JPH0254174B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Technical Field The present invention relates to an apparatus for simultaneously forming and bonding a metal tension ring to a container lid.

<Background Art> Recently, a container lid has been provided with a tear weakening line that extends from a tear-off tab protruding from the skirt portion all the way to the top surface of the container lid, and can be easily opened by pulling the tear-off tab. Lids are popular. In this type of container lid, it is necessary to pull up the tear tab with considerable force when opening the lid, and therefore, the tear tab is made relatively long or equipped with a suitable tension piece. Makes opening easier.

However, a relatively long tear-off tab has the disadvantage that a lot of material is wasted when the container lid is preformed from sheet metal, which increases the manufacturing cost of the container lid. In addition, when attaching a tension piece to the tear-off tab on a container lid, it has traditionally been
Connections are made by means such as riveting or clamping, but these methods require a lot of time and effort during the manufacturing process, and the manufacturing cost increases.
The connection part is fragile and there is a risk of it being severed before the package is opened.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a substantially cylindrical pre-formed body is formed, and the free end of the tear-off tab of the container lid and a part of the pre-formed body are able to overlap with each other. positioning the container lid and the preformed body, and then curling the peripheral edge of the preformed body in the radial direction to form a ring, and rolling the tear-off tab into the ring to join the two; A manufacturing method and device for manufacturing container lids with tension rings were proposed by Wikanders in Sweden, and a patent application has been filed (patent application).
No. 58-13855 (Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 59-144536) and Patent Application No.
No. 58-13856 (Japanese Patent Publication No. 59-144537)). and,
In this type of container lid with a tension ring, the forming of the container lid includes a preform forming means that forms a substantially annular preform, and a preform forming means that supplies the preform to a position where it is joined to a tear-off tab of the container lid. A pre-formed body supply means, a container lid supply means for supplying a container lid, and a tension ring forming and joining that forms the pre-formed body butted against the tear-off tab of the container lid into a tension ring and at the same time connects the same to the container lid. This is easily achieved by means and an apparatus essentially consisting of.

In such a case, in order to obtain a container lid with a tension ring with stable quality at low cost, a substantially cylindrical annular preform is formed at a sufficiently high speed, and the formed preform is used as a tension ring at a sufficiently high speed. It is required to be molded and sufficiently securely bonded to the tear tab of the container lid.

Therefore, in order to satisfy the above-mentioned requirements, the applicant improved the apparatus for forming and joining a container lid with a tension ring having the above-described configuration, and formed and joined the tension ring at a sufficiently high speed and with sufficient strength. proposed a device that can simultaneously form a tension ring and bond it to a container lid. This device includes a preform forming means for shearing and simultaneously bending a strip from the end of a thin metal plate to form a substantially cylindrical preform with both ends overlapping each other, and a container lid. The container lid and the preform are positioned such that the free end of the tear-off tab and a portion of the preform are in an overlapping relationship with each other, and the peripheral edge of the preform is moved radially. A tension ring forming and joining means is provided for curling the ring into a ring and rolling the tear tab into the ring to join the two together.

In such a device, the state of connection of the ring joints in the tension ring-equipped container lid formed by the tension ring forming and joining means is checked, and cases where the connection is defective (the ring is not connected to the container lid) are detected. In such a case, it is desirable to quickly and accurately detect the connection state of the ring connection in a container lid with a tension ring, and to reliably eliminate those with poor connection. required.

On the other hand, for example, in the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application No. 58-13856, the embossing device uses guides and sensors to eject defective container lids from a chute when there is a manufacturing or delivery timing failure of deformed container lids. , it is disclosed that the device is stopped.

Further, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 59-191526 discloses means for monitoring whether or not a container lid is transferred after the container lid and the tension ring are properly connected. The monitoring means includes a light emitting element and a light receiving element for monitoring the container lid and a detector for monitoring the tension ring. With these, it is possible to detect, for example, a missing tension ring and stop the device.

However, none of the prior art described above was made with the purpose of meeting the above requirements, and as a result they do not meet the above requirements (problems).
has not been resolved.

<Object of the Invention> The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned facts, and its main purpose is to quickly and accurately detect the state of connection between the ring and the container lid in a container lid with a tension ring, and the connection of the ring itself. To provide an apparatus for simultaneously forming a metal tension ring and joining it to a container lid, which is equipped with a container lid sorting means that can reliably exclude those that are poorly joined.

<Summary of the Invention> According to the present invention, a preforming process is performed in which a strip piece is sheared from the end of a thin metal plate and simultaneously curved to form a substantially cylindrical preformed body having both ends overlapped with each other. positioning the container lid and the preform such that the body forming means, the free end of the tear tab of the container lid, and a portion of the preform are in mutually overlapping relationship; a tension ring forming and connecting means for radially curling the peripheral edge of the preformed body to form a ring, and rolling the tear-off tab into the ring to connect the two;
An apparatus for forming a metal tension ring and simultaneously bonding it to a container lid; further comprising container lid sorting means for sorting container lids with tension rings formed by the tension ring forming and coupling means, the container lid sorting means includes a position detection means and an area detection means, and the position detection means is
A detection signal is generated by detecting a position of the container lid in which the coupling portion of the ring of the container lid with a tension ring has a predetermined positional relationship with respect to the area detection means, and the area detection means When the detection means generates the detection signal, it detects the area of the connecting part of the ring of the container lid with a tension ring, and when the area of the connecting part of the ring is less than or equal to a first predetermined value, no ring is detected. the container lid sorting means generates a coupling failure signal when the area of the coupling portion of the ring is equal to or larger than a second predetermined value that is larger than the first predetermined value by a predetermined amount; sorting the container lid with the tension ring based on the ring signal or the poor connection signal;
An apparatus is provided which is characterized in that:

<Preferred Embodiments of the Invention> Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the apparatus constructed according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

First, the overall basic configuration of the apparatus according to the present invention will be explained with reference to FIG. , a tension ring forming and coupling means 16 , and a container lid transfer means 18 .
It includes a bonding reinforcement means 20 and a container lid sorting means 22. The outline of each of these means is as follows.

The pre-formed body forming means 10 is a substantially cylindrical shape in which a strip is cut from a strip-shaped thin metal plate made of chromic acid treated steel, tin plate, aluminum alloy, etc., and simultaneously curved in the longitudinal direction and both ends of the strip are overlapped with each other. An annular preform is formed. Next, the preform supplying means 12 receives the preform formed by the preform forming means 10 in the holding areas A and B, conveys it in the direction shown by the arrow, and transfers it to the preform receiving area C. transport. On the other hand, the container lid supply means 14 receives the container lid in the holding area D, conveys it in the direction shown by the arrow, and carries it out to the container lid receiving area E. The tension ring forming and joining means 16 receives the preform from the preform supply means 12 in the preform receiving area C, conveys it in the direction shown by the arrow, and then transfers the preform to the container lid supply means in the container lid receiving area E. 14, position the container lid and preform so that the free end of the tear-off tab of the container lid and a portion of the preform overlap each other, and then remove the container lid from curved area F. The tear-off tab of the lid is curved as required, and then the peripheral edge of the preform is radially curled into a ring in the tension ring forming and joining zone G, and the tear-off tab of the container lid is bent into a ring. Involve the two together,
Export to discharge area H. Furthermore, the container lid moving means 18
receives the container lid to which the tension ring is attached from the tension ring and coupling means 16 in the discharge area H, conveys it in the direction of the arrow, and carries it out to the transfer area I. The bond reinforcing means 20 receives the container lid to which the tension ring has been bonded from the container lid transfer means 18 in the transfer zone I, conveys it in the direction of the arrow, and separates the tear-off tab of the container lid and the tension ring in the pressurized deformation zone J. After applying pressure and deformation to the mutually wrapped joint with a part of the joint to strengthen the joint,
Export to delivery area K. Container lid sorting means 22 (described later) sorts the container lids with tension rings conveyed in the direction of the arrow from the bond reinforcing means 20, conveys good products in the direction of the arrow, and conveys defective products in the direction of the dashed arrow. Regarding the configurations and effects of each of the above-mentioned preformed body forming means 10, preformed body supplying means 12, container lid supplying means 14, tension ring forming and joining means 16, container lid transporting means 18, and bonding reinforcement means 20, , patent application No. 58-65285 filed by the present applicant.
(Japanese Patent Publication No. 59-191530), Japanese Patent Application No. 58-65286 (Japanese Patent Publication No. 62-38054), Japanese Patent Application No. 58-65287 (Japanese Patent Publication No. 63-33931), Japanese Patent Application No. 58-65288 ( Tokuko Showa 63
-33932), Japanese Patent Application No. 58-65289 (Special Publication No. 1-
No. 22057), and Japanese Patent Application No. 1983-65290 (Japanese Patent Application No. 1983-
No. 191534).

Next, the container lid sorting means 22 will be explained in detail with reference to FIGS. 2 to 9. In FIGS. 2 and 3, the illustrated container lid sorting means 22
includes a support substrate 24, on which an upstream guide 26 and a downstream guide 28 are attached. Referring to FIG. 4 in conjunction with FIGS. 2 and 3, upstream guide 26 includes a bottom wall member 30, side wall members 32 and 34, and a top wall member 36. As shown in FIG. Both side wall members 32 and 34 are fixed to the upper surface of the bottom wall member 30 at a predetermined interval in the lateral direction (in the vertical direction in FIG. 2, in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the paper in FIG. 3, and in the horizontal direction in FIG. 4). Both sides of the upper wall member 36 are fixed to the upper surfaces of the side wall members 32 and 34. A recess 3 is provided on the lower surface of the upper wall member 36 and communicates with the gap between the side wall members 32 and 34.
8 is formed. Therefore, the bottom wall member 30, the side wall members 32 and 34, and the top wall member 36 define a container lid transfer path 40 having an inverted L-shaped cross section as shown in FIG. The container lid P with a tension ring reinforced by the fourth
The container lid is transferred through the container lid transfer path 40 as shown by the two-dot chain line in the figure. That is, container lid P with tension ring
is transferred with the container lid Q positioned between the inner surfaces of the side wall members 32 and 34 and the ring R positioned between the upper surface of the side wall member 34 and the lower surface of the upper wall member 36. In the specific example, the above-mentioned upstream guide body 26
are fixed to the upper surface of the support substrate 24 via support legs 42 arranged at intervals in the longitudinal direction (left-right direction in FIGS. 2 and 3, direction perpendicular to the paper surface in FIG. 4). There is.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, arrow 44 (second
The downstream guide body 28, which is located on the downstream side as seen in the transport direction of the tension ring container lid P, as shown in FIG. . Two recesses 50 and 52 are formed in the upper surface of the lower block member 46 at intervals in the width direction (in a specific example, as shown in FIG. 2, the recess 50 extends in the longitudinal direction and the recess 52 The upper wall member 48 has recesses 54 and 56 corresponding to the recesses 50 and 52 and communicating with the recesses 50 and 52, respectively. It is formed. Therefore, the lower block member 46 and the upper wall member 48 have an inverted L-shaped first discharge passage 58 (recesses 50 and 54) whose cross-sectional shape is substantially the same as the container lid transfer passage 40.
) and a second discharge passageway 60 (defined by recesses 52 and 56). In a specific example, as will be described later, a good container lid P with a tension ring is transported through the second discharge path 58, and a defective container lid P with a tension ring is transported through the second discharge path 60. In the specific example, the downstream guide plate 28 described above is fixed to the upper surface of the support substrate 24 via support legs 62 arranged at intervals in the longitudinal direction.

A transfer path switching means 64 is disposed between the upstream guide body 26 and the downstream guide plate 28. The illustrated transfer path switching means 64 includes a movable guide body 66 disposed between the upstream guide body 26 and the downstream guide body 28, and the movable guide body 66 is fixed to a lower block member 68 and an upper surface of the lower block member 68. It includes a top wall member 70 that is made of aluminum. A recess 72 is formed in the upper surface of the lower block member 68, and a recess 74 communicating with the recess 72 is formed in the lower surface of the upper wall member 70. Accordingly, the lower block member 68 and the upper wall member 70 define an inverted L-shaped switching transfer path 76 whose cross-sectional shape is substantially the same as the container lid transfer path 40 described above.

The movable guide 66 is rotatably mounted with the upstream side as a fulcrum when viewed in the transfer direction of the container lid P with a tension ring shown by the arrow 44. An actuating mechanism 77 for rotating the 66 is attached. To explain further, an opening is formed in the support substrate 24, and a support member 80 is attached to the opening with attachment screws 78. A shaft member 84 is rotatably mounted on this support member 80 via a sleeve-shaped bearing member 82 . The shaft member 84 is the support member 8
0 and extends vertically through the shaft member 84.
Bearing members 86 and 88 are attached to portions located on both sides of the support member 80 in the vertical direction. The upper end of the shaft member 84 projects upward beyond the bearing member 86, and the base of a lever member 92 of the actuating mechanism 77 is fixed to this projecting upper end with a mounting screw 90. The base of the lever member 92 is further attached to the underside of the lower block member 68 of the movable guide 66 by a mounting screw 94. Further, the lower end side of the shaft member 84 protrudes downward beyond the bearing member 88, and a disc-shaped plate member 9 is provided at the lower end of the protrusion.
Fixing nuts 98 and 100 are attached together with 6. The illustrated actuation mechanism 77 includes a hydraulic cylinder mechanism 102, such as a pneumatic cylinder mechanism.
A connecting member 106 is attached to the output rod 104 of the fluid pressure cylinder mechanism 102, and the connecting member 106 is rotatably connected to the tip of the lever member 92 via a pin member 108. In a specific example,
The fluid pressure cylinder mechanism 102 is composed of a reciprocating type cylinder mechanism, and a first flow path forming means 110 defining a fluid pressure flow path is connected to the base side thereof, and a fluid pressure flow path is defined to the rod side thereof. The second stipulation
A flow path forming means 112 is connected thereto. First channel forming means 110 and second channel forming means 11
2 is connected to an electromagnetic control valve 114, which is connected to a fluid supply source (not shown) such as a compressor via a fluid pressure supply channel (not shown). The electromagnetic control valve 114 is operated and controlled by a control means 115 (FIG. 6), as will be described later, so that the fluid pressure cylinder mechanism 102 is expanded and contracted. In a specific example, further:
As shown in FIG.
0 is rotatably mounted, and the downstream end of the movable guide body 66 of the transfer path switching means 64 (the downstream end when viewed in the transfer direction of the container lid P with a tension ring shown by the arrow 44) is supported by rollers 120. has been done.

Therefore, as can be easily understood from FIG. 2, when the hydraulic cylinder mechanism 102 is in the retracted state, the lever member 92 is located at the angular position shown by the solid line in FIG. The movable guide 66 of the switching means 64 is held in a first position shown in solid lines in FIG. In such a state, via the switching transfer path 76 of the movable guide 66,
The container lid transfer path 40 of the upstream guide 26 and the first discharge path 58 of the downstream guide 28 are connected, and the container lid P with a tension ring transferred through the container lid transfer path 40 is switched. It is carried out through the transfer path 76 and the first discharge path 58. On the other hand, when the fluid pressure cylinder mechanism 102 extends, the lever member 92 is rotated integrally with the shaft member 84 in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. It will be done. In this way, the movable guide body 66 is also rotated counterclockwise in FIG. 2 using the upstream end as a fulcrum, and is positioned at the second position shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. While the movable guide body 66 is moving, the downstream end of the movable guide body 66 is rotated by the rotatable roller 1.
20, the above-mentioned movement is performed smoothly. As described above, the movable guide body 66
is positioned at the second position, the container lid transfer path 40 of the upstream guide plate 26 and the second discharge path 60 of the downstream guide plate 28 are connected via the switching transfer path 76, and the container lid transfer path 40 is connected to the second discharge path 60 of the downstream guide plate 28. The container lid P with tension ring, which has been transferred through the passage 40, is conveyed through the switching transfer passage 76 and the second discharge passage 60. In addition, in the specific example, since the movable guide body 66 is rotated, its downstream end is formed in an arc shape, and the other downstream side guide body 2
An arc-shaped recess is formed at the upstream end of 8.

Referring to FIG. 5 together with FIGS. 2 and 3, the container lid transfer path 40 further includes a container lid P with a tension ring that is transferred through the container lid transfer path 40.
A detection means 116 is provided for detecting the bonding state of the bonding portion of the ring R in the ring R. In a specific example, a detection unit 118 including an area detection means 116 is attached to the upstream end of the upstream guide body 26, and the area detection means 116 is a unit for detecting the joint state of the joint portion of the ring R, that is, the curling state thereof. It is composed of a CCD 122, which is known per se, and a light projecting means 138, which will be described later. More specifically, the detection unit 118 includes side wall members 124 and 126 spaced apart laterally, and between the side wall members 124 and 126 are a lower block member 128 and an upper block member spaced apart in the vertical direction. Member 130 is fixed. Side wall member 124
A recess 132 is further formed on the inner surface and extends in the longitudinal direction (in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the paper in FIG. 5). Therefore, as shown in FIG.
24 and 126, the lower block member 128, and the upper block member 130 define an inverted L-shaped transfer path 134 whose cross-sectional shape is substantially the same as the container lid transfer path 40 described above. When transferred through the transfer path 134 communicating with the container lid transfer path 40, the container lid P with the tension ring is moved between the inner surface of the side wall member 124 and the lower block, as shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. The ring R is transferred between the sides of the member 128 and between the upper surface of the lower block member 128 and the lower surface of the upper block member 130. And in this regard,
In a specific example, a support body 136 is attached to the lower support block member 128, and a CCD 122 is arranged at a predetermined position on the upper surface of the support body 136. Also, CCD
A light projecting means 138 is disposed opposite to the light projecting means 122, and the light projecting means 138 is attached to the upper block member 130. Therefore, the CCD 122 and the light projecting means 13
8 has a positional relationship shown in FIGS. 5 and 7 with respect to the container lid P with a tension ring that is transferred through the transfer path 138 (that is, the connecting portion of the ring R in the container lid P with a tension ring is connected to the CCD 122 The light projecting means 1
The light from 38 is substantially uniformly projected toward the CCD 122, and the CCD 122 detects the area of the joint of the ring R connected to the container lid Q, as will be described later. In connection with the above, a position detection means 140 is further attached to a predetermined position of the side wall member 124. The illustrated position detection means 140 is composed of a combination of a light emitting element and a light receiving element, and the container lid P with a tension ring is transferred through the transfer path 134.
Detect container lid Q. Such position detection means 14
0 has the positional relationship shown in FIGS. 5 and 7 with respect to the CCD 122 (that is, the position detection means 140
is arranged so that when the downstream end of the container lid Q with the tension ring P is detected when viewed in the transfer direction indicated by the arrow 44, the connecting portion of the ring R is located above the approximate center of the CCD 122. There is. As described above, the CCD 122 is connected to the position detection means 14.
0 detects the container lid P with a tension ring and generates a detection signal, the area of the joint portion of the ring R is detected.

Detection signals from the CCD 122 and the position detection means 140 are sent to the control means 115 as shown in FIG.

Referring again to FIG. 2, the above-mentioned container lid sorting means 22 includes movement preventing means 142 for preventing the container lid P with a tension ring from being transferred. The illustrated movement prevention means 142 is the first movement prevention mechanism 1
44a and a second movement prevention mechanism 144b, and the first movement prevention mechanism 144a and the second movement prevention mechanism 144b have substantially the same configuration. The second movement prevention mechanism 144a and the second movement prevention mechanism 1
44b includes fluid pressure cylinder mechanisms 146a and 146b such as pneumatic cylinder mechanisms, and pressing members 148a and 148b are attached to the tips of the output rods of the fluid pressure cylinder mechanisms 146a and 146b. As specifically shown, it is preferable to arrange elastic members made of, for example, a rubber material at the tips of the pressing members 148a and 148b. In the specific example, the fluid pressure cylinder mechanisms 146a and 146b are composed of single-acting cylinder mechanisms, and a third flow path forming means 150a that defines a fluid pressure flow path is connected to the base side of one of the fluid pressure cylinder mechanisms 146a. A fourth flow path forming means 1 defining a fluid pressure flow path is provided at the base end of the other fluid pressure cylinder mechanism 146b.
50b is connected. Third flow path forming means 1
50a is connected to the electromagnetic control valve 152a, and the fourth passage forming means 50b is connected to the electromagnetic control valve 152b, and the electromagnetic control valves 152a and 152b supply the fluid through a fluid pressure supply passage (not shown) Connected to a pressure source (not shown). The electromagnetic control valves 152a and 152b are operated and controlled by the control means 115 (FIG. 6) as will be described later, thereby extending and contracting the fluid pressure cylinder mechanisms 146a and 146b. In the specific example, a rectangular opening 154 is formed in the side wall member 32 so that the pressing members 48a and 148b can protrude into the container lid transfer path 40 of the upstream guide 26.

Therefore, as understood from FIG. 2, the hydraulic cylinder mechanisms 146a and 146b
In the contracted state, the pressing members 148a and 148b push the container lid transfer path 40 of the upstream guide body 26.
2, ie, the non-operating position shown in solid lines in FIG. On the other hand, when the hydraulic cylinder mechanisms 146a and 146b are extended, the pushing members 148a and 148b protrude through the opening 154 into the container lid transfer path 40 and are positioned in the active position, thus pushing the pushing members 14
8a and 148b act on the top surface of the container lid Q of the container lid P with a tension ring that is transferred through the container lid transfer path 40 to prevent its transfer. In the specific example, the transfer prevention means 142 has a first movement prevention mechanism 144a and a second movement prevention mechanism 144b, but if the transfer of the container lid P with a tension ring can be reliably prevented, , can be constructed from a single movement arresting mechanism.

Next, referring mainly to FIG. 2, the effects of the container lid sorting means 22 having the above-described structure will be explained.

The tension formed by curling the preform into a ring in the tension ring forming and joining area G of the tension ring forming and joining means 16 and rolling the tear-off tab of the container lid into this ring. After the container lid with the ring is bonded and strengthened by the bonding reinforcing means 20, it is transferred as shown by the arrow and conveyed to the container lid sorting means 22 (see FIG. 1). The container lid P with a tension ring that is conveyed to the container lid sorting means 22 is of the form shown in FIG. The connecting portion of the ring R is located at a position substantially opposite to the connecting portion of the ring R and the container lid Q.

The container lid P with the tension ring thus transported first passes through the transfer path 134 of the detection unit 118, and during the transfer, the connected state of the connecting portion of the ring R is detected. That is, the position detection means 140 detects the arrow 44 of the container lid Q of the container lid P with a tension ring that is being transferred.
When the downstream end is detected when viewed in the direction shown in FIG. 2, a detection signal is generated. At the same time, the CCD 122 detects the area of the joint of the ring R connected to the container lid Q. To explain in more detail with reference to FIGS. 7 to 9, when the position detection means 140 detects the container lid Q of the container lid P with a tension ring as described above, the ring R coupled to the container lid Q is detected. The joint of
The coupling portion is located above the substantially central portion of the CCD 122, and the light projected onto the CCD 122 from the light projecting means 138 is blocked by this coupling portion. Therefore, as is easily understood, the larger the area of the joint, the more light is blocked by this, in other words, the CCD 122
On the other hand, there is less light blocked by the small area of the joint, in other words, the amount of light projected onto the CCD 122 increases, thus reducing the amount of light projected onto the joint of ring R. The coupling state is detected by the amount of light projected onto the CCD 122. As shown in FIG. 8-A, if the joint of the ring R connected to the container lid Q is in good condition, the light projected from the light projecting means 138 to the CCD 122 will be directed to this joint. Therefore, a predetermined amount of light is blocked, and the CCD 122 generates an output signal shown in FIG. 9-A in accordance with the amount of light received by the CCD 122. That is, the output signal at this time is between the first reference value V ₁ and the second reference value V ₂ which is larger than the first reference value V ₁ , and the CCD 122 has the area of the coupling portion set to the first predetermined area. It is detected that the coupling portion of the ring R is within a predetermined range between the value and a second predetermined value that is larger than the first predetermined value, in other words, that the coupling portion of the ring R is coupled as required. On the other hand, if the joint of the ring R connected to the container lid Q is poorly coupled as shown in FIG. 8-B, the light projected from the light projecting means 138 to the CCD 122 is According to the amount of light received by the CCD 122, the CCD 122 generates an output signal shown in FIG. 9-B. That is, at this time, the output signal exceeds the second reference value _V2 , and the CCD 122 detects that the area of the coupling portion is greater than or equal to the second predetermined value, in other words, the coupling portion is defective. Generate a signal. Further, as shown in Fig. 8-C, when the ring R is not coupled to the container lid Q, the light from the light projecting means 138 is not blocked and the CCD
According to the amount of light received by CCD 122, CCD 122 generates an output signal shown in FIG. 9-C. That is, the output signal at this time is smaller than the first reference value _V1 ,
The CCD 122 has an area of the above-mentioned joint part that is less than or equal to the first predetermined value.
detects that they are not coupled and generates a no-ring signal.

When the area detection means 116 detects that the ring R of the container lid P with a tension ring being transferred is in a good state as described above, the container lid P with a tension ring is transferred as follows. be done. That is, the movable guide body 66 of the transfer path switching means 64 is
Therefore, the container lid P with the tension ring is located in the first position shown by the solid line in FIG.
6 and further through the first discharge passage 58 of the downstream guide plate 28 in the direction indicated by the arrow 156.

On the other hand, the ring R of the container lid P with a tension ring to which the area detection means 116 is transferred as described above.
If it is detected that the connection state of the container lid P is poor (including the case where the ring R is not connected to the container lid Q), the container lid P with the tension ring is transferred as follows. That is, when the area detection means 116 generates a coupling failure signal (or no-ring signal), the control means 115 (FIG. 6) generates an abnormal signal based on the coupling failure signal (or no-ring signal). When the abnormal signal is generated, the control means 115 first opens the electromagnetic control valve 152a of the first movement prevention mechanism 144a after a predetermined time _t1 has elapsed, and then opens the second movement prevention mechanism 144b after a certain period of time has elapsed. The solenoid control valve 152b is opened. The predetermined time t ₁ mentioned above is
This corresponds to the time it takes for the container lid P with a tension ring detected by the area detection means 116 to be transferred from a position above the area detection means 116 to a position facing the pressing member 148a of the first movement prevention mechanism 144a. . When the electromagnetic control valves 152a and 152b are opened, fluid pressure is supplied to the fluid pressure cylinder mechanisms 146a and 146b through the third fluid pressure flow path and the fourth fluid flow path, and the fluid pressure cylinder mechanism 14
6a and 146b are expanded. In this way, the pressing members 148a attached to those output rods
and 148b are positioned in the operating position protruding into the container lid transfer path 40 through the opening 154 of the upstream guide body 26, and the pressing member 148a (or 148b)
acts on the container lid Q of the defective container lid P with the tension ring and presses the top surface thereof, thus preventing the container lid P with the tension ring from being transferred. In addition, in the specific example, since the solenoid control valve 152b is opened after a certain period of time after the solenoid control valve 152a is opened, a defect detected by the area detection means 116 as a coupling failure. Pressing member 148a of first movement prevention mechanism 144a located on the upstream side when viewed in the direction indicated by arrow 44
Even if the container lid P with a defective tension ring is passed through, the transfer is blocked by the pressing member 148b of the second movement blocking mechanism 144b located downstream thereof, and the movement blocking means 142 reliably blocks the movement of the defective container lid P with a tension ring. .

Next, the control means 115 operates the electromagnetic control valve 114 after a predetermined time _t2 has passed after opening the electromagnetic control valves 152a and 152b, thereby connecting the fluid pressure supply channel (not shown) and the first fluid pressure channel. do. This predetermined time t ₂ is longer than the defective container lid P with a tension ring when viewed in the transfer direction shown by the arrow 44 when the transfer of the defective container lid P with a tension ring is prevented by the movement prevention means 142. The container lid P with a tension ring present on the non-flow side passes through the switching transfer path 76 and moves to the first
This corresponds to the time it takes for the liquid to be transferred to the discharge path 58. When the fluid pressure supply channel and the first fluid pressure channel are connected, fluid pressure is supplied to the base side of the fluid pressure cylinder mechanism 102 through the first fluid pressure channel, and the fluid pressure cylinder mechanism 102 Stretched. As a result, the lever member 92 of the actuating mechanism 77 is rotated as described above and positioned at the angular position shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. They are rotated together and positioned at the second position shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG.

Next, the control means 115 controls the electromagnetic control valve 114
Solenoid control valve 1 is activated after a predetermined time _t3 has elapsed after activating
52a and 152b are closed. This predetermined time t ₃
is the time required for the hydraulic cylinder mechanism 102 to expand, in other words, the time required for the movable guide body 66 to move from the first position shown by the solid line in FIG. 2 to the second position shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. This corresponds to the time required. When the electromagnetic control valves 152a and 152b are closed, the fluid pressure cylinders 146a and 146b are contracted, and the pressing members 148a and 148b are positioned from the working position to the non-working position. In this way, the defective container lid P with a tension ring whose movement was prevented by the movement prevention means 142 becomes movable, and this container lid P with a tension ring is moved between the switching transfer path 76 of the movable guide 66 and the downstream. Through the second discharge passage 60 of the side guide plate 28 the dashed line arrow 158
It will be transported in the direction shown. In this way, the defective tension ring-equipped container lid P is reliably removed by the action of the transfer path switching means 64.

After that, the control means 115 controls the electromagnetic control valve 152.
After a predetermined time _t4 has elapsed after closing the valves a and 152b, the solenoid control valve 152a is opened in the same manner as described above.
After some time has passed, the electromagnetic control valve 152b
to open. This predetermined time t ₄ is the time when the movement prevention means 1
The defective container lid P with a tension ring whose movement was prevented by the pressing members 148a and 148b
This corresponds to the time required to pass in front of. When the electromagnetic control valves 152a and 152b are opened, the hydraulic cylinder mechanisms 146a and 14 are opened as described above.
6b is extended, and the pressing members 148a and 148b
is positioned from the non-working position to the working position. In this way, the movement of the tension ring-equipped container lid P (usually a good product) that is located upstream of the defective tension ring-equipped container lid as seen in the transfer direction indicated by the arrow 44 is prevented as described above.

Next, the control means 115 controls the electromagnetic control valve 152
After a predetermined time _t5 has elapsed after opening a and 152b, the electromagnetic control valve 114 is operated to connect a fluid pressure supply source (not shown) and the second fluid pressure flow path. The above-mentioned predetermined time t ₅ is determined by the tension ring-equipped container lid P that is located downstream in the transfer direction shown by the arrow 44 than the tension ring-equipped container lid P whose movement is prevented by the movement prevention means 142. This corresponds to the time it takes for the liquid to pass through the switching transfer path 76 and be transferred to the second discharge path 60. When the fluid pressure supply channel and the second fluid pressure channel are connected, fluid pressure is supplied to the rod side of the fluid pressure cylinder mechanism 102 through the second fluid pressure channel, and the fluid pressure cylinder mechanism 102 Shrunken. In this way, the lever member 9 of the actuation mechanism 77
2 is rotated clockwise in FIG. 2 and positioned at the angular position shown by the solid line in FIG. The first point shown by the solid line in Figure 2
It is located at the position of

Thereafter, the control means 115 controls the electromagnetic control valve 114
After a predetermined time _t6 has elapsed after the actuation, the electromagnetic control valves 152a and 152b are closed again. This predetermined time _t6 corresponds to the time required for the fluid pressure cylinder mechanism 102 to contract, in other words, the time required for the movable guide body 66 to move from the second position to the first position. is substantially the same as the predetermined time t ₃ (the time required for the movable guide body 66 to move from the first position to the second position). Solenoid control valves 152a and 15
2b is closed, the hydraulic cylinder mechanism 146
a and 146b are retracted, and pressing members 148a and 148b are positioned in the non-operating position as described above. In this way, the tension ring-equipped container lid P whose movement was prevented by the movement prevention means 142 becomes movable, and the following tension ring-equipped container lid P reverts to the switching transfer path 76 and the first discharge path 5.
8 in the direction indicated by arrow 156.
In the specific example, the container lid P with a tension ring is configured to be transferred by pneumatic pressure.

As described above, in the container lid sorting means 22 described above, the container lid P with a tension ring whose joint part of the ring R is in a good joint state (that is, is a good product) is passed through the first discharge path 58. was carried out,
In addition, since the tension ring-equipped container lid P in which the joint of the ring R is poorly connected (that is, it is a defective product) is carried out through the second discharge path 60, the ring R in the tension ring-equipped container lid P is It is possible to detect the bonding state and reliably exclude defective ones.

In particular, since the container lid sorting means 22 includes the position detecting means 140 and the area detecting means 116, the area of the ring R is always detected at a predetermined position, and the combined state, that is, the curling state thereof is detected. generates a signal indicating whether or not is appropriate;
Container lids P with tension rings can be sorted accurately and at high speed.

The container lid P with a tension ring may not only be damaged if the ring R is missing, but also if the curling condition is inappropriate as a product even if the ring R is connected to the container lid Q. These can be reliably selected as defective products.

In addition, in a specific example, the area detection means 116
Movement blocking means 14 is provided between the transfer path switching means 64 and the transfer path switching means 64.
2, and the operation of the movement prevention means 142 is controlled as described above, so that clogging (so-called jam) of the container lid P with a tension ring that occurs when the transfer path switching means 64 is moved can be prevented. Can be done.
Although a specific example of a device configured according to the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to this specific example, and various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. be.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a simplified plan view showing one specific example of a device constructed in accordance with the present invention. FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway plan view showing the container lid sorting means of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1;
3 is a partially cutaway side view of the container lid sorting means of FIG. 2; FIG. Figure 4 shows - in Figure 2.
Cross-sectional view along lines. Figure 5 shows - in Figure 2.
Cross-sectional view along lines. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a control system of the container lid sorting means of FIG. 2. 7 is a diagram showing the positional relationship between the area detecting means, the position detecting means, and the container lid with a tension ring to be transferred in the container lid sorting means of FIG. 2. FIG. Figures 8-A to 8-C are, respectively,
The figure which shows the relationship between a detection means and a container lid with a good tension ring, a container lid with a tension ring that is poorly connected, and a container lid with no ring. Figures 9-A to 9-C are
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing output signals of the detection means when detecting a good container lid with a tension ring, a poorly connected container lid with a tension ring, and a no-ring container lid, respectively. 10... Preformed body forming means, 16... Tension ring forming and joining means, 22... Container lid sorting means,
26...Upstream guide body, 28...Downstream guide body,
40... Container lid transfer path, 58... First discharge path,
60... second discharge path, 64... transfer path switching means, 66... movable guide body, 76... switching transfer path,
77... Actuation mechanism, 115... Control means, 116
... Area detection means, 118 ... Detection unit, 1
42...Movement prevention member, P...Container lid with tension ring, Q...Container lid, R...Ring.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A preformed body forming means for forming a substantially cylindrical annular preformed body having both ends overlapped with each other by shearing and simultaneously bending a strip from an end of a thin metal plate; positioning the container lid and the preform such that the free end of the tear-off tab of the container lid and a portion of the preform are in an overlapping relationship; simultaneously forming a metal tension ring comprising tension ring forming and coupling means for radially curling the peripheral edge to form a ring and for rolling the tear tab into the ring to couple the two; In an apparatus for joining a container lid; comprising a container lid sorting means for sorting container lids with tension rings formed by the tension ring forming and joining means, the container lid sorting means having a position detecting means and an area detecting means. and the position detection means detects the position of the container lid at which the connecting portion of the ring of the tension ring-equipped container lid has a predetermined positional relationship with respect to the area detection means, and generates a detection signal. The area detecting means detects the area of the connecting part of the ring of the container lid with a tension ring when the position detecting means generates the detection signal, and the area of the connecting part of the ring is
A no-ring signal is generated when the area is equal to or less than a first predetermined value, and a coupling failure signal is generated when the area of the coupling portion of the ring is equal to or greater than a second predetermined value, which is larger than the first predetermined value by a predetermined amount. The apparatus is characterized in that the container lid sorting means sorts the container lids with tension rings based on the no-ring signal or the connection failure signal. 2. The container lid sorting means further includes a container lid transfer path through which the container lid with a tension ring is transferred, a first discharge path, a second discharge path, a container lid transfer path and the first
disposed between the discharge passage and the second discharge passage,
Transfer path switching means connects the container lid transfer path and the first discharge path when in the first position, and connects the allower lid transfer path and the second discharge path when in the second position. an actuation mechanism for selectively positioning the transfer path switching means in the first position and the second position; and a control means for controlling the actuation mechanism based on a signal from the area detection means. and the area detection means is disposed in the container lid transfer path, and the transfer path switching means is normally located in the first position, such that the container lid with tension ring is removed from the container lid transfer path. When the control means generates the abnormality signal based on the signal from the area detection means, the transfer path switching means is activated by the actuating mechanism based on the abnormality signal. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the device is positioned in a second position, such that the tension ring container lid is transferred from the container lid transfer path through the second evacuation path. 3. The container lid sorting means includes an upstream guide body in which the container lid transfer path is defined, and a downstream guide body in which the first discharge path and the second discharge path are defined, and the operating mechanism Accordingly, the transfer path switching means selectively positioned at the first position and the second position moves the movable guide body disposed between the upstream guide body and the downstream guide body. The movable guide body communicates between the container lid transfer path and the first discharge path when in the first position and connects the container lid transfer path and the second discharge path when in the second position. A switching transfer path communicating with the discharge path is defined, and the movable guide moves between the first position and the second position using the upstream end as a fulcrum when viewed in the transfer direction of the container lid with a tension ring. 3. The device according to claim 2, wherein the device is movably mounted. 4. The actuation mechanism includes a telescoping hydraulic cylinder mechanism and a lever member fixed to the movable guide;
The output side of the hydraulic cylinder mechanism is rotatably connected to the tip of the lever member, and the movable guide body is selectively moved to the first position and the second position by expansion and contraction of the hydraulic cylinder mechanism. The device according to claim 3, which is located in: 5. The container lid sorting means further has an operating position that is disposed between the area detection means and the transfer path switching means and projects into the container lid transfer path to prevent the container lid with the tension ring from being transferred. 5. A device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, further comprising movement blocking means selectively located in the container lid transfer path and in an inactive position retracted from the container lid transfer path. 6. The movement prevention means is operated and controlled by a control means, and when the control means generates the abnormal signal, (a)
After a predetermined period of time has elapsed, the movement blocking means is positioned from the inactive position to the active position, and (b) the container lid with the tension ring being transferred toward the first discharge path passes through the transfer path switching means. (c) then positioning the movement blocking means in the non-operating position to remove the tension ring blocked by the movement blocking means; (d) thereafter, positioning the movement blocking means at the operating position;
(E) Further, after the container lid with the tension ring being transferred toward the second discharge path passes through the transfer path switching means, the transfer path switching means is positioned at the first position; 6. The device according to claim 5, which controls the operation of the movement blocking means to position it in the non-operating position. 7. The movement prevention means includes a telescopic fluid pressure cylinder mechanism and a pressing member attached to the output side of the fluid pressure cylinder mechanism, and the pressing member is moved to the operating position by expansion and contraction of the fluid pressure cylinder mechanism. Claim 5 selectively located in the non-operative position
The device according to paragraph 6 or paragraph 6.