JPH0117952B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a lid attachment device for attaching a lid to an open end of a container, and more specifically, a flange protruding radially outward on the lower outer peripheral surface of the open end to which the lid is attached. The present invention relates to a lid mounting device for mounting a lid on a container having a lid.

For example, a lid attachment device for attaching a lid to the open end of a container such as a beverage bottle as required and sealing the container includes a plurality of container receivers formed on the outer periphery at intervals in the circumferential direction. A rotary turret mechanism is used, and a lid is attached to the open end of the container as required while the container carried into the container receiving portion of the rotary turret mechanism moves through an arcuate path as the rotary turret mechanism rotates. Lid mounting devices equipped with a mounting mechanism for normal mounting have been proposed and put into practical use. The attachment mechanism includes a pressure head for applying an axial pressing force to the upper surface of the lid fitted onto the open end of the container, and the action of the pressure head causes the lid to be attached to the open end of the container. While pressing, the lid undergoes the required deformation, thus sealingly fitting the lid to the open end of the container. Containers that are carried into the container receptacle of the rotating turret mechanism and are moved as the rotating turret mechanism rotates are generally positioned on the upper surface of a support that preferably rotates in synchronization with the rotating turret mechanism. Therefore, support of the container against the pressing force transmitted to the container from the pressure head via the lid is achieved by supporting the bottom surface of the container by the top surface of the support.

The conventional lid attachment device as described above is not suitable for containers whose axial strength is sufficiently large.
It does not cause any problems. However, in the case of containers where the axial strength of the container body is relatively low, such as plastic containers made of suitable plastic materials such as polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene or vinyl chloride resin, the pressure When a required amount of pressing force is applied to the top surface of the lid, the axial stress transmitted to the container via the lid and supported by the support causes the container body to break or collapse. An unacceptable problem arises in which this happens.

To solve this problem, U.S. Patent No.
3875725 and the drawings, a pair of movable jaws are provided in the container receiving portion of the rotating turret mechanism to support the lower surface of a flange protruding outward in the radial direction provided on the lower outer peripheral surface of the open end of the container. It is disclosed that it is equipped with. In a lid attachment device equipped with such a pair of movable jaws, when a container is carried into the container receiving portion of the rotating turret mechanism, the pair of movable jaws located just below the upper flange provided on the container move. are pivoted toward each other and closed, enclosing the container just below the flange. When a pressing force is applied to the top surface of the lid by the pressurizing head of the mounting mechanism, a portion of the top surface of the pair of movable jaws engages and supports the bottom surface of the flange, thus removing the container from the lid. At least a portion of the axial pressing force transmitted to the container body is supported by a pair of movable jaws, thereby reducing the axial stress transmitted to the container body by that amount. Generally, the axial strength of the container neck, where the open end and flange are formed, is considerably greater than the axial strength of the container body. By supporting at least a portion of the axial pressing force exerted by the container, the above-mentioned problem of the container body being damaged or crushed can be solved.

However, if the solution as described above is adopted, in addition to equipping each of the container receptacles of the rotating turret with a pair of movable jaws, the pair of movable jaws are moved to each other when a container is loaded into the container receptacle. It is necessary to equip a fairly complicated movable jaw opening/closing mechanism in which a pair of movable jaws are pivoted in the direction toward each other to close them, and when the container is removed from the container receiver, the pair of movable jaws are pivoted in the direction away from each other to open. and
The lid-applying device becomes quite complex and expensive.

On the other hand, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 12983/1983 discloses the above-mentioned pair of devices in order to solve the above-mentioned problem of the container body being damaged or crushed without making the lid attachment device so complicated and expensive. Instead of equipping each container receiving portion of the rotating turret mechanism with a movable jaw, each of the container receiving portions of the rotating turret mechanism is provided with a fixed flange support portion having an arcuate opening opened radially outward for receiving the neck of the container. forming a fixed flange support having an upper surface capable of engaging a lower surface of the flange formed on the container, and further outwardly of the rotating turret mechanism, a lower surface of the flange formed on the container; A stationary flange support is provided having an upper surface that can engage with the upper surface of the stationary flange support, and when the pressure head of the attachment mechanism applies a pressing force to the upper surface of the lid, the upper surface of the fixed flange support and the upper surface of the stationary flange support It is disclosed to support the underside of the flange formed on the container by a flange.

However, if such a solution were to be adopted, new and unacceptable problems would arise as follows. That is, when equipped with a fixed flange support and a stationary flange support as disclosed in JP-A-54-12983, the fixed flange support is
Since it is fixed to the container receiving part of the rotating turret mechanism, it moves together with the containers carried into the container receiving part in accordance with the rotation of the rotating turret mechanism. However, since the stationary flange support is a stationary body that is separately disposed outside of the rotating turret mechanism, it does not move with the container. The lower surface of the flange formed on the container must therefore slide over the upper surface of the stationary flange support.
However, when the pressure head of the attachment mechanism applies a pressing force to the top surface of the lid, the top surface of the stationary flange support engages and supports the bottom surface of the flange formed on the container, and thus the stationary flange support The upper surface of the body and the lower surface of the flange formed on the container are pressed against each other with considerable force. When two surfaces pressed against each other with such a large force are moved relative to each other, a significantly large frictional force is generated between the two surfaces. Therefore, as the container is moved in response to the rotation of the rotating turret mechanism, there is a significant amount of friction between the upper surface of the stationary flange support and the lower surface of the flange formed on the container that slides over this upper surface. force is generated. In this way, if an extremely large frictional force is applied locally to a portion of the lower surface of the flange formed on the container, smooth conveyance of the container will be hindered, and the container will be tilted from its desired upright position. Also, an unacceptable situation occurs in which a part of the flange formed on the container is deformed.

The present invention has been made in view of the above facts, and its main purpose is to make the lid attachment device complicated and expensive as the solution disclosed in the above-mentioned US Pat. No. 3,875,725 and the drawings. The above-mentioned problem of the container body being damaged or crushed has been skillfully solved without creating new problems like the solution disclosed in the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 54-12983. An object of the present invention is to provide a new and excellent lid mounting device.

As a result of intensive research, the present inventors surprisingly discovered that the upper surface of the flange support part, which is provided in each of the container receiving parts of the rotating turret mechanism, has an arcuate opening opened radially outward. , at least while the pressure head of the attachment mechanism is applying a pressing force to the top surface of the lid, the container is supported by engaging the bottom surface of the flange formed on the container over an angular range of 180 degrees; At least while the pressure head of the mounting mechanism is applying pressing force to the top surface of the lid, the bottom surface of the container and/or
Or, if a bottom support and/or a body support that can support the container by engaging with a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the body of the container facing the rotational axis of the rotating turret mechanism is provided. It has been found that the above main objective can be achieved.

That is, according to the present invention, there is provided a rotating turret mechanism in which a plurality of container receiving portions are formed on the outer peripheral edge at intervals in the circumferential direction, and a container receiving portion of the rotating turret is provided with a plurality of container receiving portions at a predetermined container loading position. a container carrying-in mechanism for carrying in containers; and a container carrying-out mechanism for carrying out containers from the container receiving section of the rotating turret mechanism at a container carrying-out position located downstream of the container carrying-in position when viewed in the rotational direction of the rotating turret mechanism. While the container carried into the container receiving portion of the rotating turret mechanism moves from the container carrying-in position to the container carrying-out position in accordance with the rotation of the rotating turret mechanism, the opening end of the container is an attachment mechanism for attaching the lid as required, the attachment mechanism comprising a pressure head applying an axial pressing force to the upper surface of the lid, below the open end to which the lid is to be attached; In a lid attachment device for attaching a lid to a container having a radially outwardly projecting flange on an outer peripheral surface; each of the container receiving portions of the rotating turret mechanism:
a flange support having an arcuate opening opening radially outward, the upper surface of which extends 180 degrees to the lower surface of the flange of the container at least while the pressure head is applying a pressing force to the upper surface of the lid; a flange support that engages over an angular range to support the container; A lid attachment device is provided, characterized in that it is provided with a bottom support having an upper surface capable of supporting a container.

Further, according to the present invention, there is provided a rotating turret mechanism in which a plurality of container receiving portions are formed on the outer peripheral edge at intervals in the circumferential direction, and a rotating turret mechanism in which a plurality of container receiving portions of the rotating turret are formed at a predetermined container loading position. a container carrying-in mechanism for carrying in containers; and a container carrying-out mechanism for carrying out containers from the container receiving section of the rotating turret mechanism at a container carrying-out position located downstream of the container carrying-in position when viewed in the rotational direction of the rotating turret mechanism. While the container carried into the container receiving portion of the rotating turret mechanism moves from the container carrying-in position to the container carrying-out position in accordance with the rotation of the rotating turret mechanism, the opening end of the container is an attachment mechanism for attaching the lid as required, the attachment mechanism comprising a pressure head applying an axial pressing force to the upper surface of the lid, below the open end to which the lid is to be attached; In a lid attachment device for attaching a lid to a container having a radially outwardly projecting flange on an outer peripheral surface; each of the container receiving portions of the rotating turret mechanism:
a flange support having an arcuate opening opening radially outward, the upper surface of which extends 180 degrees to the lower surface of the flange of the container at least while the pressure head is applying a pressing force to the upper surface of the lid; a flange support portion that engages over an angular range to support the container; There is provided a lid attachment device characterized in that a body support is provided which can engage with a portion of the rotating turret mechanism facing the rotation axis to support the container.

Reference is now made to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate preferred embodiments of a lid attachment device constructed in accordance with the present invention.
This will be explained in more detail.

To outline the overall structure of the lid mounting device with reference to FIG. 1, the illustrated lid mounting device includes a rotating turret mechanism 2, a container carrying-in mechanism 4, a container carrying-out mechanism 6, and a mounting mechanism 8 (not shown in FIG. 1). (not shown, only a part of which is shown in FIGS. 2 and 3).

The rotating turret mechanism 2 is composed of a plate-shaped body rotatably mounted on a support shaft 12 implanted in a machine base 10, and is rotated in the direction of an arrow 14 by an appropriate drive mechanism (not shown). It is rotated in the direction shown. A plurality of (eight in the illustrated case) container receiving portions 16 are formed on the outer peripheral edge of the rotating turret mechanism 2 at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. will be explained in detail later).

The container carrying mechanism 4 in the illustrated example includes a plurality of semicircular (six in the illustrated case) container guide portions 20 formed on the outer periphery at equal intervals in the circumferential direction.
It consists of a so-called star wheel. The star wheel constituting the container transport mechanism 4 is rotatably mounted on a support shaft 22 implanted in the machine base 10, and is driven by an arrow 2 by an appropriate drive mechanism (not shown).
It is rotated in direction 4.

In the illustrated example, the container delivery mechanism 6 also includes:
A plurality of (six in the illustrated case) container guide portions 2 that are substantially the same as the star wheels that constitute the container carry-in mechanism 4.
It consists of a star wheel with 5. The star wheel constituting the container unloading mechanism 6 is rotatably mounted on a support shaft 26 implanted in the machine base 10, and is driven by an arrow 28 by an appropriate drive mechanism (not shown).
It is rotated in the direction of.

In the lid attachment device as described above, the container 32 is filled with contents and the lid 30 is fitted on the open end.
When the containers are conveyed by an appropriate conveyor mechanism 34 in the direction shown by the arrow 35 to the position where the container carrying mechanism 4 is disposed, the container guide section 2 of the container carrying mechanism 4
0 is the body 32b of the container 32 (FIGS. 2 and 3)
engage with. The container guide section 20 of the container carry-in mechanism 4, which rotates in synchronization with the rotating turret mechanism 2, is connected to the carry-in side arcuate guide surface 36 of a stationary guide body 33 disposed between the container carry-in mechanism 4 and the container carry-out mechanism 6. The container 32 is then transferred to the container receiving portion 16 of the rotary turret mechanism 2 at a container loading position indicated by reference numeral A in FIG. Containers 32 carried into the container receiving section 16 of the rotating turret mechanism 2 are conveyed in the direction shown by the arrow 14 as the rotating turret mechanism 2 rotates to a container unloading position shown by the symbol D in FIG. While the container 32 is being transported by the rotating turret mechanism 2 from the container carrying-in position A to the container carrying-out position D, the mounting mechanism is rotated in synchronization with the rotation of the rotating turret mechanism 2, as will be explained later. 8 (FIGS. 2 and 3), the lid 30 fitted on the open end of the container 32 is pressed against the open end of the container 32, and appropriate parts of the lid 30 are deformed, Thus container 3
A lid 30 is attached as required to the open end of the container 32, and the open end of the container 32 is sealed.

The mounting mechanism 8 itself has a lid 30 attached to the open end of the container 32.
Any device may be used as long as it can be attached as required, and depending on the form of the open end of the container 32 and the form of the lid 30 to be attached thereto, it may be of a configuration well known to those skilled in the art. can be used selectively. The mounting mechanism 8 in the illustrated example is
For example, it may be of substantially the same construction as the mounting mechanism disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 52-29236, and as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the pressure head 9,
Thread forming roller 11 and lower edge tightening roller 13
Contains. When the container 32 conveyed by the rotary turret mechanism 2 reaches the position indicated by reference numeral B in FIG. It engages with the upper surface of the fitted lid 30 with a required pressing force, thus pressing the lid 30 against the open end of the container 32, and when the container 32 is in the position indicated by C in FIG. 1, for example, it is raised. and is separated from the top surface of the lid 30. On the other hand, while the pressure head 9 is applying a pressing force to the lid 30, the thread forming roller 11 acts on the side surface of the lid 30 and follows the thread formed on the outer peripheral surface of the opening end of the container 32. The lower edge tightening roller 13 acts on the lower edge of the side surface of the lid 30 while the pressure head 9 is applying a pressing force to the lid 30 to tighten the lower edge to a radius. It deforms inward in the direction and engages a shoulder existing at the open end of the container 30. Thus, while the container 30 is being conveyed by the rotary turret mechanism 2 from the position indicated by the reference numeral B in FIG. With the cooperation of the edge tightening rollers 13, the container 3
A lid 32 is attached to the open end of 2 as required.

When the container 32 with the lid 30 attached as required as described above is further conveyed to the container unloading position D by the turret mechanism 2, the container unloading mechanism 6 rotates in synchronization with the rotating turret mechanism 2.
The container guide part 25 is connected to the body part 32b (second part) of the container 32.
and FIG. 3), the stationary guide body 33
The container 32 is transferred along the unloading side arcuate guide surface 38 of the rotary turret mechanism 2.
The container 32 is carried out from the conveyor mechanism 3 again.
Position above 4. The container 32 transferred onto the conveyor mechanism 34 is then transported in the direction shown by an arrow 35 to a location where operations such as inspection, labeling, packaging, etc. are performed as necessary.

The above-described configuration and operation effects of the illustrated lid mounting device are already known, and do not constitute new features of the lid mounting device constructed according to the present invention. Therefore, detailed explanations regarding these will be omitted in this specification.

In the lid mounting device as described above, the container 32 carried into the container receiving portion 16 of the rotating turret mechanism 2 at the container carrying position A is rotated along the required path as the rotating turret mechanism 2 rotates. In addition to ensuring that the container 32 is transported to the above-mentioned unloading position D through the container 32, the container 32 is prevented from being damaged when the mounting mechanism 8 is operated between the position indicated by the symbol B and the position indicated by the symbol C in FIG. It is important to reliably and stably support the container 32 without causing collapse.

Such requirements can be met without causing the above-mentioned problems and drawbacks associated with the conventional lid attachment device disclosed in the specification and drawings of the above-mentioned U.S. Pat. To achieve this, a lid attachment device constructed in accordance with the present invention employs an improved construction as detailed below.

Referring to FIGS. 2 to 4 together with FIG. 1, the structure of each of the plurality of container receiving portions 16 provided in the rotating turret mechanism 2 will be explained. In the illustrated example, the above-mentioned support Container receiving portion forming members 42 are provided at equal intervals in the circumferential direction on the peripheral edge of the disc-shaped main body 40 of the rotating turret mechanism 2, which is rotatably mounted on the shaft 12 (FIG. 1). It is preferably removably attached by means (not shown), and the container receiver 16 is assumed by this container receiver-forming member 42 . However, if desired, the disc-shaped body 40
The peripheral edge of the disc-shaped main body 4 is processed into a desired shape.
It is also possible to define the container receptacle 16 by the zero itself.

The container receiver 16 includes a flange support 46 having an arcuate opening 44 open radially outward, as clearly shown in FIG. Meanwhile, the container 3 is fitted with a lid 30 as required by a lid fitting device constructed according to the present invention.
2 is a neck portion 3 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.
2a and a body portion 32b, and an annular flange 48 is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the neck portion 32a and projects radially outward below the open end into which the lid 30 is fitted. When such a container 32 is carried into the container receiving portion 16 by the action of the container lid carrying mechanism 4, the flange 48 of the neck portion 32a of the container 32
The lower portion is received within the arcuate opening 44 of the flange support 46 . The upper surface 50 of the flange support portion 46 is attached to the flange 48 of the container 32.
The flange 48 is positioned opposite to the lower surface of the lid 30 when the pressurizing head 9 of the mounting mechanism 8 engages with the upper surface of the lid 30 fitted on the open end of the container 32 and applies a pressing force, as will be described in detail later. supports the container 32 by engaging with the lower surface of the container. The upper surface 5 of the upper surface of the container receiving portion 16, that is, the upper surface of the container receiving portion forming member 42 in the illustrated example, engages with the lower surface of the flange 48.
As clearly shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the peripheral edge area of the area defining 0 is preferably lower than the upper surface 50 by a predetermined amount or more. This is because, as is well known to those skilled in the art, a typical mounting mechanism 8 is used to attach a container 32 with a lid 30 fitted in a predetermined manner to the container receiving portion 16 of the rotating turret mechanism 2.
In the normal case where the pressure head 9 is located
The lowering distance of the mounting mechanism 8 as a whole is limited by engaging with the upper surface of the lid 30. However, when the lid mounting device starts operating, etc., the lid 30 is fitted into the container receiving portion 16 of the rotating turret mechanism 2. When the attached container 32 is not present, it is configured to descend to a somewhat lower position than in the normal case, and if the peripheral edge area of the upper surface 50 is not lowered by a predetermined amount or more than the upper surface 50, the attachment will not occur. This is because when the mechanism 8 is lowered somewhat lower than in the normal case, the operating elements such as the lower edge tightening roller 13 collide with the peripheral area of the upper surface 50.

In the lid mounting device constructed according to the present invention, the upper surface 50 of the flange support portion 46 is 180°
It is important to be able to engage the underside of the flange 48 of the container 32 over a wide range of angles. To this end, in the illustrated embodiment, the upper surface 50 of the flange support 46 is connected to the flange 48 of the container 32 located above it (indicated by two-dot chain lines in FIG. 4).
It extends across an angle α exceeding 180 degrees (α≒230 degrees in the illustrated case) facing the lower surface of the flange 48, and can engage the lower surface of the flange 48 in the shaded area in FIG. It is configured so that it can be done.

On the other hand, as described above, the upper surface 50 of the flange support part 46 is opposed to the lower surface of the flange 48 of the container 32.
In order to extend over an angle α exceeding 180 degrees, for example, if the flange support portion 46 is formed in the form shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. In the case of a continuous rotation type, which is desirable from the viewpoint of high-speed processing, etc. (i.e., one consisting of a continuously rotating star wheel, etc. as shown in Figure 1), the following is unacceptable. A problem occurs. That is, the container lid carrying mechanism 4
When the container lid conveying mechanism 6 and the container lid conveying mechanism 6 are configured to rotate continuously, the container receiving portion 1 of the rotating turret mechanism 2
The carrying-in direction and carrying-out direction of the container 32 with respect to 6 are as follows.
The rotation is carried out in a direction that does not coincide with the radial direction toward the central axis of rotation of the rotating turret mechanism 2, but forms some angle with the radial direction (this direction changes gradually during loading and unloading). Therefore, if the flange support portion 46 is configured as shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG.
2a below the flange 48) is not carried into the arcuate opening 44 of the flange support part 46 as expected and collides with the introduction side end surface of the arcuate opening 44, or the container 32 is inserted into the flange support part 46. 46 and collides with the discharge side end face of the arcuate opening 44 without being carried out as expected.

In order to avoid the occurrence of such a problem, the flange support portion 46 in the illustrated example includes:
As shown in FIG. 4, both end surfaces of the arcuate opening 44,
That is, the introduction side end face 52 and the discharge side end face 54 are formed so as to extend outwardly at a predetermined angle β with respect to the tangent to the inner surface at both ends of the 180 degree angular range of the arcuate opening 44. . When both end surfaces 52 and 54 of the arcuate opening 44 are inclined outward in this way, the arcuate opening 44 of the flange support portion 46 moves from the position indicated by the two-dot chain line 44-1 to the position indicated by the two-dot chain line 44-1, as shown in FIG. -2, 44-3, 44-4 and 44-5 to the container carrying-in position A shown by the solid line, and the container 32 is moved to the two-dot chain line 32-1, 32 by the container carrying mechanism 4. -2,
When the container 32 is transferred through the positions indicated by 32-3, 32-4, and 32-5 to the container lid carrying-in position A indicated by the solid line,
collision will be reliably avoided. Further, when the container 32 is carried out from the arc-shaped opening 44 of the flange support part 46 by the container carrying-out mechanism 6, as can be easily understood by referring to FIG. Collision with the discharge side end face 54 of the cylinder is also reliably avoided.

The angle β described above varies somewhat depending on the relative size of the diameter of the rotating turret mechanism 2 and the diameter of the star wheels that constitute the container lid loading mechanism 4 and the container lid loading mechanism 6. In practice, a range of 5 to 30 degrees, particularly 25±5 degrees, can sufficiently satisfy the intended purpose.

In the lid mounting device configured according to the present invention, the upper surface 50 of the flange support portion 46 is
In addition to being able to engage the lower surface of the flange 48 of the container 32 over an angular range α exceeding 180 degrees, at least the pressure head 9 of the mounting mechanism 8 engages the upper surface of the lid 30. While applying a pressing force to the lid 30, a bottom support that can engage with and support the bottom of the container 32 and at least the pressure head 9 of the mounting mechanism 8 are placed on the top surface of the lid 30. While engaging and applying a pressing force, the container 32 is supported by engaging with a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the body 32b of the container 32 that faces the rotation axis of the rotating turret mechanism 2. It is important that at least one, preferably both, of the torso support and the torso support are provided.

In the illustrated embodiment, there is a bottom support 56 and two torso supports, a first torso support 58 and a second torso support 60, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. is provided.

To explain the bottom support 56, the machine base 10
A disk-shaped body 62 is attached to the support shaft 12 (FIG. 1) installed at a predetermined distance below the disk-shaped main body 40 of the rotating turret mechanism 2, and the peripheral edge of the disk-shaped body 62 is attached to the supporting shaft 12 (Fig. 1). The upper surface portion constitutes the bottom surface support 56 . That is, in the illustrated example, when the container 32 is carried into the container receiving portion 16 of the rotating turret mechanism 2 at the container carrying-in position A (FIG. 1), as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, The bottom surface of the container 32 is located on and supported by the bottom surface support 56,
This state continues until the container 32 is delivered from the container receiving portion 16 of the rotating turret mechanism 2 at the container delivery position D (FIG. 1). Accordingly, the bottom support 56 in the illustrated embodiment is shown at B in FIG. Not only between the position shown and the position shown by symbol C,
The bottom surface of the container 32 is also supported between the container carry-in position indicated by the symbol A in FIG. is configured to do so.

A plate-shaped body 62 that constitutes the bottom support 56
Although the upper surface of the periphery may be integral with the main body of the disk-like body 62, in the specific example shown, an annular groove is cut into the main body of the disk-like body 62, and this groove is filled with natural or synthetic rubber or a suitable material. A buffer member 64 made of a material with some elasticity such as synthetic resin and a rigid surface member 66 laminated thereon are arranged, and the bottom support 56 is defined by the buffer member 64 and the surface member 66. has been done. Further, the disk-shaped body 62 whose peripheral upper surface constitutes the bottom support 56 may be a stationary body that remains stationary even while the rotating turret mechanism 2 is rotated; Preferably, it is rotatably mounted on the shaft 12 and rotated in synchronization with the rotating turret mechanism 2. In particular, as mentioned later,
A portion of the downward pressing force in the axial direction applied from the pressure head 9 of the mounting mechanism 8 to the lid 30 and transmitted to the container 32 is transmitted from the bottom surface of the container 32 to the bottom support 56, and the bottom surface of the container 32 and the bottom support are 56 are brought into pressure contact with each other, it is important to rotate the plate-shaped body 62 in synchronization with the rotating turret mechanism 2.

Next, to explain the first trunk support 58 and the second trunk support 60, the support shaft 12 (FIG. 1) implanted in the machine stand 10 further includes the plate-shaped member 62. A plate-shaped body 68 is attached slightly above the
The circumferential side portion of the disc-shaped body 68 constitutes the first trunk support 58 . This plate-like body 68 may be a stationary body that remains stationary even while the rotating turret mechanism 2 is rotated, but like the plate-like body 62 described above, it can be rotatably attached to the support shaft 12. Preferably, it is mounted and rotated in synchronization with the rotating turret mechanism 2. The circumferential side surface of the disk-shaped body 68 that defines the first body support 58 may be a simple circumferential surface (in such a case, the outer circumferential surface of the body 32b of the container 32 and the first (are in so-called line contact with the surface of the body support 58) are provided on the rotating turret mechanism 2, especially when the plate-like body 68 is rotated in synchronization with the rotating turret mechanism 2. Container receiving part 16
It is preferable that a plurality of approximately semicircular openings corresponding to the shape of the body 32b of the container 32 are formed corresponding to the positions of the openings. When the plurality of openings as described above are formed on the circumferential side of the plate-shaped body 68, the container 32 is carried into the container receiving portion 16 of the rotating turret mechanism 2 at the container carrying position A (FIG. 1). When the lower end of the body 32b of the container 32 is
The container 32 is located in an opening formed in the
When the lower end of the container 32 is tilted toward the central axis of rotation of the rotary turret mechanism 2, the substantially semicircular side surface of the opening defining the first body support 58 will move toward the body of the container 32. The container 32 contacts the portion 32b.
to support it and prevent it from tilting. This situation continues until the container 32 is delivered from the container receiving portion 16 of the rotating turret mechanism 2 at the container delivery position D. Therefore, the first
Similar to the bottom support 56 described above, the body support 58 has a pressurizing head 9 of the mounting mechanism 8 attached to the lid 30.
Not only from the position shown by the symbol B in FIG. 1 to the position shown by the symbol C where the upper surface is engaged and a pressing force is applied thereto, but also the container loading position shown by the symbol A in FIG. 1 to the position indicated by the symbol B, and from the position indicated by the symbol C to the container unloading position indicated by the symbol D in FIG.
2b.

In the illustrated example, furthermore, on the peripheral edge of the disc-shaped main body 40 of the rotating turret mechanism 2,
A plurality of openings substantially the same as the plurality of approximately semicircular openings formed in the disk-shaped body 68 are formed, and these openings open the second trunk support 60. stipulated. The effect of the second body support 60 is that the first body support 58 acts on the lower end of the body 32b of the container 32, whereas the second body support 60 acts on the lower end of the body 32b of the container 32. The effect is substantially the same as that of the first body support 58, except that it acts on the upper end of the body 32b.

The illustrated lid attachment device constructed in accordance with the present invention is further provided with a stationary outer guide consisting of a first portion 70a and a second portion 70b, as shown in FIGS. 1-3. ing. The first portion 70a of the stationary outer guide is designated at least in FIG.
The container receiving portion 16 of the rotating turret mechanism 2 is placed in the area from the container loading position shown by to the position shown by the symbol B (i.e., the position where the pressure head 9 of the mounting mechanism 8 starts applying pressing force to the top surface of the lid 30). It has a guide surface 72a extending along the outer periphery of the movement path of the body 32b of the container 32 that is received and moved as the rotating turret mechanism 2 rotates. Further, the second portion 70b of the stationary outer guide body is located at least at the position indicated by C in FIG. ) to the container unloading position indicated by reference numeral D, there is also a guide surface 72b extending along the outer periphery of the movement path of the body 32b of the container 32, which is moved along with the rotation of the rotating turret mechanism 2. . Such first portion 70a and second portion 7
The effect of the stationary outer guide body consisting of 0b will be mentioned below.

Next, the effects of the illustrated lid mounting device, which has been improved as described above in accordance with the present invention, will be summarized and explained.

When a container 32 with a lid 30 attached to the open end as required is carried into the container receiving portion 16 of the rotating turret mechanism 2 at the container carrying position A, the container 32 is loaded as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. As such, the neck 32a of the container 32, and more specifically the portion of the neck 32a below the flange 48, is received in the arcuate opening 44 formed in the flange support portion 46 of the container receiving portion 16. At the same time, the bottom of container 32 is positioned on bottom support 56 and
The lower end and the upper end of the body 32b rotate with the first body support 58 and the second body support 60, respectively, and more specifically with the approximately semicircular opening formed in the disk-like body 68. It is received in a substantially semicircular opening formed in the main body 40 of the turret mechanism 2. In this state, the bottom surface of the container 32 contacts and is supported by the bottom support 56, but the bottom surface of the flange 48 formed on the neck 32a of the container 32 is lower than the top surface 50 of the flange support 46. It is desirable that the two be located slightly above each other, with a slight gap between them.

Rotating turret mechanism 2 in the state as described above.
As is easily understood, the container 32 carried into the container receiving section 16 of FIG. Then, the container is moved from the container carry-in position indicated by the symbol A, through the position indicated by the symbol B and the position indicated by the symbol C, to the container discharge position indicated by the symbol D. At this time, when the container 32 is at the position indicated by the symbol B in FIG. . In this way, a downward pressing force in the axial direction acts on the container 32 from the pressure head 9 through the lid 30, and the bottom surface of the container 32 is pressed against the bottom support 56, and the body 32b of the container 32 becomes somewhat elastic. deformed, thereby container 3
The lower surface of the flange 48 formed on the neck portion 32a of No. 2 is engaged with the upper surface of the flange support portion 46.
Therefore, the container 3 is transferred from the pressurizing head 9 through the lid 30.
A part of the pressing force transmitted to the container 2 is received by the upper surface of the flange support part 46, and the pressing force transmitted to the body 32b of the container 32 is reduced by that amount. Even in relatively weak cases, breakage or crushing is reliably avoided (this point is discussed in the above-mentioned U.S. Patent No.
3875725 and drawings). still,
In the illustrated example, the body 32b of the container 32
It is only after the neck 3 of the container 32 has been somewhat elastically deformed that the neck 3 of the container 32
Since the lower surface of the flange 48 formed on the flange 2a is configured to engage with the upper surface 50 of the flange support portion 46, a portion of the pressing force transmitted to the container 32 also acts on the body portion 32b. , mounting mechanism 8
If the lower surface of the flange 48 formed on the neck 32a of the container 32 is already engaged with the upper surface 50 of the flange support 46 at the time when the pressure head 9 of is engaged with the upper surface of the lid 30, Pressure head 9
Almost all of the pressing force transmitted to the container 32 through the lid 30 is received by the flange support portion 46, and almost no pressing force is transmitted to the body 32b of the container 32 (therefore, it goes without saying that , damage or crushing of the body 32b of the container 32 is reliably avoided).

The upper surface 50 of the flange support portion 46 for engaging and supporting the lower surface of the flange 48 formed on the neck portion 32a of the container 32 is disclosed in the above-mentioned US Pat. No. 3,875,725 specification and drawings. Instead of being defined by a pair of movable jaws, as is the case with the conventional lid-applying device (which would make the lid-applying device considerably more complex and expensive, as already explained), a rotating turret could be used. If it is specified only by a member that does not need to be actively moved relative to the mechanism 2 (i.e., the main body 40 of the rotating turret mechanism 2 or a member 42 attached thereto), it will inevitably be necessary to move the neck 32a of the container 32. The upper surface 50 of the flange support part 46 cannot engage and support the entire periphery of the lower surface of the flange 48, and the upper surface 50 of the flange support part 46 cannot engage and support only a portion of the lower surface of the flange 48. (This is because, in order to be able to introduce the neck of the container 32 into the flange support 46, the flange support 46 has an opening 44 open radially outwards.) (because it is necessary to provide one).
When the upper surface 50 of the flange support part 46 cannot engage and support only a part of the lower surface of the flange 48, the distribution of the pressing force applied to the container 32 and its reaction force (i.e., the flange support Since the distribution of the reaction force (reaction force transmitted from the upper surface 50 of the portion 46 to the lower surface of the flange 48) is different, a moment acts on the flange 48 of the container 32, and this moment causes the container 32 to tilt. There is a tendency for the upper end of the rotating turret mechanism 2 to be tilted in a direction in which its upper end moves radially outward and its lower end moves radially inward with respect to the rotation center axis of the rotating turret mechanism 2. However, in the lid mounting device configured according to the present invention, as mentioned above, the upper surface of the flange support portion 46 is smaller than the lower surface of the flange 48 formed on the neck portion 32a of the container 32 on the entire circumference. It is configured to engage and support over an angular range α exceeding 180 degrees (Fig. 4), which is a part of the angular range, ie, over a half circumference. Therefore, as can be easily understood by referring to FIG. Due to the difference in the distribution of the reaction force transmitted from the upper surface of the portion 46 to the lower surface of the flange 48, the moment acting on the container 32 and attempting to tilt the container 32 is significantly suppressed, and the rotation center of the rotating turret mechanism 2 is The tendency of the container 32 to tilt in a direction in which the upper end of the container 32 moves radially outward and the lower end moves radially inward with respect to the axis is significantly suppressed. In addition, in the lid attachment device improved according to the present invention, at least the attachment mechanism 8
a bottom support member 56 capable of engaging the bottom surface of the container 32 and supporting the container 32 when the pressure head 9 of the lid 30 engages with the top surface of the lid 30 to apply a pressing force;
A body support member that can support the container 32 by engaging with a portion of the outer circumferential surface of the body portion 32b of the container 32 facing the rotation center axis of the rotating turret mechanism 2 (i.e., In the example, at least one of the first body support 58 and the second body support 60), and in the specific example shown, both are provided, and the moment as described above is provided. When the container 32 attempts to tilt, at least one of the bottom support 56 and the trunk supports 58 and 60 engages with a predetermined portion of the container 32 to reliably prevent the container 32 from tilting. Therefore, in the lid mounting device improved in accordance with the present invention, the lid mounting device is modified as in the case of the lid mounting device disclosed in the above-mentioned U.S. Pat. No. 3,875,725 and the drawings. Eliminates the need for a pair of movable jaws, which would otherwise be complicated and expensive.
Furthermore, as in the case of the lid mounting device disclosed in the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 54-12983, a stationary flange support is provided which generates a significantly large frictional force between the upper surface of the flange support and the lower surface of the flange. Without the need, the lid-fitting action can be carried out as required without causing any problems.

As the rotating turret mechanism 2 rotates, the container 3
2 moves from the position shown by reference numeral B to the position shown by reference numeral C in FIG. In addition to pressing the lid 30 against the open end of the container 32, other elements of the attachment mechanism 8 (thread forming roller 11 and tightening roller 13 in the illustrated embodiment) act on the lid 30 to tighten the lid 30. It is deformed as desired, and thus the lid 30 is fitted to the open end of the container 32 as desired. The container 32 with the lid 30 attached as required is further moved to the container unloading position indicated by reference numeral D in FIG. ) is carried out from the container receiving portion 16 of the rotating turret mechanism 2.

By the way, the container receiving part 1 of the rotating turret mechanism 2
The container 32 carried into the rotating turret mechanism 2
When the container is moved from the container carry-in position indicated by the symbol A in FIG. As described above, the pressure head 9 of the mounting mechanism 8 engages with the upper surface of the lid 30 and applies a pressing force to it in the range from the position shown by the symbol A to the position shown by the symbol C. In the range from the position indicated by B and from the position indicated by C to the container unloading position indicated by D, the mounting mechanism 8 does not act on the lid 30, and the container 32 is simply placed on the bottom support 56. (If the bottom support 56 is not provided, the flange 48 formed on the neck 32a of the container 32 engages with the upper surface of the flange support 46, thereby suspending the container 32.) ). In such a state, as is easily understood, the centrifugal force acting on the container 32 that moves with the rotation of the rotating turret mechanism 2 causes the container to be removed from the container receiving portion 16 of the rotating turret mechanism 2. 32 tends to protrude outward. However, in the illustrated embodiment of the lid attachment device constructed in accordance with the present invention, at least the range from the container loading position indicated by reference numeral A to the reference numeral B, and from the reference numeral C to the reference numeral 1 in FIG. A container 3 that is moved along with the rotation of the rotating turret mechanism 2 within a range up to the container unloading position indicated by D.
A stationary outer guide body (i.e., a first portion 70a and a second portion 70b) having guide surfaces 72a and 72b extending along the outer circumference of the movement path of the second body portion 32b.
are provided, and the guide surfaces 72a and 72b of the stationary outer guide reliably prevent the container 32 from flying outward.

Although one specific example of the lid mounting device configured according to the present invention has been described above in detail, the present invention is not limited to such specific example, and various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Needless to say, it is possible to make corrections.

For example, in the illustrated embodiment both bottom support 56 and torso supports 58 and 60 are provided, but either one of these could be omitted if desired. Additionally, the bottom support 56 and the trunk supports 58 and 60 are connected to the rotating turret mechanism 2.
is rotated in synchronization with the rotation of
The pressure head 9 of the mounting mechanism 8 engages with the upper surface of the lid 30 and applies a pressing force), as well as the range from the container loading position indicated by the symbol A to the position indicated by the symbol B in FIG. Although it is configured so that it can act on the container 32 even in the range from the position indicated by C to the container unloading position indicated by the symbol D,
If desired, one or both of the bottom support 56 and the torso supports 58 and 60 may be defined by a stationary structure, and further provided from the position designated B to the position designated C in FIG. It can also be configured to act on the container 32 only in the range.

Furthermore, in the specific example shown, the container 32 is carried into the container receiving portion 16 of the rotating turret mechanism 2 with the lid 30 to be attached already fitted on the open end, but if desired, For example, by attaching an appropriate lid supply mechanism to the rotating turret mechanism 2,
When the container 32 is carried into the container receiving part 16 of the rotating turret mechanism 2 by the container carrying mechanism 4, or after that, the lid 30 is supplied to the open end of the container 32 by the action of the lid supplying mechanism and is covered with the lid 30. It is also possible to fit and then by the action of the mounting mechanism 8 the lid 30 is fitted to the open end of the container 32 as desired.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a simplified plan view showing a specific example of a lid mounting device constructed according to the present invention. Figure 2 shows the first
FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the lid mounting device shown in the figure. 3 is a partially cutaway side view of the lid mounting device shown in FIG. 1; FIG. Fourth
2 is an enlarged partial view showing a container receiving portion provided in the rotating turret mechanism of the lid mounting device shown in FIG. 1. FIG. FIG. 5 shows the container receiving part and the container when the container is carried into the container receiving part provided in the rotary turret mechanism by the rotary container carrying mechanism in the lid mounting device shown in FIG. A simplified partial diagram showing the relative relationship between the two. 2... Rotating turret mechanism, 8... Mounting mechanism,
9... Pressure head, 16... Container receiver, 30...
Lid, 32...Container, 32a...Neck of container, 32
b... Body of the container, 44... Opening of the flange support part, 46... Flange support part, 48... Flange of the container, 50... Upper surface of the flange support part, 52...
...Introduction side end surface of the opening of the flange support portion, 54...
Discharge side end surface of the opening of the flange support portion, 56...bottom support, 58...first body support, 60...
Second trunk support, 70a... first part of the stationary outer guide, 70b... second part of the stationary outer guide.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A rotating turret mechanism in which a plurality of container receiving portions are formed on the outer periphery at intervals in the circumferential direction, and a container is placed in the container receiving portion of the rotating turret at a predetermined container loading position. a container carrying-in mechanism for carrying in containers; and a container carrying-out mechanism for carrying out containers from the container receiving section of the rotating turret mechanism at a container carrying-out position located downstream of the container carrying-in position when viewed in the rotational direction of the rotating turret mechanism. Then, while the container carried into the container receiving portion of the rotating turret mechanism moves from the container carrying-in position to the container carrying-out position in accordance with the rotation of the rotating turret mechanism, the opening end of the container is a lower outer peripheral surface of the opening end to which the lid is to be attached; the attachment mechanism includes a pressure head that applies a pressing force in the axial direction to the upper surface of the lid; In a lid attachment device for attaching a lid to a container having a radially outwardly projecting flange; each of the container receivers of the rotating turret mechanism comprising:
a flange support having an arcuate opening opening radially outward, the upper surface of which extends 180 degrees to the lower surface of the flange of the container at least while the pressure head is applying a pressing force to the upper surface of the lid; a flange support that engages over an angular range to support the container; A lid attachment device characterized in that it is provided with a bottom support having an upper surface capable of supporting a container. 2. The lid mounting device according to claim 1, wherein the bottom support is rotated in synchronization with the rotating turret mechanism. 3 Both end surfaces of the arcuate opening of the flange support part are
3. The lid mounting device according to claim 1, wherein the lid mounting device extends outwardly at an angle of 5 to 30 degrees with respect to a tangent to the inner surface of the arcuate opening. 4 Both end surfaces of the arcuate opening of the flange support part are
4. The lid mounting device according to claim 3, wherein the lid mounting device extends outwardly at an angle of 25±5 degrees with respect to a tangent to the inner surface of the arcuate opening. 5 At least the area between the container loading position and the position where the pressure head starts applying pressing force to the top surface of the lid, the position where the pressure head stops applying pressing force to the top surface of the lid, and the container unloading position. A stationary outer guide member is disposed in a region between the container receiving portion and has a guide surface extending along the outer circumference of the travel path of the container body that is received in the container receiving portion and is moved in accordance with the rotation of the rotating turret mechanism. A lid mounting device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 provided. 6. The lid according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the peripheral area of the upper surface of the flange support that engages with the lower surface of the flange of the container is lowered by a predetermined amount or more than the upper surface. Mounting device. 7 Furthermore, at least while the pressure head is applying pressing force to the top surface of the lid, the outer circumferential surface of the body of the container
According to any one of claims 1 to 6, there is provided a body support that can engage a portion of the rotating turret mechanism facing the rotation axis to support the container. Lid attachment device as described. 8. A rotating turret mechanism in which a plurality of container receiving parts are formed on the outer periphery at intervals in the circumferential direction, and a container carrying mechanism that carries containers into the container receiving parts of the rotating turret at a predetermined container carrying position. a container unloading mechanism that unloads a container from the container receiving portion of the rotary turret mechanism at a container unloading position located downstream of the container loading position when viewed in the rotational direction of the rotating turret mechanism; While the container carried into the container receiving section moves from the container carrying-in position to the container carrying-out position in accordance with the rotation of the rotating turret mechanism, a lid is attached to the open end of the container as required. the mounting mechanism includes a pressure head that applies an axial pressing force to the upper surface of the lid; In a lid attachment device for attaching a lid to a container having a flange protruding from the container, each of the container receiving portions of the rotating turret mechanism comprises:
a flange support having an arcuate opening opening radially outward, the upper surface of which extends 180 degrees to the lower surface of the flange of the container at least while the pressure head is applying a pressing force to the upper surface of the lid; a flange support portion that engages over an angular range to support the container; 1. A lid attachment device according to claim 1, further comprising a body support capable of supporting a container by engaging with a portion of the rotating turret mechanism facing the rotation axis. 9. The lid mounting device according to claim 8, wherein the body support is rotated in synchronization with the rotating turret mechanism. 10. The lid mounting device according to claim 8, wherein the body support is integrally formed with the rotating turret mechanism. 11. Both end surfaces of the arcuate opening of the flange support portion extend outwardly at an angle of 5 to 30 degrees with respect to the tangent to the inner surface of the arcuate opening. The lid mounting device according to any one of Items 10 to 10. 12. The device according to claim 11, wherein both end surfaces of the arcuate opening of the flange support portion extend outwardly at an angle of 25±5 degrees with respect to a tangent to the inner surface of the arcuate opening. Lid attachment device. 13 At least the area between the container loading position and the position where the pressure head starts applying pressing force to the top surface of the lid, the position where the pressure head stops applying pressing force to the top surface of the lid, and the container loading position. A stationary outer guide member is disposed in a region between the container receiving portion and has a guide surface extending along the outer circumference of the travel path of the container body that is received in the container receiving portion and is moved in accordance with the rotation of the rotating turret mechanism. A lid mounting device according to any one of claims 8 to 12 provided. 14. The lid according to any one of claims 8 to 13, wherein a peripheral region of the upper surface of the flange support that engages with the lower surface of the flange of the container is lowered by a predetermined amount or more than the upper surface. Mounting device. 15 The claim further comprises a bottom support having an upper surface capable of engaging and supporting the bottom surface of the container, at least while the pressure head is applying a pressing force to the top surface of the lid. The lid mounting device according to any one of items 8 to 14.