JP7154179B2 - Container processing equipment - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to container processing equipment.

Patent Literature 1 discloses a container sealing device. According to this container sealing device, the container is held by the retainer and conveyed around a plurality of stations, the gas inside the container is replaced with the replacement gas, and the container is sealed with the film.

Patent Literature 2 discloses an article processing apparatus. According to this article processing apparatus, the cup is placed on the conveyer and conveyed.

Patent Literature 3 discloses a continuous filling and packaging line. According to this line, the defective cups are discharged to the rejects pool without being capped.

JP 2018-177346 A JP 2016-199346 A JP 2006-44665 A

When a container is conveyed through a plurality of stations and the container is filled with contents at one or more stations during the conveyance, it may not be possible to introduce an appropriate amount of contents into the container within the planned time. be. For example, in the case of granular contents or pasty contents, the contents stagnant due to clogging or the like in the middle of the flow path, and during the time when the container intermittently stops at the corresponding station, It may not be possible to put part or all of the prescribed amount of contents into the container.

To accommodate such situations, for example, the container may remain parked at the corresponding station until the introduction of a predetermined amount of content into the container has been properly completed. In this case, the rate of occurrence of defective products is reduced and the yield is improved. become. As a result, the number of processing containers per unit time in the entire apparatus is reduced.

Patent Literature 1 does not describe how to deal with the case where an appropriate amount of contents cannot be introduced into the container within a predetermined time. Further, in the article processing apparatus of Patent Document 2, when the container is transported, the container is only placed on the transport conveyor, so the position and posture of the container are not stable, and especially an empty container is transported at high speed. It is difficult. In addition, in the line of Patent Document 3, all defectively filled cups are discharged from the retainer conveyor, so it is difficult to improve the yield.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides a technique capable of stably transporting containers, processing many containers per unit time, and improving yield. With the goal.

One aspect of the present invention is to transport the retainer as it repeatedly cycles through a plurality of stations including a retainer that is capable of holding and releasing a container and a plurality of stations including a container supply station, a content introduction station and a container discharge station. a transfer device, a container feeding device for feeding a container to a retainer at a container feeding station, a container discharging device for discharging the container from the retainer at a container discharging station, and a content introduction station for discharging contents into the container held by the retainer. A content introduction device to be put in, a content detection device for detecting the presence or absence or amount of content in the container sent from the content introduction station, and a container supply device and container discharge according to the detection result of the content detection device a control device for controlling the device, the control device controlling the container releasing device to release the container in which the detection result of the content detecting device indicates that the content is out of the standard release amount range. and the detection result of the content detection device indicates that the content is within the release standard amount range, and the control device controls the container supply device so that the container has already been held. The present invention relates to a container processing apparatus that does not supply another container to a retainer that is already in place and supplies a container to a retainer that does not hold a container.

The container processing apparatus further includes a stock device holding one or more containers positioned at the stock position, the transfer device intermittently stopping the retainer at each of the plurality of stations, and the container supply device holding the container at the stock position. A disposed container is moved to a retainer disposed at the container feeding station, and a container releasing device releases the container held by the retainer disposed at the container discharging station from the retainer. The container is moved to the release position and sent from the release position toward the rear stage, and the control device controls the container discharge device so that the detection result of the content detection device indicates that the content outside the discharge reference amount range is contained. The container may not be moved to the release position, and the container may be moved to the release position if the detection result of the content detection device indicates that the content is within the release reference amount range.

The control device determines whether or not the retainer arranged at the container supply station already holds the container based on the detection result of the contents detection device, and controls the container supply device based on the determination result. good.

The control device controls the content introduction device according to the detection result of the content detection device, and detects a container in which the amount of content put therein is out of the release reference amount range and is not discharged from the retainer at the container discharge station. The container may be loaded with contents at a contents introduction station.

The discharge reference amount range is a range greater than zero, and the control device controls the container discharge device to not discharge the container that the detection result of the content detection device indicates that there is no content, and the content is A container may be released in which the detection result of the object detection device indicates that the container contains a content.

A plurality of retainers are provided, a transfer device transfers the plurality of retainers and simultaneously positions two or more retainers at each of the plurality of stations, and a container feeding device simultaneously positions two or more retainers at the container feeding stations. a container ejection device ejecting a container from each of the two or more retainers simultaneously positioned at the container ejection station; and a content introduction device providing the two or more simultaneously positioned content introduction stations of the two or more containers held by the two or more retainers concurrently positioned at the container discharge station. , the detection result of the content detection device indicates that the content is out of the standard release amount range, and the detection result of the content detection device is within the standard release amount range. One or more containers may be released indicating that they are filled.

The retainer holds the container movably in the height direction when the container is placed on the retainer. By lowering the container held by the supply elevator is placed on a retainer arranged in the container supply station, and the container ejection device has a release elevator that ascends and descends in the height direction, and is under the control of the control device A container held by a retainer located at the container discharge station may be lifted to release the container from the retainer by raising the discharge lift.

According to the present invention, containers can be stably transported, many containers can be processed per unit time, and the yield can be improved.

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an example of a container processing apparatus. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a solid matter input device. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a weight measuring device. FIG. 4 is a side view showing the configuration of part of the container discharge device arranged at the 12th station. FIG. 5 is a plan view of the container discharge device located at the twelfth station. FIG. 6 is a front view of the container discharge device located at the twelfth station. FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the container discharge device arranged at the 12th station. FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the container discharge device arranged at the 12th station. FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the container discharge device arranged at the 12th station. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the container supply device. FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the container supply device.

Apparatuses and methods according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described below. In the following description, the direction parallel to the vertical direction in which gravity acts is called "height direction", and the direction perpendicular to the vertical direction is called "horizontal direction".

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an example of a container processing apparatus 10. FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the solid material input device 25. As shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the weight measuring device 27. As shown in FIG. For the sake of convenience, FIG. The illustration of a container supply device (see reference numeral "16" shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 to be described later) disposed in is omitted.

The container processing apparatus 10 comprises a pedestal 21 , a transfer device 12 , a supply conveyor 23 , a discharge conveyor 29 and a discharge conveyor 30 .

The transfer device 12 is installed on a pedestal 21 and transfers a plurality of retainers 11 . The transfer device 12 of this embodiment intermittently transfers each retainer 11 and intermittently stops each retainer 11 at each of the plurality of stations S1 to S12. The transfer device 12 intermittently stops all the retainers 11 at the same time, and positions two or more retainers 11 (two retainers 11 in the illustrated example) at each of the plurality of stations S1 to S12 at the same time.

The illustrated transfer device 12 has a rotary table 22 which has an annular planar shape and is intermittently rotated. is fixedly set. Therefore, each retainer 11 rotates integrally with the rotary table 22 . A plurality of retainer bodies 11a (12 retainer bodies 11a in the illustrated example) are fixed on the rotary table 22, and each retainer body 11a has one or a plurality of retainer holes 11b (two retainer holes in the illustrated example). 11b). Each retainer 11 is configured by a portion of each retainer body 11a that defines each retainer hole 11b. Each container C is held by the retainer 11 by inserting the main body portion Ca of each container C into the retainer hole 11b and placing the collar portion (that is, edge portion) Cb of each container C on the retainer main body 11a.

As described above, each retainer 11 is provided so as to be able to hold and release the container C, which is transported by the transport device 12 so as to repeatedly circulate through the plurality of stations S1-S12. In particular, each retainer 11 of the present embodiment retains the container C (particularly, the collar portion Cb) simply by placing the container C thereon so as to be movable in the height direction while constraining the container C in the horizontal direction. The portion of each retainer 11 on which the container C is placed (in the illustrated example, the portion of the retainer body 11a that contacts the flange portion Cb) is always directed upward while repeatedly circling the plurality of stations S1 to S12. . As a result, when each retainer 11 does not release the corresponding container C at the twelfth station S12, each retainer 11 is transferred from the twelfth station S12 to the first station S1 while holding the container C, and together with the container C is transferred to the first station S1 again. It circulates from station S1 to 12th station S12.

The rotary table 22 has a plurality of passage holes 22a (24 passage holes 22a in the illustrated example), and the corresponding passage holes 22a are arranged directly below the respective retainer holes 11b. In the illustrated example, twelve independently provided retainer bodies 11 a are arranged in a circle on the turntable 22 . When the rotary table 22 is intermittently stopped, 12 retainer bodies 11a are arranged at each of the first station S1 to the twelfth station S12, and two retainers 11 are arranged at each station at the same time.

The plurality of stations S1-S12 includes a container supply station (first station S1), a content introduction station (fourth station S4 and fifth station S5) and a container discharge station (eleventh station S11 and twelfth station S12). . In the example shown in FIG. 1, a total of 12 stations (first station S1 to twelfth station S12) are provided at equal intervals (that is, at equal angular intervals) along the circular transfer track of each retainer 11. . Each retainer 11 is therefore positioned at the container supply station after being positioned at the container discharge station. In particular, in this embodiment, the state of whether or not each retainer 11 holds the container C immediately after being placed at the container supply station is the same as the state of whether or not each retainer 11 holds the container C immediately after leaving the container discharge station. match. That is, the retainer 11 from which the corresponding container C has not been discharged at the container discharge station is transferred from the container discharge station to the container supply station while maintaining the state of holding the corresponding container C, and immediately after being placed at the container supply station. Even if there is, the corresponding container C is already held. On the other hand, the retainer 11 from which the corresponding container C has been discharged at the container discharge station is transferred from the container discharge station to the container supply station in an empty state without holding the container C, and immediately after being placed at the container supply station Container C is not held.

The first station S1 is a container supply station for refilling each retainer 11 with new containers C as needed. The first station S1 is provided with a supply conveyor 23, a stock device 33, and a container supply device (see reference numeral "16" in FIGS. 10 and 11), which will be described later.

The supply conveyor 23 sequentially conveys the plurality of container groups Cg toward the stock device 33 . Each container group Cg is configured by stacking a plurality of containers C (for example, 100 containers C). In the illustrated example, two supply conveyors 23 extending parallel to each other are provided, and two stock devices 33 are provided between the transfer end portions of the respective supply conveyors 23 . Each stock device 33 receives one container group Cg from the corresponding supply conveyor 23 and arranges and holds the container group Cg at the stock position Ps. Thus, the stock device 33 holds one or more containers positioned at the stock position Ps. The stock position Ps is a position above the retainer 11 arranged at the first station S1. In the illustrated example, two container groups Cg are held above each of two retainers 11 (not shown in FIG. 1) that are simultaneously arranged in the first station S1.

A container supply device (see reference numeral 16 in FIGS. 10 and 11) supplies containers C to each retainer 11 at the first station S1. The container supply device of this embodiment moves one of the one or more containers C arranged at the stock position Ps to the corresponding retainer 11 arranged at the first station S1. In the illustrated example, two retainers 11 are arranged at the first station S1 at the same time, so two container feeders corresponding to each retainer 11 are provided. These container supply devices take out one container C from each of the two container groups Cg arranged at the stock position Ps, and two or more retainers 11 (illustrated example) arranged at the first station S1 at the same time. Then, a container C is supplied to each of the two retainers 11). A specific example of the container supply device will be described later.

Two dust removal devices 24 are provided at the second station S2. These dust removing devices 24 are devices for removing foreign matter such as dust adhering to each of the two containers C (in particular, the inner side) disposed in the second station S2. Each dust remover 24 can remove foreign matter from the corresponding container C in any manner, typically by blowing compressed gas toward the corresponding container C to blow away the foreign matter.

The third station S3 of the present embodiment is an empty station, and no special processing is performed on the two containers C arranged at the third station S3. However, any device may be installed at the third station S3 to perform any processing on the container C placed at the third station S3.

The fourth station S4 and the fifth station S5 are contents introduction stations for introducing contents into the container C held by each retainer 11 . The content introduction station is provided with a content introduction device. The contents introduction device puts the contents into the container C held by each retainer 11 at the contents introduction station. The fourth station S4 is a solid content introduction station where solid content is introduced into each container C. As shown in FIG. The fifth station S5 is a liquid content introduction station where each container C is filled with liquid content. The fourth station S4 is provided with two solid material input devices 25, and the fifth station S5 is provided with two liquid injection devices 26. As shown in FIG. The content introduction device of the present embodiment is constructed by a combination of these solid matter introduction device 25 and liquid injection device 26, and two or more retainers 11 (two retainers in the illustrated example) are arranged at the content introduction station at the same time. Each of the containers C held by two retainers 11) is filled.

As shown in FIG. 2, the solid material charging device 25 of this embodiment has a scale 32 and a plurality of hoppers 31 (two hoppers 31 in the illustrated example). The weighing device 32 has a plurality of supply openings 32a (two supply openings 32a in the illustrated example) corresponding to the respective hoppers 31, and weighs the solid contents to obtain a predetermined amount of the solid contents. The object is sent out toward the hopper 31 through the supply port 32a. Scale 32 can directly or indirectly weigh the solid content in any manner. For example, the weighing device 32 may measure the solid content by measuring the weight of the solid content, or may measure the solid content by measuring the number of solid content. good. A fixed amount of solid contents delivered from the weighing device 32 to each hopper 31 is introduced into the inside of the container C held by the corresponding retainer 11 at the fourth station S4.

The specific configuration of each supply port portion 32a and each hopper 31 is not limited. For example, an opening/closing shutter (not shown) may be provided for each supply port 32a. In this case, the weighing device 32 may accumulate the weighed solid content on the open/close shutter while the open/close shutter is closed. When the amount (e.g., weight) of the solid contents accumulated on the opening/closing shutter in each supply port portion 32a reaches a predetermined amount, supply of new solid contents to the opening/closing shutter is started. By stopping and opening the opening/closing shutter, a fixed amount of solid content can be sent from each supply port 32a to the corresponding hopper 31. As shown in FIG.

Each liquid injection device 26 shown in FIG. 1 has a nozzle through which a predetermined amount of liquid content is injected into the container C held by the corresponding retainer 11 at the fifth station S5. .

The sixth station S6 is provided with a weight measuring device 27 (content detection device) for detecting the amount of content in the container C sent from the content introduction stations (fourth station S4 and fifth station S5). It is

In the example shown in FIG. 3, two weight measuring devices 27 are provided. Each weight measuring device 27 has a measuring body portion 27a connected to the control device 15, and a measuring advancing/retracting portion 27b whose protrusion amount from the measuring body portion 27a is variable. Each measurement main unit 27a transmits to the control device 15 the amount of content in the container C detected via the corresponding measurement advancing/retracting unit 27b. While the corresponding retainer 11 is intermittently stopped at the sixth station S6, each measuring advancing/retreating part 27b moves from the corresponding measuring body part 27a so as to enter the corresponding passing hole 22a and the corresponding retainer hole 11b. increases the amount of protrusion of the container C held by the corresponding retainer 11, measures the amount of contents in the container C by contacting the bottom, and then retreats from the corresponding passage hole 22a and retainer hole 11b. The amount of protrusion from the corresponding measurement main body portion 27a is reduced so as to.

The weight measuring device 27 is not limited to the configuration shown in FIG. 3, and may include a load cell having a configuration different from that shown in FIG. For example, the weight measuring device 27 may be provided on the retainer 11 or the turntable 22 so as to rotate together with the retainer 11 or the turntable 22 . In this case, the weight measuring device 27 can always detect the weight of the content inside the container C held by each retainer 11 and continuously transmit the detection result to the control device 15 . In this embodiment, the weight measuring device 27, which functions as a contents detecting device, directly measures the "amount (more strictly speaking, the weight)" of the contents in the container C. However, the weight measuring device 27 The presence or absence of contents is also detected at the same time. That is, when the weight of the contents in the container C measured by the weight measuring device 27 is "zero (0)", the weight measuring device 27 detects that there is no content in the container C. On the other hand, when the weight of the contents in the container C measured by the weight measuring device 27 is "a value greater than zero (0)", the weight measuring device 27 determines that the contents are present in the container C. is detected.

The 7th station S7 to the 10th station S10 are stations for applying vibration to each container C containing contents to even out the contents in each container C. FIG. A vibrating device 28 is installed in each of the seventh station S7 to the tenth station S10 of this embodiment. In FIG. 1, the vibrating devices 28 installed at the seventh station S7 to the tenth station S10 are provided below the rotary table 22 and are not directly shown. A vibration device 28 applies vibration to the container C held by each retainer 11 arranged at each of the seventh station S7 to the tenth station S10. The vibrating device 28 may vibrate the container C, for example, by bringing a vibrating plate into contact with the bottom of the container C. As shown in FIG.

The specific configuration of each vibrating device 28 is not limited, and each vibrating device 28 can vibrate the corresponding container C in a contact state or a non-contact state. Also, the vibrating device 28 is not limited to the illustrated configuration. For example, each vibration device 28 may be provided on the retainer 11 or the turntable 22 and may be provided so as to rotate integrally with the retainer 11 or the turntable 22 . In this case, each vibrating device 28 can always vibrate the container C held by each retainer 11 .

Each of the eleventh station S11 and the twelfth station S12 (container discharge station) is provided with a container discharge device (see reference numeral "13" in FIGS. 4 to 9), which will be described later. Each container ejection device ejects a container C from a corresponding retainer 11 at a corresponding container ejection station. In this embodiment, a plurality of container discharging devices (two container discharging devices in the illustrated example) are provided in each of the 11th station S11 and the 12th station S12. These container discharging devices discharge containers C from each of two or more retainers 11 (two retainers 11 in the illustrated example) that are simultaneously arranged at each of the 11th station S11 and the 12th station S12. The container C discharged from the retainer 11 at the eleventh station S11 is placed on the discharge conveyor 29 and sent by the discharge conveyor 29 to the subsequent stage. The container C discharged from the retainer 11 at the twelfth station S12 is placed on the discharge conveyor 30 and sent to the subsequent stage by the discharge conveyor 30 .

Each container discharging device of this embodiment is controlled by the control device 15, and only the containers C containing an appropriate amount of contents are discharged from the corresponding retainers 11 and placed on the discharging conveyor 29 at the eleventh station S11. On the other hand, a container C containing contents but containing an inappropriate amount of contents is not discharged at the 11th station S11, and is discharged from the corresponding retainer 11 at the 12th station S12 to the discharge conveyor 30. be loaded. A container C containing no contents (that is, a container C having a content capacity of zero (0)) is not discharged from the 11th station S11 and the 12th station S12, and is discharged from the 12th station S12 to the first container C. After being sent to the station S1, contents are put in the contents introducing stations (fourth station S4 and fifth station S5).

The control device 15 controls each container feeding device (see FIGS. 10 and 11) and each container discharging device (see FIGS. 4 to 9) according to the detection result of the weight measuring device 27. FIG. A specific control mode example of the control device 15 will be described below together with specific examples of the container discharge device and the container supply device.

[Container discharge device]
FIG. 4 is a side view showing the configuration of part of the container discharge device 13 arranged at the twelfth station S12. FIG. 5 is a plan view of the container discharge device 13 arranged at the twelfth station S12. FIG. 6 is a front view of the container discharge device 13 arranged at the twelfth station S12. 7 to 9 are diagrams for explaining the operation of the container discharging device 13 arranged at the twelfth station S12.

As described above, in this embodiment, two container discharging devices 13 are installed at each of the 11th station S11 and the 12th station S12. The configuration and operation of each container discharging device 13 arranged at the twelfth station S12 will be mainly described below. Each container discharging device 13 arranged at the 11th station S11 also has the same configuration as each container discharging device 13 arranged at the 12th station S12, and can exhibit the same operation.

Each container discharging device 13 includes a discharge lift drive unit (first discharge lift drive unit 47 and second discharge lift drive unit 48 in the illustrated example), and a discharge lift that moves up and down in the height direction Dv by power from the discharge lift drive unit. It has an elevating section 42 and an extrusion section 51 provided reciprocatingly in the horizontal direction.

The ejection lift drive unit is mounted on the cradle 21 via an ejection base 49 . The illustrated ejection lift drive unit includes a first ejection lift drive unit 47 and a second ejection lift drive unit 48 . The first ejection elevation driving unit 47 and the second ejection elevation driving unit 48 are connected to each other, driven by power from different driving sources, and can be driven independently of each other.

The second ejection lift drive unit 48 has an ejection rotation shaft 48a rotatably mounted to the ejection base 49 and extending in a horizontal direction, and an ejection rotation lever 48b fixed to the ejection rotation shaft 48a. . The release rotary shaft 48a is connected to a drive source (for example, a motor, a cam, etc.) not shown, and is rotated while being supported by the release base 49 by power transmitted from the drive source. One end of the release rotation lever 48b is fixed to the release rotation shaft 48a, and the other end of the release rotation lever 48b is rotatably connected to the first release elevation drive unit 47 (particularly, the release connection shaft 47c). It is Therefore, in response to the rotation of the release rotary shaft 48a, the release rotary lever 48b swings around the release rotary shaft 48a, thereby raising and lowering the first release elevation drive unit 47 in the height direction Dv.

The first discharge lift drive unit 47 has a discharge lift main body 47a, a discharge advancing/retracting shaft 47b, and a discharge connecting shaft 47c, as well as a compressed gas source 52 (see FIGS. 7 to 9). The amount of protrusion of the release connecting shaft 47c from the release elevating body portion 47a is constant and does not change. The amount of projection of the ejection advance/retreat shaft 47b from the ejection elevation/retraction main body 47a is variable and controlled by the control device 15. As shown in FIG. That is, the control device 15 controls the compressed gas source 52 connected to the discharge lift body portion 47a, and adjusts the gas pressure supplied from the compressed gas source 52 to the discharge lift body portion 47a, thereby protruding the discharge forward/backward shaft 47b. You can change the amount. One side of the release advance/retreat shaft 47b is connected to the release/retreat body portion 47a, and the other end of the release/retreat shaft 47b is rotatably connected to the release/retreat driving body 43. As shown in FIG.

The discharge lift drive body 43 is provided with the discharge lift part 42 and the second discharge guide part 46 . The ejection lifting part 42 is provided at the top of the ejection lifting driving body 43, and is arranged at a position overlapping the corresponding retainer 11 intermittently stopped at the twelfth station S12 in the height direction Dv. The discharge lifting part 42 of this example has a mounting surface (for example, a flat surface extending parallel to the horizontal direction) suitable for mounting the container C on which the container C is mounted and for lifting the container C as described later. . The second discharge guide portion 46 (bearing in the illustrated example) holds the discharge guide shaft 45 extending downward from the support frame 41 so as to be slidable in the height direction Dv. The release elevation driving body 43 is slidably supported via bearings by a first release guide portion 44 fixedly provided on the support frame 41. The first release guide portion 44 extends in the height direction Dv. be guided. Due to these guide structures, the ejection elevator driving body 43 and the ejection elevator section 42 move in the height direction Dv according to the driving of the ejection elevator drive units (that is, the first ejection elevator drive unit 47 and the second ejection elevator drive unit 48). It is raised and lowered and is prevented from rotating or tilting horizontally.

According to the container discharging device 13 having the above-described configuration, the discharge lifting driving body 43 and the discharging lifting part are controlled according to the swinging state of the discharging rotation lever 48b and the amount of projection of the discharging advance/retreat shaft 47b from the discharging lifting body part 47a. 42 in the height direction Dv is determined.

The first release/retreat drive unit 47 (especially the release/retreat shaft 47b) is driven under the control of the control device 15, and according to the detection result of the weight measuring device 27, the release/retreat shaft 47b protrudes from the release/retreat body 47a. quantity can be changed. On the other hand, the second ejection lift drive unit 48 (particularly the ejection rotary shaft 48 a ) is driven without being controlled by the controller 15 . Therefore, regardless of the detection result of the weight measuring device 27, the release rotation lever 48b repeats the same rocking motion with a constant rhythm, and the release elevating main body part 47a and the release connecting shaft 47c repeat the same elevating motion with a constant rhythm. Specifically, at least while the turntable 22 is intermittently moving, the release/elevation main body 47a and the release connection shaft 47c are arranged relatively downward, and the release/elevation part 42 is positioned below the turntable 22. The release rotation lever 48b has a rocking posture for positioning. Further, the rotary table 22 is stopped intermittently, and at least while the release/elevation part 42 is positioned above the retainer 11 (see FIG. 7), the release/elevation body part 47a and the release connection shaft 47c are arranged relatively upward. The release rotation lever 48b has a swinging posture.

In this manner, the ejection elevation unit 42 ascends and descends in the height direction Dv according to the driving of the ejection elevation drive units (that is, the first ejection elevation drive unit 47 and the second ejection elevation drive unit 48). The releasing/lowering part 42 of the present embodiment has a retracted position (see FIG. 4) below the rotary table 22 (transfer device 12) and a release position (see FIG. 6) above the retainer 11 (retainer main body 11a). 6), and an intermediate position between the retracted position and the released position in the height direction Dv (see the release lift portion 42 on the left side of FIG. 6).

The container C placed on the discharge lift section 42 (see the discharge lift section 42 on the right side in FIG. 6) arranged at the release position moves horizontally toward the discharge conveyor 30 as will be described later. At this time, the pushing portion 51 pushes the transfer rail 50 and the discharge conveyor 30 .

The release lifter 42 (see the left release lifter 42 in FIG. 6) located at the intermediate position and the container C held by the corresponding retainer 11 do not contact each other. Therefore, even if the push-out portion 51 moves horizontally toward the discharge conveyor 30 in a state in which the discharge lift portion 42 is arranged at the intermediate position, the container held by the retainer 11 corresponding to the discharge lift portion 42 will not move. C does not contact the extruded portion 51 . In the illustrated example, the discharge elevating section 42 arranged at the intermediate position is arranged in the corresponding passage hole 22a and is arranged at a position spaced downward from the container C arranged in the corresponding retainer 11, It does not come into contact with the container C.

Note that the discharge/elevator section 42 arranged at the intermediate position may be in contact with the container C arranged in the corresponding retainer 11 , may lift the container C upward, or may be lifted from the rotary table 22 . may also be arranged below and outside the corresponding passage hole 22a. However, in any case, even if the push-out portion 51 moves horizontally toward the discharge conveyor 30 with the release/elevation portion 42 disposed at the intermediate position, the container C corresponding to the release/elevation portion 42 is It does not come into contact with the extruded portion 51 .

In the present embodiment, the amount of projection of the release advancing/retreating shaft 47b from the release elevating body portion 47a is the smallest, and the end of the release rotation lever 48b to which the release connection shaft 47c is connected is located at the lowest position. When the release rotation lever 48b is placed at the position, the release lift section 42 is placed at the retracted position. Further, the amount of protrusion of the release advance/retreat shaft 47b from the release elevating body portion 47a is the smallest, and the end portion of the release rotation lever 48b to which the release connection shaft 47c is connected is released and rotated to the swing position positioned at the highest position. When the lever 48b is arranged, the release lifting section 42 is arranged in the intermediate position. In addition, the discharge advance/retreat shaft 47b protrudes from the discharge elevating body portion 47a to the maximum amount, and the end portion of the discharge rotation lever 48b to which the discharge connection shaft 47c is connected is discharged and rotated to the swing position positioned at the highest position. When the lever 48b is arranged, the release lift 42 is arranged in the release position. In this way, while the amount of projection of the release advancing/retracting shaft 47b from the release/lower main body portion 47a is minimal, the release/lower portion 42 is not placed at the release position regardless of the swinging position of the release rotation lever 48b, and the retainer is held. No higher than 11.

The push-out portion 51 is installed above each retainer 11 . A transfer rail 50 is connected to the discharge conveyor 30 . The transfer rail 50 is fixed to a frame (not shown) or the like, and is arranged between each retainer 11 arranged at the twelfth station S12 and the discharge conveyor 30 as shown in FIG. The pushing part 51 has a home position, which is a position opposite to the transfer rail 50 and the discharge conveyor 30 via each retainer 11 arranged at the 12th station S12, and a position above the transfer rail 50 and/or the discharge conveyor 30. and the push position, which is the position of , reciprocates in the horizontal direction so as to approach or move away from the discharge conveyor 30 .

Next, operation of each container discharge device 13 will be described.

The control device 15 controls each container releasing device 13 according to the detection result of the weight measuring device 27, and releases or does not release the container C from the corresponding retainer 11 at each of the 11th station S11 and the 12th station S12. or

For example, each container discharging device 13 arranged at the 11th station S11 discharges a container C under the control of the control device 15, which indicates that the detection result of the weight measuring device 27 indicates that an appropriate amount of content is contained, It is driven so as not to discharge a container C (including a container C in which no content is contained) which indicates that the detection result of the weight measuring device 27 contains an inappropriate amount of content. More specifically, the control device 15 controls the compressed gas source 52 of each container discharge device 13 arranged at the 11th station S11 according to the detection result of the weight measuring device 27, and controls the 12th station described below. A container C is released or not released from each retainer 11 in a manner similar to each container release device 13 at S12.

The "appropriate amount" referred to here may be a specific numerical value, or may be a certain numerical range including tolerance. The terms "suitable amount" and "suitable amount range" as used herein are to be interpreted broadly and may refer to specific numerical values indicating appropriate amounts or may refer to numerical ranges including tolerances. .

Each container discharging device 13 arranged at the twelfth station S12 is controlled by the control device 15, and discharges the container C indicating that the detection result of the weight measuring device 27 indicates that the content is out of the standard discharge amount range. and the detection result of the weight measuring device 27 indicates that the contents are within the range of the standard release amount. The control device 15 of this embodiment controls each container discharging device 13 arranged at the 12th station S12, and two or more retainers 11 (in the illustrated example, Of the one or more containers C held by the two retainers 11), the detection result of the weight measuring device 27 indicates that the content is out of the release reference amount range. and the detection result of the weight measuring device 27 indicates that the contents are within the range of the reference amount for discharge.

Each container releasing device 13 arranged at the twelfth station S12 moves the container C held by the corresponding retainer 11 arranged at the twelfth station S12 to a release position where it is released from the retainer 11, From the release position, it can be sent out toward the rear stage. Specifically, the control device 15 controls each container discharging device 13 arranged at the twelfth station S12 so that the detection result of the weight measuring device 27 indicates that the content is out of the discharge reference amount range. The container C shown in FIG. More specifically, each container discharging device 13 arranged at the 12th station S12 is arranged at the 12th station S12 by raising the discharging elevator 42 to the release position under the control of the control device 15. The container C held by the corresponding retainer 11 is lifted to release the container C from the retainer 11 .

Note that in this embodiment, the release reference amount range is a range greater than zero (0). That is, the control device 15 controls each container discharging device 13 arranged at the twelfth station S12 so as not to discharge the container C that indicates that the detection result of the weight measuring device 27 indicates that no contents are contained therein, and The container C is discharged, in which the detection result of the weight measuring device 27 indicates that the contents are contained. Since the container C containing the content within the appropriate amount range has already been discharged at the eleventh station S11, the container C containing the content less than the appropriate amount (however, the container C containing no content at all) ) and containing more than adequate contents are discharged at a twelfth station S12.

Each container discharge device 13 arranged at the twelfth station S12 is specifically driven as follows.

For example, while the container C indicating that the detection result of the weight measuring device 27 indicates that the content is within the standard release amount range is placed in the twelfth station S12, the control device 15 detects that the corresponding container ejection device 13, the first ejection lifting drive unit 47 is controlled to maximize the amount of projection of the ejection advancing/retreating shaft 47b. As a result, as shown in FIG. 7, the container C containing the contents within the discharge reference amount range is placed on the corresponding discharge lift section 42, and placed together with the discharge lift section 42 at the release position. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 8, the pusher 51 is driven to move from the home position toward the pusher position to move the container C located in the release position from the corresponding release elevator 42 to the transfer rail 50. The container C is pushed upward and pushed onto the discharge conveyor 30 from the transfer rail 50, and finally the container C is placed on the discharge conveyor 30. - 特許庁

In this way, the container C, in which the detection result of the weight measuring device 27 indicates that the content is within the range of the discharge reference amount, is discharged from the corresponding retainer 11 to the discharge conveyor 30 at the twelfth station S12, and discharged. It is sent to the rear stage by the conveyor 30 . For example, the amount of contents in containers C sent downstream by the discharge conveyor 30 (ie, containers C containing contents outside the appropriate amount range) may be adjusted manually and/or mechanically.

On the other hand, when the container C indicating that the detection result of the weight measuring device 27 indicates that the content is out of the standard release amount range is placed in the twelfth station S12, the control device 15 causes the corresponding container release device 13 to By controlling the first release lifting drive unit 47, the amount of projection of the release advancing/retreating shaft 47b is minimized. As a result, as shown in FIG. 9, the corresponding discharge lifting section 42 is placed at the intermediate position, and the container C containing the contents outside the discharge standard amount range is moved to the release position by the corresponding discharge lifting section 42. Not placed. Thereafter, the pushing portion 51 is driven to move from the home position toward the pushing position, passing above the container C containing the contents outside the discharge standard amount range. Therefore, the container C containing the content outside the discharge reference amount range is not pushed out toward the transfer rail 50 and the discharge conveyor 30, but is still held by the corresponding retainer 11. FIG.

While the rotary table 22 and each retainer 11 are intermittently stopped, the corresponding container discharging device 13 performs the above-described series of processes, thereby discharging each container C from the corresponding retainer 11 at the twelfth station S12. or not.

In this way, the container C indicating that the detection result of the weight measuring device 27 contains a content outside the release reference amount range is not released from the corresponding retainer 11 at the twelfth station S12, and then the retainer 11 is released. together, is sent from the twelfth station S12 to the first station S1.

[Container supply device]
10 and 11 are diagrams for explaining the operation of the container supply device 16 arranged at the first station S1.

In this embodiment, a plurality of container supply devices 16 (two container supply devices 16 in the illustrated example) respectively corresponding to a plurality of retainers 11 (two retainers 11 in the illustrated example) are simultaneously arranged in the first station S1. ) is installed at the first station S1.

Each container feeder 16 of this embodiment has a mechanism similar to the container discharger 13 (see FIGS. 4-9) described above.

That is, each container supply device 16 includes a supply elevation drive unit (that is, a first supply elevation drive unit 67 and a second supply elevation drive unit 68), and a supply elevation unit that ascends and descends in the height direction Dv by power from the supply elevation drive unit. 62 and .

The supply lift drive unit is installed on the pedestal 21 via the supply base 69 . The illustrated supply lift drive unit includes a first supply lift drive unit 67 and a second supply lift drive unit 68 . The first supply elevation driving unit 67 and the second supply elevation driving unit 68 are connected to each other, driven by power from different driving sources, and can be driven independently of each other.

The second supply lift drive unit 68 has a supply rotary shaft 68a rotatably attached to the supply base 69 and extending in the horizontal direction, and a supply rotary lever 68b fixed to the supply rotary shaft 68a. . The supply rotating shaft 68a is connected to a drive source (for example, a motor, a cam, etc.) not shown, and is rotated while being supported by the supply base 69 by power transmitted from the drive source. One end of the supply rotation lever 68b is fixed to the supply rotation shaft 68a, and the other end of the supply rotation lever 68b is rotatably connected to the first supply lifting drive unit 67 (in particular, the supply connection shaft 67c). It is Therefore, according to the rotation of the supply rotary shaft 68a, the supply rotary lever 68b swings about the supply rotary shaft 68a, thereby raising and lowering the first supply lifting drive unit 67. As shown in FIG.

The first supply elevation driving unit 67 has a compressed gas source 70 in addition to the supply elevation main body 67a, the supply advance/retreat shaft 67b, and the supply connection shaft 67c. The amount of projection of the supply connection shaft 67c from the supply lifting body portion 67a is constant and does not change. The amount of protrusion of the supply advance/retreat shaft 67b from the supply elevating main body 67a is variable and controlled by the control device 15. As shown in FIG. That is, the control device 15 controls the compressed gas source 70 connected to the supply elevator body portion 67a, and adjusts the gas pressure supplied from the compressed gas source 70 to the supply elevator body portion 67a, thereby protruding the supply advance/retreat shaft 67b. You can change the amount. One side of the supply advancing/retreating shaft 67b is connected to the supply lifting/lowering body portion 67a, and the other end of the supply advancing/retreating shaft 67b is rotatably connected to the supply lifting/lowering driving body 63. As shown in FIG.

The supply elevation driving body 63 is provided with the supply elevation section 62 and the second supply guide section 66 . The supply lifting unit 62 is provided at the top of the supply lifting driving body 63, and is arranged at a position overlapping the corresponding retainer 11 intermittently stopped at the first station S1 in the height direction Dv. The second supply guide portion 66 (bearing in the illustrated example) holds the supply guide shaft 65 extending downward from the support frame 61 so as to be slidable in the height direction Dv. The supply elevation driving body 63 is slidably supported via bearings by a first supply guide portion 64 provided on the support frame 61, and is guided in the height direction Dv by the first supply guide portion 64. . Due to these guide structures, the supply lifting drive body 63 and the supply lifting section 62 move in the height direction Dv according to the driving of the supply lifting drive units (that is, the first supply lifting drive unit 67 and the second supply lifting drive unit 68). It is raised and lowered and is prevented from rotating or tilting horizontally.

According to the container supply device 16 having the above-described configuration, the supply elevation drive body 63 and the supply elevation unit 63 and the supply elevation unit are controlled according to the swinging state of the supply rotation lever 68b and the amount of protrusion of the supply advance/retreat shaft 67b from the supply elevation main unit 67a. 62 in the height direction Dv is determined.

As described above, the first supply elevation drive unit 67 (especially the supply advance/retreat shaft 67b) is driven under the control of the control device 15, and according to the detection result of the weight measuring device 27, the supply advance/retreat main body portion 67a. The amount of protrusion of the shaft 67b can be changed. On the other hand, the second supply lift drive unit 68 (especially the supply rotary shaft 68a) is driven without being controlled by the control device 15. As shown in FIG. Therefore, regardless of the detection result of the weight measuring device 27, the supply rotating lever 68b repeats the same rocking motion at a constant rhythm, and the supply lifting/lowering main body 67a and the supply connecting shaft 67c repeat the same lifting motion at a constant rhythm. Specifically, at least while the rotary table 22 is intermittently moving, the supply lifting main body 67a and the supply connecting shaft 67c are arranged relatively downward, and the supply lifting part 62 is positioned below the rotary table 22. The supply rotary lever 68b has a rocking posture for positioning. Further, while the rotary table 22 is intermittently stopped and at least the supply elevating portion 62 is positioned above the retainer 11 (see FIG. 10), the supply elevating main portion 67a and the supply connecting shaft 67c are arranged relatively upward. The supply rotation lever 68b has a swinging posture.

The supply elevating unit 62 can have any configuration for holding the container C in contact with the container C, and is typically configured with a suction cup. The supply elevation unit 62 ascends and descends in the height direction Dv in accordance with the drive of the supply elevation drive units (that is, the first supply elevation drive unit 67 and the second supply elevation drive unit 68). The supply elevation unit 62 of the present embodiment has a retracted position (not shown) below the rotary table 22 (transfer device 12), a supply position (see FIG. 10) above the retainer 11 (retainer main body 11a), It can be arranged at a supply position (see FIG. 11), which is an intermediate position between the retracted position and the supply position with respect to the height direction Dv.

The supply elevating unit 62 (see FIG. 10) arranged at the supply position moves the container C held by the stock device 33 and arranged at the stock position Ps (that is, the container C arranged at the lowest position in the container group Cg). ) and hold the container C. The stock device 33 has a collar holding portion 37 and a hole space surrounded by the collar holding portion 37 . The flange portion Cb of the container group Cg (especially the container C arranged at the lowest position) is placed on the flange holding portion 37, and the body portion Ca of at least one or more containers C included in the container group Cg is placed in the hole space. By being arranged, the container group Cg is held by the stock device 33 .

The supply elevating unit 62 (see FIG. 11) arranged at the supply position is not arranged above the retainer 11, and is arranged so as to straddle the corresponding retainer hole 11b and passage hole 22a in the illustrated example. there is The supply elevating unit 62 (not shown) arranged at the retracted position is arranged at a position where it does not collide with the turntable 22 even if the turntable 22 rotates.

Each container supply device 16 lowers the supply elevation unit 62 from the supply position to the supply position and from the supply position to the retracted position under the control of the control device 15, thereby lifting the container C held by the supply elevation unit 62. It is placed on the corresponding retainer 11 arranged at the first station S1.

When the supply lifting/lowering unit 62 holding the container C placed at the stock position Ps is lowered from the replenishment position to the supply position, the supply lifting/lowering unit 62 maintains holding of the container C and/or the container C and/or the container C. Alternatively, the flange holding portion 37 is bent, and the container C is lowered together with the supply lifting portion 62 to be released from the stock device 33 (especially the flange holding portion 37). Also, while the supply lifting/lowering unit 62 holding the container C is lowered from the supply position to the supply position, or while the supply lifting/lowering unit 62 holding the container C is lowered from the supply position to the evacuation position, With the container C placed on the retainer 11 (especially the retainer main body 11a), the supply lifting/lowering part 62 releases the container C. As shown in FIG. In the illustrated example, the supply elevating unit 62, which is moved from the replenishment position toward the supply position while holding the container C, maintains the holding of the container C when it is placed at the supply position. However, the supply lifting/lowering part 62 may already deliver the container C to the retainer 11 and release the container C at the time when it is arranged at the supply position.

In the present embodiment, the amount of protrusion of the supply advance/retreat shaft 67b from the supply elevating main body 67a is the smallest, and the end of the supply rotation lever 68b to which the supply connection shaft 67c is connected is located at the lowest position. When the supply rotating lever 68b is arranged at the position, the supply lifting/lowering part 62 is arranged at the retracted position. In addition, the amount of protrusion of the supply advancing/retracting shaft 67b from the supply lifting/lowering main body 67a is the smallest, and the end of the supply rotation lever 68b to which the supply connection shaft 67c is connected is positioned at the uppermost position to rotate the supply. When the lever 68b is arranged, the supply lifter 62 is arranged at the supply position. Further, the amount of projection of the supply advance/retreat shaft 67b from the supply elevating body portion 67a is the maximum, and the end portion of the supply rotation lever 68b to which the supply connection shaft 67c is connected is positioned at the uppermost position to rotate the supply rotation. When the lever 68b is arranged, the supply lifter 62 is arranged at the replenishment position. As described above, while the amount of protrusion of the supply advance/retreat shaft 67b from the supply elevation body 67a is minimal, the supply elevation section 62 is not arranged at the replenishment position regardless of the swinging position of the supply rotation lever 68b. No higher than 11.

Next, operation of each container supply device 16 will be described.

The control device 15 controls each container supply device 16 so that, of the two retainers 11 arranged in the first station S1, another container C is not supplied to the retainer 11 already holding the container C, In addition, the container C is supplied to the retainer 11 that does not hold the container C. The control device 15 of this embodiment determines whether or not the retainer 11 arranged at the first station S1 already holds the container C based on the detection result of the weight measuring device 27, and based on the determination result. to control the corresponding container feeder 16 .

Each container supply device 16 lowers the supply lifter 62 from the replenishment position under the control of the control device 15, thereby moving the container C held by the supply lifter 62 to the corresponding retainer disposed in the first station S1. Put it on 11.

Specifically, each container supply device 16 arranged at the first station S1 is driven as follows.

As described above, the containers C containing contents within the appropriate amount range have already been discharged from the corresponding retainers 11 at the eleventh station S11, and the containers C containing contents within the discharge reference amount range have already been discharged. has already been released from the corresponding retainer 11 at the twelfth station S12. Therefore, the retainer 11 holding the container C indicating that the detection result of the weight measuring device 27 contains the content within the appropriate amount range and the container C indicating that the content within the release reference amount range is contained. The retainer 11 holding is empty when it moves from the twelfth station S12 to the first station S1.

When an empty retainer 11 is arranged at the first station S1, the control device 15 controls the first supply elevation drive unit 67 of the container supply device 16 corresponding to the empty retainer 11 to project the supply forward/backward shaft 67b. maximize quantity. As a result, the supply lifting section 62 is arranged at the replenishment position as shown in FIG. 10 and holds the container C arranged at the stock position Ps. After that, the control device 15 controls the first supply elevating drive unit 67 of the corresponding container supply device 16 to minimize the amount of projection of the supply forward/backward shaft 67b. As a result, as shown in FIG. 11, the supply lifter 62 is placed at the supply position. After that, the supply rotation lever 68b is placed at the rocking position where the end of the supply rotation lever 68b to which the supply connection shaft 67c is connected is located at the lowest position while the projection amount of the supply advance/retreat shaft 67b is kept at a minimum. , and the supply elevating unit 62 is arranged at the retracted position.

While the rotary table 22 and each retainer 11 are intermittently stopped, the corresponding container supply device 16 performs the above-described series of processes, thereby supplying a new container C to the empty retainer 11 at the first station S1. .

On the other hand, if the detection result of the weight measuring device 27 indicates that the content of the container C is not the proper amount and is out of the range of the reference amount for discharge, the eleventh station S11 and the twelfth station S12 will take appropriate measures as described above. It is not released from the retainer 11. Therefore, the retainer 11 holding the container C, which indicates that the detection result of the weight measuring device 27 is not the appropriate amount and that the content is out of the standard release amount range, is transferred from the twelfth station S12 to the first station S1. At the time of movement, the container C is already held.

When the retainer 11 already holding the container C is arranged at the first station S1, the control device 15 controls the first supply elevation driving unit 67 of the container supply device 16 corresponding to the retainer 11 to advance/retreat the supply. Minimize the amount of protrusion of the shaft 67b. As a result, the supply elevating unit 62 is arranged at the supply position without being raised to the supply position. After that, the amount of projection of the supply forward/backward shaft 67b is kept at a minimum under the control of the control device 15, and the end of the supply rotation lever 68b to which the supply connection shaft 67c is connected is rotated to the lowest swing position. By arranging the lever 68b, the supply raising/lowering part 62 is arranged at the retracted position.

As described above, according to the container processing apparatus 10 and the container processing method of the present embodiment, the intermittent stoppage time is basically not extended even when each container C cannot be filled with an appropriate amount of contents. Also, a container C that has not been filled with any content at the content introduction station is not discharged at the discharge station, and is then placed at the content introduction station again to have the content introduced therein. As a result, each container C can be stably transported, many containers C can be processed per unit time, and the yield can be improved.

Moreover, even when a plurality of containers C are arranged at each station at the same time, each container C can be discharged or not discharged individually.

In addition, by using a relatively simple mechanism such as a combination of an air cylinder and a servomotor, it is possible to perform the releasing process and the non-releasing process of each container C. FIG. In particular, it is possible to enjoy the advantages of each drive source and It is possible to cover each other's shortcomings of the drive source. For example, when an air cylinder alone constitutes a release/lift drive unit, it may be required to secure a relatively large space for the stroke amount of the piston rod. On the other hand, it is possible to reduce the stroke amount of the piston rod by combining the first release elevation drive unit 47 (air cylinder) with the second release elevation drive unit 48 as in the above embodiment. Similarly to the discharge lift drive unit, the supply lift drive unit also uses a plurality of drive sources, thereby making it possible to enjoy the advantages of each drive source and to compensate for the drawbacks of each drive source. It is possible to interact.

[First modification]
In the above-described embodiment, the standard release amount range is set to a range greater than zero, but the specific range of the standard release amount range is not limited. The release reference amount range may be set based on a value greater than zero, for example, a range smaller than the minimum value of the appropriate amount range may be set as the reference release amount range, or a range greater than the maximum value of the appropriate amount range may be set. The range may be set to a release reference dose range.

As in the above-described embodiment, when the container C indicating that the result of the weighing device 27 indicates that the content is within the proper amount range is discharged at the 11th station S11, the container C is transported to the 12th station S12. The amount of contents inside is outside the appropriate amount range. In this case, by setting the discharge reference amount range to a range larger than the maximum value of the appropriate amount range, the container C containing the contents in an amount larger than the appropriate amount range is discharged at the twelfth station S12. On the other hand, containers C containing contents less than the proper amount range are not discharged at the twelfth station S12. In this case, in addition to the container C with no contents at all, the container C with the contents but with an amount smaller than the appropriate amount range is also placed at the twelfth station together with the corresponding retainer 11 . It is conveyed from S12 to the first station S1.

Thus, a container C containing less than the appropriate amount of content may be conveyed to the container supply station without being discharged at the container discharge station. In this case, the control device 15 controls the contents introduction device according to the detection result of the weight measuring device 27, and the container C (in this example, The contents are added at the contents introduction station to the containers C) whose contents are less than the appropriate amount range and which have not been discharged from the retainer 11 at the container discharge station. Specifically, the amount of contents corresponding to the difference between the actual amount of contents in the container C derived from the detection result of the weight measuring device 27 and the appropriate amount is placed in the contents introduction station again. can be added additionally to

Generally, liquid contents are less likely to cause unintended stagnation than solid contents. Therefore, in this modified example, when the amount of the content put in the container C is less than the appropriate amount range, it is presumed that the amount of the solid content contained in the container C is less than expected. Therefore, the control device 15 controls each container C so that additional solid content is added from the corresponding solid content charging device 25 at the fourth station S4 to the container C whose amount of content is less than the appropriate amount range. The solids input device 25 may be controlled.

In the case where a plurality of types of contents are put into each container C in this way, when additional contents are put into a container C in which the amount of contents contained is less than the appropriate amount range, a plurality of types of the contents, the contents that are more difficult to put in an appropriate amount from the contents introduction device into each container C (that is, the contents that are likely to cause unintended stagnation) may be determined as the contents to be added. .

[Other Modifications]
The invention is not limited to the embodiments and variants described above. For example, various modifications may be made to each element of the embodiments and modifications described above.

In the above-described embodiment, the control device 15 determines whether or not the retainer 11 arranged at the container supply station already holds the container C based on the detection result of the weight measuring device 27. However, there are other methods. Such determinations may be made on the basis of For example, each retainer 11 holds the container C upstream of the container supply station (first station S1) (for example, the container discharge station, or between the container discharge station and the container supply station) or at the container supply station. A container detection device 35 (see dotted line in FIG. 10) may be provided to detect whether or not there is. The container detection device 35 transmits detection results to the control device 15 . In this case, the control device 15 determines whether or not each retainer 11 arranged at the container supply station already holds the container C based on the detection result of the container detection device 35, and based on the determination result, each retainer 11 The container feeder 16 may be controlled. Note that the upstream side of the container supply station is determined based on the transfer of each retainer 11 . In the illustrated example, the container detection device 35 can be located at the twelfth station S12 or in the section between the twelfth station S12 and the first station S1.

The container detection device 35 can have any configuration that directly or indirectly detects whether or not each retainer 11 holds a container C. As shown in FIG. For example, the container detection device 35 has an imaging device that acquires imaging data of a range including each retainer 11 and an analysis device that analyzes the imaging data and determines whether or not each retainer 11 holds the container C. You may have Such an analysis device may be included in the control device 15, and the imaging data acquired by the imaging device of the container detection device 35 is sent to the control device 15, and the analysis device of the control device 15 analyzes the imaging data. It may be determined whether each retainer 11 holds a container C or not.

In the above-described embodiment, a plurality of units driven independently of each other (that is, the first ejection elevation driving unit 47 and the second ejection elevation driving unit 48) are combined to constitute the ejection elevation driving unit. A supply elevation driving unit is configured by combining a plurality of independently driven units (that is, the first supply elevation driving unit 67 and the second supply elevation driving unit 68). However, each of the ejection lift drive unit and the supply lift drive unit may include a single unit (single drive source). In this case, the single unit whose drive is controlled by the control device 15 constitutes the release lift drive unit, and the single unit whose drive is controlled by the control device 15 constitutes the supply lift drive unit. Typically, a single unit driven by an air cylinder or servomotor controlled by the controller 15 can be used to form the ejection lift drive unit or the supply lift drive unit.

Although containers C are discharged from corresponding retainers 11 at multiple stations (ie, 11th station S11 and 12th station S12) in the above embodiment, containers C may be discharged from retainers 11 at a single station.

In the above-described embodiment, the solid substance introduction device 25 and the liquid injection device 26 are provided as content introduction devices, but the content introduced into each container C at the content introduction station is not limited. The content introduction device may, for example, introduce only solid content into each container C, or may introduce other forms of content (e.g., paste-like contents, mixed contents containing substances in two or more forms, etc.) may be introduced into each container C. Further, the contents introduction device may introduce contents into each container C only at a single station, or may introduce contents into each container C at three or more stations.

In the above-described embodiment, the presence or absence or amount of contents in each container C is detected by the weight measuring device 27 installed at the sixth station S6 located downstream of the contents introduction station. The device 27 (content detection device) may be installed in another station (particularly the content introduction station or a station downstream of the content introduction station). For example, the weighing device 32 (see FIG. 2) of the solid material charging device 25 may be used as the content detection device, and the presence or absence or amount of the content in each container C is detected based on the measurement result of the weighing device 32. may be

In the above-described embodiment, the weight measuring device 27, which directly measures the amount of the content in each container C, is used as the content detection device. A device that detects the presence or absence of contents in each container C may be used as the content detection device. For example, before the amount of solid content weighed by the weighing device 32 reaches a predetermined amount, the solid content is not sent from the weighing device 32 toward each container C, and the solid content is weighed by the weighing device 32. When the solid content is sent from the weighing device 32 toward each container C after the amount of the solid content obtained reaches a predetermined amount, the control device 15 controls the amount of the solid content in the weighing device 32. The container supply device 16 and the container discharge device 13 may be controlled based on detection signals emitted from the scale 32 according to measurement results. That is, the scale 32 may send a signal to the controller 15 that directly or indirectly indicates whether or not the solid content has been sent from the scale 32 toward each container C. In this case, the weighing device 32 functions as a content detection device for detecting the presence or absence of the content in the container C sent from the fourth station S4 (content introduction station), and the control device 15 detects the presence or absence of the content in the container C The container feeding device 16 and the container discharging device 13 can be controlled based on the detection result of the presence or absence of the contents. As an example, the weighing scale 32 outputs a signal indicating whether or not the weighed solid content accumulated on the opening/closing shutter has reached a predetermined amount or a signal indicating the open/close state of the opening/closing shutter as a “weighing scale. 32 to each container C or not, and may be sent to the controller 15 as a "signal directly or indirectly indicating whether or not the solid contents have been sent".

In the above-described embodiment, the weight measuring device 27 detects the amount of contents in each container C, but the amount of contents in each container C is detected by a content detection device that employs another configuration and method. may be For example, the content detection device may detect the amount of content in each container C by detecting the position or occupied volume of the content in each container C based on the analysis processing of the captured image. good.

Although the configuration and operation are common among all the container ejection devices 13 in the above-described embodiments, the configuration and operation may differ among the container ejection devices 13 . Similarly, although the configuration and operation are common among all container feeders 16 in the above-described embodiment, the configuration and operation may differ between container feeders 16 . Further, the number of each of the container discharging device 13 and the container supplying device 16 is not limited, and a single container discharging device 13 may be provided, or three or more container discharging devices 13 may be provided. , a single container feeder 16 may be provided, or three or more container feeders 16 may be provided.

In the above-described embodiments, the ejection rotation shaft 48a is rotatably provided and the ejection rotation lever 48b is fixed to the ejection rotation shaft 48a, but the ejection rotation shaft 48a is non-rotatably fixed to the ejection base 49 and A release rotation lever 48b may be rotatably fixed to the release rotation shaft 48a. In this case, the release rotation lever 48b is swung by power from a drive source such as a motor. In the above-described embodiment, the supply rotary shaft 68a is rotatably provided and the supply rotary lever 68b is fixed to the supply rotary shaft 68a. Also, the supply rotation lever 68b may be rotatably fixed to the supply rotation shaft 68a. In this case, the supply rotation lever 68b is swung by power from a drive source such as a motor.

Also, the above embodiments and modifications may be partially combined. The effects produced by the present invention are not limited to those described above, and specific effects depending on specific configurations are exhibited.

Reference Signs List 10 container processing device 11 retainer 11a retainer main body 11b retainer hole 12 transfer device 13 container discharge device 15 control device 16 container supply device 21 stand 22 rotary table 22a passage hole 23 supply conveyor 24 Dust removal device 25 Solid matter input device 26 Liquid injection device 27 Weight measurement device 27a Measurement main unit 27b Measurement advance/retraction unit 28 Vibration device 29 Discharge conveyor 30 Discharge conveyor 31 Hopper 32 Weighing scale 32a supply port portion 33 stock device 35 container detection device 37 collar holding portion 41 support frame 42 ejection lifting portion 43 ejection lifting driving body 44 first ejection guide portion 45 ejection guide shaft 46 second ejection guide part, 47 first release lift drive unit, 47a release lift body part, 47b release advance/retreat shaft, 47c release connection shaft, 48 second release lift drive unit, 48a release rotation shaft, 48b release rotation lever, 49 release base, 50 transit Rail 51 Extrusion Part 52 Compressed Gas Source 61 Support Frame 62 Supply Lifting Part 63 Supply Lifting Drive Body 63a Supply Holding Part 64 First Supply Guide Part 65 Supply Guide Shaft 66 Second Supply Guide Part 67 first supply elevation drive unit 67a supply elevation main body 67b supply retraction shaft 67c supply connection shaft 68 second supply elevation drive unit 68a supply rotation shaft 68b supply rotation lever 69 supply base 70 compressed gas source , C container, Ca main body, Cb flange, Cg container group, Dv height direction, Ps stock position, S1 first station, S2 second station, S3 third station, S4 fourth station, S5 fifth station, S6 6th station, S7 7th station, S8 8th station, S9 9th station, S10 10th station, S11 11th station, S12 12th station

Claims (6)

a retainer configured to retain and release the container;
a transfer device for transferring the retainer such that the retainer repeatedly cycles through a plurality of stations including a container supply station, a content introduction station and a container discharge station;
a container supply device for supplying a container to the retainer at the container supply station;
a container ejection device for ejecting a container from the retainer at the container ejection station;
a content introduction device for introducing content into a container held by the retainer at the content introduction station;
a content detection device for detecting the presence or absence or amount of the content in the container sent from the content introduction station;
a control device that controls the container feeding device and the container discharging device according to the detection result of the content detection device;
The control device controls the container discharge device so as not to discharge the container indicating that the detection result of the content detection device indicates that the content is out of the release reference amount range, and the content is releasing the container, which indicates that the detection result of the detection device contains the contents within the release reference amount range;
said control device controlling said container supply device so as not to supply another container to said retainer already holding a container and to supply a container to said retainer not holding a container ;
When the container is placed on the retainer, the retainer holds the container movably in the height direction,
The container supply device has a supply elevating unit composed of suction cups that ascends and descends in the height direction. placing the container held by the supply elevating unit on the retainer arranged at the container supply station and supplying the container by lowering the supply elevating unit from the replenishing position and arranging the container at the supply position;
The container discharge device has a discharge lift that moves up and down in the height direction, and the retainer located at the container discharge station is held by raising the discharge lift under the control of the control device. lifting the container to release the container from the retainer;
The control device controls the container supply device corresponding to the retainer so that the supply elevating unit does not move to the replenishment position when the retainer holding the container is arranged at the container supply station.
Container handling equipment. further comprising a stock device holding one or more containers positioned at the stock position;
the transfer device intermittently stopping the retainer at each of the plurality of stations;
The container supply device moves one container located at the stock position to the retainer located at the container supply station,
The container discharging device moves the container held by the retainer arranged at the container discharging station to a release position where the container is released from the retainer, and delivers the container from the release position toward the rear stage,
The control device controls the container release device so as not to move to the release position the container in which the detection result of the content detection device indicates that the content outside the release reference amount range is contained, 2. The container processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising moving to said release position a container in which the detection result of said content detection device indicates that said content is within said release reference amount range. 2. The control device controls the container feeding device by judging whether or not the retainer arranged at the container feeding station already holds the container based on the detection result of the contents detecting device. Or the container processing apparatus according to 2. The control device controls the content introduction device in accordance with the detection result of the content detection device, and controls the content introduction device to control the container in which the amount of the content put therein is outside the range of the reference release amount, and the container discharge station. 4. The container processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the contents are added at the contents introduction station to the containers which have not been discharged from the retainer in the above. the release reference amount range is a range greater than zero;
The control device controls the container discharge device so as not to discharge the container in which the detection result of the content detection device indicates that the content is not contained, and the detection result of the content detection device is The container processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, which discharges a container indicating that the content is contained. A plurality of the retainers are provided,
said transfer device transferring said plurality of retainers and simultaneously positioning two or more retainers at each of said plurality of stations;
The container supply device supplies containers to each of two or more retainers simultaneously arranged at the container supply station;
said container ejection device ejecting a container from each of two or more retainers simultaneously positioned at said container ejection station;
The contents introduction device puts the contents into each of the containers held by two or more retainers simultaneously arranged in the contents introduction station,
The control device controls the container discharging device so that, among one or more containers held by two or more retainers simultaneously arranged in the container discharging station, the detection result of the content detecting device is the discharging criterion. One or more containers indicating that the contents out of the amount range are contained are not discharged, and the contents detected by the contents detection device are within the release reference amount range. The container processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, which discharges one or more containers indicating that.

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