JP5978165B2 - Filling system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a filling system comprising at least two or more filling machines, which can be switched between filling different liquids in each filling machine and filling one kind of liquid in one filling machine. It is.

  There has been an increase in flavor waters with flavors added to water recently. When manufacturing such flavor water, conventionally, beverages containing fruit juice, beverages containing extracts, and water are filled with a single filling machine. When filling water with fruit juice or beverage containing this extract by this filling machine, it is necessary to sufficiently wash so that no fragrance remains. Therefore, there is a problem that it takes a long time to clean.

  There are already known filling systems that can be switched to use different filling machines to fill different liquids or to fill one kind of liquid (see, for example, Patent Document 1 or Patent Document 2). ). After the filling system described in Patent Document 1 (the name of the invention is a rotary filling machine) supplies the container conveyed by the conveyor to the first filling machine via the inlet star wheel, and after filling the liquid Then, it is delivered by a star wheel arranged in the middle, supplied to the second filling machine, filled again, and then delivered to the outlet star wheel for conveyance. In this filling system, a guide is provided in the transfer section to each star wheel of the conveyor, and by moving this guide, one of the containers is supplied to two filling machines in sequence. It can be switched when supplying the container only to the machine.

  Moreover, the filling system described in Patent Document 2 (the name of the invention is a filling line facility) arranges three filling parts each equipped with a filling machine in series, and is conveyed to the first filling part by a conveyor. The pitch of the container is adjusted with a timing screw and supplied to the first filling machine via the inlet star wheel for filling. The filled containers are discharged to the intermediate conveyor via the outlet star wheel, conveyed, adjusted by the timing screw, and supplied to the second filling machine provided in the second filling unit via the inlet star wheel for filling. I do. Furthermore, the container filled with the second filling machine is discharged to the second intermediate conveyor via the outlet star wheel, the pitch is adjusted with the next timing screw, and the third filling machine of the third filling unit is arranged via the inlet star wheel. To be filled.

  In the filling system of Patent Document 2, the timing screw of each filling unit is removed, and a passage guide is attached between the front and rear conveyors so that the containers can be passed through without supplying a container to the filling machine of each filling unit. It has become.

JP 2009-184686 A JP 2010-70200 A

  In the invention described in Patent Document 1, since the container filled with the first filling machine is supplied as it is to the second filling machine via the star wheel arranged in the middle, either one of the filling machines Even when only one is used, the other unused filling machine cannot be cleaned, and the time required for cleaning cannot be shortened.

  In addition, the invention described in Patent Document 2 has a problem that when any of the filling machines is not used, the timing screw must be removed and the passage guide must be attached, and switching work takes time.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problem, and is provided with a first filling machine in which a plurality of filling means are provided in a rotating body, and a plurality of filling means disposed in the rotating body downstream of the first filling machine. A second filling machine provided with a filling means; at least one supply wheel arranged upstream of the first filling machine for feeding a container to the first filling machine; the first filling machine and the second filling machine; A filling system including at least one transport wheel provided between the first filling machine and receiving the container from the first filling machine and delivering the container to the second filling machine, the supply wheel and the transport wheel being A bypass wheel to be connected is disposed, and at least one of the supply wheel, the transport wheel, or the bypass wheel is transferred to a container disposed on the downstream side, or disposed on the upstream side. A holding means capable of selecting container reception from the wheel, a control means for controlling delivery or reception of the holding means, a first operation mode for conveying the container to the first filling machine, and a container By switching between the second operation mode for transporting to the second filling machine without transporting to the first filling machine and controlling the holding means by the control means in the first operation mode, Is transferred to the first filling machine and the second filling machine without being conveyed to the bypass wheel, and after the first filling liquid is filled by the first filling machine, the second filling liquid is filled by the second filling machine. In the second operation mode, by controlling the holding means by the control means, the container is transported to the bypass wheel and only the second filling machine is supplied without supplying the container to the first filling machine. It is conveyed and is characterized by filling the second filling liquid by the second filling machine.

  The second invention is a first filling machine in which a rotating body is provided with a plurality of filling means, a first supply wheel that receives a container from upstream and supplies the container to the first filling machine, and the first filling machine. A first discharge wheel for receiving a container from the machine and discharging it downstream; a second filling machine arranged downstream of the first filling machine and provided with a plurality of filling means on the rotating body; and the second filling machine A bypass wheel that connects the first supply wheel and the second supply wheel, and a second supply wheel that supplies the container to the container and a second discharge wheel that receives the container from the second filling machine and discharges the container downstream. And, at least one of the first supply wheel and the bypass wheel, the container is delivered to the wheel arranged on the downstream side, or the container is received from the wheel arranged on the upstream side. A holding means that can be selected, and a control means for controlling delivery or reception of the container by the holding means, a first operation mode for conveying the container to the first supply wheel, and a container to the first supply wheel. Can be switched to the second operation mode for conveying to the second supply wheel without conveying, and in the first operation mode, the holding means is controlled by the control means, thereby allowing the container to pass through the bypass wheel. The first filling machine and the second filling machine are transported and filled with the first filling liquid by the first filling machine, and then filled with the second filling liquid by the second filling machine. By controlling the holding means by means, the container is conveyed only to the second filling machine via the bypass wheel without being supplied to the first filling machine, and the second filling machine It is characterized in that filling the second filling liquid.

  Further, according to a third invention, in the first invention or the second invention, the filling system is partitioned from the outside by a chamber, and further, a first supply wheel, a first filling machine, and a first discharge wheel are provided in the chamber. And an opening / closing door that can be partitioned from other wheels.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect of the present invention, the first filling machine is cleaned by closing the open / close door in the second operation mode.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to fourth aspects, the filling liquid filled by the first filling machine is a scented liquid and is filled by the second filling machine. The liquid is water.

  In a sixth aspect based on any one of the first aspect to the fifth aspect, the container is transferred between the wheels by suspending the container while alternately gripping the upper part and the lower part of the flange formed on the container. It is characterized by being performed in a lowered state.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a first filling machine in which a plurality of filling means are provided on a rotating body, a first supply wheel that supplies a container to the first filling machine, and a container received from the first filling machine. A first discharge wheel that discharges downstream, a second filling machine that is arranged downstream of the first filling machine and that is provided with a plurality of filling means on the rotating body, and receives the container from the upstream side and receives the second filling A second supply wheel for supplying to the machine, a second discharge wheel for receiving the container from the second filling machine and discharging it downstream, and a plurality of filling means disposed on the rotating body, arranged downstream of the second filling machine. A third filling machine provided; a third supply wheel that supplies the container to the third filling machine; and a third discharge wheel that receives the container from the third filling machine and discharges the container downstream. Connected to the supply wheel and the second discharge wheel A first bypass wheel provided in a function, a second bypass wheel provided so as to be connectable to the third supply wheel and the third discharge wheel, and the first bypass wheel and the second bypass wheel. An intermediate wheel is provided, and at least one of the second supply wheel, the second discharge wheel, and the first bypass wheel is delivered to a wheel disposed downstream, or is disposed upstream. Holding means capable of selecting container reception from the wheel, and control means for controlling delivery or reception of the container by the holding means, and providing the container filled with the first filling liquid by the first filling machine. The first operation mode for conveying to the second filling machine, and the first filling liquid is filled by the first filling machine. By switching the second operation mode for conveying the container to the third filling machine without conveying it to the second filling machine, and controlling the holding means by the control means in the first operation mode. The container filled with the first filling liquid by the first filling machine is transferred from the first bypass wheel to the second supply wheel, and the container filled with the first filling liquid is secondly filled by the second filling machine. By filling the filling liquid and controlling the holding means by the control means in the second operation mode, the container filled with the first filling liquid by the first filling machine is transferred from the first bypass wheel to the intermediate wheel. And passing to the third supply wheel via the second bypass wheel, and filling the container filled with the first filling liquid with the third filling liquid by the third filling machine. It is a feature.

  Further, according to an eighth aspect of the present invention, a first filling machine in which a plurality of filling means are provided in the rotating body, and a plurality of filling means are provided in the rotating body, while being disposed downstream of the first filling machine. A second filling machine, a third filling machine disposed downstream of the second filling machine and provided with a plurality of filling means on the rotating body, and the first filling machine and the second filling machine Provided between the at least one supply wheel for receiving a container from the first filling machine and supplying the container to the second filling machine, and between the second filling machine and the third filling machine, A filling system comprising at least one transfer wheel that receives a container from one filling machine and delivers it to the third filling machine, comprising a bypass wheel that connects the supply wheel and the transfer wheel, and the supply wheel and The transport wheel Alternatively, at least one of the bypass wheels is provided with holding means capable of selecting delivery of a container to a wheel arranged on the downstream side or receipt of a container from the wheel arranged on the upstream side. There is provided a control means for controlling, a first operation mode in which a container filled with the first filling liquid by the first filling machine is conveyed to the second filling machine, and the first filling liquid is filled by the first filling machine. The container can be switched to the second operation mode in which the container is conveyed to the third filling machine without being conveyed to the second filling machine, and the holding means is controlled by the control means in the first operation mode. The container filled with the first filling liquid by the first filling machine is transferred to the second filling machine without being conveyed to the bypass wheel, and the first filling machine A container filled with the first filling liquid by the first filling machine by filling the container filled with the filling liquid with the second filling liquid and controlling the holding means by the control means in the second operation mode. Is transferred to the third filling machine without being conveyed to the second filling machine via the bypass wheel, and the container filled with the first filling liquid is filled with the third filling liquid by the first filling machine. It is characterized by this.

  Further, in a ninth aspect based on the seventh aspect, at least one discharge wheel is disposed downstream of the third filling machine, and is disposed downstream of the bypass wheel. A second bypass wheel connected to the discharge wheel, and at least one of the transport wheel and the discharge wheel, or the second bypass wheel, a container delivery to a wheel disposed downstream, or upstream A holding means capable of selecting container reception from a wheel arranged on the side is provided, and the container discharged from the second filling machine is controlled by controlling the holding means by the control means in the first operation mode. It is received by the discharge wheel downstream of the third filling machine without being conveyed to the third filling machine via the second bypass wheel. It is characterized in passing.

  In a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the seventh to ninth aspects, the container delivery between the wheels is a state in which the container is suspended while alternately gripping the upper and lower portions of the flange formed on the container. It is characterized in that it is performed in.

  The filling system of the present invention includes, for example, a first filling machine that fills fruit juice and extract and a second filling machine that fills water, and uses both the first filling machine and the second filling machine. Since the operation mode and the second operation mode in which only the second filling machine is used without using the first filling machine can be switched, the transition to the water filling is immediately performed even after filling the beverage containing fruit juice or extract. Can be done. In addition, since the first filling machine can be cleaned at the same time while the second filling machine is filling with water, it is possible to immediately shift from filling water to filling fruit juice and beverages containing extracts. Yes, work efficiency is greatly improved. Moreover, switching between the first filling mode and the second filling mode is easy.

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a filling system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Example 1 FIG. 2A is a plan view of a rotating body provided with a leaf spring gripper, and FIG. 2B is a longitudinal sectional view of the rotating body provided with a leaf spring gripper. FIG. 3A is a longitudinal sectional view of a rinser discharge wheel provided with an open / close gripper, and FIG. 3B is a view in the direction of arrow b in FIG. FIG. 4 is a plan view of a rinser discharge wheel provided with an open / close gripper. FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of the inside of the first chamber and the second chamber. FIG. 6 is a plan view of the filling system according to the second embodiment. (Example 2) FIG. 7 is a plan view of the filling system according to the third embodiment. (Example 3) FIG. 8 is a plan view of the filling system according to the fourth embodiment. Example 4 FIG. 9 is a plan view of the filling system according to the fifth embodiment. (Example 5) FIG. 10 is a plan view of the filling system according to the sixth embodiment. (Example 6)

  The container cleaned with the rinser installed in the chamber is taken out by the rinser discharge wheel, and supplied to the first filler via the first transfer wheel and the first supply wheel to be filled. The container filled with the first filling liquid by the first filler is transferred from the first discharge wheel to the second transport wheel, and further supplied to the second filler via the second supply wheel, and the second filling liquid is supplied. Filled. Then, the container taken out from the second filler by the second discharge wheel that also serves as the capper supply wheel is sent to the capper for capping. A bypass wheel is connected to the rinser discharge wheel and the second supply wheel, and the container can be delivered from the rinser discharge wheel to either the first transport wheel or the bypass wheel. The container can be received from one of the second transfer wheel and the bypass wheel. In the first operation mode, the container is sent from the rinser discharge wheel to the first transfer wheel, and the second transfer wheel from the second transfer wheel. Since the container is delivered to the supply wheel, the container is sequentially supplied to both the first filler and the second filler. In the second operation mode, since the container is delivered from the rinser discharge wheel to the second supply wheel via the bypass wheel, the container is not sent to the first filler but supplied to the second filler alone. Only liquid is filled.

  The first filler, the second supply wheel, and the first discharge wheel are installed in a second chamber defined by other wheels and a partition wall. In the second operation mode in which no container is supplied to the first filler, The second chamber can be shut off from other chambers. Therefore, in the second operation mode, the first filler can be cleaned while the second filler is being filled with the second filler. With this configuration, it is possible to immediately switch to water filling after filling an extract-containing beverage, and to start filling an extract-containing beverage immediately after completion of water filling. Achieve.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to embodiments shown in the drawings. This filling system (indicated by reference numeral 1 as a whole) includes two filling machines (first filler 2 and second filler 4), and a container 6 (see FIGS. 2 and 3) via a plurality of transfer wheels. ) Are sequentially supplied to these two fillers 2 and 4, and filling is performed by supplying the container 6 only to one filler (second filler 4) in the first filling mode in which the fillers 2 and 4 are respectively filled. It is possible to switch to the second filling mode to be performed. Each conveyance wheel and the two fillers 2 and 4 to be described later have a plurality of grippers provided at equal intervals in the circumferential direction on the outer peripheral portion of the rotating body, and flanges formed on the neck portion of the container 6 by the respective grippers. The upper part or the lower part of 6a is gripped and rotated and conveyed in a suspended state (each conveyance wheel rotates in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 1), and these conveyance wheels are sequentially transferred.

  In this filling system 1, the container 6 transported from the upstream side is held by a gripper (not shown) of the introduction wheel 10 disposed in the inlet side chamber 8 and is rotationally transported to be introduced into the main chamber 12. Is done. A rinser supply wheel 16 for supplying the container 6 to the rinser 14 is disposed on the inlet side of the main chamber 12. The containers 6 held by the grippers of the introduction wheel 10 are connected to the grippers of the rinser supply wheel 16. Are sequentially delivered to.

  In this embodiment, the gripper of the introduction wheel 10 is a leaf spring gripper that holds the neck portion of the container by the elastic force of two leaf springs, and the gripper of the rinser supply wheel 16 opens and closes a pair of grip members. An openable gripper that holds and releases the neck of the container 6 is used.

  Here, the configuration of the leaf spring gripper will be described with reference to FIGS. The leaf spring gripper 18 is provided on the introduction wheel 10, a first transport wheel 20, a first filler 2, a second transport wheel 22, a second filler 4, a capper 24, and a bypass wheel 26 which will be described later. The neck portion of the container 6 is held by the elastic force of the leaf spring 28. As shown in FIG. 2 (b), the leaf spring gripper 18 has a rotating body 34 fixed to the upper end of a vertical rotating shaft 32 that is rotatably supported by an upright fixed cylinder 30. Is provided on the outer periphery of the. A rear end portion is attached to the outer peripheral portion of the rotating body 34, and a front end portion is attached to a pair of leaf springs 28 (see FIG. 2A) that can move left and right, and to the front end portions of these leaf springs 28. A pair of grip pieces 36 and a tension coil spring 38 that pulls the tip end sides of the two leaf springs 28 toward each other are provided. Further, a stopper (not shown) is provided so that both the leaf springs 28 and the grip pieces 36 are stopped in a substantially parallel state.

  Holding tips 36a extending inward and facing each other are formed at the tip portions of the grip pieces 36, and these holding claws 36a are on the front side of the neck portion of the container 6 (radially outward of the rotating body 34). The container 6 is held in contact therewith. An inclined surface 36b inclined inward is formed on the front side of the holding claws 36a on both sides, and when the container 6 is pushed in along the inclined surface 36b from the front side, the elasticity of the leaf spring 28 is resisted. Both grip pieces 36 are spread and the container 6 can be pushed into the inside of the holding claw 36a. Thereafter, the grip pieces 36 return and approach each other due to the elastic force of the two leaf springs 28 and abut against the front side of the container 6 to hold the container 6. Further, a support portion 40 is provided between the grip pieces 36 to support the inside of the neck portion of the container 6 (the radially inner side of the rotating body 34). It is held by the arcuate recess 40a formed at the tip and the holding claws 36a of the grip pieces 36. The leaf spring gripper 18 provided on the conveyance wheel (the introduction wheel 10, the first conveyance wheel 20, the first filler 2, the second conveyance wheel 22, the second filler 4, the capper 24, and the bypass wheel 26) is common. The same reference numerals are used for the explanation.

  Next, the configuration of the open / close gripper (holding means) 42 will be described with reference to FIGS. The open / close gripper 42 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 has a configuration of an open / close gripper provided on a rinser discharge wheel 44 described later. First, other transport wheels (the rinser supply wheel 16 and the first supply wheel). 46, the 1st discharge wheel 48, the 2nd discharge wheel 50, etc.) Only the part which is common with the open / close gripper will be described. A rotating body 56 is fixed to an upper end of a vertical rotating shaft 54 rotatably supported in an upright fixed cylinder 52, and a plurality of opening / closing grippers 42 are provided on the outer peripheral portion of the rotating body 56 at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. It has been. Each open / close gripper 42 has two parallel rotary pins 58 and 60 that are rotatably supported on the outer peripheral portion of the rotary body 56 in the vertical direction, and lower ends of the rotary pins 58 and 60. A pair of grip members 62, 64 mounted respectively facing radially outward, and gears 66, 68 fixed to the lower side of the rotating body 56 and meshing with each other above the rotating pins 58, 60 are provided. Yes. When one of the rotation pins 58 and 60 is rotated by the meshing of both the gears 66 and 68, the other rotation pin is also rotated by the same amount in the opposite direction, and the grip member attached to the lower ends of the both rotation pins 58 and 60 62 and 64 open and close by rotating in opposite directions.

  Further, a tension coil spring 74 is mounted between a lever 70 attached to the upper end of one rotating pin 58 and a spring receiving pin 72 fixed to the upper surface of the rotating body 56, so that the rotating pin 58 is always in one direction. It is designed to rotate. On the other hand, a cam follower (hereinafter referred to as a first cam follower 78) is attached to the other rotation pin 60 via a cam follower attachment member 76, and the urging force of the coil spring 74 causes the fixed support cylinder 52 to be fixed. It is always pressed against the outer peripheral cam surface 80a of the disc-shaped cam 80 fixed to the upper end. As will be described later with reference to FIG. 4, when the outer peripheral cam surface 80 a of the disc upper cam 80 has a large diameter (a portion protruding outward in the radial direction), the first cam follower 78 is disposed radially outside the rotating body 56. When the outer peripheral cam surface 80a is a small-diameter portion, the first cam follower 78 is retracted radially inward of the rotating body 56 so that both the grip members 62, Rotate 64 in the opening direction. The open / close gripper 42 provided on each conveyance wheel (the rinser supply wheel 16, the rinser discharge wheel 44, the first supply wheel 46, the first discharge wheel 48, the second supply wheel 82, the second discharge wheel 50, etc.) is common. The same reference numerals are used for the explanation.

  The container 6 held by the open / close gripper 42 of the rinser supply wheel 16 is rotated and supplied to the rinser 14. The rinser 14 is provided with a gripper (not shown) for the rinser. The container 6 held by the rinser gripper is inverted 180 degrees up and down while being rotated and conveyed by the rotation of the rotating body of the rinser 14. Inverted, the inner and outer surfaces are cleaned by spraying cleaning water or the like. Thereafter, the container 6 is drained while being in an inverted state, and then inverted again and delivered to the open / close gripper 42 of the rinser discharge wheel 44.

  The open / close gripper 42 of the rinser discharge wheel 44 has a separate open / close mechanism in addition to being opened and closed by the outer peripheral cam surface 80a of the disc-like cam 80, like the open / close gripper 42 of the rinser supply wheel 16 and the like. doing. A second cam follower 84 (see FIG. 3) is attached to the cam follower attachment member 76 of the rinser discharge wheel 44 above the first cam follower 78. On the other hand, an advancing / retracting cam 86 (refer to FIGS. 3 and 4) for moving the second cam follower 84 back and forth is provided at the container delivery part B (refer to FIG. 1) from the rinser discharge wheel 44 to the bypass wheel 26. An air cylinder 88 is fixed to the upper surface of the fixed disk-shaped cam 80 so that the radially outward side faces. A forward / backward cam 86 is attached to the piston rod 88a of the air cylinder 88, and when the air cylinder 88 is operated to advance the forward / backward cam 86, the second cam follower 84 is pushed out radially outward to open / close the gripper 42. When the closing and advancing / retracting cam 86 is retracted, the opening / closing gripper 42 is opened to release the container 6.

  The rinser discharge wheel 44 that holds and rotates the container 6 with the opening and closing gripper 42 is configured to operate the first operation mode in which the container 6 is delivered to the leaf spring gripper 18 of the first transfer wheel 20 by the action of the advance / retreat cam 86, and the bypass wheel. It is possible to switch to the second operation mode in which the container 6 is delivered to the 26 leaf spring grippers 18. The container 6 delivery position from the rinser discharge wheel 44 to the first transport wheel 20 is indicated by a symbol A in FIG. A container delivery position from the rinser discharge wheel 44 to the bypass wheel 26 is indicated by a symbol B. The leaf spring gripper 18 of the first conveying wheel 20 and the leaf spring gripper 18 of the bypass wheel 26 have the same configuration as the leaf spring gripper 18 of the introduction wheel 10 or the like.

  The container 6 transferred to the leaf spring gripper 18 of the first conveying wheel 20 is held by the leaf spring gripper 42 and is rotated and conveyed, and the opening and closing gripper of the first supply wheel 46 that supplies the container 6 to the first filler 2. 42 is delivered. The main chamber 12 in which the rinser 14 and the first filler 2 and the second filler 4 are accommodated is a first chamber in which the rinser supply wheel 16, the rinser 14, the rinser discharge wheel 44, the first transport wheel 20, and the like are arranged. A second chamber 12B in which a chamber 12A, a first filler 2 and a supply wheel (first supply wheel 46) of the first filler 2 and a discharge wheel (first discharge wheel 48) of the first filler are disposed; The second chamber 4C and the third chamber 12C in which the capper 24 and the like are disposed are partitioned.

  The first conveyance wheel 20, the first supply wheel 46, the first discharge wheel 48, and the second conveyance wheel 22 are arranged with a partition wall 90 that partitions the first chamber 12A and the second chamber 12B interposed therebetween (see FIG. 1 and FIG. 5), a portion of the partition wall 90 for transferring the container 6 between the leaf spring gripper 18 of the first transport wheel 20 and the open / close gripper 42 of the first supply wheel 46, and the second transport wheel An opening 90 a sized to allow the container 6 to pass is formed in a portion where the container 6 is transferred between the leaf spring gripper 18 of 22 and the open / close gripper 42 of the first discharge wheel 48. These two openings 90 a can be opened and closed by shutters (opening and closing doors 94) connected to the piston rod 92 a of the lifting cylinder 92 fixed to the partition wall 90 in the vertical direction.

  The first chamber 12A, the second chamber 12B, and the third chamber 12C are respectively provided with pressure adjusting means 96 and 98 (the pressure adjusting means of the third chamber 12C is not shown), and the chambers 12A, 12B, The pressure in 12C can be adjusted. The inside of each chamber 12A, 12B, 12C is adjusted to a predetermined pressure higher than the outside, and the inside is managed in a sterile atmosphere. Further, in this embodiment, the opening 94a of the partition wall 90 cannot be completely sealed by the shutter 94 and a slight gap is generated, so that the second filler is operated while the first filler 2 is being washed. At this time, the pressure in the second chamber 12B is set to the first chamber 12A and the third chamber 12C so that the atmosphere in the second chamber 12B in which the first filler 2 is accommodated does not leak to the first chamber 12A side. The pressure is controlled to be lower than the internal pressure. When the shutter 94 is opened and both the first filler 2 and the second filler 4 are operated, the pressures in the first chamber 12A, the second chamber 12B, and the third chamber 12C are controlled to be substantially the same. Yes.

  The container 6 held and rotated by the opening / closing gripper 42 of the first supply wheel 46 is supplied to the first filler 2 in which the leaf spring grippers 18 are provided on the outer peripheral portion of the rotating body 34 at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. . The first filler 2 is provided with filling means 100 (see FIG. 5) above the containers 6 held by the leaf spring grippers 18, and each container 6 rotated by the rotation of the rotating body 34. The liquid (first filling liquid) is filled from the filling means 100. In this embodiment, for example, a scented liquid is filled as the first filling liquid.

  The container 6 filled with the first filling liquid while being rotated and conveyed by the rotation of the rotating body 34 of the first filler 2 is delivered from the leaf spring gripper 18 of the first filler 2 to the open / close gripper 42 of the first discharge wheel 48. And discharged from the first filler 2. The container 6 held by the opening / closing gripper 42 of the first discharge wheel 48 and taken out from the first filler 2 is rotationally conveyed to the first discharge wheel 48 and delivered to the leaf spring gripper 18 of the second conveyance wheel 22.

  The container 6 held by the leaf spring gripper 18 of the second transport wheel 22 is delivered at the container delivery position C to the open / close gripper 42 of the second supply wheel 82 that supplies the container 6 to the second filler 4. The second supply wheel 82 rotates and conveys the container 6 received from the second conveyance wheel 22 and delivers it to the second filler 4. The second supply wheel 82 is also connected to the bypass wheel 26 so that the container 6 can be received from the bypass wheel 26 at the container delivery position D. The open / close gripper 42 of the second supply wheel 82 is opened / closed by a fixed disk-like cam as well as the open / close gripper 42 of the rinser discharge wheel 44 and is provided at the container delivery position D from the bypass wheel 26. It is opened and closed by a cam. Note that the disc-shaped cam and the advance / retreat cam of the second supply wheel 82 have the same configuration as the disc-shaped cam 80 and the advance / retreat cam 86 of the rinser discharge wheel 44 and are not shown.

  In the first operation mode, the second supply wheel 82 rotates and conveys the container 6 received from the second conveyance wheel 22, passes the bypass wheel 26 as it is, and then delivers it to the second filler 4. Therefore, when the container delivery position C from the second transport wheel 22 is reached, the open / close gripper 42 is opened, and then both the grip members 62 and 64 are closed to grip the container 6. The opening / closing gripper 42 rotates and conveys the container 6 while gripping the container 6. At the container delivery position D with the bypass wheel 26, the container 6 held by the opening / closing gripper 42 is temporarily placed in the leaf spring gripper 18 of the bypass wheel 26. It is pushed in, taken out again, and conveyed to the position of the second filler 4. At the delivery position E to the second filler 4, after the container 6 is pushed into the leaf spring gripper 18 of the second filler 4, the open / close gripper 42 is opened and the container 6 is delivered. In the first operation mode, the opening and closing gripper 42 of the second supply wheel 82 is opened and closed by a fixed disc-shaped cam.

  Further, in the second operation mode, the second supply wheel 82 receives the container 6 from the bypass wheel 26, and therefore, when the opening / closing gripper 42 is opened, the delivery position D with the bypass wheel 26 is reached and the container 6 is gripped. The advance / retreat cam is arranged so that the container 6 holding the opening / closing gripper 42 closed can be supplied to the second filler 4. For example, in the first filling mode, due to the shape of the fixed disk-shaped cam, the opening / closing gripper 42 of the second supply wheel 82 is opened when the container 6 is supplied to the second filler 4, and The container 6 is held by being closed when it is received, and reaches the delivery position D from the bypass wheel 26 in the closed state. Since the container 6 cannot be gripped with the open / close gripper 42 being closed, the advancing / retreating cam is disposed so as to open the open / close gripper 42 immediately before the delivery position D from the bypass wheel 26. Note that switching of container delivery to the plurality of downstream wheels 20 and 26 and switching of container reception from the plurality of upstream wheels are controlled by a control unit (not shown) by opening and closing the opening / closing gripper (holding unit) 42. Is done.

  The third chamber 12C in which the second filler 4 is installed is partitioned by the first chamber 12A in which the rinser 14 is installed and the partition wall 102, and an opening (not shown) formed in the partition wall 102. A portion of the second supply wheel 82 enters the third chamber 12 </ b> C, and the container 6 is transferred to and from the second filler 4.

  The container 6 held and rotated and conveyed by the leaf spring gripper 18 of the second filler 4 is filled with a filling means (shown in the figure) provided corresponding to each leaf spring gripper 18 while being rotated and conveyed by the rotation of the rotating body. However, the liquid (second filling liquid) is filled by the same means as the filling means 100 of the first filler 2. In this embodiment, for example, water is filled as the second filling liquid.

  The container 6 filled with the second filling liquid in the second filler 4 is delivered from the leaf spring gripper 18 of the second filler 4 to the open / close gripper 42 of the second discharge wheel 50. In this embodiment, the second discharge wheel 50 also serves as a capper supply wheel for supplying the container 6 to the capper 24, and the container 6 taken out from the second filler 4 by the opening / closing gripper 42 of the second discharge wheel 50 is Supply to the capper 24. The container 6 filled with the first filling liquid and the second filling liquid in the first filler 2 and the second filler 4 is held by the leaf spring gripper 18 of the capper 24 and is capped while being rotated. .

  The container 6 that has been capped by the capper 24 is delivered to the next capper discharge wheel 104. Until capping is performed by the capper 24, the opening / closing gripper 42 or the leaf spring gripper 18 provided on each conveying wheel holds the neck 6 above or below the flange 6 a formed on the neck portion of the container 6, thereby transporting the neck. Has been. The capper discharge wheel 104 is a star wheel (not shown in FIG. 1) in which concave portions (pockets) for holding the container 6 are formed on the outer periphery at equal intervals in the circumferential direction, and the container 6 supports the bottom surface thereof. And conveyed by the rotation of the star wheel. The container 6 rotated and conveyed by the capper discharge wheel 104 is discharged to the outside of the chamber 12, conveyed by the discharge conveyor 106, and sent to the next step.

  A bypass wheel 26 is disposed between the rinser discharge wheel 44 that takes out the container 6 from the rinser 14 and the second supply wheel 82 that supplies the container 6 to the second filler 4. The container 6 can be delivered to the second supply wheel 82 via the. That is, the container 6 cleaned by the rinser 14 can be supplied only to the second filler 4 without being supplied to the first filler 2 and filled only with the second filling liquid.

  Operation | movement of the filling system 1 which concerns on the above structure is demonstrated. In the first operation mode in which the containers 6 are sequentially supplied to the first filler 2 and the second filler 4 and are filled with the first filling liquid and the second filling liquid, respectively, the rinser discharge wheel 44 to the bypass wheel 26 is supplied. The advance / retreat cam 86 provided at the delivery position B is moved forward. When the advance / retreat cam 86 is moved forward, the advance / retreat cam 86 pushes the second cam follower 84 outward in the radial direction of the rotating body 56 so that the open / close gripper 42 is closed. First, the case where this filling system 1 is operated in the first operation mode will be described.

  The container 6 held by the leaf spring gripper 18 of the introduction wheel 10 disposed in the inlet side chamber 8 is transferred to the open / close gripper 42 of the rinser supply wheel 16 in the first chamber 12A. The container 6 is supplied from the rinser supply wheel 16 into the rinser 14, held in a rinser gripper (not shown), rotated and conveyed, and washed, drained, and the like. The cleaned container 6 is transferred to the open / close gripper 42 of the rinser discharge wheel 44 and rotated. When the conveyed container 6 reaches the transfer section B with the bypass wheel 26, the container 6 held by the opening / closing gripper 42 is pushed into the leaf spring gripper 18 of the bypass wheel 26. In the first operation mode, the advancing / retracting cam 86 of the transfer section B is moving forward, and the opening / closing gripper 42 is closed and the container 6 is still gripped, so that it is once inserted into the leaf spring gripper 18 of the bypass wheel 26. The container 6 is taken out as it is and further rotated and conveyed. When the container 6 conveyed by the rinser discharge wheel 44 reaches the transfer section A to the first conveyance wheel 20, it is inserted into the leaf spring gripper 18 of the first conveyance wheel 20 and is fixed by the fixed disk-shaped cam 80. The opening / closing gripper 42 is opened, and the container 6 is transferred to the leaf spring gripper 18 of the first conveying wheel 20.

  During operation in the first operation mode, the shutter 94 of the partition wall 90 that partitions the first chamber 12A and the second chamber 12B is raised and the opening 90a is opened, and the leaf spring gripper 18 of the first transfer wheel 20 is opened. The held container 6 is delivered to the open / close gripper 42 of the first supply wheel 46. Further, the leaf spring gripper 18 of the first filler 2 is transferred from the opening / closing gripper 42 of the first supply wheel 46. While the container 6 is held by the leaf spring gripper 18 of the first filler 2 and rotated and conveyed, the upper filling means 100 is filled with fruit juice, extract, or the like as the first filling liquid. The container 6 that has been filled with the first filler 2 is delivered from the leaf spring gripper 18 of the first filler 2 to the open / close gripper 42 of the first discharge wheel 48.

  In the partition wall 90 between the second chamber 12B in which the first discharge wheel 48 is disposed and the first chamber 12A in which the second transfer wheel 22 is disposed, an opening 90a for delivering the container 6 is provided. Is formed, and the container 6 is delivered to the leaf spring gripper 18 of the second transport wheel 22 from the open opening 90a.

  The container 6 is delivered from the leaf spring gripper 18 of the second transport wheel 22 to the open / close gripper 42 of the second supply wheel 82. The opening / closing gripper 42 of the second supply wheel 82 moves in a state of being opened to the container delivery position C from the second transport wheel 22, and is a position for gripping the container 6 held by the leaf spring gripper 18 of the second transport wheel 22. Thus, the grip members 62 and 64 are closed by the outer peripheral cam surface of the fixed disc-shaped cam, and the container 6 is gripped and received. The container 6 is gripped and rotated as it is, and is taken out from the leaf spring gripper 18 of the second conveying wheel 22. Further rotating and transporting to the delivery position D with the bypass wheel 26, the open / close gripper 42 of the second supply wheel 82 moves in a closed state by the advancing / retreating cam (not shown). The container 6 is once inserted into the leaf spring gripper 18 of the bypass wheel 26, but is taken out as it is, conveyed to the position of the second filler 4, and delivered to the leaf spring gripper 18 of the second filler 4.

  The container 6 supplied to the second filler 4 is filled with water as the second filling liquid from the filling means while being transported while being held by the leaf spring gripper 18. The fruit juice and extract filled with the first filler 2 and the water filled with the second filler 4 are blended in the container 6.

  The container 6 that has been filled in the second filler 4 is held by the open / close gripper 42 of the second discharge wheel 50 that also serves as a capper supply wheel, is taken out from the second filler 4, and is supplied to the next capper 24. The container 6 filled with the liquid is capped by the capper 24 and then delivered to the capper discharge wheel 104. In the capper discharge wheel 104, the bottom surface of the container 6 is supported and conveyed by the star wheel, discharged onto the discharge conveyor 106, and sent to the next step.

  In the second operation mode, the container 6 cleaned by the rinser 14 is delivered to the bypass wheel 26 without being sent from the rinser discharge wheel 44 to the first transport wheel 20. At this time, the advance / retreat cam 86 provided at the delivery position B of the rinser discharge wheel 44 to the bypass wheel 26 is moved backward. When the opening / closing gripper 42 holding the container 6 of the rinser discharge wheel 44 comes to the position of the bypass wheel 26, the advance / retreat cam 86 moves backward after the held container 6 is pushed into the leaf spring gripper 18 of the bypass wheel 26. Therefore, both grip members 62 and 64 of the opening / closing gripper 42 are opened, and the container 6 is handed over to the leaf spring gripper 18 of the bypass wheel 26.

  When the container 6 held by the leaf spring gripper 18 of the bypass wheel 26 reaches the transfer part D to the second supply wheel 82, the open / close gripper 42 of the opened second supply wheel 82 is closed to grip the container 6. Then, it is taken out from the leaf spring gripper 18 of the bypass wheel 26 as it rotates. The container 6 is delivered to the leaf spring gripper 18 of the second filler 4 from the second supply wheel 82 in which the opening / closing gripper 42 holds the container 6. In the second operation mode, only the second filler 4 is filled with water. The container 6 filled with water is then taken out by the open / close gripper 42 of the second discharge wheel / capper supply wheel 50 and supplied to the capper 24. The container 6 capped by the capper 24 is discharged from the capper discharge wheel 104 onto the discharge conveyor 106.

  As described above, in the second operation mode, the container 6 is supplied from the rinser discharge wheel 44 to the second filler 4 via the bypass wheel 26 to perform filling, and therefore the first filler 2 is not used. During this time, the first filler 2 can be cleaned. At this time, the opening 90a of the partition wall 90 that partitions the first chamber 12A and the second chamber 12B is closed by the shutter 94 to partition both the chambers 12A and 12B, and the first filler 2 is cleaned. When the opening 90a of the partition wall 90 is closed by the shutter 94, the gripper 18 of the first conveyance wheel 20 and the second conveyance wheel 22 is removed by hand so as to avoid interference with the shutter 94. Yes. In this embodiment, the shutter 94 is moved by the elevating cylinder 92 to close the opening 90 a of the partition wall 90, but a gap is generated between the partition wall 90 and the shutter 94. Therefore, it is possible to achieve a completely sealed state by manually moving the shutter and tightening the bolt. Further, an advancing / retreating mechanism may be arranged on the leaf spring gripper 18 of the first conveying wheel 20 to automatically prevent shutter interference. In the embodiment, the opening / closing gripper 42 as the holding means is configured to be opened and closed by the second cam follower 84 and the advance / retreat cam 86. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration, and driving means such as an air cylinder is provided in each gripper. The opening and closing may be controlled.

  FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of the filling system 201 according to the second embodiment. Similarly to the first embodiment, the filling system 201 according to this embodiment also includes two fillers, a first filler 202 and a second filler 204, and supplies containers to these two fillers 202 and 204. Thus, it is possible to switch between the first operation mode in which the first filling liquid and the second filling liquid are sequentially filled and the second operation mode in which the container is supplied only to the second filler 204 and is filled with the second filling liquid. It has become.

  In this embodiment, the container is delivered from the introduction wheel 210 of the inlet chamber 208 to the rinser supply wheel 216, and the container is supplied to the rinser 214 via the rinser supply wheel 216. The container cleaned in the rinser 214 is taken out by the rinser discharge wheel 244. In the first embodiment, the rinser discharge wheel 44 is delivered to either the first transport wheel 20 or the bypass wheel 26. In this embodiment, the container is transferred from the rinser discharge wheel 244 to the bypass wheel 226. The container can be supplied from the bypass wheel 226 to one of the first supply wheel 246 of the first filler 202 and the second supply wheel 282 of the second filler 204.

  The container delivered from the bypass wheel 226 to the first supply wheel 246 is supplied to the first filler 202, filled with the first filling liquid, discharged to the first discharge wheel 248, and further, the bypass wheel 226. Is passed on. The first chamber 212A in which the rinser 214 and the bypass wheel 226 are arranged, and the first filler 202, the first supply wheel 246, and the second chamber 212B in which the second supply wheel 248 are installed are partitioned by a partition wall 290. ing. The partition wall 290 has an opening for transferring containers between the first supply wheel 246 and the first discharge wheel 248 and the bypass wheel 226, and a shutter (not shown) for opening and closing the opening. Is provided.

  A second supply wheel 282 is connected to the bypass wheel 226, and the container filled with the first filling liquid transferred from the first discharge wheel 248 is transferred from the bypass wheel 226 to the second supply wheel 282. It is. In addition, the cleaned container transferred from the rinser discharge wheel 244 to the bypass wheel 226 can be directly transferred to the second supply wheel 282 without being sent to the first supply wheel 246 of the first filler 202.

  The container delivered to the second supply wheel 282 is supplied to the second filler 204 installed in the third chamber 212C. In the second filler 204, the second filling liquid is filled. The container filled with the second filling liquid by the second filler 204 is discharged to the second discharge wheel 250 that also serves as a cap supply wheel, and is supplied to the capper 224. Containers that have been capped by the capper are discharged to the discharge conveyor 2106 via the capper discharge wheel 2104. Even in the filling system 201 according to this embodiment, the container can be sequentially supplied to the first filler 202 and the second filler 204 and filled with scented liquid and water, respectively, and then can immediately shift to filling with water, Moreover, the first filler 202 can be cleaned while the water is being filled. Therefore, immediately after that, it is possible to shift from filling water to filling fruit juice or beverage containing extract, and the working efficiency is greatly improved.

  FIG. 7 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of the filling system 301 according to the third embodiment. Similarly to the first embodiment, the filling system 301 according to this embodiment also includes two fillers, a first filler 302 and a second filler 304, and supplies containers to these two fillers 302 and 304. Then, the first operation mode in which the first filling liquid and the second filling liquid are sequentially filled, and the container is not sent to the first filler 302 but supplied only to the second filler 304, and the second filling liquid is filled. It is possible to switch to the second operation mode.

  In this embodiment, the container is delivered from the introduction wheel 310 of the inlet chamber 308 to the rinser supply wheel 316, and the container is supplied to the rinser 314 via the rinser supply wheel 316. The container cleaned in the rinser 314 is taken out by the rinser discharge wheel 344. In the first embodiment, the rinser discharge wheel 44 is transferred to either the first transport wheel 20 or the bypass wheel 26. However, in this embodiment, the rinser discharge wheel 344 serves as the first supply wheel. The container can be supplied from the rinser discharge wheel 344 to either the first filler 302 or the bypass wheel 326.

  The container supplied from the rinser discharge wheel 344 (first supply wheel) to the first filler 302 is filled with the first filling liquid while being rotated and conveyed. Thereafter, the container is transferred to the supply / discharge wheel 382 and supplied to the second filler 304. Further, the container that is not sent from the rinser discharge wheel 344 to the first filler 302 but sent to the bypass wheel 326 is transferred from the bypass wheel 326 to the supply / discharge wheel 382, and the second filler is supplied from the supply / discharge wheel 382. 304.

  The container supplied to the second filler 304 is filled with the second filling liquid while being rotated and conveyed, then discharged to the second discharge wheel 350, and further supplied from the second discharge wheel 350 to the capper 324. . This container is also capped by the capper 324 and then discharged from the discharge wheel 3104 to the discharge conveyor 3106. Also in the filling system 301 according to this embodiment, the container is sequentially supplied to the first filler 302 and the second filler 304 to fill the first filler liquid and the second filler liquid, and the container is filled with the first filler. Instead of being sent to 302, it is possible to switch to the second operation mode in which only the second filling liquid is fed from the bypass wheel 326 to the second filler 304.

  FIG. 8 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of a filling system 401 according to the fourth embodiment. The filling system 401 according to this embodiment includes three fillers, a first filler 402, a second filler 404, and a third filler 405, and sequentially supplies containers to the three fillers 402, 404, and 405. The first operation mode in which the first filling liquid (for example, the first flavor), the second filling liquid (second flavor), and the third filling liquid (for example, water) are filled, and the first filler 402 and the third filler 405, respectively. The second operation mode in which the container is sequentially supplied to fill the first filling liquid and the third filling liquid, and the second filling liquid and the third filling are sequentially supplied to the second filler 404 and the third filler 405. It is possible to switch between a third operation mode in which the liquid is filled and a fourth operation mode in which the container is supplied only to the third filler 405 and the third filling liquid is filled.

  The filling system 401 according to this embodiment delivers a container from an introduction wheel 410 disposed in the inlet chamber 408 to a rinser supply wheel 416 disposed at the inlet of the main chamber 412, and the rinser supply wheel 416 passes through the container. A container is supplied to the rinser 414. The container cleaned in the rinser 414 is taken out by the rinser discharge wheel 444. The rinser discharge wheel 444 has a switching gripper (not shown) that can be switched between when the container is transferred and when the container is not transferred. From the rinser discharge wheel 444, the first transfer wheel 420 and the first transfer wheel The container is delivered to one of the bypass wheels 426.

  The first conveyance wheel 420 that receives the container from the rinser discharge wheel 444 delivers the container to the first supply wheel 446 that supplies the container to the first filler 402, and the first supply wheel 446 supplies the container to the first filler 402. . The container filled with the first filling liquid by the first filler 402 is taken out by the first discharge wheel 448 and transferred to the second transport wheel 422. A partition wall 490 between the first chamber 412A and the second chamber 412B of the main chamber 412 is provided between the first supply wheel 446 and the first transfer wheel 420 and between the first discharge wheel 448 and the second transfer wheel 422. An opening for transferring the container is formed in the partition wall 490. The opening can be opened and closed by a shutter (not shown) as in the first embodiment.

  The container conveyed by the second conveying wheel 422 is delivered to an intermediate wheel 419 having a switching gripper (not shown) that can be switched between when the container is delivered and when it is not delivered. The intermediate wheel 419 is also connected to the first bypass wheel 426 and receives a container from either the second transport wheel 422 or the first bypass wheel 426. The intermediate wheel 419 is also connected to the third conveying wheel 421 and the second bypass wheel 427, and the container is delivered to one of the wheels 421 and 427 and passed to the other without being delivered. The switching gripper is switched as described above.

  In this embodiment, the configuration for supplying and discharging the containers of the first filler 402 and the second filler 404 is common, and the container delivered from the third transport wheel 421 to the second supply wheel 447 is the second filler 404. To be filled. Further, the filled container is taken out by the second discharge wheel 449 and transferred to the fourth transport wheel 423. The second filler 404, the second supply wheel 447, and the second discharge wheel 449 are disposed in a third chamber 412D defined by the first chamber 412A and the second chamber 412B and the partition walls 490 and 491. The partition wall 490 between the second supply wheel 447 and the third transport wheel 421 and between the second discharge wheel 449 and the fourth transport wheel 423 is formed with an opening for delivering the container. It can be opened and closed with a non-shutter.

  The container conveyed by the fourth conveyance wheel 423 is delivered to the third supply wheel 431. The third supply wheel 431 has a switching gripper (not shown) so that the container can be received from one of the fourth transport wheel 423 and the second bypass wheel 427. The third supply wheel 431 supplies the container received from the fourth transfer wheel 423 or the second bypass wheel 427 to the third filler 405 disposed in the fourth chamber 412C.

  In the fourth chamber 412C, a third filler 405, a third discharge wheel 450 that also serves as a capper supply wheel, and a capper 424 are disposed, and the container filled with the third filling liquid by the third filler 405 is capped. Done. The container after capping is taken out by the capper discharge wheel 4104 and discharged onto the discharge conveyor 4106 as in the above embodiments. In this embodiment, two sets of the same configuration as the configuration from the rinser discharge wheel 44 to the second supply wheel 82 of the first embodiment are arranged, and each conveyance wheel 420, 422, 421, 423, supply wheel 446 is arranged. 447, discharge wheels 448, 449 and bypass wheels 426, 427 are provided with the same gripper (leaf spring gripper 18 or opening / closing gripper 42) as in the first embodiment.

  In the first operation mode of the fourth embodiment, the rinser supply wheel 416 to the rinser 414, the rinser discharge wheel 444, the first transport wheel 420, the first supply wheel 446, the first filler 402, the first discharge wheel 448, the second Containers are provided on the transfer wheel 422, the intermediate wheel 419, the third transfer wheel 421, the second supply wheel 447, the second filler 404, the second discharge wheel 449, the fourth transfer wheel 423, the third supply wheel 431, and the third filler 405. The first filling liquid, the second filling liquid, and the third filling liquid are filled by the respective filling machines 402, 404, and 405, and are supplied from the third discharge wheel / capper supply wheel 450 to the capper 424 for capping. And is discharged from the capper discharge wheel 4104 onto the discharge conveyor 4106

  In the second operation mode, the rinser supply wheel 416 to the rinser 414, the rinser discharge wheel 444, the first transfer wheel 420, the first supply wheel 446, the first filler 402, the first discharge wheel 448, the second transfer wheel 422, The container is sequentially delivered to the intermediate wheel 419, the second bypass wheel 427, the third supply wheel 431, and the third filler 405, and is filled with the first filling liquid and the third filling liquid.

  Further, in the third operation mode, the rinser supply wheel 416 to the rinser 414, the rinser discharge wheel 444, the first bypass wheel 426, the intermediate wheel 419, the third transport wheel 421, the second supply wheel 447, the second filler 404, the second The containers are sequentially delivered to the discharge wheel 449, the fourth transport wheel 423, the third supply wheel 431, and the third filler 405, and are filled with the second filling liquid and the third filling liquid.

  Further, in the fourth operation mode, containers are transferred from the rinser supply wheel 416 to the rinser 414, the rinser discharge wheel 444, the first bypass wheel 426, the intermediate wheel 419, the second bypass wheel 427, the third supply wheel 431, and the third filler 405. Sequentially delivered, only the third filling liquid is filled. In this embodiment, only the third filler 405 filled with the third filling liquid (for example, water) is always supplied with a container for filling.

  FIG. 9 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of a filling system 501 according to the fifth embodiment. The filling system 501 according to this embodiment includes three fillers, a first filler 502, a second filler 504, and a third filler 505, and supplies a container from the first filler 502 to the second filler 504. A first operation mode for supplying a first filling liquid (for example, carbonated water) and a second filling liquid (for example, a first syrup), a container is supplied from the first filler 502 to the third filler 505, and the first filling liquid ( For example, the second operation mode can be switched to supply carbonated water) and a third filling liquid (for example, second syrup).

  In this embodiment, the container delivered from the introduction wheel 510 to the first supply wheel 546 having an open / close gripper is supplied to the first filler 502 having a leaf spring gripper to be filled with the first filling liquid. The container filled with the first filling liquid is taken out by a first discharge wheel 548 having an opening / closing gripper and transferred to a first bypass wheel 526 having a leaf spring gripper.

  The first bypass wheel 526 delivers the container to one of a second supply wheel 547 having a switching gripper that supplies the container to the second filler 504 and an intermediate wheel 519 having an opening / closing gripper. . The second supply wheel 547 has a switching gripper that can be switched between receiving and not receiving a container from the first bypass wheel 526. In the first operation mode in which the container is supplied to the second filler 504, The container is received from the bypass wheel 526, and in the second operation mode, switching is performed so as not to receive the container from the first bypass wheel 526.

  The container received by the second supply wheel 547 from the bypass wheel 526 is supplied to the second filler 504 and filled with the second filling liquid. The container filled with the second filling liquid by the second filler 504 is taken out by the second discharge wheel 549 having an opening / closing gripper and transferred to the leaf spring gripper of the first bypass wheel 526. The container is transferred from the first bypass wheel 526 to the second bypass wheel 527 having a leaf spring gripper via an intermediate wheel 519 having an opening / closing gripper. The second bypass wheel 527 delivers the container to one of a third supply wheel 531 having a switching gripper and a capper supply wheel 551 having an open / close gripper. The third supply wheel 531 has a switching gripper that can be switched between a state in which the container is received from the second bypass wheel 527 and a state in which the container is not received. In the second operation mode in which the container is supplied to the third filler 505, The container is received from the bypass wheel 527, and in the first operation mode, switching is performed so as not to receive the container from the second bypass wheel 527.

  The container received by the third supply wheel 531 is supplied to a third filler 505 having a leaf spring gripper, filled with a third filling liquid, and taken out by a third discharge wheel 550 having an opening and closing gripper, and the second filler wheel 531 is taken out. It is delivered to the bypass wheel 527. The container held by the leaf spring gripper of the second bypass wheel 527 is transferred to the capper supply wheel 551 having an opening / closing gripper and supplied to the capper 524. After the capping is performed by the capper 524, the container is taken out by the capper discharge wheel 5104 and discharged onto the discharge conveyor 5106.

  In this embodiment, in the first operation mode, the container supplied to the first filler 502 by the first supply wheel 546 is filled with the first filling liquid, is taken out by the first discharge wheel 548, and is supplied to the first bypass wheel 526. Delivered. The switching gripper of the second supply wheel 547 is switched to receive the container, receives the container from the first vise wheel 526 and supplies it to the second filler 504. The container filled with the second filling liquid by the second filler 504 is taken out by the second discharge wheel 549 and transferred to the first bypass wheel 526. This container is transferred to the second bypass wheel 527 via the intermediate wheel 519. The second bypass wheel 527 delivers the container to one of the third supply wheel 531 and the capper supply wheel 551. In the first operation mode, the switching gripper of the third supply wheel 531 is moved to the container. It switches to the state which does not receive, and it hands over to the capper supply wheel 551 side. The container filled with the first filling liquid and the second filling liquid by the first filler 502 and the second filler 504 is supplied to the capper 524 without being sent to the third filler 505 and is capped.

  Further, in the second operation mode, the container supplied to the first filler 502 by the first supply wheel 546 is filled with the first filling liquid, taken out by the first discharge wheel 548 and delivered to the first bypass wheel 526. . The switching gripper of the second supply wheel 547 is switched to the state of not receiving the container, and the container conveyed by the first bypass wheel 526 is delivered to the second bypass wheel 527 via the intermediate wheel 519. The switching gripper of the third supply wheel 531 connected to the second bypass wheel 527 is switched to receive a container in the second operation mode, and the container received from the second bypass wheel 527 is transferred to the third filler 505. To supply. The container filled with the third filling liquid by the third filler 505 is taken out by the third discharge wheel 550 and delivered to the second bypass wheel 527 again. The containers that are sent to the first filler 502 and the third filler 505 and filled with the first filling liquid and the third filling liquid are supplied to the capper 524 and capping is performed.

  In the first to fourth embodiments, the fillers 4, 204, 304, and 405 arranged on the most downstream side among the plurality of fillers are main fillers, and the fillers 4, 204, 304, and 405 are always containers. In this fifth embodiment, the first filler 502 is the main filler, and the container is always supplied to the first filler 502 in any operation mode. Thus, the first filling liquid (for example, carbonated water) is filled.

  FIG. 10 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of a filling system 601 according to the sixth embodiment. Similar to the fifth embodiment, the filling system 601 according to this embodiment includes three fillers of a first filler 602, a second filler 604, and a third filler 605. A first operation mode in which a container is supplied to the second filler 604 and filled with a first filling liquid (for example, carbonated water) and a second filling liquid (for example, a first syrup), and the container from the first filler 602 to the third filler 605 is filled. Can be switched to the second operation mode in which the first filling liquid (for example, carbonated water) and the third filling liquid (for example, the second syrup) are filled.

  In this sixth embodiment, the container is supplied from a feed wheel 610 having a leaf spring gripper, a rinser supply wheel 616 having an opening / closing gripper, a rinser 614 having a gripper for the rinser, and a rinser discharge wheel / first supply having an opening / closing gripper. It is supplied to a first filler 602 having a leaf spring gripper via a wheel 644. The container filled with the first filling liquid in the first filling machine 602 is taken out by the first discharge wheel 648 provided with an open / close gripper. The gripper of the first discharge wheel 648 is a switching gripper that is switched to deliver the container to either the first conveying wheel 620 having a leaf spring gripper or the first bypass wheel 626 also having a leaf spring gripper.

  The container delivered from the first discharge wheel 648 to the first conveying wheel 620 having the leaf spring gripper is sent from the second supply wheel 646 having the opening / closing gripper to the second filler 604 having the leaf spring gripper. Two filling liquids are filled. The container filled with the second filling liquid is taken out by a second discharge wheel 648 having an open / close gripper and delivered to an intermediate wheel 619 having a switching gripper via a second transport wheel 622 having a leaf spring gripper. The switching gripper of the intermediate wheel 619 is switched so as to deliver the container to one of the third conveying wheel 621 having a leaf spring gripper and the second bypass wheel 627 having a leaf spring gripper.

  The container delivered to the third transport wheel 621 is supplied to a third filler 605 having a leaf spring gripper via a third supply wheel 631 having an open / close gripper, and is filled with a third filling liquid. The container filled with the third filling liquid is taken out by a third discharge wheel 650 having an open / close gripper and delivered to a fourth transport wheel 623 having a leaf spring gripper. The container transported by the fourth transport wheel 623 is delivered to a capper supply wheel 651 having an open / close gripper. The capper supply wheel 651 is connected to the fourth transport wheel 623 and the second bypass wheel 627, and receives a container from one of the wheels and supplies it to the capper 624. The container capped by the capper 624 is taken out by the capper discharge wheel 6104 and discharged onto the discharge conveyor 6106.

  In this embodiment, the container introduced from the introduction wheel 610 is supplied to the rinser 614 via the rinser supply wheel 616, and after rinsing, the container is taken out by the rinser discharge wheel / first supply wheel 644 and is removed. It is supplied to the filler 602 and filled with the first filling liquid.

  In the first operation mode, the container filled with the first filling liquid by the first filler 602 is taken out by the first discharge wheel 648, and the first bypass is switched by switching the switching gripper provided on the first discharge wheel 648. It is not delivered to the wheel 626 but delivered to the first transport wheel 620. This container is supplied from the second supply wheel 646 to the second filler 604 and filled with the second filling liquid. The container filled with the second filling liquid by the second filler 604 is delivered from the second discharge wheel 648 to the intermediate wheel 619 via the second transport wheel 622. In the first operation mode, the container transported by the intermediate wheel 619 is delivered to the second bypass wheel 627 and is not transported to the third transport wheel 621 side. The container delivered to the second bypass wheel 627 is sent to the capper 624 via the capper supply wheel 651 for capping.

  In the second operation mode, the container filled with the first filling liquid by the first filler 602 is taken out by the first discharge wheel 648, and the first bypass wheel 620 instead of the first conveying wheel 620 is switched by switching the switching gripper. Passed to wheel 626. The container transported by the first bypass wheel 626 is transferred from the intermediate wheel 619 to the third transport wheel 621, supplied from the third supply wheel 631 to the third filler 604, and filled with the third filling liquid. The container filled with the third filling liquid is sent from the third discharge wheel 650 to the capper supply wheel 651 via the third transport wheel 623 and supplied to the capper 624. The containers supplied to the capper 624 and capped are discharged onto the discharge conveyor 6106 by the capper discharge wheel 6104.

2 First filling machine (first filler)
4 Second filling machine (second filler)
6 container 22 transport wheel (second transport wheel)
26 Bypass wheel 34 Rotating body 42 Holding means (open / close gripper)
46 Supply wheel (first supply wheel)
50 Second discharge wheel 82 Conveying wheel (second supply wheel)
100 Filling means

Claims (10)

A first filling machine in which a plurality of filling means are provided in a rotating body; a second filling machine that is arranged downstream of the first filling machine and in which a plurality of filling means is provided in the rotating body; and the first filling machine At least one supply wheel that is arranged upstream of the machine and feeds the container to the first filling machine, and is provided between the first filling machine and the second filling machine, the container from the first filling machine A filling system comprising at least one transport wheel for receiving and delivering to the second filling machine,
A bypass wheel that connects the supply wheel and the transport wheel is disposed, and at least one of the supply wheel and the transport wheel, or the bypass wheel, container delivery to a wheel disposed on the downstream side, or upstream side A holding means capable of selecting container reception from the wheel arranged in the wheel, and a control means for controlling delivery or reception of the holding means,
It is possible to switch between a first operation mode for conveying a container to the first filling machine and a second operation mode for conveying a container to the second filling machine without conveying the container to the first filling machine,
In the first operation mode, by controlling the holding means by the control means, the container is conveyed to the first filling machine and the second filling machine without being conveyed to the bypass wheel. After filling the first filling liquid, the second filling liquid is filled by the second filling machine, and in the second operation mode, the holding means is controlled by the control means to convey the container to the bypass wheel. A filling system, wherein the container is transported only to the second filling machine without being supplied to the first filling machine, and is filled with the second filling liquid by the second filling machine. A first filling machine provided with a plurality of filling means in the rotating body; a first supply wheel that receives a container from upstream and supplies the container to the first filling machine; and a container that receives the container from the first filling machine and downstream A first discharge wheel for discharging, a second filling machine disposed downstream of the first filling machine and provided with a plurality of filling means on the rotating body, and a second supply for supplying containers to the second filling machine A wheel and a second discharge wheel for receiving a container from the second filling machine and discharging the container downstream;
A bypass wheel for connecting the first supply wheel and the second supply wheel is disposed, and at least one of the first supply wheel and the bypass wheel is used to deliver containers to a wheel disposed on the downstream side, or A holding means capable of selecting container reception from the wheel disposed on the upstream side is provided, and a control means for controlling delivery or reception of the container by the holding means is provided,
The first operation mode for transporting the container to the first supply wheel and the second operation mode for transporting the container to the second supply wheel without transporting the container to the first supply wheel can be switched,
In the first operation mode, the container is transported to the first filling machine and the second filling machine via the bypass wheel by controlling the holding means by the control means, and the first filling liquid is sent by the first filling machine. Then, the second filling liquid is filled by the second filling machine, and in the second operation mode, the holding means is controlled by the control means, whereby the container is passed through the bypass wheel to the first filling machine. The filling system is characterized in that it is transported only to the second filling machine without being supplied to and filled with the second filling liquid by the second filling machine.   The filling system is partitioned from the outside by a chamber, and an opening / closing door that can partition the first supply wheel, the first filling machine, and the first discharge wheel and the other wheels is disposed in the chamber. The filling system according to claim 1 or claim 2.   The filling system according to claim 3, wherein the first filling machine is cleaned by closing the opening and closing door in the second operation mode.   The filling liquid filled by the first filling machine is a scented liquid, and the liquid filled by the second filling machine is water. Filling system.   The container delivery between the wheels is performed in a state where the container is suspended while alternately gripping the upper and lower sides of the flange formed on the container. Filling system. A first filling machine having a plurality of filling means provided on the rotating body, a first supply wheel for supplying a container to the first filling machine, and a first discharge for receiving the container from the first filling machine and discharging it downstream. A second filling machine disposed downstream of the first filling machine and provided with a plurality of filling means on the rotating body, and a second supply wheel for receiving a container from the upstream and supplying the container to the second filling machine A second discharge wheel that receives a container from the second filling machine and discharges it downstream, and a third filling machine that is arranged downstream of the second filling machine and that is provided with a plurality of filling means on the rotating body; A third supply wheel for supplying the container to the third filling machine, and a third discharge wheel for receiving the container from the third filling machine and discharging it downstream.
A first bypass wheel provided to be connectable to the second supply wheel and the second discharge wheel; a second bypass wheel provided to be connectable to the third supply wheel and the third discharge wheel; An intermediate wheel for connecting the first bypass wheel and the second bypass wheel;
At least one of the second supply wheel, the second discharge wheel, and the first bypass wheel delivers a container to a wheel disposed downstream, or receives a container from a wheel disposed upstream. And a control means for controlling the delivery or reception of the container by the holding means.
A first operation mode in which a container filled with the first filling liquid by the first filling machine is conveyed to the second filling machine; and a container filled with the first filling liquid by the first filling machine is the second filling. The second operation mode for transporting to the third filling machine can be switched without transporting to the machine,
In the first operation mode, by controlling the holding means by the control means, the container filled with the first filling liquid by the first filling machine is transferred from the first bypass wheel to the second supply wheel, The container filled with the first filling liquid is filled with the second filling liquid by the second filling machine, and in the second operation mode, the holding means is controlled by the control means, whereby the first filling machine performs the first filling. A container filled with one filling liquid is conveyed from the first bypass wheel to the intermediate wheel, transferred to the third supply wheel via the second bypass wheel, and the container filled with the first filling liquid is filled with the third A filling system, wherein the third filling liquid is filled by a filling machine. A first filling machine provided with a plurality of filling means on the rotating body; a second filling machine arranged downstream of the first filling machine and provided with a plurality of filling means on the rotating body; A third filling machine disposed downstream of the second filling machine and provided with a plurality of filling means on the rotating body; and provided between the first filling machine and the second filling machine. At least one supply wheel for receiving a container from the filling machine and supplying the container to the second filling machine; and between the second filling machine and the third filling machine; receiving the container from the first filling machine; A filling system comprising at least one transport wheel for delivery to the third filling machine,
A bypass wheel that connects the supply wheel and the transport wheel is provided, and at least one of the supply wheel and the transport wheel, or the bypass wheel, container delivery to a wheel disposed on the downstream side, or upstream A holding means capable of selecting container reception from the wheel arranged on the side and a control means for controlling the holding means are provided,
A first operation mode in which a container filled with the first filling liquid by the first filling machine is conveyed to the second filling machine; and a container filled with the first filling liquid by the first filling machine is the second filling. The second operation mode for transporting to the third filling machine can be switched without transporting to the machine,
In the first operation mode, by controlling the holding means by the control means, the container filled with the first filling liquid by the first filling machine is transferred to the second filling machine without being conveyed to the bypass wheel. The first filling machine is filled with the second filling liquid in the first filling machine, and the holding means is controlled by the control means in the second operation mode. The container filled with the first filling liquid is transferred to the third filling machine via the bypass wheel without being transferred to the second filling machine, and the first filling liquid is filled in the first filling machine. A filling system for filling a container with a third filling liquid. A second bypass wheel that arranges at least one discharge wheel downstream of the third filling machine, is disposed downstream of the bypass wheel, and connects the transport wheel and the discharge wheel;
It is possible to select at least one of the transport wheel, the discharge wheel, and the second bypass wheel to deliver a container to a wheel disposed downstream or to receive a container from a wheel disposed upstream. Holding means,
By controlling the holding means by the control means during the first operation mode, the container discharged from the second filling machine is not conveyed to the third filling machine via the second bypass wheel. The filling system according to claim 8, wherein the filling system delivers to a discharge wheel downstream of the third filling machine.   The container delivery between the wheels is performed in a state where the container is suspended while alternately gripping the upper and lower sides of the flange formed on the container. Filling system.

Images