JP7056636B2 - Container processing system and container processing method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a container processing system and a container processing method for processing a container.

Conventionally, as a container processing system for performing various treatments on a container made of plastic or the like, a coating device for applying a coating agent for improving the slipperiness of a viscous content such as mayonnaise-like food to the inner wall surface of the container has been known. (See, for example, Patent Document 1).

The coating device described in Patent Document 1 is configured to apply the coating agent to the inner wall surface of the container by ejecting the coating agent from a spray nozzle inserted inside the container.

Japanese Patent No. 5790967

However, in the coating device as described in Patent Document 1, the mist-like coating agent ejected and atomized inside the container leaks to the outside of the container, and the coating agent adheres to an unplanned place such as peripheral equipment. There is a problem that it will end up.

In response to the above problem, in the coating device described in Patent Document 1, the mist-like coating agent is sucked to the outside of the container by sucking the mist-like coating agent inside the container by a suction mechanism that can face the container mouth. Although it suppresses leakage, it is difficult to completely prevent the mist-like coating agent from leaking to the outside.

Therefore, the present invention solves these problems, and provides a container treatment system and a container treatment method that suppress the adhesion of the treatment liquid used for container treatment to peripheral equipment with a simple configuration. The purpose is to do that.

The container processing system of the present invention is a container processing system for processing a container, and includes a chamber having an airflow control chamber inside and a container processing mechanism having a container processing unit for processing the container. The airflow control chamber has a container processing opening that communicates the airflow control chamber and the outside of the chamber, and the container processing portion is a container inserted into the chamber through the container processing opening, or The container facing the container processing opening from the outside of the chamber is configured to be treated from the inside of the airflow control chamber, and the container processing mechanism applies a coating agent to the inner wall surface of the container. The coating device includes a spray nozzle having a coating agent ejection path, a supply control means for controlling supply of the coating agent to the coating agent ejection path, and ejection of the coating agent from the spray nozzle. It has an ejection amount estimating means for estimating the amount, and the supply control means includes a coating agent tank, a circulation path connected to the coating agent tank to circulate the coating agent, and the coating agent ejection path and the circulation path. It has a valve that can be opened and closed installed between them, and the ejection amount estimation means has a pressure sensor that measures a pressure change of the coating agent in the circulation path, and an estimation unit connected to the pressure sensor. The estimation unit solves the problem by estimating the amount of the coating agent ejected from the integrated value of the pressure drop obtained based on the change in the pressure value of the coating agent measured by the pressure sensor. Is.
The container processing method of the present invention is a container processing method for processing a container by a container processing system, in which the container processing system includes a chamber having an air flow control chamber inside and a container processing unit for processing the container. The airflow control chamber has a container processing opening for communicating the airflow control chamber and the outside of the chamber, and the container processing unit has the container processing opening from the container processing opening. The container inserted into the chamber or the container facing the container processing opening from the outside of the chamber is configured to be treated from the inside of the airflow control chamber, and the container processing mechanism is configured. A coating device for applying a coating agent to the inner wall surface of the container is provided, and the coating device includes a spray nozzle having a coating agent ejection path and a supply control means for controlling the supply of the coating agent to the coating agent ejection path. The supply control means includes a coating agent tank, a circulation path connected to the coating agent tank to circulate the coating agent, and a spraying amount estimating means for estimating the ejection amount of the coating agent from the spray nozzle. The coating agent ejection passage and the openable / closable valve installed between the circulation passages are provided, and the ejection amount estimation means includes a pressure sensor for measuring a pressure change of the coating agent in the circulation passage and the pressure sensor. It has an estimation unit connected to, and the estimation unit estimates the ejection amount of the coating agent from the integrated value of the pressure drop obtained based on the change in the pressure value of the coating agent measured by the pressure sensor. By doing so, the above-mentioned problem is solved.

According to the inventions according to the first and second aspects of the present invention, the airflow control chamber has a container processing opening for communicating the outside of the airflow control chamber and the chamber, and the container processing unit is inside the chamber from the container processing opening. The container inserted into the chamber or the container facing the container processing opening from the outside of the chamber is configured to be treated from the inside of the airflow control chamber. As a result, by treating the container from the airflow control chamber side in the chamber, it is possible to prevent the treatment liquid such as the coating agent used for the container treatment from leaking or scattering to the peripheral equipment. It is possible to prevent the liquid from adhering to the peripheral equipment, and it is possible to prevent the container treatment from being affected by the external environment.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, by providing a suction mechanism connected to the chamber and sucking the gas in the airflow control chamber, the mist-like treatment liquid ejected and atomized in the chamber is not planned for the container. It is possible to prevent the gas from adhering to the above-mentioned parts and leaking to the outside of the chamber.
According to the third aspect of the present invention, the container processing opening is a chamber in which the chamber expands in a tapered shape from the upper side to the lower side at a position above the container processing opening that opens below the chamber. By having the inner surface, it is possible to guide the treatment liquid adhering to the inner surface of the chamber toward the outside of the inner surface of the chamber. It is possible to suppress adhesion to the facing container.
According to the invention of claim 4, the container and the container are relatively close to each other, and an access means for inserting the container into the chamber through the container processing opening is provided, and the container processing unit is inserted into the chamber. Since the container is configured to be treated from the inside of the airflow control chamber, the container is treated in the chamber with the container treatment opening closed by the container during the container treatment. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the treatment liquid such as the coating agent from leaking from the container processing opening.
According to the invention according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the size of the opening for container processing is formed so as to allow only a part of the container to pass through when the container is inserted. Even if the container is slightly misaligned with respect to the container processing opening when the container is inserted into the container processing opening, the container can be guided by the edge of the container processing opening. Therefore, the position of the container can be corrected.
According to the invention of claim 6, the chamber is formed separately from the chamber body and has a centering guide having a container processing opening, so that the edge portion of the container processing opening is provided. Can be formed from a synthetic resin or the like to smoothly correct the position of the container when the container is inserted into the opening for processing the container.
According to the invention according to claim 7, a suction mechanism for sucking gas in the airflow control chamber of the chamber is provided, and the container processing unit inserts the container into the cylindrical portion formed in the chamber to insert the container into the tubular portion. The container is configured to be treated from the inside of the airflow control chamber with at least a part of the container positioned. This makes it easy to control the air flow around the outer circumference of the container inserted into the tubular portion, so that it is possible to prevent the treatment liquid from adhering to the outer surface of the container.
According to the invention according to claim 8, in a state where the container is inserted into the cylindrical portion, ventilation for taking in outside air between the inner peripheral side of the tubular portion and the outer peripheral side of the container. By forming the portion, it is possible to prevent the container from sticking to the tubular portion due to the suction of gas in the chamber by the suction mechanism, and at the same time, the inner peripheral side of the tubular portion and the outer peripheral side of the container. It is possible to prevent the treatment liquid from adhering to the outer surface of the container due to the airflow generated between the container and the container.
According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the chamber has a liquid receiving portion formed at a lower position in the air flow control chamber, so that the chamber is accumulated in the chamber in a container inserted or opposed to the opening for container processing. It is possible to prevent the treatment liquid from adhering.
According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, the centering guide inserted into the opening of the main body of the chamber body has an inner protruding portion arranged so as to project inside the chamber main body, and the inner protruding portion is a liquid receiving portion. It constitutes a part of the peripheral wall. As a result, a part of the centering guide that functions as a portion for inserting the container during container processing can be used as a peripheral wall of the liquid receiving portion, so that the chamber configuration can be simplified.
Further, the chamber has a first container processing opening for facing or inserting the container during container processing by the coating device, and a second container processing opening for facing or inserting the container during container processing with the mist recovery device. , Common suction when the first container processing opening and the second container processing opening communicate with a common airflow control chamber and the container processing system has a suction mechanism for sucking gas in the airflow control chamber. Since the mechanism and the airflow control chamber can be used to prevent excess coating agent from adhering to unplanned parts of the container during the coating process and the mist recovery process, the device configuration can be simplified.
Further, when the coating device has a spray nozzle capable of ejecting the coating agent toward the inner wall surface of the container and the mist recovery device has a gas ejection nozzle capable of ejecting gas inside the container, spraying is performed. When the nozzle is inserted into the container and the coating agent is applied to the inner wall surface of the container, it is possible to prevent excess coating agent from adhering to the outer surface of the container. By sucking the gas in the control chamber, the mist-like coating agent in the container can be expelled and recovered satisfactorily.
According to the invention according to claim 11, the suction mechanism for sucking the gas in the airflow control chamber is connected to the suction hose connected to the chamber, the mist box connected to the suction hose, and the mist box to filter. The mist box is equipped with a mist collector in which the hose is installed, and the mist box has a baffle plate arranged in the internal space. As a result, on the upstream side of the mist collector in which the filter is installed, the liquid component in the mist is sent to the mist collector by applying the mist containing the treatment liquid such as a coating agent to the baffle plate to collect the liquid component. This can be suppressed, so that the liquid component in the mist can be suppressed from adhering to the filter of the mist collector, and the frequency of maintenance such as filter replacement can be reduced.
According to the inventions according to the first and second aspects of the present invention, the coating device comprises a spray nozzle having a coating agent ejection path, a supply control means for controlling the supply of the coating agent to the coating agent ejection path, and a spray nozzle. It has an ejection amount estimation means for estimating the ejection amount of the coating agent, and the supply control means is connected to the coating agent tank, the circulation path connected to the coating agent tank to circulate the coating agent, and the coating agent ejection path and the circulation path. It has a valve that can be opened and closed installed between them, and the ejection amount estimation means has a pressure sensor that measures the pressure change of the coating agent in the circulation path and an estimation unit connected to the pressure sensor. However, it is configured to estimate the amount of the coating agent ejected from the integrated value of the pressure drop obtained based on the change in the pressure value of the coating agent measured by the pressure sensor. As a result, it is possible to estimate the amount of the coating agent ejected with a simple configuration, so that it is possible to easily detect the occurrence of a problem such as clogging of the spray nozzle.

The perspective view which shows the container processing system which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. The perspective view which shows the part of FIG. 1 enlarged. FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view showing a part of FIG. 2. Explanatory drawing which shows the container transport mechanism as seen from above. Explanatory drawing which shows the state which moved the container row to the container transfer area. Explanatory drawing which shows the state which moved the container row to the 1st container processing area. Explanatory drawing which shows the state which arranged the container row in the container transfer area and each container processing area. Explanatory drawing which shows the chamber and a container processing mechanism in a cross-sectional view. The explanatory view which shows the 1st process of a container processing method. Explanatory drawing which shows the 2nd process of a container processing method. The explanatory view which shows the 3rd process of a container processing method. The explanatory view which shows the 4th process of a container processing method. The explanatory view which shows the 5th process of a container processing method. The explanatory view which shows the 6th process of the container processing method. Explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the suction mechanism. Explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the coating apparatus. The graph explaining the method of estimating the ejection amount of a coating agent. Explanatory drawing which shows the deformation example of the ventilation part.

Hereinafter, the container processing system 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

First, the container processing system 10 applies various treatments to the container C, and in the present embodiment, the contents are slippery on the inner wall surface of the container C for containing a viscous content such as mayonnaise-like food. A coating treatment for applying the coating agent to be improved and a mist recovery treatment for recovering the mist (atomized coating agent or the like) in the container C are performed.

As shown in FIG. 1, the container processing system 10 includes a container transport mechanism 20 for transporting the container C, a chamber 30 having an airflow control chamber 35 inside, and a coating device 50 for applying a coating treatment to the container C. A container processing mechanism 40 having a mist recovery device 60 for performing mist recovery processing on the container C, a suction mechanism 70 connected to the chamber 30 and sucking gas in the airflow control chamber 35, a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM. It is composed of a PLC, a personal computer, etc., and has a control unit that controls each unit.

Hereinafter, each component of the container processing system 10 will be specifically described.

The "container transport direction" used in the following description is the direction in which the container C is transported by the container transport means 21 described later, and the "container transfer direction" is the container C by the container transfer means 22 and 23 described later. The "container row direction" is the direction in which a plurality of containers C are arranged in each of the areas A1 to A3, which will be described later.

First, the container transport mechanism 20 transports the container C held in the container holder H opened upward, and as shown in FIG. 4, the containers C are arranged in a row along the container transport path 21a. A plurality of containers C arranged in a row in a container transporting means 21 for transporting side by side and a container transport area A1 set in a partial section of the container transport path 21a (in this embodiment, a downstream section of the container transport path 21a). The first container transfer means 22 for moving the container row made of the container C toward the first container processing area A2 for applying the coating treatment to the container C, and the container row of the first container processing area A2 to the container C. It is provided with a second container transfer means 23 for moving toward the second container processing area A3 to be subjected to mist collection processing, and a lever 24 for pushing out the container row of the second container processing area A3 toward the downstream side.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the container transport means 21 is composed of a belt conveyor that transports the containers C in a single row, and the upper surface of the belt conveyor constitutes a container transport path 21a that extends linearly. do.
As shown in FIG. 4, the first container transfer means 22 is provided so as to be movable along the container transfer direction, and the container rows of the container transfer area A1 are collectively pushed and moved toward the first container processing area A2. It has one feed pusher 22a. The first delivery pusher 22a has a flat surface-shaped extrusion surface 22b. The extruded surface 22b may have a shape that follows the outer shape of the container holder H. In this case, the extruded surface 22b can be provided with a function of distributing and positioning a plurality of container holders H in the container row direction.
As shown in FIG. 4, the second container transfer means 23 is provided so as to be movable in the container transfer direction (and the vertical direction), and pushes the container row of the first container processing area A2 toward the second container processing area A3. It has a plurality of second feed pushers 23a to be moved. As can be seen from FIGS. 5 and 6, these second delivery pushers 23a also have a function of positioning the container row in the container transfer direction when the container row is moved from the container transfer area A1 to the first container processing area A2. There is.
The delivery pushers 22a and 23a and the lever 24 are driven by a drive source composed of various actuators such as an electric type, a hydraulic drive type, an air drive type, and various motors.

Further, as a component other than the above, the container transport mechanism 20 includes, as shown in FIG. 4, a guide means 25 for positioning each container C arranged in a row in the first container processing area A2 in the container row direction. A container presence / absence sensor 26 installed around the container transfer path 21a, a container holder quantity sensor 27 installed near the entrance of the container transfer area A1, an alignment confirmation sensor 28 installed around the container transfer area A1 and the like. It is provided with a container stopper 29A installed at the inlet of the container transfer area A1 and a stopper 29B installed at the downstream end of the container transfer area A1 to restrict the movement of the container C to the downstream side.

As shown in FIG. 4, the guide means 25 has a plurality of guide pieces 25a, and the plurality of guide pieces 25a are arranged at predetermined intervals along the container row direction in a state where the first container processing area A2 is arranged. Is located in.
Each guide piece 25a has a front side guide end portion 25b located on the container transfer area A1 side, and is more than a container row than the front side guide end portion 25b of the guide piece 25a located on the center side in the container row direction. A plurality of guide pieces 25a are formed so that the front side guide end portion 25b of the guide piece 25a located outside in the direction is located at a position farther from the container transfer area A1.

The container presence / absence sensor 26 detects whether or not the container C is held by the container holder H transported through the container transport path 21a. When the container presence / absence sensor 26 detects that the container C is not held in the container holder H, the operation of the container processing system 10 is stopped.
The container holder quantity sensor 27 counts the quantity of the container holder H sent to the container transfer area A1. Based on the quantity of the container holder H counted by the container holder quantity sensor 27, the container stopper 29A is configured to prevent the container holder H from moving to the container transfer area A1.
The alignment confirmation sensor 28 confirms the alignment position of the container row in the container transfer area A1. When the alignment confirmation sensor 28 detects that the alignment position of the container row in the container transfer area A1 is disturbed, the operation of the container processing system 10 is stopped.

Next, the chamber 30 will be described below.

The chamber 30 is arranged so as to straddle the first container processing area A2 and the second container processing area A3, and various treatments (coating treatment, mist recovery treatment) are applied to the container C inside the chamber 30. Then, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, a plurality of (four) chambers 30 are arranged side by side along the container row direction.

As shown in FIG. 8, each chamber 30 is composed of a chamber main body 31 made of metal or the like, a centering guide 32 made of synthetic resin or the like, and a mounting cap 34.

As shown in FIG. 8 and the like, each chamber main body 31 is formed from a plurality (two) of first main body openings 31a formed side by side in the container row direction in the first container processing area A2, and from the first container processing area A2. Also, in the second container processing area A3 on the inner side in the container transfer direction, a plurality (two) of second main body openings 31b formed side by side in the container row direction are provided on the lower surface thereof.
Further, as shown in FIG. 8 and the like, each chamber main body 31 has a third main body opening 31c formed in a plurality (two) arranged side by side in the container row direction in the first container processing area A2, and a second container processing area. In A3, a plurality (two) of fourth main body openings 31d formed side by side in the container row direction are provided on the upper surface thereof.
As shown in FIG. 8 and the like, the first main body opening 31a and the third main body opening 31c are formed at positions facing each other in the vertical direction, and the second main body opening 31b and the fourth main body opening 31d Is formed at positions facing each other in the vertical direction.

The centering guide 32 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, and is inserted and fixed in the first main body opening 31a and the second main body opening 31b of the chamber main body 31 as shown in FIG. It is a part that functions as a tubular part into which a part of C is inserted.
As shown in FIG. 8 and the like, the centering guide 32 has an inner protrusion 32a arranged so as to project from the bottom wall of the chamber body 31 to the inside (upper side) of the chamber body 31, and a chamber from the bottom wall of the chamber body 31. It has an outer protruding portion 32b that is arranged so as to project to the outer side (lower side) of the main body 31.
As shown in FIG. 8 and the like, the inner protruding portion 32a constitutes a part of the peripheral wall of the liquid receiving portion 38, which will be described later.
As shown in FIG. 8 and the like, the outer protrusion 32b is for taking in outside air between the inner peripheral side of the centering guide 32 and the outer peripheral side of the container C with the container C inserted in the centering guide 32. The ventilation portion 32c of the above is formed. In the example shown in FIG. 8 and the like, the ventilation portion 32c is formed as a ventilation hole penetrating inside and outside the centering guide 32, and the ventilation hole as the ventilation portion 32c is a position where the inside of the centering guide 32 and the outside of the chamber 30 communicate with each other. Is located in. The specific aspect of the ventilation portion 32c is not limited to the above ventilation holes, and any one can take in outside air between the inner peripheral side of the centering guide 32 and the outer peripheral side of the container C. It may be a recess, for example, as shown in FIG. 18, which may be a recess formed on the inner peripheral surface of the centering guide 32. In the example shown in FIG. 18, the recesses as the ventilation portions 32c reach the lower ends of the inner peripheral surface of the centering guide 32, and a plurality of recesses are formed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction.

As shown in FIG. 8 and the like, the centering guide 32 arranged in the first container processing area A2 has an opening, and the opening is used for the first container processing in which the container C is inserted during the container processing by the coating device 50. It functions as an opening 36.
Further, as shown in FIG. 8 and the like, the centering guide 32 arranged in the second container processing area A3 has an opening, and the opening is used to insert the container C during container processing by the mist collecting device 60. 2 Functions as a container processing opening 37.
The container processing openings 36 and 37 are formed so as to open below the chamber 30 and communicate with the outside of the air flow control chamber 35 and the chamber 30.
As shown in FIG. 8 and the like, the container processing openings 36 and 37 communicate with the common airflow control chamber 35.
As shown in FIG. 10 and the like, the size of each container processing opening 36, 37 allows only a part of the container C (only the upper part of the container C on the container mouth side) to pass through when the container C is inserted. It is formed in a size that allows it to be.

As shown in FIG. 8 and the like, the mounting cap 34 is mounted in a state of being fitted to the third main body opening 31c and the fourth main body opening 31d.
Each mounting cap 34 has a chamber inner surface 34a whose diameter is gradually expanded from the upper side to the lower side at a position above the container processing openings 36 and 37 on the lower surface side facing the air flow control chamber 35. ..
Each mounting cap 34 has a through hole 34b penetrating in the vertical direction at the center thereof.
The through hole 34b is for inserting the spray nozzle 51 or the gas ejection nozzle 61, which will be described later, in the vertical direction.

As shown in FIG. 8 and the like, the chamber 30 has a formed liquid receiving portion 38 formed at a position below the air flow control chamber 35 and a duct for discharging the liquid accumulated in the liquid receiving portion 38 to the outside of the chamber 30. And have.
The liquid receiving portion 38 is composed of a bottom wall and a side wall of the chamber main body 31, an inner protruding portion 32a of the centering guide 32, and the like, and is a space in which the coating agent in the chamber main body 31 can be stored.
The duct connects the chamber main body 31 and the mist box 72, which will be described later.

Next, the container processing mechanism 40 will be described below.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 8, the container processing mechanism 40 is located on the side opposite to the container transfer area A1 and the coating device 50 that applies the coating agent to the inner wall surface of the container C in the first container processing area A2. In the second container processing area A3 set on the side of the first container processing area A2, as an approach means for relatively approaching the mist collecting device 60 for collecting the mist in the container C and the chamber 30 and the container C. The vertical movement drive unit 41 is provided.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 16, the coating device 50 has a spray nozzle 51 as a container processing unit capable of ejecting the coating agent toward the inner wall surface of the container C, and a coating agent ejecting portion formed on the spray nozzle 51. It has a supply control means 52 for controlling the supply of the coating agent to the path 51a, a nozzle driving means for driving the spray nozzle 51, and an ejection amount estimating means 53 for estimating the ejection amount of the coating agent from the spray nozzle 51. ing.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 11, a plurality of spray nozzles 51 are arranged side by side along the container row direction in the first container processing area A2, and the container C is inserted into the chamber 30 from the first main body opening 31a. On the other hand, the treatment is performed from the inside of the airflow control chamber 35.
Each spray nozzle 51 is configured to be movable in the vertical direction by a nozzle driving means and rotatable about the axis of the spray nozzle 51, and as shown in FIG. 11 and the like, penetrates the mounting cap 34 during the coating process. It is inserted into the container C through the hole 34b, and is configured to apply a coating agent that improves the sliding property of the contents to the inner wall surface of the container C while moving up and down and rotating in the container C.
At the time of the coating process, the gas in the airflow control chamber 35 is sucked by the suction mechanism 70, so that the excess coating agent scattered from the container C is sucked and removed.

The nozzle driving means drives the spray nozzle 51, and is composed of various actuators such as an electric type, a hydraulic drive type, and an air drive type, various motors, and the like.

As shown in FIG. 16, the supply control means 52 has a circulation path 52a for circulating the coating agent, a coating agent tank 52e, a pump 52f, and a valve 52g that can be opened and closed.

As shown in FIG. 16, the circulation path 52a has a main pipeline 52b commonly provided for a plurality of spray nozzles 51, an outward path 52c formed for each spray nozzle 51 and connected to the main pipeline 52b, and a circulation path 52a. It has a return route 52d.
The coating agent tank 52e and the pump 52f are connected to the main pipe line 52b, and the valve 52g is installed between the coating agent ejection path 51a and the circulation path 52a (outward path 52c and return path 52d).

The supply control means 52 opens the valve 52g, which is normally closed, during the coating process, and uses the pressure of the coating agent in the circulation path 52a to eject the coating agent circulating in the circulation path 52a. It is configured to supply to the passage 51a and eject the coating agent from the spray nozzle 51.

The ejection amount estimation means 53 includes a pressure sensor 53a for measuring a pressure change of the coating agent in the circulation path 52a, an estimation unit 53b connected to the pressure sensor 53a, and a throttle valve 53c for reducing the flow rate of the coating agent. ..

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 16, a pressure sensor 53a is attached to each outward path 52c and is configured to measure a pressure change of the coating agent in each outward path 52c.
The estimation unit 53b is composed of a PLC having a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc., a personal computer, or the like, and the coating from the spray nozzle 51 obtained based on the change in the pressure value of the coating agent measured by the pressure sensor 53a. The amount of the coating agent ejected is estimated from the integrated value of the pressure drop from before the ejection (that is, the area value of the S portion shown in FIG. 17) when the agent is ejected (when the valve 52 g is ON).
Then, the estimation unit 53b detects the occurrence of a defect such as clogging of the spray nozzle 51 by comparing the integrated value of the pressure drop (estimated value of the ejection amount of the coating agent) with the preset threshold value.
The throttle valve 53c is provided on the upstream side of the pressure sensor 53a of each outward path 52c and on each return path 52d. By reducing the flow rate of the coating agent with the throttle valve 53c, even when a very small amount of the coating agent is applied, the pressure drop at the time of ejecting the coating agent becomes large, and it becomes easier to estimate the ejection amount of the coating agent. Become.

FIG. 17 shows the change in the pressure value of the coating agent measured by the pressure sensor 53a when the coating agent is ejected from the spray nozzle 51.
The pressure value of the coating agent before ejection has remained at a certain value, but when the ejection starts, the pressure value drops sharply instantly, then gradually decreases during ejection, and when the ejection stops, the pressure value changes. It returns to the value before the eruption.
At this time, since there is a correlation between the integrated value of the pressure drop (the area value of the S portion in FIG. 17) and the ejection amount of the coating agent, it is possible to estimate the ejection amount of the coating agent from the area value of the S portion.
When the amount of the coating agent ejected decreases due to clogging of the spray nozzle 51 or the like, the pressure decrease at the time of ejection becomes small, so that the area value of the S portion becomes small.
Therefore, by monitoring the area value of the S portion, it is possible to detect an abnormality in the amount of the coating agent ejected.
As a conventional technique, there is a method of detecting an abnormality in the ejection amount by detecting a pressure value at a certain timing during the ejection of the coating agent, but in the conventional method, when an abnormality occurs in the ejection amount during the ejection. Depending on the pressure value detection timing, it may not be possible to detect an abnormality.
According to the method of the present embodiment, since the coating amount can be estimated from the integrated value of the pressure drop during ejection, even if an abnormality occurs in the coating amount during ejection, the abnormality can be detected accurately.

As shown in FIG. 8 and the like, the mist recovery device 60 has a gas ejection nozzle 61 as a container processing unit capable of ejecting gas inside the container C, and the gas in the airflow control chamber 35 is sucked by the suction mechanism 70. In this state, a gas ejection nozzle 61 is inserted into the container C after the coating treatment, and a gas such as air is ejected into the container C to apply an excess mist from the inside of the container C. It is configured to expel and remove the agent.

A plurality of gas ejection nozzles 61 are arranged side by side along the container row direction in the second container processing area A3, and the airflow control chamber 35 is provided with respect to the container C inserted into the chamber 30 from the second container processing opening 37. It is processed from the inside of.
As shown in FIG. 8 and the like, each gas ejection nozzle 61 is inserted into the chamber 30 through the through hole 34b of the mounting cap 34 and mounted in the chamber 30 in a fixed state, and the tip portion thereof is arranged in the chamber 30. There is.

The vertical movement drive unit 41 is composed of various actuators such as an electric type, a hydraulic drive type, and an air drive type, various motors, and the like, and moves the chamber 30 along the vertical direction. By lowering the chamber 30, the chamber 30 is lowered. , The container C is configured to be inserted into the chamber 30 from the container processing openings 36 and 37.
The vertical movement drive unit 41 is also configured to move the gas ejection nozzle 61, the suction hose 71, and the like attached to the chamber 30 up and down.

Next, the suction mechanism 70 will be described below.

The suction mechanism 70 sucks the gas in the airflow control chamber 35 of the chamber 30, and is connected to the suction hose 71 connected to the chamber 30 and the suction hose 71 as shown in FIGS. 8 and 15. It includes a mist box 72 and a mist collector 73 connected to the mist box 72 and installed with a filter.

The suction hoses 71 are connected to a plurality of (four) chambers 30 arranged side by side along the container row direction, and all of these suction hoses 71 are connected to the mist box 72.
As shown in FIG. 15, the mist box 72 has an internal space 72a and a baffle plate 72b arranged in the internal space 72a.
The baffle plate 72b regulates the flow of mist in the internal space 72a and causes the mist containing the coating agent to be applied to the baffle plate 72b itself to separate the mist into a liquid and a gas.
The gas separated by the baffle plate 72b is discharged to the outside of the internal space 72a through a duct connected to the mist box 72.
The liquid separated by the baffle plate 72b is sent to the drainage collection box through a duct connected to the mist box 72.
Further, the mist collector 73 is also connected to the drainage collection box through a duct, and the liquid separated by the filter in the mist collector 73 is sent to the drainage recovery box.

Next, the container processing method by the container processing system 10 of the present embodiment will be described below. In the following, in order to facilitate understanding of the container treatment method, the treatment for one container row will be described over time.

First, the containers C held in the container holder H are transported in a row along the container transport path 21a toward the container transfer area A1 by the container transport means 21.

Next, as shown in FIG. 5, after feeding a predetermined number (8 in this embodiment) of containers C into the container transfer area A1, the container stopper 29A is closed, and as shown in FIG. 6, the container transfer area By pushing out the plurality of containers C sent to A1 by the first delivery pusher 22a of the first container transfer means 22, the containers C are moved from the container transfer area A1 to the first container processing area A2.

At this time, since a plurality of guide pieces 25a are installed in the first container processing area A2 in a state of being arranged at a predetermined interval along the container row direction, the first container processing area is provided by the first delivery pusher 22a. The container C (container holder H) extruded toward A2 can be pushed between the guide pieces 25a, and the position of each container C (container holder H) can be positioned in the container row direction.

Next, as shown in FIG. 10, the chamber 30 is lowered by the vertical movement drive unit 41, and the upper portion of the container C is inserted into the first container processing opening 36 of the chamber 30.

At this time, the size of the opening 36 for processing the first container is formed so as to allow only a part of the container C (only the upper part of the container C on the container mouth side) to pass through. Further, since the container C is held in the container holder H with play in the horizontal direction, there is a slight deviation in the horizontal direction between the center of the first container processing opening 36 and the center of the container C. Even in some cases, the container C can be guided in the horizontal direction by the edge of the first container processing opening 36, and the container C can be centered with respect to the first container processing opening 36.

Next, as shown in FIG. 11, the spray nozzle 51 of the coating device 50 is lowered and inserted into the container C, and the spray nozzle 51 is moved up and down and rotated (forward and reverse rotation at a predetermined angle) in the container C. , Apply the coating agent to the inner wall surface of the container C.

At this time, since the gas in the airflow control chamber 35 is sucked by the suction mechanism 70, the excess coating agent is sucked and removed.
Further, as shown in FIG. 11, in the centering guide 32, a ventilation portion 32c is formed at a position where the inside of the centering guide 32 and the outside of the chamber 30 communicate with each other, and the inner peripheral side of the centering guide 32 and the container C are formed through the ventilation portion 32c. Since it is possible to take in outside air between the outer peripheral side and the inner peripheral side of the centering guide 32, it is possible to prevent the container C from sticking to the inner peripheral portion of the centering guide 32 due to the suction of the gas in the chamber 30 by the suction mechanism 70. At the same time, it is possible to prevent the treatment liquid such as a coating agent from adhering to the outer surface of the container C due to the air flow generated between the inner peripheral side of the centering guide 32 and the outer peripheral side of the container C.

Next, as shown in FIG. 12, the chamber 30 is raised by the vertical movement drive unit 41, and the container C is relatively extracted from the first container processing opening 36 of the chamber 30.

Next, as can be seen from FIGS. 12 and 13, a plurality of containers C arranged in the container row direction in the container transfer area A1 are pushed out by the second delivery pusher 23a of the second container transfer means 23 to process the first container. It is moved from the area A2 to the second container processing area A3.

Next, by lowering the chamber 30 by the vertical movement drive unit 41, the upper portion of the container C is inserted into the second container processing opening 37 of the chamber 30, and the gas ejection nozzle of the mist recovery device 60 is inserted. 61 is inserted into the container C.

Next, with the gas in the airflow control chamber 35 sucked by the suction mechanism 70, a gas such as air is ejected from the gas ejection nozzle 61 to expel excess mist-like coating agent from the container C and remove it. do.

Next, the vertical movement drive unit 41 raises the chamber 30 and the gas ejection nozzle 61 to pull out the gas ejection nozzle 61 from the inside of the container C, and at the same time, the container C is relative to the second container processing opening 37 of the chamber 30. Extract the target.

Finally, the lever 24 pushes out a plurality of containers C arranged in a row in the second container processing area A3 toward the downstream side.

In the above, in order to facilitate understanding of the container treatment method, the treatment for one container row has been described over time, but specific embodiments of the container treatment method are shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 7. As described above, the coating treatment and the mist recovery treatment for different container rows may be performed at the same time.
Further, in FIGS. 3 and 5 to 7, the container C is not shown in order to facilitate understanding of the structure of each part.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various design changes can be made without departing from the present invention described in the claims. It is possible.

For example, in the above-described embodiment, the container processing mechanism 40 has been described as performing the coating process and the mist recovery process, but the specific processing content for the container C by the container processing mechanism 40 is limited to the above. Instead, for example, the container processing mechanism 40 may be configured to perform cleaning treatment on the container C, and in this case, the treatment liquid sprayed on the container C becomes cleaning water such as water.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the container C has been described as a plastic container filled with a viscous content such as mayonnaise-like food, but the specific embodiment and use of the container C may be anything. ..

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the container processing system 10 is configured to perform various treatments in the chamber 30 with respect to the container C inserted into the chamber 30 from the container processing openings 36 and 37. Explained as a thing. However, the container processing system 10 does not insert the container C into the chamber 30, but from the inside of the airflow control chamber 35 with respect to the container C facing the container processing openings 36 and 37 from the outside of the chamber 30. It may be configured to perform various processes.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the container processing openings 36 and 37 have been described as being formed so as to open below the chamber 30, but what is the opening direction of the container processing openings 36 and 37? For example, the container processing openings 36 and 37 may be formed so as to open to the side of the chamber 30, and the container processing openings 36 and 37 may be formed to open above the chamber 30. May be formed in.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the approaching means has been described as being composed of the vertical movement driving unit 41 for moving the chamber 30 and the like up and down, but the specific embodiment of the approaching means includes the chamber 30 and the container C. Anything that can be relatively close to each other may be used, for example, even if the access means is configured to move the container C so that the chamber 30 and the container C are relatively close to each other. Often, both the container C and the chamber 30 may be moved so that the chamber 30 and the container C are relatively close to each other.
Further, the moving direction of the chamber 30 or the container C by the approaching means is not limited to the vertical direction.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the container transporting means 21 has been described as being composed of a belt conveyor, but the specific embodiment of the container transporting means 21 is any as long as the container C can be transported. For example, a turret may be used.
Further, in the above-described embodiment, the container transfer means 22 and 23 have been described as transferring the container C using the delivery pushers 22a and 23a, but the specific embodiment of the container transfer means 22 and 23 is to transfer the container C. Anything may be used as long as it can be transferred, and for example, a container C may be gripped and moved in the container transfer direction.
Further, in the above-described embodiment, the containers C are described as being transported in a single row in the container transport path 21a, but the containers C are transported in a double row or more in the container transport path 21a. May be good.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the container transport mechanism 20 has been described as transporting the container C held in the container holder H, but the container C not held in the container holder H is directly handled. As described above, the container transport mechanism 20 may be configured.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the spray nozzle 51 has been described as being movable with respect to the chamber 30 by the nozzle driving means, but the spray nozzle 51 is fixed to the chamber 30 in the same manner as the gas ejection nozzle 61. It may be installed in a state.
Further, similarly to the spray nozzle 51, the gas ejection nozzle 61 may be configured to be movable with respect to the chamber 30 by the nozzle driving means.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, it has been described that the container row direction and the container transport direction are parallel to each other, and the container row direction and the container transport direction and the container transport direction are orthogonal to each other. However, the container row direction and the container transport direction may be set to be non-parallel, or the container transfer direction may be set to intersect the container row direction or the container transport direction at an angle other than 90 °. good.

10 ・ ・ ・ Container processing system 20 ・ ・ ・ Container transport mechanism 21 ・ ・ ・ Container transport means 21a ・ ・ ・ Container transport path 22 ・ ・ ・ First container transfer means 22a ・ ・ ・ First delivery pusher 22b ・ ・ ・ Extrude Surface 23 ・ ・ ・ 2nd container transfer means 23a ・ ・ ・ 2nd delivery pusher 24 ・ ・ ・ Lever 25 ・ ・ ・ Guide means 25a ・ ・ ・ Guide piece 25b ・ ・ ・ Front side guide end 26 ・ ・ ・ Container presence / absence Sensor 27 ・ ・ ・ Container holder quantity sensor 28 ・ ・ ・ Alignment confirmation sensor 29A ・ ・ ・ Container stopper 29B ・ ・ ・ Stopper 30 ・ ・ ・ Chamber 31 ・ ・ ・ Chamber body 31a ・ ・ ・ First body opening 31b ・ ・・ 2nd main body opening 31c ・ ・ ・ 3rd main body opening 31d ・ ・ ・ 4th main body opening 32 ・ ・ ・ Centering guide (cylindrical part)
32a ・ ・ ・ Inner protrusion 32b ・ ・ ・ Outer protrusion 32c ・ ・ ・ Ventilation part 34 ・ ・ ・ Mounting cap 34a ・ ・ ・ Chamber inner surface 34b ・ ・ ・ Through hole 35 ・ ・ ・ Airflow control room 36 ・ ・ ・ No. 1 Opening for container processing 37 ・ ・ ・ Opening for 2nd container processing 38 ・ ・ ・ Liquid receiving part 40 ・ ・ ・ Container processing mechanism 41 ・ ・ ・ Vertical movement drive unit (approaching means)
50 ・ ・ ・ Coating device 51 ・ ・ ・ Spray nozzle (container processing unit)
51a ・ ・ ・ Coating agent ejection path 52 ・ ・ ・ Supply control means 52a ・ ・ ・ Circulation route 52b ・ ・ ・ Main pipeline 52c ・ ・ ・ Outward route 52d ・ ・ ・ Return route 52e ・ ・ ・ Coating agent tank 52f ・ ・ ・ Pump 52g ・ ・ ・ Valve 53 ・ ・ ・ Ejection amount estimation means 53a ・ ・ ・ Pressure sensor 53b ・ ・ ・ Estimating part 53c ・ ・ ・ Squeeze valve 60 ・ ・ ・ Mist recovery device 61 ・ ・ ・ Gas ejection nozzle (container processing part)
70 ・ ・ ・ Suction mechanism 71 ・ ・ ・ Suction hose 72 ・ ・ ・ Mist box 72a ・ ・ ・ Internal space 72b ・ ・ ・ Interfering plate 73 ・ ・ ・ Mist collector A1 ・ ・ ・ Container transfer area A2 ・ ・ ・ 1st Container processing area A3 ・ ・ ・ 2nd container processing area C ・ ・ ・ Container H ・ ・ ・ Container holder

Claims (12)

A container processing system that processes containers.
It is equipped with a chamber having an airflow control chamber inside and a container processing mechanism having a container processing unit for processing the container.
The airflow control chamber has a container processing opening that communicates the airflow control chamber and the outside of the chamber.
The container processing unit is inside the airflow control chamber with respect to a container inserted into the chamber from the container processing opening or a container facing the container processing opening from the outside of the chamber. It is configured to process from
The container processing mechanism includes a coating device that applies a coating agent to the inner wall surface of the container.
The coating device includes a spray nozzle having a coating agent ejection path, a supply control means for controlling the supply of the coating agent to the coating agent ejection path, and an ejection amount for estimating the ejection amount of the coating agent from the spray nozzle. Has an estimation means and
The supply control means includes a coating agent tank, a circulation path connected to the coating agent tank to circulate the coating agent, and an openable / closable valve installed between the coating agent ejection path and the circulation path. ,
The ejection amount estimation means has a pressure sensor for measuring a pressure change of the coating agent in the circulation path, and an estimation unit connected to the pressure sensor.
The estimation unit is a container processing system characterized in that the ejection amount of the coating agent is estimated from the integrated value of the pressure drop obtained based on the change in the pressure value of the coating agent measured by the pressure sensor. The container processing system according to claim 1, wherein the container processing system is connected to the chamber and includes a suction mechanism for sucking gas in the airflow control chamber. The container processing opening is formed so as to open below the chamber.
The container processing system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the chamber has an inner surface of the chamber whose diameter is tapered from above to downward at a position above the container processing opening. The container processing system comprises access means for allowing the chamber and the container to be relatively close to each other and for inserting the container into the chamber through the container processing opening.
The container processing unit is according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the container processing unit is configured to process the container inserted into the chamber from the inside of the airflow control chamber. The described container processing system. The container processing system according to claim 4, wherein the size of the container processing opening is formed so as to allow only a part of the container to pass through when the container is inserted. The container processing system according to claim 5, wherein the chamber has a chamber main body and a centering guide attached to the chamber main body and having the container processing opening. The container processing system is connected to the chamber and includes a suction mechanism for sucking gas in the airflow control chamber.
The chamber has a tubular portion and has a tubular portion.
The container processing unit processes the container from the inside of the airflow control chamber with the container inserted into the tubular portion by the approaching means and at least a part of the container is positioned in the tubular portion. The container processing system according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the container processing system is configured to be applied. The tubular portion is formed with a ventilation portion for taking in outside air between the inner peripheral side of the tubular portion and the outer peripheral side of the container with the container inserted in the tubular portion. 7. The container processing system according to claim 7. The container processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the chamber has a liquid receiving portion formed at a position below the air flow control chamber. The chamber has a chamber main body having a main body opening and a centering guide having the container processing opening inserted into the main body opening.
The centering guide has an inward protrusion arranged so as to project inside the chamber body.
The container processing system according to claim 9, wherein the inner protruding portion constitutes a part of a peripheral wall of the liquid receiving portion. The container processing system is connected to the chamber and includes a suction mechanism for sucking gas in the airflow control chamber.
The suction mechanism includes a suction hose connected to the chamber, a mist box connected to the suction hose, and a mist collector connected to the mist box and equipped with a filter.
The container processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the mist box has an internal space and a baffle plate arranged in the internal space. A container processing method that processes containers using a container processing system.
The container processing system includes a chamber having an air flow control chamber inside and a container processing mechanism having a container processing unit for processing the container.
The airflow control chamber has a container processing opening that communicates the airflow control chamber and the outside of the chamber.
The container processing unit is inside the airflow control chamber with respect to a container inserted into the chamber from the container processing opening or a container facing the container processing opening from the outside of the chamber. It is configured to process from
The container processing mechanism includes a coating device that applies a coating agent to the inner wall surface of the container.
The coating device includes a spray nozzle having a coating agent ejection path, a supply control means for controlling the supply of the coating agent to the coating agent ejection path, and an ejection amount for estimating the ejection amount of the coating agent from the spray nozzle. Has an estimation means and
The supply control means includes a coating agent tank, a circulation path connected to the coating agent tank to circulate the coating agent, and an openable / closable valve installed between the coating agent ejection path and the circulation path. ,
The ejection amount estimation means has a pressure sensor for measuring a pressure change of the coating agent in the circulation path, and an estimation unit connected to the pressure sensor.
A container processing method, characterized in that the ejection amount of the coating agent is estimated from the integrated value of the pressure drop obtained based on the change in the pressure value of the coating agent measured by the pressure sensor by the estimation unit.

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