JP2761495B2 - Food and drink sticking method and device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a device for sticking eating and drinking utensils, for example, straws, spoons, forks, etc., to containers for lactic acid bacteria drinks and the like, and more particularly to a device having a curved side surface only. The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for sticking eating and drinking utensils to a side portion of a container.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Attaching of eating and drinking utensils to containers such as lactic acid bacteria beverages is performed by separating a plurality of eating and drinking utensils surrounded or wrapped by a film or the like into a plurality of successive eating and drinking utensils at equal intervals. Then, the adhesive is applied, and the eating and drinking utensil to which the adhesive has been applied is moved to a predetermined location of the container to which the adhesive is to be applied, and the two are brought into contact.

[0003]

The conventional eating and drinking utensil sticking technique can be applied to the case where a flat portion exists on the side surface of the container. However, it cannot be applied to a container having a side surface composed of only a curved surface, such as a container having a circular cross section.

[0004] That is, when the eating and drinking utensils are attached to the flat surface, the contact is made between the flat surface (side surface of the container) and the straight line (the eating and drinking utensils). There is no effect even if the tool mounting position is slightly shifted.
On the other hand, when the eating and drinking utensil is stuck on the curved surface, the contact is made between the straight lines, and the contactable range is extremely narrowed. Therefore, when the container side surface portion is formed only of a curved surface, it is required that the positioning accuracy between the food and beverage tool sticking portion on the container side surface and the food and drink tool is extremely high, and the conventional technology cannot cope with this.

[0005] The present invention has been proposed in view of such problems of the prior art, and a method of sticking eating and drinking utensils to a side of a container constituted only by a curved surface. And the provision of equipment.

[0006]

According to the present invention, there is provided a method for sticking eating and drinking utensils to a container having a curved side surface, the method comprising: The eating and drinking utensil (SS) is separated into individual eating and drinking utensils (S) surrounded by a film, and separated into first turrets (1).
8) and apply the adhesive to the individual eating and drinking utensils (S) transferred to the first turret (18), while the container (C) holds the resting part (56) of the second turret (16).
And is driven to rotate by a stepping motor (58). When the position determination mechanism (60) detects the matching mark (I) on the container (C), the stepping motor (58)
Is stopped and the container (C) is positioned, and when the second turret (16) is adjacent to the first turret (18), the rod (78) extends radially outward from the first turret (18), Then, the container (C) of the second turret (16) is pressed by the container moving means (90), is guided by the rod (78), moves toward the first turret (18), and moves to the container (C). 1 turret eating and drinking utensils (S)
Is to be adhered.

Further, according to the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for sticking eating and drinking utensils to a container having a curved side surface, wherein a series of eating and drinking utensils (SS) surrounded by a film and continuous at equal intervals. Separating means (26, 44) for cutting and separating each of the eating and drinking utensils (S) surrounded by the film
And the individual eating and drinking utensil (S) is placed in a first turret (1
8), a transfer drum (28) to be transferred to the first turret (18), and an adhesive applying means (30) for applying an adhesive to the individual eating and drinking utensil (S) transferred to the first turret (18). ) Is provided with a second turret (16) that rotates while revolving, and a stepping motor (5) that rotates a rotation mechanism (54) provided on the second turret (16).
8) is provided, and the position judging mechanism (60) for detecting the matching mark (I) of the container (C) stops and positions the stepping motor (58) when detecting the matching mark (I). Further, the container (C) on the second turret (18) and the eating and drinking utensil (S) of the first turret (18) are placed at a position where the first turret (18) and the second turret (16) are close to each other. ), A container moving means (90) for pressing the first turret (1) is provided.
8), a rod (78) for taking in the container (C) moved by the container moving means (90) is provided so as to be able to extend radially outward.

[0008]

Therefore, a series of eating and drinking utensils surrounded by a film and continuous at equal intervals are individually separated by the separating means and sent to the first turret. An adhesive is applied when moving with the first turret. On the other hand, the container placed on the second turret is rotated on its own by a stepping motor. However, the container is positioned because the stepping motor stops when the position determination mechanism detects the matching mark. Then, when the first turret and the second turret come close to each other, the container moving means moves the positioned container toward the eating and drinking utensil of the first turret. At this time, since the rod extends radially outward from the first turret, the container is securely guided and does not shift.

As described above, according to the present invention, the eating and drinking utensil is stuck by moving the positioned container, so that the eating and drinking utensil can be stuck accurately to the side portion of the container having the curved surface. That is, in the conventional method, when the food and drink utensil comes into contact with the sticking position of the container, the so-called “blurring” occurs. However, according to the present invention, the method in which the container is pressed against the food and drink utensil is adopted. There is little risk of blurring when attaching tools.

[0010] As described above, according to the present invention, as in the case where foods and drinks (foods and drinks surrounded by a film) are adhered to the side surface of a container composed of only a curved surface, the position of the foods and drinks is highly accurate. Even when a great adjustment is required, the device of the present invention can be applied without any problem.

[0011]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a food and beverage tool sticking apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the illustrated embodiment, a case where a drinking straw is used as a food and drink is described.

In FIG. 1, a food and beverage utensil sticking apparatus of the present invention is indicated by reference numeral 10 as a whole. Then, the container C to which the straw is to be attached is supplied to the eating and drinking tool attaching apparatus 10 by the supply conveyor 12. The container C has, for example, a shape as shown in FIG. 2 and has a circular cross section, so that all the side surfaces are constituted by curved surfaces.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the container (not shown in FIG. 1) C supplied from the supply conveyor 12 is sent to the face-matching turret 16 via the moving turret 14. In the face-matching turret 16, the container C adjusts the position where the straw is to be attached to the predetermined position with high accuracy. Then, when the container C moves to the straw sticking turret 18, a straw is stuck to a place to be stuck in a manner described later. The container C with the straw attached thereto is moved from the straw-attached turret 18 to the moving turret 20, 2
2 and is sent out of the mechanism of the food and beverage utensil sticking apparatus 10 via the discharge conveyor 24.

In the vicinity of the straw sticking turret 18,
A cutting drum 26 that cuts and separates a series of straws SS that are surrounded by a film and continues at equal intervals into individual straws S (hereinafter, simply referred to as “straws”) surrounded by the film; Container C for moving individual straws S on face-to-face turret 16
The transfer drum 28 which is separated by a distance corresponding to the mutual distance and is transferred to the straw-attached turret 18 and the individual straw S transferred to the straw-attached turret 18
And a hot melt transfer unit 30 for applying a hot melt as an adhesive.

With reference to FIG. 3, a process until the straw is transferred to the straw sticking turret 18 will be described in more detail. A series of a plurality of straws SS which are surrounded by the film and are continuous at equal intervals are sent to the cutting drum 26 via a receiving table 34, a straw feeding roller 36, a free roller 38, a ladder straw feeding roller 40, and a free roller 42. The cutting drum 26 has a cutter 44, and a plurality of grooves 46 for accommodating the individual straws S cut and separated are formed in a peripheral portion thereof.
Here, a groove 46 formed in the cutting drum 26 is formed.
Is much smaller than the distance between the moving containers C, so it is impossible to synchronize the container C with the straw S and to attach the straw S at a predetermined position on the container S accurately. It is. For this reason, the transfer drum 28 takes out the straw S in the groove 46 and transfers the straw S to the straw sticking turret 18 at an interval corresponding to the container S. The hot melt transfer unit 30 applies an adhesive (hot melt) to the straw S transferred to the straw sticking turret 18.

Next, the face matching turret 16 will be described. In FIG. 4, the container C is placed on the face-matching turret 16, and the face-matching turret 16 is
0 through the motor 52. Here, when the face matching turret 16 rotates, the container C
Also move (along the periphery of the turret 16) and revolve around the turret 16, so that the shaft 50 and the motor 5
Reference numeral 2 denotes a revolving mechanism for revolving the container C.
On the other hand, below the container C, the container C is
A rotation mechanism 54 is provided for rotating the container C when the peripheral edge of the face matching turret 16 is revolving by zero.

The rotation mechanism 54 is shown in detail in FIG. In FIG. 5, the container C is placed on a placing portion 56, and the placing portion 56 is driven to rotate by a stepping motor 58. This stepping motor 58
The output is controlled so that the matching mark (not clearly shown in FIG. 5) on the container C is arranged at a predetermined position. That is, when the container C is placed on the placement portion 56, the container C is rotated (rotated) by the stepping motor 58, and as a result of the rotation, the matching mark of the container C is set to the photoelectric tube (position determination mechanism).
When detected by 60, the rotation output of the stepping motor 58 is stopped by a clutch / brake (not shown). As a result, the container C is adjusted to a predetermined arrangement or orientation. FIG. 6 shows a model of the rotation mechanism 54 shown in FIG.

Regarding the control of the stepping motor 58,
This will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. As described above, the control of the stepping motor 58 is performed based on whether or not the photoelectric tube 60 detects the matching mark I (FIG. 6) on the container C. 7, the phototube 60 includes a light emitting element 62 and a light receiving element 64, and the light emitting element 62 emits a light beam L from the output of the oscillator 66. The irradiated light beam L is reflected by the surface of the container C and received by the light receiving element 64. Then, the light receiving element 64 generates an output having a waveform as shown in FIG. 8 (indicated by reference numeral OP-1 in FIG. 7).

Here, the output OP-1 decreases when the matching mark I is detected. However, since the output OP-1 also changes depending on the position of the container C and other conditions, it is impossible to determine whether the output is decreased due to the detection of the matching mark I or the output decreased due to other conditions. Therefore, the output OP-1 is input to the variable amplifier 68, and a part of the output OP-2 is subjected to amplification adjustment (reference numeral FB in FIG. 7). As a result, an output as shown in FIG. 9 is obtained,
If this is input to the differentiator 70 to extract only the signal that suddenly changes to the negative side, an output (OP-3) as shown in FIG. 10 is obtained. Here, the abrupt change on the minus side (downward in FIG. 10) is due to the detection of the matching mark I. Therefore, the output OP- as shown in FIG.
It is determined by the level determination means 72 (FIG. 7) whether or not the threshold value 3 is higher than a threshold level SL (indicated by a dotted line in FIG. 10), and the result (output) OP is output to the stepping motor 58. When the output OP-3 having a level lower than the threshold level SL is detected, the matching mark I is detected, and the rotation (rotation) of the stepping motor 58 is stopped by a clutch / brake (not shown). When a highly accurate sensor is used, the operation and stop of the stepping motor 58 can be controlled using the output of the sensor as it is.

Next, the straw-attached turret 18 will be described with reference to FIG. A plurality of projections 74 are formed on the circumference of the straw-attached turret 18, and a straw S (not shown in FIG. 11) surrounded by a film in a concave portion 76 between the projections 74. ). Here, the straw S has an adhesive applied radially outward. Then, as is clear from the part shown in FIG.
.. Are provided with telescopic rods 78.
The rods 78 can move radially outward or radially inward along a cam (not shown).

As shown in FIG. 1, the straw-attached turret 18 is adjacent to the face-matching turret 16, and the container C
Are arranged to transfer. When the container C moves from the face-matching turret 16 to the straw-attached turret 18, in the mode described with reference to FIGS. The straw S is adjusted so as to exactly face the side where the straw S is extruded.

When the container C and the straw S to be adhered reach a predetermined relative position, the rod 78 is extended radially outward (to the face-matching turret 16 side) by the action of a cam (not shown), The elongated rod 78 is
So that the container C is pressed against the straw S held therein,
Take in the container C. On the other hand, in a mode described later with reference to FIGS. 12 and 13, the container C moves so as to be pressed toward the straw S where the sticking portion is held.

With reference to FIGS. 12 and 13, the manner in which the container C is moved by being pressed by the straw S held therein will be described.

FIG. 12 shows that the container C is a face-matching turret 1
6 shows a part moving from 6 to the straw-attached turret 18 side. Reference numerals 16R and 18R indicate the rotation directions of the turrets 16 and 18, respectively. At the boundary between the turret 16 and the turret 18, there is provided a container moving means 90 for pressing the container C toward the straw S held in the concave portion 76 and sticking the straw S to the sticking position of the container C. Have been. This container moving means 90 includes:
Rods 92, 94, 96 and four pivots 98, 10
0, 102, and 104. Here, the pivot 98 only rotates, and the position (planar position) on FIG. 12 is fixed. On the other hand, the pivot 100 is eccentric with respect to the center of rotation, and the amount of eccentricity is indicated by a symbol e in FIG. The pivots 102 and 104 are for connecting the two rods to be connected in a rotatable manner.

The end 106 of the rod 92 is
6 comes into contact with the container C moving to the turret 18. Here, as is clear from FIG. 13, the end portion 106 has a vertically divided structure, and is configured to abut the container C at two upper and lower locations (indicated by reference numerals 106A and 106B).

As can be seen in FIG. 13, the rod 92 is rotatably connected to the pivot 100. And the axis 10
The rotation center 100C of 0 and the center of the rotation shaft 110, that is, the rotation center RC are eccentric by an eccentricity e. Rotary axis 1
When the rotary shaft 10 is driven to rotate by the driving means 112, the pivot 10
0 performs an eccentric rotation corresponding to the eccentricity e, and the rod 9
The second end 106 (106A, 106B) also performs a reciprocating motion indicated by an arrow PM in FIG.

When the reciprocating motion PM is performed, the container C conveyed on the circumference of the turret 16 is pressed by the end 106 of the rod 92, moves toward the turret 18, and hits the held straw S. Touched. More specifically, the container C transported when the end 106 is located at the center side of the turret 16 abuts on the end 106 when the tip 106 moves toward the turret 18, The movement toward the turret 18 in the reciprocating movement PM 106 causes the turret 18 to be pressed and moved.

Then, the container C comes into contact with the straw S by the adhesive (hot melt) applied to the straw S, and at the same time, the straw S is bonded to the sticking portion on the surface of the container C. At this time, since the relative position between the sticking position of the container C and the held straw S is accurately aligned by the face matching turret 16, even if the sticking position of the container C is a curved surface, the straw S Is securely attached.

Although only straws are shown as eating and drinking tools in the illustrated embodiment, it is to be noted that the present invention can be applied to a case where other eating and drinking tools, such as spoons and forks, are attached. I do.

[0030]

As described above, according to the eating and drinking utensil sticking apparatus of the present invention, the container is pressed against the eating and drinking utensil such that the eating and drinking utensil sticks to the eating and drinking utensil sticking position of the container. The adjustment of the position where the eating and drinking utensil is attached to the container can be performed with high accuracy. Therefore, even when it is necessary to stick the eating and drinking utensil at a specific position with high precision, such as when the eating and drinking utensil is attached to the side surface of a container constituted only by a curved surface, the present invention can be applied. .

Further, when aligning the food and drink utensil surrounded by the film and coated with the adhesive, the container is revolved on a rotary table of a positioning mechanism, and a matching mark of the container is detected. By rotating the container with a high degree of accuracy, the position on the side surface of the container where the eating and drinking utensil is to be attached is accurately opposed to the eating and drinking utensil supply mechanism.

Further, automation is easy, and if applied to a factory or the like that handles a large amount of products, the speed of the work of attaching food and drink can be achieved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view of one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view showing an example of a container to which a straw is attached.

FIG. 3 is a partial plan view showing the arrangement near the straw-attached turret in the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a side view showing a revolution mechanism and a rotation mechanism of the face-matching turret.

FIG. 5 is a partial side view showing details of the rotation mechanism of FIG. 5;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a model of a rotation mechanism.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a mode in which a stepping motor is controlled by a phototube output.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an output of a light receiving element of a photoelectric tube.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an output after the amplification degree is adjusted by a variable amplifier.

FIG. 10 is a view showing a result obtained by differentiating the output shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a plan view showing a straw-adhered turret.

FIG. 12 is a plan view of a boundary between a face-matching turret and a straw-adhered turret.

FIG. 13 is a side view showing the container moving means.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Eating and drinking tool sticking apparatus C ... Container 12 ... Supply conveyor 14, 20, 22 ... Moving turret 16 ... Face matching turret 18 ... Straw sticking turret 24 ... Discharge conveyor 26 ... Cutting drum 28 ... Transfer drum 30 ... Hot melt transfer unit SS ... A plurality of series of straws surrounded by film and continuing at equal intervals 34 ... Receiving stand 36 ... Straw feeding roller 38, 42: Free roller 40: Ladder straw feeding roller 44: Cutter S: Straws (individually surrounded by film) 46: Groove 50: Shaft 52: Motor 54 ... rotation mechanism 56 ... mounting part 58 ... stepping motor 60 ... photoelectric tube (position judgment mechanism) I ... Mark 62: light emitting element 64: light receiving element 66: oscillator L: light beam OP-1, OP-2, OP-3 ... output 68: variable amplifier FB ... Amplification adjustment 70 ··· Differentiator SL ··· Threshold level 72 ··· Level judging means OP · · · Level judging means output 74 ··· Projection 76 ··· Recess 78 ··· Push rod 16R ··· Rotation direction of face-matching turret 18R: Rotation direction of straw sticking turret 90: Container moving means 92, 94, 96 ... Rod 98, 100, 102, 104 ... Axis 106, 106A, 106B ... End 100C: Center of rotation of pivot (reference numeral 100) 110: Rotary axis RC: Center of rotation e: Eccentricity 112: Drive means PM: Reciprocating motion

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-2-152638 (JP, A) JP-A-2-127231 (JP, A) JP-B-52-28432 (JP, B2)

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A method for sticking food and drink on a container having a curved side surface, comprising a series of food and drink (SS) surrounded by a film and continuous at equal intervals.
Is separated into individual eating and drinking utensils (S) surrounded by a film and transferred to the first turret (18), and an adhesive is applied to the individual eating and drinking utensils (S) transferred to the first turret (18). On the other hand, the container (C) contains the second turret (1
6) is mounted on the mounting portion (56) and is rotated by a stepping motor (58). When the position determination mechanism (60) detects the matching mark (I) on the container (C), the stepping motor ( 58) is stopped, the container (C) is positioned, and the second turret (16) is moved to the first turret (1).
Adjacent to 8), a rod (78) extends radially outward from the first turret (18) and the container (C) of the second turret (16) is moved by the container moving means (90).
And the food (S) of the first turret is adhered to the container (C) by being guided by the rod (78) and moving toward the first turret (18). Sticking method. 2. A device for sticking eating and drinking utensils to a container having a curved side surface, comprising a series of eating and drinking utensils (SS) surrounded by a film and continuous at equal intervals.
Means (26, 44) for cutting and separating each of the eating and drinking utensils (S) surrounded by a film, and a transfer drum (28) for transferring the individual eating and drinking utensils (S) to a first turret (18). And an adhesive applying means (30) for applying an adhesive to the individual eating and drinking utensil (S) transferred to the first turret (18), and a second turret for rotating the container (C) while revolving. (16), a stepping motor (58) for rotating a rotation mechanism (54) provided on the second turret (16), and a position judging mechanism for detecting a matching mark (I) of the container (C). (6
0) stops the stepping motor (58) when the matching mark (I) is detected, and performs positioning. Further, the first turret (18) and the second turret (18)
A container moving means (90) for pressing the container (C) on the second turret toward the eating and drinking utensil (S) of the first turret (18) at a position close to the turret (16); One turret (18) has a rod (7) for taking in the container (C) moved by the container moving means (90).
8) is provided so as to be extendable radially outward.