JP5540271B2 - Preform transfer device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a preform conveying apparatus that is a preformed product of a PET bottle, and more particularly to a preform conveying apparatus that conveys a preform to a star wheel installed in a preform inspection apparatus or the like.

  PET bottles are frequently used as containers for beverages, and are also used as containers for seasonings and pharmaceuticals. The PET bottle is preformed into what is called a preform, and the preform is heated and molded into a bottle. The preform has a test tube shape, that is, a flat mouth portion and a spherical bottom portion, and a ring-shaped neck ring at the neck portion.

  The appearance of containers such as preforms and PET bottle mouths is inspected by photographing with a camera. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a preform inspection apparatus. As shown in FIG. 1, the preform inspection apparatus revolves while rotating the suction head by vacuum-sucking the inlet star wheel 101 for transferring the preform 1 and the mouth portion of the transferred preform 1 with the suction head. A main rotor 102 and an outlet star wheel 103 for transferring the preform 1 to an outlet chute are provided.

  The preform 1 is transferred from the entrance star wheel 101 to the main rotor 102, and the preform 1 is illuminated by the illumination 106 while rotating the preform 1 by the rotation timing belt 105. In this state, the preform 1 is photographed by the camera 108. Then, the appearance of the preform 1 is inspected. The preform 1 after inspection is transferred to the outlet chute 113 by the outlet star wheel 103. The normal preform is sucked and supported by the outlet star wheel 103 and is transferred to the next stroke. However, the defective preform is discharged after the suction support by the outlet star wheel 103 is released at the position of the defective product discharge chute 110.

  A conveyance device 112 called an inlet chute is connected to the inlet star wheel 101. The plurality of preforms 1 are sequentially introduced into the preform inspection apparatus through the entrance chute 112. FIG. 2 is a view showing a conventional inlet chute. As shown in FIG. 2, the entrance chute includes a pair of neck guide rails 120 that support the neck ring of the preform 1 from both sides. The neck guide rail 120 has an inclined portion 120A on the upstream side and a horizontal portion 120B on the downstream side, and the preform 1 supported by the neck guide rail 120 moves the inclined portion 120A of the neck guide rail 120 by its own weight. It slides down and is transferred to the horizontal part 120B. A commercially available air blow nozzle 121 is installed below the neck guide rail 120, and air is blown to the preform 1 that moves from the inclined portion 120 </ b> A to the horizontal portion 120 </ b> B to give a propulsive force to the preform 1. In this way, the plurality of preforms 1 are continuously introduced into the preform inspection apparatus through the entrance chute.

JP-A-6-127687 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-100119 JP 2009-121946 A JP 2010-143742 A

However, the conventional inlet chute constructed as described above has the following problems.
(1) The preform interval varies while the preform slides down the neck guide rail, and the preform cannot be stably supplied to the inlet star wheel.
(2) In a commercially available air blow nozzle, sufficient propulsive force cannot be applied to the preform, and the angle of the inclined portion of the neck guide rail needs to be increased to some extent.
(3) It takes time to adjust the air blow nozzle, and there are variations in the adjustment of the air blow nozzle depending on the operator.
(4) The preform blown with air may fluctuate and the entrance star wheel may bite the preform.
(5) The neck guide rail becomes hot due to friction between the neck guide rail and the preform.

  An object of this invention is to provide the preform conveyance apparatus which can solve the conventional problem mentioned above.

To achieve the above object, one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a preform conveying device for conveying the preforms, in contact with the lower surface of the neck ring of the preform, to support the preform slidably pair comprising the neck guide rail, adjacent to the lower surface of the neck guide rail, and a plurality of gas outlet arranged on opposite sides of the preform which is supported by the neck guide rails along the neck guide rails, before SL gas outlet is blown gas into the Purifo arm supported on said neck guide rail characterized in providing a propulsive force to the preform.

In a preferred aspect of the present invention, the gas blow-out opening is formed, a pair of block members fixed to the neck guide rail, and a block member arranged along the neck guide rail, the body of the preform from both sides of the preform. And a pair of brackets for closing a gap between the block member and the body guide rail.
In a preferred aspect of the present invention, the gas outlets are arranged at equal intervals along the neck guide rail .

In a preferred aspect of the present invention, the neck guide rail has an inclined portion and a horizontal portion connected to the inclined portion, and the gas outlets are arranged along the inclined portion. It is characterized by.
In a preferred aspect of the present invention, the gas outlets are arranged over substantially the entire length of the inclined portion.

A preferred aspect of the present invention is characterized by further comprising a top surface guide rail disposed along the neck guide rail and positioned above the preform .

The present invention has the following effects.
(1) Since the gas is sequentially blown onto the preform from a plurality of outlets arranged along the neck guide rail, the progress of the preform sliding on the neck guide rail can be stabilized. Accordingly, the preform interval can be kept constant.
(2) Sufficient propulsive force is given to the preform by the gas blown from a plurality of outlets. Therefore, even if the angle of the inclined portion of the neck guide rail is reduced, the preform can be stably transferred. In recent years, preforms have been reduced in weight, and their height dimensions have become shorter than conventional types. According to the present invention, since a plurality of gas outlets are adjacent to the neck guide rail, gas can be reliably blown to such a small-sized preform, and sufficient propulsive force is given to the preform. be able to.
(3) The gas outlet of the present invention is installed in advance adjacent to the neck guide rail, and blows gas to the preform at a predetermined angle. Therefore, unlike a general-purpose air blow nozzle prepared separately, adjustment of the gas injection direction and the like is not necessary, and there is no variation in adjustment by an operator.
(4) Since the gas is blown to the part of the preform supported on the neck guide rail, that is, the neck ring, the preform can be advanced while maintaining the posture of the preform.
(5) Since the gas outlet is adjacent to the neck guide rail, a part of the gas hits the neck guide rail and can cool the neck guide rail.

It is a schematic diagram which shows a preform inspection apparatus. It is a side view which shows the conventional entrance chute. It is a side view which shows one Embodiment of the preform conveying apparatus (inlet chute) which concerns on this invention. It is the IV-IV sectional view taken on the line of FIG. FIG. 5A is a top view of the block material, and FIG. 5B is a side view of the block material. It is the figure which looked at the neck guide rail and block material shown in FIG. 3 from the top, and is a figure which shows a mode that gas is injected from a gas blowing outlet.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the preform conveying apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 6. 3 to 6, the same or corresponding components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

FIG. 3 is a side view showing an embodiment of the preform conveying apparatus according to the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. This preform transfer device is preferably used as an inlet chute of the preform inspection device shown in FIG. The preform conveying apparatus includes a pair of neck guide rails 5 that slidably support the neck ring 1 a of the preform 1 and a pair of block members 10 fixed to the neck guide rails 5. As shown in FIG. 4, the neck guide rail 5 supports a neck ring 1 a of the preform 1 from both sides.

  As shown in FIG. 3, each neck guide rail 5 includes an inclined portion 5A and a horizontal portion 5B connected to the inclined portion 5A. The inclined portion 5A is inclined at an angle of about 18 degrees with respect to the horizontal plane. The preform 1 is introduced into the neck guide rail 5 from the upper end of the inclined portion 5 </ b> A, and slides down on the neck guide rail 5. The traveling direction of the preform 1 is guided by the neck guide rail 5. The plurality of preforms 1 are introduced into the neck guide rail 5 at a predetermined interval, and are sequentially conveyed to an inlet star wheel (see FIG. 1) connected to the horizontal portion 5B.

  The block material 10 extends along the inclined portion 5 </ b> A of the neck guide rail 5. The block material 10 is supported by a plurality of legs 8, and the neck guide rail 5 is fixed to the block material 10 by a plurality of bolts 18. FIG. 5A is a top view of the block material 10, and FIG. 5B is a side view of the block material 10. As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the upper surface of each block member 10 has a gas chamber 11 extending along the longitudinal direction of the neck guide rail 5 and a plurality of gas chambers 11 communicating with the gas chamber 11. A gas flow path 13 is formed. A supply passage 12 for sending gas to the gas chamber 11 is formed in the block material 10, and the supply passage 12 is connected to a gas supply source (not shown).

  The gas flow paths 13 each have a gas blowing port (gas blowing nozzle) 14 located on the inner side surface of the block material 10. These gas outlets 14 are arranged at equal intervals along the longitudinal direction of the neck guide rail 5 (that is, the traveling direction of the preform 1). In the present embodiment, seven gas outlets 14 are formed on the side surface of the block material 10. The gas outlet 14 has a wide rectangular shape and is located immediately below the neck guide rail 5. As shown in FIG. 4, a cover plate 17 is fixed to the upper surface of the block member 10 by bolts 18 and 19, and the gas chamber 11 and the gas flow path 13 are covered with the cover plate 17. The cover plate 17 is sandwiched between the lower surface of the neck guide rail 5 and the upper surface of the block material 10.

Gas (for example, air) is supplied to the gas chamber 11 through the supply passage 12 from the gas supply source described above. After the gas fills the gas chamber 11, the gas flows through the gas flow path 13 connected to the gas chamber 11 and is discharged from the gas outlet 14. The gas outlet 14 is disposed in the vicinity of the neck ring 1 a of the preform 1 supported by the neck guide rail 5, and the gas is blown against the neck ring 1 a of the preform 1.

FIG. 6 is a view of the neck guide rail 5 and the block material 10 shown in FIG. 3 as viewed from above, and is a view showing a state in which gas is injected from the gas outlet 14. In FIG. 6, elements such as the bolts 18 and 19 and the cover plate 17 are omitted. As shown in FIG. 6, the gas outlets 14 are arranged facing the downstream side in the traveling direction of the preform 1. These gas outlets 14 are arranged over substantially the entire inclined portion 5 </ b> A of the neck guide rail 5. Since the pair of block members 10 are respectively fixed to the pair of neck guide rails 5, the gas outlets 14 are arranged on both sides of the preform 1. While the preform 1 slides down the inclined portion 5 </ b > A, gas is blown from both sides of the preform 1 to the neck ring 1 a of the preform 1, thereby imparting propulsive force to the preform 1. Therefore, the preform 1 travels on the neck guide rail 5 by its own weight and the propulsive force given from the gas.

Thus, since the propulsive force is sequentially applied to the preform 1 by the gas from the plurality of gas outlets 14, the preform 1 can be reliably and smoothly moved on the neck guide rail 5. Therefore, the preform 1 can be stably conveyed. Moreover, the portion of the preform 1 supported by the neck guide rails 5, that is blown is gas neck ring 1 a, the preform 1 is prevented from largely fluctuates back and forth. Therefore, the plurality of preforms 1 can be conveyed at substantially equal intervals without breaking the posture of the preform 1.

  The gas outlet 14 is disposed adjacent to the lower surface of the neck guide rail 5. The gas injected from the gas outlet 14 flows along the lower surface of the neck guide rail 5 and travels toward the neck ring 1 a of the preform 1. Therefore, a part of gas contacts the neck guide rail 5, and the neck guide rail 5 can be cooled by gas. The neck guide rail 5 generates heat due to friction with a plurality of preforms 1 that slide on the neck guide rail 5. If the neck guide rail 5 becomes high temperature, the preform 1 may be deformed or melted, which is not preferable. According to this embodiment, the neck guide rail 5 can be cooled by gas, and the temperature rise of the neck guide rail 5 can be prevented.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the gas outlet 14 blows out gas at a predetermined angle (about 17 degrees in the example shown in FIG. 6) with respect to the longitudinal direction of the neck guide rail 5 (advancing direction of the preform 1). Are arranged as follows. The angle of the gas blowing direction and the position of the gas blowing port 14 depend on the direction and position of the gas flow path 13 formed in the block material 10. That is, the angle of the gas blowing direction and the position of the gas blowing port 14 are fixed. Therefore, once the block member 10 is attached to the neck guide rail 5, there is no need to adjust the gas blowing position and its angle. In addition, there is no variation in adjustment by workers.

  A top guide rail 21 is disposed above the preform 1 supported by the neck guide rail 5. The top guide rail 21 extends in parallel with the neck guide rail 5. As shown in FIG. 4, the top guide rail 21 is held by a holding member 22 fixed to one block member 10. The top guide rail 21 is located above the mouth portion 1 b of the preform 1, and the preform 1 moves upward from the neck guide rail 5 while the preform 1 slides on the neck guide rail 5. Prevents jumping out.

  Further, a pair of trunk guide rails 25 are arranged on both sides of the preform 1 supported by the neck guide rail 5. The trunk guide rails 25 extend in parallel with the neck guide rail 5. The trunk | drum guide rail 25 is each connected with the block material 10 by the bracket 26 as a connection member. The trunk portion guide rail 25 supports the trunk portion 1c of the preform 1 from both sides thereof, and prevents the preform 1 from sliding on the neck guide rail 5 in the lateral direction. In order to reduce the friction between the trunk guide rail 25 and the preform 1, the trunk guide rail 25 has a circular cross section.

The bracket 26 is a plate-like member that extends along the longitudinal direction of the neck guide rail 5 (longitudinal direction of the block material 10), and extends downward from the lower surface of the block material 10. The bracket 26 is located below the gas outlet 14 and closes the gap between the block member 10 and the trunk guide rail 25. The block member 10, the bracket 26, and the trunk portion guide rail 25 prevent the gas injected from the gas outlet 14 from escaping to the outside of the block member 10. Therefore, the gas flow toward the downstream side (that is, the gas flow for moving the preform 1 forward) is stabilized, and the propulsive force can be applied to the preform 1 more efficiently.

Next, the operation of the preform conveying apparatus configured as described above will be described. The plurality of preforms 1 are sequentially carried into the neck guide rail 5 from a conveyance path (not shown) installed on the upstream side of the preform conveyance device (inlet chute). These preforms 1 slide down the inclined portion 5A of the neck guide rail 5 by their own weight. Further, as shown in FIG. 6, gas is sequentially blown from the plurality of gas outlets 14 to the neck ring 1 a of the preform 1. The preform 1 travels on the inclined portion 5A of the neck guide rail 5 due to its own weight and propulsive force applied from the gas, and further travels on the horizontal portion 5B.

  The plurality of preforms 1 travel along the horizontal portion 5B at substantially equal intervals and are conveyed to an inlet star wheel (see FIG. 1) connected to the horizontal portion 5B. Since the postures of the preforms 1 to be conveyed are stable and their intervals are substantially equal, the inlet star wheel can receive these preforms 1 without biting them.

  As can be seen from the comparison with the conventional inlet chute shown in FIG. 2, the angle of the inclined portion 5A of the neck guide rail 5 in this embodiment can be made smaller than that of the conventional one. Specifically, in the conventional inlet chute shown in FIG. 2, the inclination angle of the neck guide rail 120 is 22 degrees, and in the inlet chute according to the present embodiment shown in FIG. It is a degree. Therefore, the preform 1 can smoothly move from the inclined portion 5A to the horizontal portion 5B without disturbing the posture and without greatly reducing the speed.

  In recent years, preforms have been reduced in weight, and their height dimensions have become shorter than conventional types. According to the present invention, since the plurality of gas outlets 14 are adjacent to the neck guide rail 5, gas can be reliably blown to such a small-sized preform, and sufficient propulsive force can be applied to the preform. Can be given. Furthermore, the preform conveying apparatus according to the present invention can convey the preform at a higher speed than the conventional inlet chute due to the propelling force by the gas and the weight of the preform. As a result, the number of preforms 1 transported per unit time can be increased, and it can be suitably used as an inlet chute for the latest preform inspection apparatus capable of high-speed processing.

  Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described so far, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it is needless to say that the present invention may be implemented in various different forms within the scope of the technical idea.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Preform 5 Neck guide rail 8 Leg part 10 Block material 11 Gas chamber 12 Supply passage 13 Gas flow path 14 Gas outlet 17 Cover plate 18, 19 Bolt 21 Top surface guide rail 22 Holding member 25 Trunk guide rail 26 Bracket 101 Inlet star wheel 102 Main rotor 103 Outlet star wheel 105 Rotating timing belt 106 Illumination 108 Camera 110 Defective product discharge chute 112 Inlet chute 113 Outlet chute 120 Neck guide rail 121 Air blow nozzle

Claims (6)

A preform conveying device for conveying a preform,
A pair of neck guide rails that contact the lower surface of the neck ring of the preform and slidably support the preform ;
A plurality of gas outlets arranged on both sides of the preform, which are adjacent to the lower surface of the neck guide rail and are supported by the neck guide rail along the neck guide rail ;
Before SL gas outlet is preform conveying apparatus characterized by providing a propulsion force to the preform by blowing a gas into the Purifo arm that is supported by the neck guide rail.   A pair of block members formed with the gas outlet and fixed to the neck guide rail;
  A pair of trunk guide rails arranged along the neck guide rail and supporting the preform trunk from both sides of the preform;
  The preform conveying apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a pair of brackets for closing a gap between the block material and the trunk guide rail. The gas outlet is a preform conveying device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it is arranged at equal intervals along the neck guide rail.   2. The neck guide rail has an inclined portion and a horizontal portion connected to the inclined portion, and the gas outlets are arranged along the inclined portion. The preform conveyance apparatus as described in any one of thru | or 3.   The preform conveying apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the gas outlets are arranged over substantially the entire length of the inclined portion.   The preform conveying apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a top surface guide rail disposed along the neck guide rail and positioned above the preform.

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