JP6654372B2 - Film fitting device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a film fitting device for fitting a cylindrical film around the outer periphery of a container.

  For example, Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent No. 4698803) discloses a film fitting device for fitting a cylindrical film around a cap portion of a container sequentially conveyed to a film fitting position. . In this film embedding device, a plurality of mandrels are attached to an endless chain and pass through a film supply position for receiving a film opened in a cylindrical shape and a film embedding position for applying a film to a container. To circulate. At the film supply position, a cylindrical film formed by cutting a long cylindrical film base material folded into a sheet into a predetermined length is opened in a substantially cylindrical shape and delivered to a mandrel. At this time, the individual cylindrical films are sent out by a sending roller in a state of being opened in a substantially cylindrical shape from the film supply device, and are fitted on the outer peripheral surface from the tip of the mandrel.

  The mandrel having the film fitted on the outer peripheral surface at the film supply position moves to the film fitted position. Then, an extruding bar, which protrudes from the outer peripheral surface of the mandrel and is movably provided along the axial direction of the mandrel, moves so as to press the end of the film. As a result, the film is pushed out of the mandrel in an open state and fitted around the cap portion of the container.

Japanese Patent No. 4698803

  In the film-fitting device described in Patent Document 1, an endless chain is stretched over two sprockets to form a track (a shape in which each end of two semicircular arcs is connected by two straight lines, hereinafter the same). ). In this case, a large number of mandrels mounted on the chain at a predetermined pitch move in a state where the chain moves linearly in a section where the chain moves linearly, and the chain moves in an arc shape along the outer periphery of the sprocket. In the section, each mandrel moves with a fan-shaped gap formed between each other.

  As described above, when shifting from the arc-shaped moving section to the linear moving section, the moving speed of the outer peripheral end of the mandrel extending in a direction orthogonal to the tangential direction of the chain suddenly becomes zero from a predetermined speed. Therefore, the mandrel may swing downstream in the moving direction due to the inertial force acting on the mandrel. As a result, when aligned in the linear movement section in a parallel state, it collides with another mandrel adjacent to the downstream side in the movement direction and generates noise, and the impact at the time of the collision makes the film fitting operation by the mandrel unstable. Problem. This problem becomes more remarkable as the mandrel moves at a higher speed to improve productivity.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a film fitting device capable of suppressing or eliminating a collision with an adjacent mandrel head when a mandrel head moving along a loop-shaped circulation path shifts from a curved movement section to a linear movement section. It is to be.

The film embedding device according to the present invention is a film embedding device for embedding a cylindrical film around an outer periphery of a continuously conveyed container. A plurality of mandrel heads for fitting the cylindrical film opened to the container to the container, and an endless moving member for moving the mandrel head along a loop-shaped circulation path including a linear moving section and an arc-shaped curved moving section. A moving device including a mandrel head, by driving a moving member to which a mandrel head is attached, in a curved moving section, a fan-shaped gap is formed between each mandrel head, and in a linear moving section, Each mandrel head is configured to be aligned at a predetermined pitch, and moves from the first movement state in which the mandrel head moves along a curved movement section to a straight movement section. Where the transition to the second moving state, is configured to the mandrel head is in a state inclined in the moving direction upstream side relative to the normal line of the circulation path, through the angle adjustment groove to an arcuate cam groove portion And a curved cam plate having a cam groove including a continuous linear cam groove portion is provided at a position corresponding to the curved movement section, and the mandrel head is attached to a moving member and circulates, and the moving member is A cam follower that engages with the cam groove at a position displaced to the upstream side in the movement direction from the mounting position of the cam follower, and the side wall of the angle adjustment groove portion where the cam follower enters the straight cam groove from the arc-shaped cam groove. The mandrel head is configured to be inclined to the upstream side in the movement direction by being pushed by the angle adjustment groove, and the angle adjusting groove portion has a curvature smaller than a radius of curvature of the curved movement section. Characterized in that the radius.

  In this case, the moving member has flexibility, and the mandrel head may be configured to be inclined to the upstream side in the moving direction by bending the moving member, or The head includes a bracket attached to the moving member, and a base plate provided to be swingable with respect to the bracket, and the mandrel head moves upstream in the moving direction by rotating the base plate with respect to the bracket. It may be configured to be inclined to the side.

According to the film embedding device according to the present invention, the second movement in which the mandrel head moves in the linear movement section while being aligned at a predetermined pitch from the first movement state in which the mandrel head moves in the curve movement section with the fan-shaped gap formed. At the transition to the state, the mandrel head is configured to be inclined to the upstream side in the movement direction with respect to the normal to the circulation path . Thus, immediately before the mandrel head is aligned at the predetermined pitch in the linear movement section, the relative movement speed of the outer end of the mandrel head gradually decreases from the predetermined speed to zero. Therefore, it is possible to suppress or eliminate the collision of the mandrel head entering the linear movement section from the curved movement section with the mandrel head adjacent on the downstream side in the movement direction. As a result, it is possible to stabilize the generation of noise due to the collision between the mandrel heads and the fitting operation of the tubular film to the container performed by the mandrel head in a state where the mandrel heads are aligned at a predetermined pitch.

It is a front view showing the whole composition of the label fitting system provided with the mandrel head which is one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the label fitting system in FIG. 1 as viewed from above. (A) is a plan view and a side view of a 4-pot pack, (b) is a 2-pot pack, and (c) is a 6-pot pack. It is a front view of a label formation unit. It is a side view of a label formation unit. It is a figure which shows the mandrel moving apparatus of a label fitting apparatus in the state seen from the upper direction. FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along line GG in FIG. 6. (A) is a front view including a partial cross section of the mandrel head, (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line HH in (a), and (c) is a cross-sectional view taken along line II in (a). (A) is a front view showing the state of the mandrel head at the label supply position, and (b) is a front view showing the state of the mandrel head at the label fitting position. (A)-(l) is operation | movement explanatory drawing which shows the label fitting operation | movement of a mandrel head with time. (A) is a side view showing a driven pulley side of a mandrel moving device, and (b) is a plan view showing an engagement state between a cam groove of a curved cam plate and a cam follower of a mandrel head when viewed from above. is there. FIG. 4 is an enlarged view showing an angle adjusting cam groove provided at a boundary between an arc-shaped cam groove and a straight cam groove in a curved cam plate. It is a figure which shows the state which a mandrel head inclines when a cam follower moves the angle adjustment cam groove part of a curved cam plate. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing stepwise how the inclination of the mandrel head is eliminated. It is a figure which shows the angle change of the mandrel head when a cam follower moves along the angle adjustment cam groove part of a curved cam plate in steps. It is a figure which shows another structure which inclines a mandrel head to a movement direction upstream.

  Hereinafter, embodiments according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this description, specific shapes, materials, numerical values, directions, and the like are examples for facilitating the understanding of the present invention, and can be appropriately changed according to uses, purposes, specifications, and the like. When a plurality of embodiments and modified examples are included below, it is assumed from the beginning that the characteristic portions are appropriately combined and used.

  Hereinafter, an example will be described in which the cylindrical film mounted on the outer periphery of the pot portion of the container is a heat-shrinkable label. However, the tubular film may be, for example, a heat-shrinkable tubular label fitted to the body of the bottle container, a heat-shrinkable tubular film fitted to the outer periphery of the mouth of the container, or an attachment to the container. May be a heat-shrinkable tubular film or the like for bundling.

  Further, in the following, in the label fitting system, an example in which a 4-pot pack, which is a container pack integrally including four containers of 2 rows × 2 sets each containing contents such as yogurt, is transported and label fitted. However, the container transport device and the label fitting device in the present embodiment are not limited to these. For example, a two-pot pack including two rows of one set of two containers integrally, a six-pot pack including two rows of three sets of six containers integrally, and three rows of three sets of nine containers are integrated. May be applied to a 9-pot pack or the like, or may be applied to a case where the separated containers are continuously conveyed in one or more rows and the labels are fitted.

  FIG. 1 is a front view showing the overall configuration of a label fitting system 10 including a mandrel head 40 according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the label fitting system 10 of FIG. 1 as viewed from above. 3A is a plan view and a side view of a 4-pot pack, FIG. 3B is a 2-pot pack, and FIG. 3C is a 6-pot pack.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the label fitting system 10 sequentially includes a first container transport device 12, a second container transport device 14, a third container transport device 16, and a container transport direction indicated by an arrow A. And a fourth container transport device 18. Further, the label fitting system 10 further includes a label fitting device (film fitting device) 20 installed along the third container transport device 16.

  The first container transport device 12 is a device that transports the container pack CP4 composed of the four-pot pack shown in FIG. 3A to be manufactured by a manufacturing device (not shown) and introduced into the label fitting system 10. The first container transport device 12 is driven so that the endless conveyor belt 13 circulates, and each container pack CP4 is linearly transported in the direction of arrow A while being placed on the conveyor belt 13.

  Further, the fourth container transport device 18 has a function of carrying out the container pack CP4 having the label fitted onto the outer periphery of the pot portion from the label fitting system 10, and is configured similarly to the first container transport device 12. I have.

  As shown in FIG. 3A, the container pack CP4 integrally includes two rows × two sets of four containers C. Each of the containers C includes a pot portion P recessed so as to be able to store contents such as yogurt, a flange portion F formed on the periphery of the upper opening of the pot portion P to project laterally, and a pot portion P And a sheet-shaped lid S for sealing the upper opening of the sheet. These four containers C are integrally connected at an edge portion of a flange portion F having a substantially square outer shape.

  The pot portion P of each container C has an upper opening formed in a substantially square shape with rounded corners. Further, the side wall of the pot portion P is formed to have a tapered outer shape from the upper opening toward the bottom at the lower end. Further, in the container pack CP4 integrally including the four containers C, the pitch between the pot portions P of the two containers C adjacent to each other in the container transport direction A is a predetermined pitch PP defined by a molding die of a molding machine described later. Is formed. Further, a substantially rectangular through hole is formed at the center of the container pack CP4 surrounded by the flanges F of the four containers C. Further, the lid S for sealing the upper opening of each container C has a trade name (not shown) written thereon. In addition, a shallow break facilitating groove for facilitating break-separation into the containers C one by one may be formed in the connecting portion between the flange portions F.

  An example of a method for manufacturing the above container pack CP4 is as follows. First, a resin flat plate is supplied to a molding machine of a manufacturing apparatus. The molding machine includes a male mold formed by aligning convex portions for forming pot portions, and a female mold formed by aligning concave portions forming an inner surface having a shape corresponding to the outer peripheral surface of each pot portion. The resin flat plate is clamped by the mold. Thereby, a concave portion corresponding to the pot portion P of each container C is formed. Such a molding operation of the pot portion repeatedly executes a process of intermittently supplying the resin flat plate and closing and opening the molding die, so that a container intermediate in which a large number of pot portions P are molded at a predetermined pitch PP. Is formed.

  The container intermediate discharged from the molding machine is then supplied to a filling machine. In this filling machine, contents such as yogurt are injected and filled into each pot portion P of the container intermediate from an upper opening. Thereafter, the upper opening of the pot portion P is sealed by heat-sealing a sheet-shaped lid S to the flange portion F on the upper surface of the container intermediate. Then, the container pack continuous body in which the plurality of container packs CP4 are connected by the flange portion F is sent out from the filling machine.

  The container pack continuous body sent out from the filling machine is divided into container packs CP4 each integrally containing a predetermined number of containers C. In the present embodiment, as described above, the container C is divided into two rows × two sets of four containers C so as to be integrally included, and each container pack CP4 is manufactured. Thereafter, each container pack CP4 is supplied onto the conveyor belt 13 of the first container transport device 12, and is transported to the second container transport device 14.

  Referring again to FIGS. 1 and 2, the container packs CP <b> 4 conveyed from the manufacturing apparatus by the first container conveyance device 12 are temporarily accumulated in the container storage 22 before the second container conveyance device 14. The third container pack CP4 is pitched by the second container transport device 14 such that the transport pitch between the container packs CP4 becomes the predetermined pitch PP between the pot portions P included in the container pack CP4. It is transported to the container transport device 16.

  Specifically, the second container transport device 14 includes a plurality of moving claws 24 that move along the container transport direction A on both sides of a linear container transport path 25 that is continuous with the first container transport device 12. The plurality of moving claws 24 are configured to circulate while drawing a substantially track-like moving trajectory on both sides of the container transfer path 25. The drive mechanism of the movable claw 24 that moves linearly along the container transport path 25 having a straight band shape can have the same configuration on both sides of the container transport path 25.

  Each of the moving claws 24 is fitted between the supporting upper surface of the container C constituting the container pack CP4 and supporting the lower surface of the flange portion F of the container C to suspend and support the container C. And the outer peripheral surfaces of the tip portions respectively contacting the outer peripheries of two adjacent pot portions P. Here, it is preferable that the outer peripheral surface of the tip of the movable claw 24 is formed in a semicircular shape. By being formed in such a shape, when entering between the two adjacent container packs CP4 in which the distance between the pot portions P has become narrower in the container storage portion 22, it smoothly enters while increasing the distance between the pot portions P. The transport pitch of the container pack CP4 can be set to a predetermined pitch PP.

  Each container pack CP4 conveyed at a predetermined pitch PP by the second container conveyance device 14 is delivered to the third container conveyance device 16. The third container transport device 16 includes an endless conveyor belt 34 having a lower surface that moves linearly along the container transport direction A. When the conveyor belt 34 is driven to rotate at a constant speed, the suction that transports the container packs CP4 pitched at a predetermined pitch PP by the second container transport device 14 while maintaining the state while sucking the top surface. It is a conveyor belt.

  The conveyor belt 34 has a large number of through holes (not shown). A suction box 36 is disposed inside the loop-shaped conveyor belt 34 adjacent to the lower surface of the conveyor belt 34. A long hole 38 extending in the container transport direction A is formed in a lower wall portion of the suction box 36. The suction box 36 is connected to a suction source (not shown) such as a pump. As a result, the conveyor belt 34 of the third container transport device 16 moves the top surface of the container pack CP4 transported by the second container transport device 14 (that is, the upper surface of the container pack CP4 sealed with the lid S) to the belt lower surface. , And each container pack CP4 can be transported in a suspended state. In this case, the container packs CP4 are suspended and transported while maintaining the pitch between the container packs CP4 set by the second container transporter 14.

  Next, the label fitting device 20 in the label fitting system 10 will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the label fitting device 20 is installed below a third container transport device 16 that suspends and transports the container pack CP4. As shown in FIG. 2, when the space in which the worker OP can work is defined as the front of the label fitting system 10 and the back of the third container transport device 16 is defined as the rear, the label fitting device 20 The front portion is installed at a position vertically overlapping the second container transport device 16.

  The label fitting device 20 includes a number of mandrel heads 40 for fitting a cylindrical label L around the outer periphery of the pot portion P of each container pack CP4 suspended and transported by the third container transport device 16, and a plurality of mandrel heads. And a mandrel moving device 42 for circulating the 40 along a track-like movement locus.

  The mandrel moving device 42 includes a driving pulley 44 and a driven pulley 46 provided at predetermined intervals, and an endless belt 48 stretched over these pulleys 44, 46. The drive pulley 44 is configured to be driven to rotate by a motor 49. The plurality of mandrel heads 40 are attached to the outer peripheral surface of the belt 48 at a predetermined pitch. Thus, when the driving pulley 44 is rotationally driven by the motor 49, the belt 48 rotates in the direction of the arrow. As a result, a large number of mandrel heads 40 attached to the belt 48 circulate along a track-like or loop-like circulation path. That is, the mandrel head 40 moves in the linear movement section 47a (see FIG. 6) in the front part of the label fitting device 20. The movement path of the linear movement section 47a of the mandrel head 40 is located directly below the third container transport device 16, and thereby translates in synchronization with the container pack CP4 suspended and transported by the third container transport device 16. The label can be fitted on the outer periphery of the pot portion P of each container C at the label fitting position β.

  Further, the label fitting device 20 is provided with a label forming unit 50. The label forming unit 50 cuts the long label base material into a predetermined length to form a cylindrical label L, and fits the label L to the outer periphery of the mandrel of each mandrel head 40 in an opened state. It has a function to deliver.

  In the present embodiment, the label is transferred to the mandrel head 40 so that each mandrel head 40 is transferred to the mandrel head 40 at the label supply position α in the arc-shaped curve moving section 47b (see FIG. 6) that circles around the driven pulley 46. A forming unit 50 is provided. As described above, in the region where each mandrel head 40 moves in an arc shape, a relatively large gap is formed between the mandrel heads 40, so that the operation of supplying a label to each mandrel head 40 is reliably performed without interfering with each other. There is an advantage that can be. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the label forming unit 50 may be installed in another area of the label fitting apparatus 20 (for example, a rear area of the label fitting apparatus 20). In addition, two label supply units may be separated from each other so that the labels L are delivered at different positions for the two mandrels provided in each mandrel head 40.

  As described above, the label forming unit 50 forms a label and transfers the label to the mandrel head 40 at a position off the container transport path by the third container transport device 16 when the label fitting system 10 is viewed from above. Is installed as follows. As a result, even if the contents stored in the container C of the container pack CP4 at the label fitting position β spills down due to some trouble, there is no cutting unit or the like forming the label forming unit 50 therebelow. The label supply operation by the unit 50 can be continued without stopping. Therefore, the operation rate of the label fitting system 10 increases, and the productivity can be improved.

  The circulation path of the mandrel moving device 42 that circulates and moves the large number of mandrel heads 40 extends from the position overlapping the label fitting position β in the linear container conveyance path in the third container conveyance device 16 to the rear side of the container conveyance path. It is formed as a path that goes around and returns to the label fitted position β via the label supply position α. As described above, since the circulation path of the mandrel head 40 is provided only on the rear side of the label fitting system 10, the front side of the label fitting position β can be used as a work space for the operator OP, and workability can be improved. There is an advantage that is improved.

  In addition, the label fitting system 10 is added to a manufacturing apparatus that performs a series of steps of forming a container, filling the contents, sealing with a lid, and dividing the container into container packs including one or a predetermined number of containers. This makes it possible to attach a label with a product name or the like to the outer periphery of the pot portion of each container of the container pack.

  Furthermore, the label fitting device 20 can be provided with a cleaning station 200 and a drying station 300. These stations 200 and 300 will be described later.

  FIG. 4 is a front view of the label forming unit 50 provided in the label fitting device 20, and FIG. 5 is a side view of the label forming unit 50. 4 and 5, the label base material LM and the label L cut and formed therefrom are indicated by a two-dot chain line.

  As shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the label forming unit 50 separates the individual labels L from the label base material LM in a state where the cylindrical labels L are continuously connected and folded in a sheet shape. By sequentially discharging L to the label supply position α, it is delivered to the mandrel M of the mandrel head 40 sequentially transferred by the mandrel moving device 42.

  The label forming unit 50 includes, in order from the top, a mark sensor 51, an inner guide 52, a pair of pitch feed rollers 53, a cutting unit 54, a label shaping guide member 55, a pair of shot rollers 57a and 57b, and a transfer unit 58.

  The mark sensor 51 detects a cut mark formed on the label base material LM by printing or the like. Based on a mark detection signal output from the mark sensor 51, the operations of a pitch feed roller pair 53 and a cutting unit 54, which will be described later, are controlled.

  The inner guide 52 is provided below the mark sensor 51, and is disposed inside a cylindrical label base material LM that is continuously conveyed in a connected state. The inner guide 52 has a function of releasing the close contact state of the label base material LM and guiding the label base material LM to enter the pitch feed roller pair 53 along the vertical direction.

  The pitch feed roller pair 53 includes a drive roller 53a and a driven roller 53b that intermittently feed the label base material LM at a predetermined pitch toward the cutting position. The drive roller 53a is driven to rotate by a motor (not shown) such as a servomotor or a stepping motor. The motor is intermittently driven based on a mark detection signal from the mark sensor 51 so that the label base material LM is fed downward by a predetermined cut length from between the rollers 53a and 53b of the pitch feed roller pair 53. Is done.

  The cutting unit 54 is a cutting device including a fixed blade 54a and a movable blade 54b that form individual labels L by sequentially cutting the label base material LM sent downward from the pitch feed roller pair 53 by a predetermined length. The movable blade 54b is reciprocally driven by a motor (not shown) such as a servo motor or a stepping motor, and based on a mark detection signal from the mark sensor 51, the sending operation of the label base material LM by the pitch feed roller pair 53 is temporarily stopped. Is controlled so that the label L is separated from the label base material LM during operation. Note that the cutting unit 54 may be configured by a fixed blade and a rotary movable blade.

  The label shaping guide member 55 is opened in a predetermined state by fitting the label base material LM sent out by the pitch feed roller pair 53, and transports the label L cut from the label base material LM to the transport unit 58. It functions as a guide member when conveyed downward by the action.

  The label shaping guide member 55 has a label opening 55a having a tapered wedge-shaped upper end, and a label shaping portion 55b having a circular cross section and provided continuously below the label opening 55a. The label base material LM fitted to the upper end of the label opening 55a is separated into individual labels L, and is gradually opened by being transported to the lower side of the label opening. The opening is shaped into a cylindrical shape by being fitted to 55b.

  The transfer unit 58 inserts the label L separated from the label base material LM by the cutting unit 54 into the label opening 55a of the label shaping guide member 55 and inserts the label L between the label opening 55a and forms the label. It is composed of feed belt units 58a and 58b for transferring to the section 55b. Each of the feed belt units 58a and 58b includes a drive pulley 59a, four driven pulleys 59b, 59c, 59d, and 59e, and a narrow (for example, several mm) endless feed belt 59f stretched over these. Have been. The feed belt 59f is driven to rotate along the axial direction on both sides of the label shaping guide member 55, so that the label L can be transported to the lower end of the label shaping guide member 55 while shaping the label L into an open state. I have.

  The pair of shot rollers 57a and 57b are provided at the lower end of the label shaping guide member 55 at positions opposed to each other in the radial direction. Each of the shot rollers 57a and 57b is directly connected to a rotating shaft of a motor (not shown). As a result, when each of the shot rollers 57a and 57b is driven to rotate, the label L fitted on the label shaping guide member 55 is sent downward along the outer peripheral surface of the label shaping section 55b, and the mandrel of the mandrel head 40 is moved. M will be fitted.

  Next, the label fitting device 20 of the present embodiment will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the mandrel moving device 42 of the label fitting device 20 as viewed from above. FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along the line GG in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 6, a large number of mandrel heads 40 in the label fitting device 20 are rotated counterclockwise in a track-like movement path by a belt 48 wound around a driving pulley 44 and a driven pulley 46 rotating. As described above, it is configured to circulate and move in the direction (the arrow J direction).

  In the mandrel head 40 of the present embodiment, the container packs CP4 conveyed by the above-described first, second and third container conveying devices 12, 14, 16 are arranged such that the containers C are arranged in two rows in a direction orthogonal to the container conveying direction A. Two mandrels M are provided corresponding to being conveyed side by side. When such mandrel heads 40 move in the linear movement section 47 of the mandrel moving device 42, the six mandrel heads 40 including the twelve mandrels M form a group in a state where they are aligned in parallel at a predetermined pitch PP. It is configured to move. The predetermined pitch PP is a pot pitch between the pot portions P of the containers C integrally included in the container pack CP4, and two adjacent pot portions P of each container pack CP4 pitched by the second container transport device 14. It is equivalent to the transport pitch PP between them. In the present embodiment, while the six mandrel heads 40 aligned as described above move in the linear movement section 47a in a group arranged at a predetermined pitch PP, the six mandrel heads 40 are synchronously transported by the third container transport device 16 above the linearly moving section 47a. The cylindrical label L pushed up from the mandrel M is fitted to each pot portion P of the container pack CP4 to be pressed from below.

  Each mandrel head 40 is attached to the flexible belt 48 at the above-mentioned predetermined pitch PP on the inner peripheral side of the loop-shaped circulation path. In the region where the belt 48 is wound around the driven pulley 46, the mandrel head 40 moves the arc-shaped curved movement section 47b in a state where a fan-shaped gap is formed between the adjacent mandrel heads 40 (first movement state). Moving. On the other hand, in the linear movement section 47a in which the belt 48 moves linearly, the belt 48 moves in a group in a state of being aligned in parallel at a predetermined pitch PP (second movement state). In this case, a gap having a constant width is formed between the mandrel heads 40 forming a group.

  In the linear movement section 47a, a gap 41 is formed between the mandrel heads 40 forming one group and the mandrel heads 40 forming another group on the upstream and downstream sides in the moving direction of the six mandrel heads 40. The gap 41 is formed larger than the gap between the six mandrel heads 40 forming a group. By providing such a gap 41, the mandrel moving device 42 can be used as it is even when it is necessary to replace the mandrel head 40 in order to cope with label fitting of a container pack of another shape and size. It becomes possible.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the two mandrels M included in the mandrel head 40 are spaced from the bottoms of the two pot portions P in which the container packs CP4 suspended and transported by the third container transport device 16 are arranged. The label fitting operation is performed while translating in a non-contact state while facing each other (for example, about several mm to 10 mm). During this label fitting operation, neither the container pack CP4 nor the mandrel M moves linearly in the horizontal direction without moving up and down. Therefore, even when the container transport speed is increased, the label fitting operation on each pot portion P of the container pack CP4 can be stably performed. Further, since the label fitting operation is performed while the upper end of the mandrel M is not in contact with the bottom of the pot portion P, the pot portion P of the container C included in the container pack CP4 is not damaged.

  Further, the label fitting device 20 of the present embodiment employs a configuration in which the six mandrel heads 40 including the twelve mandrels M move in the linear movement section 47a in a group arranged at a predetermined pitch PP. As described above, the six mandrel heads 40 including the twelve mandrels M which are the least common multiple of the two pots, the four pots, and the six pots are configured to move in one group, so that the four pots exemplified in the present embodiment are formed. In addition to the pack CP4, a two-pot pack CP2 (see FIG. 3B) in which two containers C are integrally connected in two rows × one set via a flange portion F, and six containers C are connected via a flange portion F A 6-pot pack CP6 (see FIG. 3C), which is integrally arranged in two rows and three sets, can be handled without changing parts (or changing the type).

  More specifically, in the case of the two-pot pack CP2, after the six two-pot packs CP2 including the total of 12 containers C are pitched out to the predetermined pitch PP by the second container transport device 14, the third container transport device 16 And is suspended and conveyed to the label fitting position β. In the case of the four-pot pack CP4, three four-pot packs CP4 including a total of twelve containers C are pitched out to a predetermined pitch PP by the second container transport device 14, and then delivered to the third container transport device 16. It is suspended and transported to the label fitting position β. In the case of the six-pot pack CP6, two six-pot packs CP6 including a total of twelve containers C are pitched out to a predetermined pitch PP by the second container transport device 14, and then delivered to the third container transport device 16. It is suspended and transported to the label fitting position β. As described above, in any of the two-pot pack CP2, the four-pot pack CP4, and the six-pot pack CP6, the label can be fitted by the label fitting apparatus 20 of the present embodiment. Therefore, the versatility of the label fitting system 10 is improved, and the equipment cost can be reduced.

  In the above, a gap 41 is formed before and after in the transport direction of the six mandrel heads 40 forming a group. A gap corresponding to this gap is formed between the container packs transported by the third container transport device 16. As described above, for example, when the container pack is transferred from the second container transport device 14 to the third container transport device 16, the transport speed of the second container transport device 14 (ie, the moving speed of the movable claw 24 by the motor 30) is reduced. Such control may be performed.

  However, if only a container pack integrally including a specific number of containers C such as a 4-pot pack is considered, there is no need to provide the gap 41 as described above, and all the mandrel heads 40 are arranged at an equal pitch corresponding to a predetermined pitch. It may be attached to the belt 48. In this case, the two-pot pack CP2, the four-pot pack CP4, and the six-pot pack CP6 can also be used in the same manner as described above.

  Next, the mandrel moving device 42 of the label fitting device 20 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. The two mandrels M of the mandrel head 40 are supported with their respective lower ends standing upright on a metal base plate 60, for example. A bracket 62 is fixed to an inner peripheral end of the base plate 60 by a fixing means such as a bolt. The bracket 62 is attached to the belt 48 via an outer peripheral side attachment member 64 by fixing means such as bolts and nuts. Further, an inner peripheral side mounting member 66 is disposed inside the belt 48, and the mandrel head 40 is, for example, bolted with the belt 48 sandwiched between the outer peripheral side mounting member 64 and the inner peripheral side mounting member 66. And is fixed to the belt 48 by fixing means such as a nut. Thus, the mandrel head 40 is attached to the belt 48 in a cantilever state.

  Two rollers 68 are rotatably attached to the inner peripheral side attachment member 66 at positions separated by a predetermined distance in the vertical direction. The upper roller 68 of these rollers 68 is in contact with the lower surface of the rail member 70 fixed at a predetermined position in the mandrel moving device 42. Thus, the weight of the mandrel head 40 circulating with the belt 48 in a cantilever state is supported by the rollers 68 and the rail members 70.

  As described above, the belt 48 is stretched over the driving pulley 44 and the driven pulley 46, and circulates by rotating the driving pulley 44 by the motor 49 (see FIG. 2). Each of the pulleys 44 and 46 is rotatably supported by a shaft 45 erected on a mount 43 of the mandrel moving device 42. FIG. 7 shows only the driven pulley 46 and the shaft 45 that supports the driven pulley 46.

  The mandrel moving device 42 is provided with an upper cover 80 having a U-shaped cross section. The upper cover 80 is fixed to a frame 72 fixed to an upper end of the shaft 45 erected on the base 43 by, for example, fixing means such as screws. The front wall portion 80a and the rear wall portion 80b of the upper cover 80 respectively hang down from above to the outer peripheral side of the bracket 62 of the mandrel head 40, and each lower end portion extends to a position close to the upper surface of the base plate 60. By being covered with the upper cover 80 in this manner, even when the mandrel head 40 is cleaned as described later, it is possible to suppress the cleaning liquid from entering the inside of the mandrel moving device 42.

  A fixing member 74 having an L-shaped cross section or side surface is attached to the top plate portion of the upper cover 80 before and after the mandrel moving device 42, respectively. The first cam plate 76 and the second cam plate 78 are fixed to the front fixing member 74 of the mandrel moving device 42, and the support plate 77 is fixed to the rear fixing member 74. The upper surface of the support plate 77 extends in the horizontal direction, and the first cam follower 94 of the mandrel head 40 is in contact with the upper surface. Thus, the structure of supporting the weight of the components of the mandrel M included in the mandrel head 40 (that is, the label sending guide, the push-up plate, the first and second connecting members, and the like) is provided.

  In the above description, the example in which the belt 48 is used as the moving member for circulating the mandrel head 40 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the mandrel head 40 may be connected to the chain as a configuration in which a plurality of chains are circulated by a plurality of sprockets.

  A cam follower 112 is rotatably attached to the lower surface of the base plate 60 of the mandrel head 40 via an arm member 110. The cam follower 112 is engaged with a cam groove of a curved cam plate 114 disposed below the driven pulley 46. The angle adjustment mechanism of the mandrel head 40 constituted by the arm member 110, the cam follower 112, and the curved cam plate 114 will be described later in detail.

  Subsequently, the configuration and operation of the mandrel head 40 will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 8A is a front view including a partial cross section of the mandrel head 40, FIG. 8B is a cross-sectional view taken along line HH in FIG. 8A, and FIG. It is II sectional drawing in a). In FIG. 8 (and FIG. 9), the illustration of the arm member 110 and the cam follower 112 attached to the mandrel head 40 is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 8A, the mandrel head 40 includes two mandrels M, a base plate 60 that supports each lower end of the mandrel M, and an inner peripheral end of the base plate 60 (see FIG. 8A). (Right side) and a bracket 62 extending upward in parallel with the mandrel M. The mandrel M is erected on the base plate 60 at a pitch equal to two pot portions P arranged in a direction orthogonal to the container transport direction A (see FIGS. 1 and 2).

  The base plate 60 of the mandrel head 40 is preferably made of a lightweight and rustproof metal plate. As a specific example, for example, an aluminum plate can be used as the base plate 60. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a light-weight and rust-proof resin flat plate may be used as the base plate 60.

  Each mandrel M has a lower end fixed to the base plate 60 and extends upward, and a label sending armor wrapped around the mandrel shaft 84 so as to be movable in the shaft axis direction (vertical direction in the present embodiment). The guide 86 includes a guide plate 86 and a push-up plate 88 wrapped around the label delivery guide 86 so as to be movable in the axial direction of the shaft.

  The mandrel shaft 84 is formed of, for example, a rod-shaped member made of resin. In the present embodiment, the upper end portion of the mandrel shaft 84 is formed in a substantially truncated pyramid shape. By having such a tapered upper end portion 84a, it is possible to easily receive the label L supplied downward from the label forming unit 50 in an open state.

  Further, the mandrel M has a label holding portion 85 below the upper end portion 84 a of the mandrel shaft 84. The label holding portion 85 is a portion where the label L fitted on the mandrel M is held on the outer peripheral surface of the mandrel M while the mandrel head 40 moves from the label supply position α to the label fitted position β. The label holding section 85 is located above the label push-up plate 88 at the retracted position.

  The label holding portion 85 of the mandrel M is preferably formed as a tapered surface extending over the length of the label L. By setting the label holding section 85 to be equal to or longer than the label length, the gap between the label holding section 85 and the entire length of the label L can be reduced, and as a result, the holding state of the label L is stabilized. It is advantageous for Further, by forming the label holding portion 85 with such a tapered surface, even if the label L is slightly reduced in diameter due to natural shrinkage or manufacturing tolerance, the holding position is slightly increased, and the label L is slightly increased. There is no hindrance to the fitting and delivery of the device. Therefore, it is possible to sufficiently cope with natural shrinkage of the label L and manufacturing tolerance. Further, even when the folding diameter of the label L is changed, the same mandrel M can be used if the change width is small.

  The mandrel shaft 84 has an intermediate shaft portion 84b that extends downward from the upper end portion 84a. As shown in FIG. 8B, the intermediate shaft portion 84b of the mandrel shaft 84 has a substantially square cross section, and a guide groove 98 formed of, for example, a V-shaped notch is formed in the four corners along the shaft axial direction. Is formed.

  A guide bar 86a forming a part of the label sending guide 86 is fitted in the guide groove 98 of the intermediate shaft portion 84b of the mandrel shaft 84. The guide bar 86a of the label sending guide 86a has a fan-shaped cross section having a substantially right angle at the center, and the arc-shaped outer surface forms a part of the surface of the label holding portion 85. The outer surface of the intermediate shaft portion 84b of the mandrel shaft 84 that is exposed to the outer periphery also forms part of the surface of the label holding portion 85.

  In the intermediate shaft portion 84b of the mandrel shaft 84, four engagement grooves 87 are formed at the center positions of the substantially square sides so as to extend along the shaft axial direction. A piece 89a of a push-up plate 88 described later is fitted into the engagement groove 87 so as to be vertically movable.

  As shown in FIG. 8C, the lower shaft portion 84c that is continuous with the intermediate shaft portion 84b in the mandrel shaft 84 is formed as a round bar shaft portion having a circular cross section. The guide groove 98 and the engagement groove 87 extend from the intermediate shaft portion 84b of the mandrel shaft 84 to the upper end portion 84a, but are not formed in the lower shaft portion 84c.

  The label sending guide 86 of the mandrel M is formed of a cylindrical member made of the same resin material as the mandrel shaft 84. As shown in FIGS. 8A and 8C, the lower portion 86b of the label sending guide 86 has a substantially square outer contour with rounded corners, similarly to the label holding portion 85 of the mandrel M. The lower portion 86b of the label sending guide 86 has a cylindrical shape having a circular cavity formed therein. On the other hand, four guide bars 86a corresponding to the guide grooves 98 of the mandrel shaft 84 are formed in the upper part of the label sending guide 86. These guide bars 86a are arranged in a guide groove 98 of the mandrel shaft 84 so as to be vertically movable. It is preferable that the arc-shaped outer surface of the guide bar 86a be formed with almost no step with the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate shaft portion 84b of the mandrel shaft 84. By forming in this way, the receiving and sending out of the label L for the mandrel M can be performed smoothly without being caught.

  The push-up plate 88 of the mandrel M is a flat member made of, for example, resin and formed with two through holes 89 through which the two mandrels M can be inserted, as shown in FIGS. 8B and 8C. These through holes 89 are formed in a substantially square shape slightly larger than the outer contour of the label holding portion 85 including the intermediate shaft portion 84b of the mandrel shaft 84 and the guide bar 86a of the label sending guide 86. Four pieces 89 a projecting toward the center of the through hole 89 are formed at the center of each side in the peripheral portion of the through hole 89. These pieces 89a are vertically movably arranged while engaging in engagement grooves 87 formed in the intermediate shaft 84b of the mandrel shaft 84.

  The label sending guides 86 of the two mandrels M included in the mandrel head 40 are respectively fixed at their lower ends to, for example, a connecting plate 92a made of resin. One end of the connection plate 92a is fixed to the first connection member 92b by a fixing means such as a bolt. On the base plate 60, two guide members 90 are erected in parallel with the mandrel M. A stopper 91 is fixed to the upper end of each guide member 90. Here, it is preferable that the guide member 90 is configured by a metal round bar member having rust prevention properties. Specifically, for example, a round bar made of stainless steel can be suitably used as the guide member 90.

  The first connection member 92b is slidably supported by a guide member 90 via a bush 93 made of resin, for example. A first cam follower 94 is rotatably attached to a side portion of the first connecting member 92b. The first cam follower 94 is in contact with the first cam plate 76 of the mandrel moving device 42. The first cam follower 94 and the first cam plate 76 constitute a first cam mechanism for vertically moving the label sending guide 86 of each mandrel M.

  The push-up plate 88 of the mandrel head 40 is fixed at one end to the second connecting member 95 by a fixing means such as a bolt. The second connecting member 95 is slidably supported by the guide member 90 via, for example, a resin bush 93, similarly to the first connecting member 92b. A second cam follower 96 is rotatably attached to a side portion of the second connecting member 95. The second cam follower 96 is in contact with the second cam plate 78 of the mandrel moving device 42. The second cam follower 96 and the second cam plate 78 constitute a second cam mechanism that moves the push-up plate 88 of the mandrel head 40 up and down.

  FIG. 9A is a front view showing a state of the mandrel head 40 at the label supply position α, and FIG. 9B is a front view showing a state of the mandrel head 40 at the label fitting position β.

  As shown in FIG. 9A, when the mandrel head 40 passes the label supply position α by the mandrel moving device 42, the label is supplied in an open state from the label forming unit 50 disposed above. . At this time, in each mandrel M of the mandrel head 40, the label sending guide 86 is at the label receiving position lowered with respect to the mandrel shaft 84. In this state, the guide bar 86 a of the label sending guide 86 is located below the tapered upper end 84 a of the mandrel shaft 84 and is housed in the guide groove 98. Therefore, the mandrel head 40 can smoothly and reliably receive the cylindrical label L on the outer periphery of each mandrel M via the tapered upper end portion 84a.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 9 (b), at the label fitting position β, the label sending guide 86 moves up to a predetermined height by the driving of the first cam mechanisms 76 and 94, and becomes the label sending position. At this label sending position, each upper end of the guide bar 86a of the label sending guide 86 projects around the tapered upper end 84a of the mandrel shaft 84, and is substantially equivalent to the outer peripheral shape of the pot portion P of the container C. Can be sent in a state where the label L is opened to the size of.

  In this state, the push-up plate 88 is moved upward from the retreat position shown in FIG. 9A to the label push-up position shown in FIG. 9B by driving the second cam mechanisms 78 and 96. As a result, the piece 89a of the push-up plate 88 moves upward along the engagement groove 87 of the intermediate shaft 84b of the mandrel shaft 84. Then, the label L fitted on the label holding portion 85 of the mandrel shaft 84 is lifted by contacting the lower end edge of the label portion 89a of the push-up plate 88 to the outer periphery of the pot portion P of the container C from the mandrel M. It is fitted from below.

  Next, the label fitting operation by the mandrel head 40 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIGS. 10A to 10L are operation explanatory diagrams showing the label fitting operation of the mandrel head 40 over time. 10 (a) to 10 (l), the label fitting operation of the mandrel M shifts from the left side to the right side in the figure. In FIG. 10, the movement locus of the center point of the first cam follower 94 is indicated by a two-dot chain line 140, and the movement locus of the center point of the second cam follower 96 is indicated by a two-dot chain line 79. In FIG. 12, the illustration of the third container transport device 16 that transports the container pack CP4 is omitted.

  As shown in FIGS. 10A to 10C, the mandrel head 40 is moved by the mandrel moving device 42 along the linear movement section 47a. Then, as shown in FIGS. 10D and 10E, when the mandrel head 40 moves to the label fitting position β, the first cam follower 94 is pushed up by the first cam plate 76, and the label sending guide is provided. The guide bar 86a of the guide 86 is located at the label sending position protruding around the upper end portion 84a of the mandrel shaft 84. At this time, it is preferable that the upper end of the guide bar 86a rises to a position slightly higher than the upper end of the mandrel shaft 84 but not in contact with the pot portion P of the container C. Thereby, the label L sent out from the mandrel M can be more securely fitted around the pot portion P.

  The second cam follower 96 is pushed up by the second cam plate 78 in synchronization with the rising of the label sending guide 86 as shown in FIGS. As a result, the push-up plate 88 starts moving upward from the retracted position located below the label holding portion 85 of the mandrel M. Then, the push-up plate 88 moves up to a label push-up position where the upper surface thereof is almost at the same height as the upper end of the guide bar 86 a of the label sending guide 86. As a result, the label L pushed out of the mandrel M by the push-up plate 88 is fitted from below onto the outer periphery of the pot portion P of the container C.

  When the label L is fitted on the outer periphery of the pot portion P, as shown in FIGS. 10H to 10L, the push-up plate 88 moves down and descends to the normal retreat position, and the label delivery guide is As shown in FIGS. 10 (i) to 10 (l), it descends from the label sending position to the label receiving position. As a result, preparation for label reception at the label supply position α is completed.

  The container pack CP4 including the container C with the label L fitted on the pot portion P is continuously transported by the third container transport device 16 (see FIG. 1). At this time, the label L is held by, for example, contacting the outer peripheral surface of the pot portion P by the elastic restoring force (or stiffness) of the label L itself. In this state, the container pack CP4 shifts to the fourth container transport device 18 when the suction by the suction transport belt 34 of the third container transport device 16 is released. Thereafter, the label L is thermally contracted when the container pack CP4 to which the label L is fitted passes through a heating device (not shown), whereby the mounting of the label L is completed. Then, the container pack CP4 is transported to a post-process such as packing.

  Next, the angle adjustment mechanism and operation of the mandrel head 40 in the mandrel moving device 42 in the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 11A is a side view showing the driven pulley 46 side of the mandrel moving device 42, and FIG. 11B is a view showing the cam groove of the curved cam plate 114 and the cam follower 112 of the mandrel head 40 when viewed from above. It is a top view which shows the engagement state of. FIG. 12 is an enlarged view showing an angle adjusting cam groove portion (angle adjusting groove portion) 118d provided at the boundary between the arcuate cam groove and the linear cam groove on the curved cam plate 114.

  As shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, an arm member 110 is fixed to the lower surface of the base plate 60 of the mandrel head 40 by a fastening means such as a bolt. The arm member 110 extends below the driven pulley 46, and a cam follower 112 is rotatably attached to an end thereof. The cam follower 112 of the mandrel head 40 is arranged at a position shifted by a predetermined dimension d toward the upstream side in the movement direction with respect to the center line 116 in the width direction of the mandrel head 40 attached to the belt 48. The position where the width center line 116 intersects with the belt 48 corresponds to the attachment position of the mandrel 40 with respect to the belt 48, and the swing center position of the mandrel head 40 as described later.

  The curved cam plate 114 is provided at a position corresponding to the curved movement section 47b of the mandrel moving device 42. Specifically, the curved cam plate 114 is disposed below the driven pulley 46. The curved cam plate 114 is formed with a cam groove 118 that opens downward. The width of the cam groove 118 is formed slightly larger than the diameter of the cam follower 112. The cam follower 112 of the mandrel head 40 is engaged with the cam groove 118.

  The cam groove 118 of the curved cam plate 114 has a linear inlet-side cam groove portion 118a for receiving the cam follower 112 of the mandrel head 40 that has moved linearly in the linear moving section 47c behind the mandrel moving device 42, and an inlet-side cam. An arcuate cam groove portion 118b that expands to an outer diameter side from the groove portion 118a and then extends in an arc shape having a constant radius of curvature, and moves from the curved movement section 47b of the mandrel moving device 42 to the front linear movement section 47a. And a straight outlet side cam groove portion 118c from which the cam follower 112 of the mandrel head 40 exits. The arc-shaped cam groove portion 118b and the outlet-side cam groove portion 118c are continuous via the angle adjusting cam groove portion 118d.

  As shown in FIG. 11B, it is preferable to provide linear cam plates 120 and 122 adjacent to the curved cam plate 114. The straight cam plate 120 is formed with a straight cam groove 121 that is continuous with the inlet cam groove portion 118a of the curved cam plate 114. The straight cam plate 120 guides the cam follower 112 of the mandrel head 40 to surely enter the cam groove 118 of the curved cam plate 114 when approaching the curved movement section 47b. The straight cam plate 122 is formed with a straight cam groove 123 which is continuous with the outlet cam groove 118c of the curved cam plate 114. The cam follower 112 of the mandrel head 40 is guided by the linear cam plate 122, so that the mandrel head 40 can perform a guide function of linearly moving in the linear movement section 47a. However, these linear guide plates 120 and 122 may be omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 12, in the cam groove 118 formed in the curved cam plate 114, the angle adjusting cam groove portion 118d is circular with a constant radius of curvature R from the rotation center of the driven pulley 46 (that is, the rotation center of the shaft 45). It is formed in an arc shape having a radius of curvature r smaller than that of the arcuate cam groove portion 118b, and is smoothly connected to the linear outlet cam groove portion 118c. Such an angle adjusting cam groove portion 118d is arranged at a position where the cam follower 112 passes just before the mandrel head 40 shifts from the curved movement section 47b to the linear movement section 47a.

  FIG. 13 is a view showing a state in which the mandrel head 40 is inclined when the cam follower 112 moves along the angle adjusting cam groove portion 118d of the curved cam plate 114. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing stepwise how the inclination of the mandrel head is eliminated.

  As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, when the cam follower 112 of the mandrel head 40 reaches the angle adjusting cam groove portion 118d of the cam groove 118, the cam follower 112 contacts the outer peripheral side wall 119 of the angle adjusting cam groove portion 118d and is pushed inward. It is. As a result, the mandrel head 40 slightly rotates clockwise at a position near the exit of the curved movement section 47b and immediately before entering the linear movement section 47a. As a result, the mandrel head 40 is inclined by a predetermined angle θ1 to the upstream side in the movement direction with respect to the normal 117 of the movement trajectory of the belt 48. More specifically, the mandrel head 40 swings with the attachment position to the belt 48 as the swing center 142 so that the center line 116 in the width direction of the base plate 60 of the mandrel head 40 with respect to the normal 117 of the movement locus. The state is inclined by the predetermined angle θ1 toward the upstream side in the moving direction. Here, the predetermined angle θ1 is preferably set to, for example, about 1 degree to 15 degrees (more preferably, 2 degrees to 3 degrees). If the predetermined angle θ1 is larger than this range, the amount of deflection of the belt 48 increases, and the deterioration of the belt 48 easily proceeds. On the other hand, if the predetermined angle θ1 is smaller than the above range, the effect of gradually reducing the speed of the mandrel head 40 is effectively exhibited. It is not possible.

  The inclination of the mandrel head 40 is such that when the cam follower 112 is pressed inward by the outer peripheral side wall 119 of the angle adjusting cam groove portion 118d formed with a small radius of curvature r, the mandrel head 40 is moved through the bracket 62. This is caused by bending of the attached flexible belt 48. This operation is enabled by the fact that the cam follower 112 is displaced from the center line 116 in the width direction of the base plate 60 of the mandrel head 40 (see FIG. 11B).

  After the mandrel head 40 is tilted by the predetermined angle θ1, as the cam follower 112 of the mandrel head 40 passes through the angle adjusting cam groove portion 118d, it is shown by a dashed line 40b, a broken line 40c, a two-dot chain line 40d, and a broken line 40e in FIG. Thus, the inclination of the mandrel head 40 is gradually eliminated by gradually reducing the deflection of the belt 48. When the cam follower 112 reaches the vicinity of the exit of the angle adjusting cam groove portion 118d, the mandrel head 40 is adjacent to the downstream side in the movement direction at the first position of the linear movement section 47a as shown by a solid line 40f in FIG. There is a gap of a fixed width W between the mandrel head 40g and the mandrel head 40g. In this state, the mandrel heads 40 move linearly in the linear movement section 47a in a group and head toward the label fitting position β.

  As described above, in the label fitting device 20 of the present embodiment, in the mandrel moving device 42, the mandrel heads 40 move in parallel at a predetermined pitch from the first moving state in which the mandrel heads 40 move in the curved moving section 47b with the fan-shaped gap formed. Immediately before shifting to the second movement state in which the linear movement section 47a moves in the aligned state, the mandrel head 40 is configured to be tilted upstream in the movement direction with respect to a direction orthogonal to the movement direction. As a result, immediately before the mandrel head 40 is aligned in the parallel state in the linear movement section 47a, the relative movement speed of the outer end of the mandrel head 40 gradually decreases from the predetermined speed to zero. Here, the “relative moving speed” means a relative moving speed between the outer ends of the two mandrel heads 40 attached adjacent to the belt 48. Since the relative movement speed of the mandrel head 40 gradually decreases to zero in this manner, the mandrel head 40 entering the linear movement section 47a from the curved movement section 47b collides with the mandrel head 40g adjacent on the downstream side in the movement direction. Can be suppressed or eliminated. As a result, it is possible to stably perform the generation of noise due to the collision between the mandrel heads 40 and the operation of fitting the label L to the pot portion P of the container C performed by the mandrel head 40 in a state where the mandrel heads 40 are aligned in parallel. .

  FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating another configuration in which the mandrel head 40 is inclined to the upstream side in the movement direction. In the above description, the mandrel head 40 is inclined by using the bending of the flexible belt 48. However, as shown in FIG. 15, the base of the mandrel head 40 is attached to the bracket 62 fixed to the belt 48. The plate 60 is swingably connected by a pivot shaft 130, a cam follower (not shown) is provided on the base plate 60, and the base plate 60 is engaged with a cam groove of a curved cam plate similar to the above, thereby connecting the base plate 60 to the bracket 62. May be inclined to the upstream side in the movement direction by a predetermined angle θ2. Θ2 may be the same angle as θ1 or may be a different angle. In this case, when the mandrel head 40 approaches the linear movement section 47a, the base plate 60 is returned to the original position where the base plate 60 extends in a direction perpendicular to the bracket 62 by an elastic member such as a spring (not shown), and is not shown. A configuration in which this state is maintained by the stopper may be added. The modification shown in FIG. 15 is particularly effective when a non-flexible moving member is used instead of the flexible belt 48 to which the mandrel head 40 is attached.

  Referring again to FIG. 2, in the label fitting system 10 of the present embodiment, the cleaning station 200 may be installed in the label fitting device 20. The cleaning station 200 is preferably provided in an area where the mandrel head 40 moves along an arc-shaped trajectory after being transferred by the mandrel moving device 42 in the linear movement section 47a. This is because, in this region, the mandrel heads 40 attached at a predetermined pitch PP on the belt 48 move with a large fan-shaped gap formed between them, so that each mandrel head 40 can be cleaned cleanly. .

  The cleaning station 200 is a device for cleaning contents that have spilled from the container C and adhered to the mandrel head 40 in the linear movement section 47a including the label fitting position β. For example, when the contents are powder, the cleaning station 200 may be configured to blow the air to blow off the contents that have fallen on the mandrel head 40 and to clean the contents.

  Alternatively, the cleaning station 200 may be configured to spray the cleaning liquid such as water on the mandrel head 40 for cleaning. In this case, it is preferable to install the drying station 300 downstream of the cleaning station 200 in the circulation path of the mandrel head 40. The drying station 300 can be configured to be dried by, for example, blowing hot air onto the mandrel head 40.

  By providing the cleaning station 200 as described above, the label fitting operation can be performed while the mandrel head 40 is kept in a clean state, and the hygiene (sanitary property) of the label fitting device 20 can be ensured. it can.

  The cleaning station 200 and the optional drying station 300 may be operated at all times, may be operated at regular intervals, or may be manually operated by an operator when contents are spilled. Alternatively, it may be operated automatically.

  It should be noted that the configuration of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment and its modifications, and various changes and improvements can be made within the scope of the matters described in the claims of the present application and equivalents thereof. It is.

  In the above description, the example in which the curved cam plate 114 is installed on the driven pulley 46 side of the mandrel moving device 42 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the same curved cam plate is installed on the driving pulley 44 side. You may. Thereby, in the mandrel moving device 42, the collision between the mandrel heads 40 can be suppressed or eliminated at a position where the mandrel head 40 enters the rear linear moving section 47c from the curved moving section 47d after passing through the label fitting position β.

  In the above description, an example in which the mandrel head 40 is circulated and moved in a track shape has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention may be applied to any mandrel moving device including a moving path in which a mandrel head moves from an arc-shaped curved moving section to a linear moving section.

  Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the container pack filled with the contents in the above-described embodiment, and includes a film in which a cylindrical film is fitted on the outer periphery of containers of various shapes, including a state where the contents are not filled. It goes without saying that the present invention can be widely applied to the fitting device.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Label fitting system, 12 1st container conveyance device, 13 conveyor belt, 14 2nd container conveyance device, 16 3rd container conveyance device, 18 4th container conveyance device, 20 Label embedding device, 20 Label embedding device ( Film container), 22 container storage, 24 moving claw, 25 container transport path, 30, 49 motor, 34 conveyor belt or suction transport belt, 36 suction box, 38 slot, 40 mandrel head, 41 gap, 42 mandrel Moving device, 43 base, 44 drive pulley, 45 axis, 46 driven pulley, 47a, 47c linear moving section, 47b, 47d curved moving section, 48 belt (moving member), 50 label forming unit, 51 mark sensor, 52 inner guide , 53 Pitch feed roller pair, 53a Drive roller, 53b Follower Roller, 54 cutting unit, 54a fixed blade, 54b movable blade, 55 label shaping guide member, 55a label opening, 55b label shaping unit, 57a, 57b shot roller, 58 transfer unit, 58a, 58b feed belt unit, 59a drive Pulley, 59b, 59c, 59d, 59e driven pulley, 59f feed belt, 60 base plate, 62 bracket, 64 outer peripheral side mounting member, 66 inner peripheral side mounting member, 68 roller, 70 rail member, 72 frame, 74 fixing member, 76 first cam plate, 77 support plate, 78 second cam plate, 80 upper cover, 80a front wall portion, 80b rear wall portion, 84 mandrel shaft, 84a upper end portion, 84b intermediate shaft portion, 84c lower shaft portion, 85 Label Holder, 86 Label Feed Guide, 86a Guide bar, 86b Lower part (of label sending guide), 87 engaging groove, 88 push-up plate, 89 through hole, 89a piece, 90 guide member, 91 stopper, 92a connecting plate, 92b first connecting member, 93 bush, 94 first cam follower, 95 second connecting member, 96 second cam follower, 98 guide groove, 110 arm member, 112 cam follower, 114 curved cam plate, 116 center line, 118 cam groove, 118a inlet side cam groove portion, 118b arc-shaped cam groove portion, 118c outlet side cam groove portion, 118d angle adjusting cam groove portion (angle adjusting portion), 119 outer peripheral wall surface, 120, 122 linear cam plate, 130 pivot shaft, 142 swing center or mandrel mounting position, 200 cleaning stations, 300 drying stations , A container transport direction, C container, CP2, CP4, CP6 container pack, F flange part, L label (tubular film), LM label base material, M mandrel, OP operator, P pot part, PP predetermined pitch, Pot pitch, transport pitch or arrangement pitch, S lid, α label supply position, β label fitting position.

Claims (3)

A film fitting device for fitting a cylindrical film to the outer periphery of a continuously conveyed container,
A plurality of mandrel heads that translate a container conveyed in a straight line and fit a cylindrical film opened in a substantially cylindrical shape into the container,
A moving device including an endless moving member that moves the mandrel head along a loop-shaped circulation path including a linear moving section and an arc-shaped curved moving section,
The moving device drives a moving member to which the mandrel head is attached,
In a curved movement section, a fan-shaped gap is formed between each mandrel head, and in a straight movement section, each mandrel head is configured to be aligned at a predetermined pitch,
At the point where the mandrel head transitions from the first movement state in which the mandrel head moves in the curved movement section to the second movement state in which the mandrel head moves in the straight movement section, the mandrel head is inclined in the movement direction upstream with respect to the normal to the circulation path. Is configured to be
A curved cam plate having a cam groove including an arcuate cam groove portion and a linear cam groove portion continuous through an angle adjusting groove portion is provided at a position corresponding to the curve movement section,
The mandrel head is attached to the moving member and circulates, and has a cam follower that engages with the cam groove at a position shifted to the upstream side in the moving direction from the position of attachment to the moving member,
It is configured such that the mandrel head is inclined to the upstream in the moving direction by being pushed by the side wall of the angle adjusting groove portion at a point where the cam follower enters the linear cam groove from the arc-shaped cam groove,
The film fitting device, wherein the angle adjusting groove has a radius of curvature smaller than a radius of curvature of the curve moving section. The film fitting device according to claim 1 ,
The moving member has flexibility, and the moving member is bent so that the mandrel head is inclined to the upstream side in the moving direction. . The film fitting device according to claim 1 ,
The mandrel head includes a bracket attached to the moving member, and a base plate provided to be swingable with respect to the bracket, and the mandrel head moves by rotating the base plate with respect to the bracket. A film fitting device characterized in that the film fitting device is configured to be inclined to the upstream side in the direction.

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