JP2007031061A - Container transfer device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a container transport device for transporting PET bottles having different diameters without damaging the buttocks.
SOLUTION: A pair of side walls 32 arranged opposite to both sides in the transport direction of a container to be transported w and extending in the transport direction, and integrally provided on each of these side walls and extending in the facing direction, and inside The hook locking member 33 is provided so that the ends are spaced apart from each other, and an opening through which the neck portion is inserted is formed in the gap between the inner wall end portions in the transport direction so as to be able to contact and separate from each other. And an air supply path 320 that is provided on the side wall, the hook part locking member, or below them, and jets pressurized air toward the lower surface side of the hook part. Furthermore, the 1st locking member 34 which locks a collar part locking member in the 1st position of the contact / separation direction, and the 2nd position which made the collar part locking members spaced apart rather than this 1st position And a support member 36 that supports the collar locking member so as to be movable between the first position and the second position.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a container transport device for transporting lightweight bottles such as PET bottles.

  Conventionally, as the container transport device for transporting the lightweight bottle, as shown in FIG. 3, an air chamber 90 provided on both sides and above the neck portion w1 of the transported container w, A wall surface 91 formed at the boundary with the container to be transported and extending in the transport direction of the container to be transported, and fixed to the wall surface 91 to support the lower surface of the flange w10 formed on the neck portion w1 of the container to be transported. It is schematically constituted by a conveyance area surrounded by the hook locking member 93 and an opening 92 formed in the wall surface 91.

  According to this container transport device, the pressurized air in the air chamber 90 is ejected from the opening 92 formed in the wall surface 91, and is enclosed by the wall surface 91 and the flange locking member 93 to have a closed region. By supplying the transport region downward or laterally and in the transport direction, the transport container w can be advanced in the transport direction while pressing the collar w10 of the transported container w against the neck rail 93.

However, in the container transport device, in order to realize the transport by the above-described pressurized air, the transport region needs to have a certain closed region, and the hook locking member 93 is Are fixed to the wall surface 91.
On the other hand, the diameter of the container to be transported is not limited to one type (for example, there are two types of PET bottles, φ26.3 mm and φ34.4 mm). For this reason, there existed a problem that the to-be-conveyed container w from which an aperture differs could not be conveyed.
Furthermore, there is a problem that the lower surface of the flange portion w10 is damaged because the container w is moved forward in the transport direction while pressing the flange w10 of the container to be transported w against the neck rail 93. In addition, the neck rail 93 is also nicked by the container to be transported w, and the neck rail 93 is not only worn, but also has a problem that the transport becomes unstable.
In addition, there exists patent document 1 as a related patent application.

JP-A-5-319567

  Accordingly, the present invention provides a container transport device that can transport PET bottles having different diameters and can extend the life by minimizing the wear of the neck rail without scratching the collar of the transported container. The purpose is to do.

  The invention according to claim 1 is a container transport device for transporting in a transport direction a transported container having a neck formed on the neck portion, and is disposed opposite to both sides of the transport direction of the transport container, the transport direction A pair of side walls extending to each other, provided integrally with each of these side walls and extending in the opposite direction, with inner ends spaced apart from each other, and the neck between the inner wall ends. An opening through which the part is inserted is formed continuously in the transport direction, and the hook part locking member provided so as to be able to contact and separate from each other, and the side wall, An apparatus main body provided with a flange locking member or an air supply path provided below them for ejecting pressurized air toward the lower surface side of the flange, and the flange locking member of the apparatus main body A first locking member that locks at the first position in the contact and separation direction; and A second locking member that locks the collar locking member at a second position that is spaced apart from the first position, and the collar locking member between the first position and the second position. And a supporting member that is movably supported between the container conveying devices.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the container transfer device according to the first aspect, the first locking member and the second locking member are formed with respect to an opening formed by the flange locking member. Are arranged at symmetrical positions, and the support members are respectively provided on the left and right flange locking members, and the support members cause the flange locking members to be moved from the first position to the second position. It is characterized in that it is moved symmetrically with respect to the position.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the container transport device according to the first or second aspect, the air supply path is provided in the side wall, the flange locking member, and the main body of the device, Pressurized air is jetted into a closed space surrounded by a ceiling plate that covers the upper part of the neck of the container.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the pressurized air is ejected toward the lower surface side of the flange portion by the air supply path, and the transfer container is floated on the flange locking member while being added. By transporting the pressurized air in the transport direction, the container to be transported can be transported in the transport direction.
At this time, the hook locking member is moved using the supporting means and locked to the first locking member or the second locking member by the diameter of the neck portion of the transported container. It can be locked in the first position or the second position. For this reason, the to-be-conveyed container of two types of diameters can be conveyed.

Furthermore, since the side wall and the hook locking member are integrally provided, the diameter of the container to be transported is restricted depending on the position of the side wall by moving the side wall together with the hook locking member. Can be prevented.
Further, unlike the case where the pressurized container is ejected sideways or downward, the transported container can prevent the hook part from being damaged by the hook part locking member or the conveyance posture from being deteriorated.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the first left and right buttock locking members are respectively arranged by the support members at positions symmetrical with respect to the opening formed by the buttock locking member. Since they are brought into contact with the locking member and the second locking member and moved symmetrically from the first position to the second position, containers having different calibers can be transported along the same line. As a result, it is possible to prevent the entire container transport apparatus from becoming larger compared to the case where the transported container is transported while being biased left and right.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, the pressurized air from the air supply path is provided on the side wall, the flange locking member, and the apparatus main body, and covers the upper part of the neck portion of the transported container. Since it is ejected to the closed space surrounded by the ceiling plate, it can be efficiently used as the transport energy of the container to be transported as compared with the case of ejecting to the open space.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the container transport device of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

  The container transport device in the present embodiment is a plurality of units that are vertically arranged on the floor and are disposed in the transport direction of a transported container w such as a PET bottle, with two struts disposed facing each other as a pair. A pair of struts 1 are integrally provided between the lower portions of the struts 1 facing each other, and are provided continuously in the transport direction in the center between the connecting rod 11 horizontally spanned and the upper portions of the struts 1. An air chamber 2 and a transport unit 3 that transports the transported container w while being locked in the transporting direction w10 of the transported container w while being continuously provided in the transport direction between the center portions of the support columns 1 are provided. Yes.

The air chamber 2 is roughly composed of a box body 22 filled with pressurized air, and plate-like connecting plates 20 are fixed at equal intervals in the conveying direction at positions facing the pillars 1 on both side surfaces thereof. It is installed. And these connection plates 20, each provided integrally with the upper end portion facing surface of the support column 1 and extending inward, and the connection provided integrally with the inner end surface of the support member 12 The plate 13 is joined and integrated by the engaging member 14.
In addition, a ceiling plate 31 is provided in the lower portion in the transport direction, and the upper portion of the neck portion w1 of the transported container w is shielded.

  The transport unit 3 restricts the downward movement of the flange w10 of the transported container w such as the PET bottle, and transports the transported container w in the transport direction, and a lower part of the transported container w. A plurality of guide members 38 that suppress lateral swinging and an insecticidal cover 39 that covers both sides of the apparatus main body 30 are provided.

  This apparatus main body 30 is provided on the both sides of the ceiling plate 31 and the lower side of the ceiling plate 31 so as to be able to contact and separate from each other. A pair of neck rails (hook locking members) 33 that locks the downward movement of the collar w10 while providing an opening through which the neck w1 is inserted are provided integrally at the lower ends. The ceiling plate 31, the pair of side walls 32, and the pair of neck rails 33 form a closed transfer area A (closed space).

  In the side wall 32, grooves 32a and 32b having a triangular cross section are formed in the upper and lower portions of the inner wall surface continuously in the transport direction, and a depression is formed in the periphery of the lower groove 32b toward the side. As a result, the groove 32b is positioned outward from the groove 32a. On the other hand, grooves 32c and 32d are also formed in the upper and lower portions of the outer wall surface continuously in the transport direction.

  Each of the neck rails 33 is integrally provided on the lower end surface of the side wall 32 and protrudes inward, and a locking member 33a that locks the flange w10 of the transported container w, and a lower part of the locking member 33a. And a plate-like member 33b disposed substantially in parallel with a gap therebetween. Here, the plate-like member 33b is disposed such that the inner end portion is inclined upward and the gap becomes narrow for a while. The gap constitutes an air supply path 320. The air supply path 320 is formed with a series of supply ports 320a at the outer end and a series of jets 320b at the inner end. Thus, the pressurized air is jetted upward and in the transport direction toward the lower surface side of the flange portion w10 of the transported container w.

  A support plate 332 is provided on the lower surface of the plate-like member 33b. The support plate 332 is disposed outward and closes the lower portion of the pressurized air circulation space B outside the side wall 32. In the circulation space B, a circulation port is formed in the ceiling plate 31 in the upper part thereof, so that pressurized air in the air chamber 2 flows in. And this pressurized air is supplied to the said air supply path 320, and it ejects in the said conveyance area | region A from the jet nozzle 320b.

  Further, the apparatus main body 30 is disposed inward of the side wall 32, and a first locking member 34 for locking the neck rail 33 in the first position, and the neck rail 33 from the first position. Also, one end of the second locking member 35 that locks to the second position located outside and the side wall 32 is connected, and the neck rail 33 can be moved between the first position and the second position. A diameter-changing slider shaft (rod-like member) 36 supported on the air supply path, and a wind pressure regulator 37 for adjusting the wind pressure of the pressurized air ejected from the air supply path 320 toward the flange w10 of the transported container w. Is provided.

  Each of the first locking members 34 is suspended from the ceiling plate 31 and disposed between a pair of plate-like bodies 34a that are opposed to each other at a spaced position, and the lower portions of these plate-like bodies 34a. The connecting plate 34b is connected and integrated to form a schematic structure. Further, a convex portion 34c having a triangular cross section that engages with the groove portion 32a is formed on the upper portion of the plate-like body 34a toward the conveying direction, and the lower portion of the plate-like body 34a is more than the convex portion 34c. A protrusion 34d having a substantially triangular cross section that protrudes outward and engages with the groove 32b is formed in the transport direction.

The second locking member 35 includes a prismatic cylindrical joining member 350 that is suspended in both ends of the ceiling plate 31 in the conveying direction, and an engagement with a substantially triangular cross section that can be engaged with the grooves 32c and 32d. An engagement member 351 having a portion 351b is provided. The engaging member 351 has a central portion joined to the inner wall surface of the joining member 350, and upper and lower end portions projecting to positions facing the grooves 32c and 32d in the transport direction, and includes the engaging portion 351b. ing.
In addition, fixing plates 352 are fixed to the lower end surface of the joining member 350 inward, and the outer end portions of the support plates 332 constituting the neck rail 33 are respectively formed on the fixing plates 352. It is placed and the lower part of the pressurized air circulation space B outside the side wall 32 is closed.

  One end of the diameter changing slider shaft 36 is integrally joined to the side wall 32 and provided horizontally. The rod-like member 36a is inserted into the joining member 350, and is disposed at the other end of the rod-like member 36a. A handle 36b is provided, and a recess 36c is formed in the lower part of the rod-shaped member 36a. Also, a rod-shaped engagement portion 360a whose upper end engages with the recess 36c of the rod-shaped member 36a, and a handle that is provided at the lower end of the engagement portion 360a and moves the upper end of the engagement portion 360a in the vertical direction. A stopper 360 having 360b is provided.

  The wind pressure regulator 37 is disposed at a position facing the supply port 320a of the air supply path 320, adjusts the amount of air supplied to the air supply path 320, and adjusts the air pressure to the flange w10 of the transported container w. An air supply path opening / closing member 37a to be controlled, a movable rod 37b that supports the air supply path opening / closing member 37a, and the other end of the movable rod 37b are disposed inside, and the movable rod 37b is drawn or protruded. A cylinder 37c is provided for supporting the air supply path opening / closing member 37a so as to be able to contact and separate from the supply port 320a.

  The plurality of guide members 38 that suppress the lateral vibration of the lower portion of the transported container w are provided at the inner end, and a contact portion 38a that supports the transported container w from the side, and the contact portions 38a. A support rod 38b and a connecting portion 38c that rotatably support the cylinder 38d (excluding those arranged at the lowest stage) provided at the side end portion as required and capable of retracting or protruding the support rod 38b. It is equipped with. The connecting portions 38c are joined to a plurality of pairs of guide support members 381 disposed perpendicularly to both end portions of the apparatus main body 30, and a plurality of guide support members 381 are disposed. Thus, the support bar 38b tends to become shorter downward.

  The insect-proof cover 39 has a lower end portion disposed in an opening portion of a series of aluminum frames 382 formed on both side end portions of a base 380 provided between the columns 1 in the transport direction. The upper end portion is disposed in the opening of a substantially U-shaped aluminum frame 391 fixed to the outer side surface of a U-shaped stainless steel frame 390 whose inner side surface is bonded to the upper outer wall surface of the bonding member 350. ing. In addition, a plurality of sheets are arranged in the transport direction, and a connecting member 39a having a groove engaging with a connection end surface of the insect-proof cover 39 on both surfaces is interposed in the connection portion.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the above-described container transport device will be described.

First, when transporting a PET bottle w having a small diameter, the handle 360b provided on both sides is rotated and pulled downward to release the stopper 360, and provided on both sides using the handle 36b. By pushing the rod-shaped member 36a of the caliber type slider shaft 36, the groove portions 32a and 32b formed on the inner wall surface of the side wall 32 are engaged with the convex portions 34c and 34d of the first locking member 34. At this time, since the neck rail 33 is brought into contact with the first locking member 34 disposed at the symmetrical position and moved symmetrically, the PET bottle w can be conveyed along the same line. .
Next, the handle 360b is rotated and pushed upward to fix the stopper 360, and the neck rail 33 is locked at the first locking position.

  Next, the pressurized air is supplied from the air chamber 2 to the distribution space B and the air supply path 320, and is jetted upward and in the transport direction from the jet outlet 320b of the air supply path 320 toward the flange w10 of the PET bottle w. To do. At this time, the movable rod 37b is protruded inward by the wind pressure regulator 37, and the air supply path opening / closing member 37a is disposed in the vicinity of the supply port 320a, or the movable rod 37b is pulled in, and the air supply path opening / closing member 37a is connected to the supply port 320a. By disposing it far away, the amount of pressurized air supplied to the air supply path 320 is increased or decreased to increase or decrease the wind pressure on the flange w10.

Next, the PET bottle w is placed with the lid portion w1 disposed in the transport region A where the convex portion 34d of the first locking member 34 protrudes outward and the space is secured.
Then, the PET bottle w is pushed out in the transport direction while being floated by the above-described pressurized air whose air pressure is adjusted, and is transported downstream. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the neck portion 33 from being damaged by the neck rail 33 and to prevent the conveyance posture from deteriorating.

  Next, when transporting a PET bottle w having a large diameter, similarly, the stopper 360 is released, and the diameter-changing slider shaft 36 is pulled out, so that the grooves 32c and 32d formed on the outer wall surface of the side wall 32 are removed. The protrusions 351b of the two locking members 35 are engaged. Next, the stopper 360 is fixed and the neck rail 33 is locked at the second locking position. Next, pressurized air is supplied in the same manner as described above, and the PET bottle w is transported downstream by disposing the lid w1 in the transport region A.

  As described above, the pair of neck rails 33 integrally provided at the lower end portion of the side wall 32 is connected to the first locking member 34 or the second locking depending on the diameter of the neck portion w1 of the PET bottle w. By engaging with the member 35, the transport region A can be expanded or contracted while maintaining the closed state of the transport region A, and the PET bottles w of any two sizes of large and small can be transported.

  Further, the guide member 38 for preventing the left and right vibrations in the lower part of the PET bottle w has a tendency that the support bar 38b is shortened downward. It is possible to support both PET bottles w having a large radius of the same part of the capacity. Furthermore, the PET bottle w of any size can be supported by operating the cylinder 38d and retracting or protruding the support bar 38b.

  In addition, the container conveying apparatus of this invention is not restricted to the above-mentioned embodiment. For example, the air supply path 320 may not be formed in the neck rail 33.

It is the secondary cross-sectional schematic diagram which showed one Embodiment of the container conveying apparatus of this invention. It is a secondary cross-sectional schematic diagram which shows the apparatus main body which concerns on the container conveying apparatus of this invention, and is a partially expanded view of FIG. It is the longitudinal cross-sectional schematic diagram which showed the principal part of the conventional container conveying apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

w ... Container to be transported w1 ... Neck part w10 ... Saddle, collar part 30 ... Device main body 32 ... Side wall 33 ... Neck rail (saddle part locking member)
36 ... Slider shaft (support member)
34 ... 1st locking member 35 ... 2nd locking member 320 ... Air supply path

Claims (3)

A container transport device for transporting a transported container in which a collar is formed in the neck portion in the transport direction,
A pair of side walls that are disposed opposite to each other in the transport direction of the transport container and extend in the transport direction, are integrally provided on these side walls and extend in the facing direction, and the inner ends are separated from each other. An opening through which the neck portion is inserted is formed continuously in the gap between the inner wall end portions in the conveying direction, and the downward movement of the collar portion is stopped and the openings are contacted and separated from each other. Provided with a hook locking member that is provided, and an air supply path that is provided on the side wall, the hook locking member, or below them, and jets pressurized air toward the lower surface side of the hook. The device body,
The first locking member that locks the collar locking member of the apparatus main body at the first position in the contact / separation direction and the collar locking members separated from each other than the first position. A second locking member that locks in the second position, and a support member that supports the collar locking member so as to be movable between the first position and the second position are provided. A container transport device characterized by the above. The first locking member and the second locking member are disposed at positions symmetrical with respect to the opening formed by the flange locking member, and the support member is It is provided for each buttocks locking member,
The container transport device according to claim 1, wherein the support member moves the hook locking member symmetrically between the first position and the second position.   The air supply path ejects pressurized air into a closed space surrounded by the side wall, the flange locking member, and a ceiling plate that is provided in the apparatus main body and covers the top of the neck of the container to be transported. The container transport device according to claim 1, wherein:

Images