks 15 a, 15 b, 15 c and connect it to the pump 22. Thereafter, the control unit 24 operates the pump 22 to suck the liquid 16 from the connected tank and supply the liquid 16 to the storage container 31.

  On the other hand, in the tank that supplies the liquid 16 to the storage container 31, when the supply proceeds and the liquid amount becomes about half that of the tank, its own weight becomes lighter, the pressure of the air cylinder 14 exceeds its own weight, and the holding table 12 is supported by the spindle Rotate around and start tilting. Here, the dead weight is the sum of the weight of the tank, the weight of the liquid in the tank, and the weight of the holding table 12. Further, the increase in the inclination angle of the holding table 12 with respect to the leveled base 11 is terminated when the distance between the air cylinder 14 and the holding table 12 reaches a maximum (for example, 10 degrees) by appropriately setting, for example. .

  As a result of continuing the supply of the liquid 16, when the amount of the liquid 16 in the tank decreases and the suction tube 21 entrains air, the liquid 16 cannot be supplied to the storage container 31. A signal for lowering the liquid level is output to the control unit 24. The control unit 24 switches the liquid supply unit connected to the storage container 31 when the time after the liquid level sensor 25 stops contacting the liquid 16 in the storage container 31 reaches a predetermined time. Specifically, first, the operation of the pump 22 is stopped, and the switching unit 26 is operated to switch the tank connected to the storage container 31 from the tanks 15a, 15b, and 15c. Subsequently, the operation of the pump 22 is restarted, and the supply of the liquid 16 from the newly connected tank to the storage container 31 is started.

  Further, the control unit 24 operates an alarm device (not shown) (for example, a buzzer or a lamp) after a predetermined time has elapsed since the switching of the tank has started, and the tank to which the liquid 16 has been supplied until now has become empty. Notify the operator of this. By this notification, the operator can confirm that the liquid supply device has been switched, and newly fills the emptied tank with the liquid 16 and places it again at a predetermined position on the holding table 12.

  As described above, since the tanks 15a, 15b, and 15c are automatically switched according to the detection result of the liquid level sensor 25, there is no need for the operator to be present as in the prior art, and the application to the coating roll 32 is performed. There is no risk of interrupting the supply of the liquid 16. In addition, the replenishment of the liquid 16 to the emptied tank only needs to be completed before switching to the next tank, so that the operator can replenish the liquid 16 with a sufficient margin.

  Although the present invention has been described with reference to the above embodiment, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and can be improved or changed within the scope of the purpose of the improvement or the idea of the present invention.

  As described above, the tank holder, the liquid supply device, and the liquid supply system according to the present invention are particularly suitable for the laminating process in pouch production.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Tank holder 11 Base 11a Base main body 11b Base leg part 11c Fixing hole part 12 Holding base 12a Base part 12b Wall part 12c, 12d Side 12e Concave part 13 Hinge (support axis)
13a Upper piece 13b Lower piece 14 Air cylinder (elevating member)
14a Cylinder body 14b Shaft part 14c Roller 15 Tank 15a, 15b, 15c Tank 16 Liquid 17 Fixing member 17a Fixing recess 21 Suction pipe 21a Suction port 22 Pumps 22a, 22b, 22c Pump 23 Feeding pipe 24 Control part 25 Liquid level sensor 26 Switching part 31 container (accommodating part)
32 coating roll

Claims (4)

A base, a holding base that holds the tank, and a lifting member that is fixed to the base and lifts and lowers the holding base. When the amount of liquid in the tank decreases , the lifting member A tank holder that is an air cylinder set at a constant pressure that pivots and tilts the holding table upward with one piece as a support shaft ;
A suction pipe having a suction port arranged at a predetermined position in the tank, and a liquid supply unit comprising a pump for sucking the liquid in the tank from the suction pipe;
Containing the liquid supplied by the operation of the pump, and containing a part of the outer peripheral surface of the coating roll in the liquid;
A liquid level sensor that is fixed at a predetermined height position of the storage unit and detects the presence or absence of contact with the liquid in the storage unit;
A control unit that operates a switching unit that switches each tank connected to the storage unit or each pump to the storage unit when the liquid level sensor detects that the liquid is not in contact with the storage unit; A liquid supply apparatus comprising: 2. The liquid supply apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein an inclination angle of the holding base by the elevating member is 0 degree when a liquid amount in the tank is equal to or larger than a predetermined amount, and a maximum inclination angle is 10 degrees . The liquid supply apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the predetermined position where the suction port of the suction pipe is disposed is in the vicinity of the support shaft that rotates and tilts the holding base . The said control part switches the said liquid supply part connected to the said accommodating part after predetermined time progress, after detecting that the said liquid level sensor no longer contacted the said liquid in the said accommodating part. Item 4. The liquid supply device according to any one of Item 3 .

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