JP2003341629A - Apparatus for removing waterdrop on container - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an apparatus for removing waterdrops on a container capable of removing the waterdrops stuck on a cap and a ring part existing on a cap mounting part of the container over a wide range by a small number of nozzles. <P>SOLUTION: The apparatus for removing the waterdrops stuck on the container 1 carried by a conveyor 4 is provided with a nozzle unit 5 installed above the container 1 carried by the conveyor 4 and jetting air toward the container 1. The nozzle unit 5 is connected with a driving device 15 and comprises a rotating shaft 9 rotatable around a shaft center, and a plurality of the nozzles 11 supported by the rotating shaft 9 and provided at a position separated in the radial direction from the shaft center of the rotating shaft 9 and jetting air toward the cap 2 of the container 1. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a water drop removing device for a container, and more particularly to a water drop removing device for a container that removes water drops attached to a ring portion or the like of a cap and a cap mounting portion of the container.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A container inspecting apparatus for inspecting a container conveyed by a conveyor by image pickup during conveyance is conventionally known. This container inspection device includes a device that performs an external appearance inspection of a cap attached to the mouth of a container by imaging. In this device, the cap inspection is performed by scanning an image and comparing the brightness of each pixel to determine the cap Judge good or bad. In this case, if water droplets are attached to the cap, the water droplets appear dark, so an erroneous determination is made. For this reason, a plurality of air nozzles for ejecting air (compressed air) are fixedly arranged on both sides of the container along the conveyor conveying path on the upstream side of the inspection device so as not to interfere with container conveyance, and each part of the cap is fixed. The air blowing direction of the nozzle is set to various directions so that the air is hit to the air, and the air is applied to the cap of the container being conveyed to remove the water droplets.

[0003]

However, the above-mentioned conventional water drop removing device has the following problems. (1) In order to effectively remove water droplets from various parts of the container, it is necessary to install a large number of nozzles. (2) Since the number of nozzles is large, the flow rate of air consumed is large and the scale of the air supply device is large. (3) The number of nozzles that can be installed in the front and rear portions of the container in the transport direction is physically smaller than in both side portions of the container, and the nozzle positions need to be far apart, so the air pressure is attenuated. As a result, the ability to remove water droplets weakens. (4) When the water drops from the specific portion cannot be removed by the air from the nozzle installed to remove the water droplets from the specific portion, the water droplets from the specific portion will remain. In order to remove the remaining water droplets, nozzles aiming at the same site must be installed in duplicate at the downstream position of the transport path. Thus, if the nozzles are redundantly installed, the number of nozzles will increase, the installation space and cost will increase, and the scale of the air supply device will further increase. (5) When the shape of the container is changed, it is troublesome to change the arrangement of the nozzles installed in each part and then rearrange the nozzles according to the container.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and removes water droplets adhering to a cap portion of a container and a ring portion of a mounting portion of the cap with a small number of nozzles over a wide range. It is an object of the present invention to provide a device for removing water droplets from a container capable of performing the above.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a first aspect of the present invention is an apparatus for removing water droplets adhering to a container conveyed by a conveyor, wherein the container is conveyed above the container conveyed by the conveyor. A nozzle unit that ejects air toward the container, the nozzle unit being connected to a drive device and rotatable about an axis; and the axis of the axis supported by the rotation shaft. It is characterized by comprising a plurality of nozzles which are provided at positions further separated in the radial direction and eject air toward the cap of the container. According to one aspect of the present invention, a plurality of the nozzle units are installed along a convey path of the conveyor.

According to the present invention, the plurality of containers are sequentially conveyed by the conveyor at predetermined intervals. During this conveyance, the container passes below the nozzle unit. During this passage, air (air) ejected from a plurality of nozzles rotating around the axis of the rotating shaft is blown onto the outer periphery of the cap. That is, since each nozzle blows air to the cap while rotating around the cap, the area where each nozzle blows air to the cap increases dramatically as compared with the fixed nozzle. Therefore, the number of nozzles can be reduced as compared with the fixed nozzle. Further, since the nozzle blows air repeatedly to a specific portion of the container, it is possible to effectively remove water droplets, and it is not necessary to increase the number of nozzles, so that the entire device can be made compact. Become.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the cap is tightened and fixed to the cap mounting portion of the container by a screw,
The outer surface of the cap is formed with a ridge portion and a valley portion along a screw, and the rotation direction of the nozzle unit coincides with the screw tightening direction of the cap. According to the present invention, the nozzle unit is rotated in the tightening direction of the screw of the cap when the outer surface of the cap has the ridges and the valleys along the screw.
This allows the water droplets attached to the cap to flow downward along the valleys of the cap, and the water droplets attached to the cap can be reliably removed.

A second aspect of the present invention is an apparatus for removing water droplets attached to a container conveyed by a conveyor,
It has a nozzle which is arranged on the side of the container conveyed by the conveyor and ejects air toward the ring part of the container, and a suction port which is arranged in the opposite direction to the nozzle across the container and faces the ring part of the container. And a suction unit for sucking air. According to one aspect of the invention,
It is characterized in that it is provided with a nozzle that is installed on the side of the suction part and that ejects air toward the ring part of the container.

According to the present invention, since air (air) is blown from the nozzle to one side surface side of the ring portion of the container and water droplets are collected on the opposite side of the ring portion and sucked from the suction port, they are attached to the ring portion of the container. The formed water drops can be reliably removed.
In addition, air is blown toward the water droplets collected on the suction port side of the ring portion of the container, and after a force is applied in the direction opposite to the direction in which the water droplets are collected to facilitate separation of the water droplets,
By sucking the water droplet from the suction port, the water droplet attached to the ring portion of the container can be reliably removed.

[0010]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION A first embodiment of a water drop removing apparatus for a container according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. FIG. 1 is a front view showing the overall structure of a water drop removing device for a container, and FIG. 2 is a side view of the water drop removing device for a container.
FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a main part of the water drop removing device of the container.
The water drop removing device for a container according to the present invention is installed on the upstream side of the container inspection device for inspecting the container by imaging. In the present embodiment, a plastic bottle will be described as an example of a type of container. As shown in FIG. 1, a plastic cap 2 is attached to the mouth of a container 1 made of a plastic bottle. The cap mounting portion of the container 1 is formed with a brim-shaped ring portion 3 protruding radially from the mouth portion. The container 1 is conveyed by the conveyor 4 at a predetermined speed in the direction of arrow A. As shown in FIG. 2, guide rails 20 are installed along both sides of the transport path of the container 1 on both sides of the transport path.

As shown in FIG. 1, the water drop removing device for a container is provided along a conveying path of a conveyor 4, and a plurality of nozzles are arranged above the container 1 conveyed by the conveyor 4 at intervals. The unit 5 is provided (four nozzle units are provided in the example shown in FIG. 1). As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, each nozzle unit 5 includes a frame 6 provided above the transport path.
It is fixed to. Each nozzle unit 5 has a rotating shaft 9 rotatably supported by a bearing housing 8 that houses a bearing 7, a nozzle holder 10 fixed to the lower end of the rotating shaft 9, a center of the nozzle holder 10, that is, Rotating shaft 9
And a plurality of nozzles 11 provided on a predetermined circumference that is radially separated from the axis of the. The plurality of nozzles 11 are inclined inward in the radial direction so that the beam-shaped or linear air (compressed air) ejected from the plurality of nozzles 11 intersects at a point O that extends the axis of the rotating shaft 9 downward. ing. A rotary joint 13 is connected to the upper end of the rotary shaft 9 via a coupling 12. Rotary joint 13
Is connected to a compressed air source (not shown). Also,
A pulley 14 is fixed to the rotary shaft 9 of each nozzle unit 5.

As shown in FIG. 3, each nozzle unit 5
Is provided with six nozzles 11 provided at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction. And four nozzle units 5
Two drive devices 15 are installed on the side of the. A pulley 14 fixed to the rotating shafts 9 of the two nozzle units 5.
A belt 18 is wound around the pulley 17 fixed to the rotation shaft of the motor 16 of the drive unit 15. Therefore, by driving the motor 16 of the drive device 15,
The rotating shafts 9 of the two nozzle units 5 are rotated,
The six nozzles 11 fixed to the rotary shaft 9 rotate together. Transport speed of conveyor 4 is 63m /
In the case of min (the processing capacity at this time is 600 bpm (the number of containers processed per minute)), the rotation speed of the nozzle 11 is preferably 1200 to 1300 rpm. When increasing the container processing capacity, it is not always necessary to increase the rotation speed, and for example, even with a treatment of 900 bpm, water droplets can be removed at the same nozzle rotation speed.

On the other hand, the air (air) from the compressed air source is the rotary joint 13, the rotary shaft 9 and the nozzle holder 1.
It is supplied to each nozzle 11 via the communication passages 9a and 10a in 0. When the number of nozzles 11 is 30 to 35, the amount of air blown onto the cap 2 of the container 1 is 0.5M.
It is 3000 l (liter) with Pa compressed air. If the pressure of the air blown per unit area is high, water droplets are easily removed. Therefore, it is possible to remove the water droplets by blowing high pressure air over the entire surface of the cap. However, if air is blown over the entire surface of the cap, the amount of air blown becomes large, which is not economical, and also causes conveyance resistance when the container 1 is conveyed by the conveyor 4. Therefore, it is preferable that the air ejected from the nozzle and blown onto the cap is blown onto the cap in a beam shape or a linear shape so as not to diffuse.

Next, the operation of the water drop removing device for a container constructed as described above will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the plurality of containers 1 are sequentially conveyed by a conveyor 4 at predetermined intervals. The container 1 passes under each nozzle unit 5 during this conveyance. When passing through this, as shown in FIG. 2, the outer periphery of the cap 2 is sprayed with air ejected from the six nozzles 11 rotating around the axis of the rotating shaft 9. That is, since each nozzle 11 blows air to the cap 2 while rotating around the cap 2, the area where each nozzle 11 blows air to the cap 2 increases dramatically as compared with the fixed nozzle. Therefore,
The number of nozzles can be reduced as compared with the fixed nozzle.
The air ejected from the four nozzle units 5 is sequentially blown to each container 1 while being conveyed by the conveyor 4. That is, since air is blown repeatedly to the specific portion including the front and rear portions of the cap 2 of the container 1 in the transport direction, the water droplets can be reliably removed from the cap 2.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view showing the relationship with the nozzle unit in the case where the outer surface of the cap 2 has a ridge portion and a valley portion along the screw. As shown in FIG. 4, the cap 2 is fastened and fixed to the cap mounting portion of the container with a screw. Further, a mountain portion 2a and a valley portion 2b along the screw of the cap 2 are formed on the outer surface of the cap 2. To remove water droplets from the cap 2 having the above-described configuration, the nozzle unit 5 is rotated in the screw tightening direction of the cap 2. That is, in the example shown in FIG. 4, the nozzle unit 5 is rotated in the clockwise direction B. This allows the water droplets 30 attached to the cap 2 to flow downward along the valleys 2b of the cap 2, and the water droplets attached to the cap 2 can be reliably removed.

Next, the second embodiment of the water drop removing apparatus for containers according to the present invention.
Embodiments will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. Figure 5
FIG. 6 is a side view having a partial cross section of a water drop removing device for a container, and FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view taken along line VV of FIG. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, in addition to the water droplet removal mechanism of the cap shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, water droplet removal of a ring portion for removing water droplets attached to the ring portion 3 of the cap mounting portion of the container is performed. It has a mechanism. In the following description, only the water droplet removing mechanism of the ring portion will be described. The water droplet removal mechanism of the ring part holds three fixed nozzles 21 arranged on the side of the ring part 3 of the container 1 conveyed by the conveyor 4 and the three fixed nozzles 21 supported by the frame 6. The nozzle holder 22 and the suction portion 24 provided on the opposite side of the three fixed nozzles 21 and having the suction port 23 for sucking the air ejected from the fixed nozzles 21. That is, the fixed nozzle 21 and the suction unit 24 are installed to face each other with the transport path of the conveyor 4 interposed therebetween. The fixed nozzle 21 is connected to a compressed air source (not shown), and the suction section 24 is connected to a suction device such as a blower (not shown).

A little above the suction part 24, the suction port 2
An elongated nozzle 26 that blows air onto the ring portion 3 from the 3 side is installed. The nozzle 26 is connected to a compressed air source (not shown). Two sets of the water drop removing mechanism of the ring portion shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 are provided at predetermined intervals along the transport direction of the conveyor 4. in this case,
The fixed nozzle 21 and the suction port 23 in the two sets are installed at positions opposite to each other.

In the above structure, in addition to water droplets originally attached to the ring portion 3, water droplets removed from the cap 2 may attach to the ring portion 3, but the fixed nozzle 2
By blowing air (compressed air) from 1 onto one side surface of the ring portion 3, water droplets are collected on the suction port 23 side opposite to the fixed nozzle 21. Then, air is blown from the nozzle 26 toward the water droplets collected on the side of the suction port 23, and a force in the opposite direction is applied to the water droplets collected on the side of the suction port 23 so that the water droplets are swung and easily separated from the ring portion 3. In this state, the suction port 23 sucks the water droplets.

The above-mentioned operation is repeated by the water drop removing mechanism of the two sets of ring parts on the upstream side and the downstream side. In this case, the two sets of water drop removing mechanisms blow air and suck air from both sides of the transport path of the container 1,
Moreover, the directions of air blowing and suction in these two sets of water droplet removing mechanisms are opposite to each other. Therefore, the water droplets adhering to the ring portion 3 of the container 1 are reliably removed by the two sets of water droplet removing mechanisms.

[0020]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the effects listed below can be obtained. (1) Since the nozzle that ejects air rotates, the area in which one nozzle blows air on the container is larger than that of a fixed nozzle, so a small number of nozzles can remove a wide range of water droplets. . Therefore, the amount of air consumed can be saved. (2) Since the nozzle blows air many times on the front and rear portions of the container in the conveying direction, water droplets can be effectively removed. (3) Since the nozzle blows air to the specific part of the container many times, it is possible to effectively remove water droplets, and it is not necessary to increase the number of nozzles, so the entire device can be made compact. Becomes (4) Since the nozzle does not aim at a specific part of the container, even if the shape of the container changes, the device can move the height of the nozzle according to the height of the container, so that the mold can be easily changed.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the following effects can be obtained. (1) Blow air from one side of the ring part of the container,
Since water droplets are collected on the opposite side of the ring portion and sucked from the suction port, it is possible to reliably remove the water droplets attached to the ring portion of the container. (2) Air is blown toward the water droplets collected on the suction port side of the ring of the container to apply a force in the direction opposite to the direction in which the water droplets are collected to facilitate separation of the water droplets, and then from the suction port. By sucking the water droplet, the water droplet attached to the ring portion of the container can be reliably removed.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing the overall configuration of a water droplet removal device for a container according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the water droplet removal device for the container shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a main part of the water droplet removal device for the container shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view showing a relationship with a nozzle unit when a ridge portion and a valley portion along a screw are formed on the outer surface of the cap.

FIG. 5 is a side view having a partial cross section of a water droplet removal device for a container according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VV of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 container 2 cap 2a Yamabe 2b Tanibe 3 Ring part 4 conveyor 5 nozzle unit 6 frames 7 bearings 8 Bearing housing 9 rotation axis 9a, 10a communication passage 10,22 Nozzle holder 11, 24, 26 nozzles 12 Coupling 13 Rotary joint 14,17 pulley 15 Drive 16 motor 18 belts 20 Guide rail 21 Fixed nozzle 23 Suction port 24 Suction section 30 water drops

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A device for removing water droplets adhering to a container conveyed by a conveyor, comprising a nozzle unit installed above the container conveyed by the conveyor and ejecting air toward the container, the nozzle unit being driven. A rotating shaft that is connected to the device and is rotatable about an axis, and a plurality of members that are supported by the rotating shaft and that are provided at positions radially separated from the axis of the rotating shaft and that eject air toward the cap of the container. A device for removing water droplets from a container, characterized in that it comprises a nozzle. 2. The water droplet removing apparatus for a container according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the nozzle units are installed along a conveying path of the conveyor. 3. The cap is tightened and fixed to a cap mounting portion of a container by a screw, and a ridge portion and a valley portion along the screw are formed on an outer surface of the cap, and a rotation direction of the nozzle unit is the cap. 3. The tightening direction of the screw of No. 1 is the same as that of No. 1 or 2.
A device for removing water droplets from the container described. 4. A device for removing water droplets adhering to a container conveyed by a conveyor, wherein a container is sandwiched between a nozzle arranged laterally of the container conveyed by the conveyor and ejecting air toward a ring portion of the container. And a suction unit that has a suction port that is arranged in the opposite direction to the nozzle and that faces the ring portion of the container and that sucks air. 5. The water droplet removing apparatus for a container according to claim 4, further comprising a nozzle installed on the suction portion side and ejecting air toward a ring portion of the container.