JP2954873B2 - Container positioning transfer 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 container positioning / conveying apparatus which is applied to, for example, a conveying line for containers containing cosmetics, medicines, foodstuffs and the like, and is suitably used for conveying containers in a positioned state. .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A product in which contents such as cosmetics, medicines, foodstuffs and the like are filled in a container is usually shipped with a label indicating the name of the product and the contents attached to the surface of the container. . In general, the operation of attaching a label to the surface of a container is carried out by transporting the container filled with the contents and having the lid fastened to a label attaching device by a conveyor line or the like, and automatically applying the label attaching device. I try to do it.

[0003] In this case, if the position at which the label is applied to the container is misaligned for each product, the value of the product is impaired. Therefore, the container to be conveyed on the conveyor is properly positioned on the label applying apparatus. By supplying, the label must always be affixed to the container in a fixed position.

[0004] For this reason, conventionally, for example, by manually correcting the position of the container manually in the middle of the transport line (upstream of the labeling device), the container is positioned and supplied to the labeling device. I have.

[0005]

However, when the position of the container supplied to the labeling device is corrected manually, the position of each container is not always constant, and the label attached to the container by the labeling device is not always fixed. There is a problem that an error occurs in the position of each container.

[0006] On the other hand, a positioning device for automatically positioning a container conveyed on a conveyor has been put into practical use, and this positioning device is, for example, provided with a circular container sandwiching the outer peripheral surface thereof. A plurality of rollers for rotating the container, a sensor for detecting a matching mark provided on the outer peripheral surface of the circular container while the circular container is rotated by each roller, and the like. By stopping the rotation of the circular container, the circular container is positioned at a predetermined position in the rotational direction.

However, when the container is not a circular container having a circular cross-sectional shape, but is a deformed container having, for example, an elliptical or polygonal cross-sectional shape, the deformed container is rotated on a conveyor by a plurality of rollers. However, there is a problem that it is difficult to apply the above-described container positioning device.

In the container positioning apparatus as described above, since the sensor is usually fixed to the center of rotation of the circular container, it is sandwiched between, for example, a circular container made of glass having low roundness or a plurality of rollers. In the case of a resin-made circular container which is easily deformed by the removal, the distance between the sensor and the matching mark changes according to the shape or deformation of the circular container. For this reason, there is a problem that the sensor mistakenly detects the matching mark, and the circular container is supplied to the label sticking device without being properly positioned, so that the positional accuracy of the label to be stuck is reduced. .

Further, even if the container is positioned on the upstream side of the labeling apparatus, the positioned container moves while being conveyed to the labeling apparatus, and as a result, the label is misaligned with respect to the container. There is a problem in that

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and regardless of the shape and deformation of the container,
It is an object of the present invention to provide a container positioning / conveying device capable of conveying a container in a state where the container is positioned with high precision.

[0011]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an invention according to claim 1 comprises a conveyor for conveying a deformed container in an upright state from an upstream side to a downstream side, and a conveyor in parallel with the conveyor. A reciprocating table that is provided reciprocally and that returns after moving in synchronization with the conveyor; and a deformed container that is provided on the reciprocating table so as to face the conveyor with the conveyor interposed therebetween and conveyed on the conveyor. Opening and closing drive means for driving to open and close in the width direction of the conveyor while moving in synchronization with the conveyor, and clamping the deformed container conveyed on the conveyor when the opening and closing drive means is driven to close in the conveyance direction. detachably provided in the opening and closing drive means for positioning a positioning clamp having an engaging portion corresponding to the shape of the deformed container, the located downstream of the said opening and closing means Combe Provided with upwardly, formed by arrangement from above, a container holding means for conveying to the downstream side while suppressing the downward direction between the profiled container positioned in the conveying direction by the positioning and clamping of the said conveyor.

According to the above construction, when the deformed container is conveyed on the conveyor, the opening / closing drive means provided on the reciprocating table is moved in the conveying direction in synchronization with the deformed container and closed in the width direction of the conveyor. Drive. In this case, since the opening / closing drive means is provided with a positioning clamp having an engagement portion corresponding to the shape of the deformed container, the positioning clamp clamps the deformed container, thereby positioning the deformed container in the transport direction. Can be. Then, the deformed container positioned in the conveying direction by the positioning clamp is conveyed to the downstream side while being pressed from above and below by the container pressing means, so that the once-conformed deformed container is conveyed to the downstream side. It is possible to prevent a displacement or the like from occurring during the operation.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a conveyor for conveying a circular container provided with a matching mark from an upstream side to a downstream side in an upright state, and provided so as to be reciprocable in parallel with the conveyor. A reciprocating table that returns after being moved in synchronization with the conveyor, and a reciprocating table that is provided on the reciprocating table so as to face the conveyor, and moves in synchronization with a circular container conveyed on the conveyor. Opening and closing driving means for driving the conveyor to open and close in the width direction;
A container rotating means provided in the opening and closing drive means for rotating the circular container on the conveyor with the circular container sandwiched from both sides in the radial direction when the opening and closing drive means is driven to close; and a circular container together with the container rotating means A match mark detecting means for detecting a match mark while facing the outer peripheral surface of the circular container at a substantially constant interval, and a match mark detecting means for detecting the match mark when the match mark detection means detects the match mark. Rotation control means for stopping the rotation means and positioning the matching mark of the circular container at a predetermined position in the rotation direction, and provided above the conveyor at a position downstream of the opening / closing drive means and provided by the rotation control means. Container holding means for holding the container positioned in the rotation direction between the conveyor and the conveyor from above and below and conveying the container to the downstream side.

According to the above construction, when the circular container is conveyed on the conveyor, the opening and closing drive means provided on the reciprocating table closes in the width direction of the conveyor while moving in the conveying direction in synchronization with the circular container. Drive. Then, the container rotating means provided in the opening / closing drive means rotates the circular container from both sides in the radial direction.
While sandwiching and rotating the circular container on the conveyor, the matching mark detecting means detects the matching mark provided on the circular container. In this case, the matching mark detecting means detects the matching mark while facing the outer peripheral surface of the rotated circular container at a substantially constant interval, so that, for example, the circular container is deformed while being rotated by the container rotating means. Even if
The matching mark can be accurately detected by the matching mark detecting means. When the matching mark is detected by the matching mark detecting means, the container rotating means is stopped by the rotation control means, and the rotation of the circular container is stopped with the matching mark positioned at a predetermined position in the rotation direction. Then, the circular container positioned in the rotation direction is transported to the downstream side while being pressed from above and below by the container pressing means, so that the circular container once positioned is transported to the downstream side. Also, it is possible to prevent a displacement or the like from occurring.

Furthermore, the invention of claim 3, wherein the fit mark detection means, provided to be moved in the radial direction of the circular container together with the container rotating means, those Sessu the outer peripheral surface of the circular container <br/> And a sensor attached to the contact for detecting the matching mark while maintaining a constant interval between the contact and the outer peripheral surface of the circular container.

According to the above arrangement, while being rotated by the container rotating means even when the circular container deformed like, contact
The tentacles can move in the radial direction of the circular container together with the container rotating means.
In the direction of contact with the outer peripheral surface of the circular container.
Since the contact is always energized, the contact can follow the deformation of the circular container and always contact the outer peripheral surface thereof . For this reason, the sensor attached to the contact can always detect the matching mark while keeping a constant interval between the sensor and the outer peripheral surface of the circular container, thereby preventing erroneous detection by the sensor.

[0017]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to FIGS.

First, FIGS. 1 to 6 show a first embodiment according to the present invention.
Is shown.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a conveyor provided on a floor so as to extend leftward and rightward through a frame (neither is shown) or the like. Are transported from the left side (upstream side) to the right side (downstream side) in FIG.

2, 2,... Are elliptical containers as odd-shaped containers having an elliptical cross section filled with contents such as cosmetics, medicines, foodstuffs, etc., and each of the elliptical containers 2 is shown in FIG. As described above, the sheet is conveyed on the conveyor 1 in an upright state, and sequentially supplied to, for example, a label sticking device 3 disposed downstream of the conveyor 1. The label sticking device 3 is configured to sequentially stick the label 4 on the outer peripheral surface of the elliptical container 2.

Reference numeral 5 denotes a timing screw which is provided on the upstream side of the conveyor 1 and extends along the conveying direction of the conveyor 1. The timing screw 5 has an outer peripheral surface on the outer circumferential surface of the timing screw 5 from the upstream side to the downstream side of the conveyor 1. A helical screw protrusion 5A whose width is gradually increased is provided.

The timing screw 5 is rotated by, for example, a motor (not shown),
The screw projection 5A operates so that it apparently advances from the upstream side to the downstream side along the transport direction of the conveyor 1, and the traveling speed of the screw projection 5A at this time is set to be equal to the transport speed of the conveyor 1. Thereby, the conveyor 1
Each of the elliptical containers 2 conveyed in an upright state is pushed between the screw projections 5A of the timing screw 5 while being guided by the guide plate 6 arranged opposite to the timing screw 5, and this screw projection 5A , And sequentially moves downstream so as to be aligned on the conveyor 1 at a constant pitch.

Reference numeral 7 denotes a reciprocating table located below the conveyor 1 and capable of reciprocating in parallel with the conveyor 1. The reciprocating table 7 is, for example, a flat plate fixed below the conveyor 1. A pair of guide rails 9, 9 provided on the base 8 at a distance from each other in the width direction of the conveyor 1 and extending along the conveying direction of the conveyor 1; And a reciprocating table main body 10 to be fitted.

The reciprocating table main body 10 is driven by a driving means (not shown) such as a ball screw mechanism, for example, so as to be controlled by the guide rails 9 and parallel to the conveyor 1 as shown in FIG. It reciprocates between an upstream position and a downstream position shown in FIG. Here, the moving speed when the reciprocating table main body 10 moves from the upstream position to the downstream position is set to be equal to, for example, the transport speed of the conveyor 1.

An opening / closing drive mechanism 11 is provided on the reciprocating table main body 10 of the reciprocating table 7 and is provided so as to sandwich the conveyor 1 in the width direction. Separated reciprocating table body 10
A pair of guide rails 12, 12 provided above and extending in the width direction of the conveyor 1, and slide units 13, 14 slidably fitted to the respective guide rails 12 and opposed to each other with the conveyor 1 interposed therebetween. Have.

Here, the slide unit 13 includes a slide block 13A that slides along the guide rail 12,
Four arms 13B, 13B, which protrude from the front side of the slide block 13A so as to be spaced apart in the upward, downward, left, and right directions.
, A ball screw 13C extending along the guide rail 12 and screwed to the lower end side of the slide block 13A, and a motor 13D fixed to the reciprocating table body 10 and driving the ball screw 13C to rotate. I have. By rotating the ball screw 13C in the forward and reverse directions by the motor 13D, the slide block 13A
It moves in the width direction of the conveyor 1 with 3B.

The slide unit 14 includes a slide block 14A that slides along the guide rail 12, and a pair of mounting plates 14B, which protrude from the front side of the slide block 14A and are spaced upward and downward. 14B, a ball screw 14C extending along the guide rail 12 and screwed to the lower end of the slide block 14A;
0, and has a motor 14D that rotationally drives the ball screw 14C. Then, by rotating the ball screw 14C in the forward and reverse directions by the motor 14D, the slide block 14A moves in the width direction of the conveyor 1 with each mounting plate 14B.

Thus, when the opening / closing drive mechanism 11 is driven to close, the slide units 13 and 14 move in a direction approaching each other, and when the open / close drive mechanism 11 is driven to open, the slide units 13 and 14 are separated from each other. It moves in the direction.

Reference numerals 15, 15,... Are four clamp plates which are detachably attached via bolts to the front ends of the respective arms 13B constituting the slide unit 13, and constitute positioning clamps together with the clamp plates 16 described later. Each of the clamp plates 15 is formed of, for example, a resin material or the like and has the same shape. Here, as shown in FIG. 4, a curved concave portion 15 </ b> A is formed on the front end side of each clamp plate 15 as an engaging portion that conforms to the half cross-sectional shape of the elliptical container 2 conveyed on the conveyor 1. ing.

Reference numerals 16 and 16 denote two clamp plates which are detachably attached to the front end side of each of the attachment plates 14B provided on the slide unit 14 via bolts, and which together with the respective clamp plates 15 constitute a positioning clamp. Each of the clamp plates 16 is made of, for example, a resin material or the like and has an equal shape. On the front end side of each clamp plate 16, curved concave portions 16A as engaging portions having the same shape as the curved concave portions 15A are formed at two places separated in the longitudinal direction. Here, the pitch of each curved concave portion 16A and the timing screw 5 described above are used.
The pitches of the elliptical containers 2 aligned on the conveyor 1 are set to be equal to each other.

When the opening / closing drive mechanism 11 shifts from the open drive state to the close drive state, and the slide unit 13 and the slide unit 14 approach each other, the elliptical container 2 conveyed on the conveyor 1 is moved to the respective clamp plates. The elliptical container 2 which has been conveyed on the conveyor 1 at this time is clamped by the clamp 15 and the clamp plates 16 and the major axis thereof is inclined with respect to the conveying direction as shown in FIG. State), it is positioned so as to be horizontal with respect to the transport direction.

Reference numeral 17 denotes a container holding mechanism provided above the conveyor 1 at a position downstream of the opening / closing drive mechanism 11, and the container holding mechanism 17 includes a support frame 18 extending in the transport direction of the conveyor 1. The pulley 19A includes a drive pulley 19A and a driven pulley 19B rotatably provided at both ends of the support frame 18, and a belt 20 wound between the pulleys 19A and 19B. Here, the support frame 18 is movable upward and downward along a guide post 21 erected near the conveyor 1, depending on the height of the elliptical container 2 conveyed on the conveyor 1. Thus, the distance between the belt 20 and the conveyor 1 can be adjusted.

The container pressing mechanism 17 presses the elliptical containers 2 positioned in the transport direction by the clamp plates 15 and 16 from above and below between the belt 20 that is driven to rotate and the conveyor 1. It is conveyed to the downstream side of the conveyor 1 and supplied to the label attaching device 3.

The present embodiment has the above-described configuration, and its operation will be described below.

First, a plurality of elliptical containers 2 conveyed upright on the conveyor 1 are pushed between the screw projections 5A of the timing screw 5 while being guided by the guide plate 6,
As the screw protrusions 5A advance, they are sequentially moved to the downstream side, and are sequentially conveyed to the downstream side while being aligned on the conveyor 1 at a constant pitch. At this time, each oval container 2
Is transported on the conveyor 1 with its long axis inclined with respect to the transport direction.

When each of the elliptical containers 2 conveyed on the conveyor 1 reaches between the slide unit 13 and the slide unit 14 of the opening / closing drive mechanism 11, the opening / closing drive mechanism 11 is driven to close, and each slide unit is closed. 13 and 14 approach each other. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 4, each clamp plate 1 attached to the front end side of the slide unit 13
The two elliptical containers 2 are simultaneously clamped by 5 and each clamp plate 16 attached to the front end side of the slide unit 14.

At this time, as shown by the dashed line in FIG.
The curved concave portion 15A of the clamp plate 15 and the clamp plate 16
Is corrected as shown by the solid line with the curved concave portion 16A, and each elliptical container 2 can be positioned so that its major axis is horizontal to the transport direction.

Thus, in a state where the elliptical container 2 is clamped by the clamp plates 15 and 16, the reciprocating table 7 moves to the downstream position in synchronization with the conveyor 1 as shown in FIG. At this time, while the reciprocating table 7 moves from the upstream position to the downstream position, the elliptical container 2 clamped by each of the clamp plates 15 and 16 holds the belt 2 of the container holding mechanism 17.
0 and the conveyor 1 are conveyed on the conveyor 1 while being pressed down from above and below.

Then, the reciprocating table 7 moves to the downstream position, and the elliptical container 2 on the conveyor 1 is
The opening / closing drive mechanism 11 is driven to open, the slide units 13 and 14 are separated from each other, the clamp plates 15 and 16 release the clamp on the elliptical container 2, and then the reciprocating table 7 is driven by the open / close drive mechanism. It returns from the downstream position to the upstream position with 11.

At this time, the elliptical container 2 is held by the container holding mechanism 17.
Between the belt 20 and the conveyor 1 from above and below, even if the clamps by the clamp plates 15 and 16 are released, until the elliptical container 2 is supplied to the label sticking device 3. Can be reliably prevented from moving on the conveyor 1.

Therefore, the elliptical container 2 can be supplied to the label sticking device 3 in a state of being appropriately positioned in the transport direction, and the positional accuracy of the label 4 stuck to the elliptical container 2 by the label sticking device 3 can be improved. It can be greatly improved.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the opening / closing drive mechanism 11 including the slide units 13 and 14 that open and close in the width direction of the conveyor 1 is mounted on the reciprocating table 7 that reciprocates in parallel with the conveyor 1. The elliptical container 2 is conveyed on the conveyor 1 by clamping the elliptical container 2 conveyed on the conveyor 1 by clamping plates 15 and 16 attached to the front ends of the slide units 13 and 14 constituting the opening / closing drive mechanism 11. Above in the transport direction. As a result, for example, the positional accuracy of the label 4 attached to the elliptical container 2 by the label attaching device 3 can be improved.

A container holding mechanism 17 is provided on the downstream side of the opening / closing drive mechanism 11 and above the conveyor 1, and the elliptical container 2 is moved up and down between the belt 20 of the container holding mechanism 17 and the conveyor 1. The elliptical container 2 positioned in the conveying direction by the clamp plates 15 and 16 is displaced while being conveyed downstream from the opening / closing drive mechanism 11 because the container is conveyed to the downstream side while being pressed from the direction. Can be reliably prevented.

In the above-described embodiment, the case where the elliptical container 2 is positioned in the transport direction by clamping with the clamp plates 15 and the clamp plates 16 has been described as an example.
For example, when the conveyed irregular-shaped container is a polygonal container 22 having a polygonal cross-sectional shape as shown in FIG. 6, the concave portions 23A and 24A having the same shape as the half-sectional shape of the polygonal container 22. If the clamp plates 23 and 24 are replaced with each other, the polygonal container 22 conveyed on the conveyor 1 can be positioned in the conveying direction. Thus, by changing the shape of the clamp plate according to the shape of the deformed container conveyed on the conveyor 1, it is possible to position the deformed containers having various shapes.

Next, FIGS. 7 to 13 show a second embodiment according to the present invention. In this embodiment, the same components as those in the above-described first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

In the figure, 31, 31,...
It shows a circular container conveyed above, the circular container 31 is formed with a circular cross-sectional shape from, for example, a resin material,
A matching mark 32 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the cylinder by, for example, printing, sticking, or the like.

Reference numeral 33 denotes a container rotating mechanism provided in the opening / closing drive mechanism 11.
, And left and right drive roller units 35, 35 provided on the front end side of the slide unit 14, and the respective drive units. Roller motors 36 </ b> A and 36 </ b> B provided on the slide unit 14 to individually rotate and drive the rollers 35.

Here, each of the rotating roller units 34 has a base end attached to the slide unit 13 and a tip end formed with a bifurcated branch end, and a pair of upper and lower support arms 34A, 34A,
34A, and four rubber rollers 34B, 34B,... Rotatably provided at the branch end of each support arm 34A.

Each drive roller unit 35 has a rotating shaft 35A pivotally supported on the front end side of the slide unit 14.
Is attached to the rotating shaft 35A so as to be separated upward and downward, and sandwiches the circular container 31 with each rubber roller 34B.
The roller motor 3 is composed of a plurality of rubber rollers 35B, 35B via a power transmission mechanism (not shown) such as a gear.
By transmitting the outputs of 6A and 36B to the rotating shaft 35A, each rubber roller 35B is driven to rotate.

The rubber roller 34B of each rotating roller unit 34 and the rubber roller 35B of each driving roller unit 35 are connected to the outer periphery of the circular container 31 by the opening and closing drive mechanism 11 being closed and the slide units 13 and 14 approaching each other. The rubber rollers 34B, 35B
The circular container 31 is sandwiched between B. In this state, the roller motor 3
6A and 36B, each rubber roller 35 is actuated.
B rotates, and the circular container 31 rotates on the conveyor 1.

Reference numerals 37A and 37B denote matching mark detecting mechanisms for detecting the matching marks 32 provided on the circular container 31.
The matching mark detection mechanisms 37A and 37B are
At the left of each rotating roller unit 34 ,
It is attached to the right support arms 34A, 34A. So
Then, the matching mark detection mechanisms 37A and 37B , as shown in FIG.
A slide shaft 39A whose base end side is slidably inserted into a liner 38 fixed between A and 34A, a holder 39B fixed to a distal end side of the slide shaft 39A, and a rotation end of the holder 39B. The contact 39 is composed of a small-diameter rubber roller 39C provided so as to be able to be provided, and a sensor 40 fixed to a holder 39B of the contact 39 via a bracket or the like.

Here, a compression spring 41 is contracted between the liner 38 and the holder 39B, and the compression spring 41 constantly urges the contact 39 toward the circular container 31 side. Therefore, the contact 39 can move forward and backward in the radial direction of the circular container 31 and always abuts on the outer peripheral surface of the circular container 31, whereby the sensor moves forward and backward in the radial direction of the circular container 31 with the contact 39. The space 40 can always maintain a constant interval with the outer peripheral surface of the circular container 31.

The sensor 40 detects the matching mark 32 when the circular container 31 faces the matching mark 32 during the rotation of the circular container 31 on the conveyor 1 by the container rotating mechanism 33 and detects the matching mark 32 and detects the matching mark 32 by rotation control means 42 described later. It outputs a signal.

Reference numeral 42 denotes each matching mark detecting mechanism 37A, 37
A rotation control mechanism for stopping the container rotation mechanism 33 when the B sensor 40 detects the matching mark 32 of the circular container 31 is shown. The rotation control mechanism 42 is constituted by a microcomputer or the like, as shown in FIG. The sensor 40 of the matching mark detection mechanism 37A and the sensor 40 of the matching mark detection mechanism 37B are individually connected to the input side, respectively.
The roller motors 36A and 36B are individually connected to the output side.

The rotation control mechanism 42 outputs a stop signal to the roller motor 36A when, for example, a detection signal is output from the sensor 40 of the matching mark detection mechanism 37A, and the detection signal is output from the sensor 40 of the matching mark detection mechanism 37B. When output, a stop signal is output to the roller motor 36B. As a result, the circular container 31 rotated by the roller motor 36 </ b> A
Stops at a position facing the sensor 40 of the matching mark detecting mechanism 37A, and the circular container 31 rotated by the roller motor 36B has, for example, the matching mark 32 directly facing the sensor 40 of the matching mark detecting mechanism 37B. It stops at the position.

This embodiment has the above-described configuration, and its operation will be described below.

First, the plurality of circular containers 31 conveyed upright on the conveyor 1 are pushed between the screw protrusions 5A of the timing screw 5 while being guided by the guide plate 6, and are sequentially moved by the screw protrusions 5A. It moves to the downstream side, and is sequentially conveyed to the downstream side while being aligned on the conveyor 1 at a fixed pitch. At this time, the matching mark 32 provided on each circular container 31 is at an arbitrary position in the rotation direction.

Each circular container 31 conveyed on the conveyor 1 is moved by the slide unit 13 of the opening / closing drive mechanism 11.
When it reaches between the slide unit 14 and the slide unit 14, the opening and closing drive mechanism 11 is driven to close, and the slide units 13, 14 approach each other. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 10, two circular rollers are provided between each rotating roller unit 34 attached to the front end of the slide unit 13 and each drive roller unit 35 attached to the front end of the slide unit 14. The container 31 is sandwiched.

In this state, each roller motor 36A, 36B
Is operated, and each drive roller unit 35 and each rotation roller unit 34 cooperate to rotate the circular container 31 on the conveyor 1.

Thus, while the circular container 31 rotates between each drive roller unit 35 and each rotary roller unit 34, the sensor 40 of the matching mark detection mechanism 37A provided on one rotary roller unit 34 and the other Match mark detection mechanism 37B provided in the rotating roller unit 34
Sensors 40 detect the matching marks 32 provided on the corresponding circular containers 31 respectively.

At this time, the matching mark detection mechanism 37A (3
Since the contact 39 constituting 7B) can move forward and backward in the radial direction of the circular container 31 and constantly comes into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the circular container 31, the sensor 40 provided on the contact 39 is as shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, the matching mark 32 is detected while always maintaining a constant interval L between the circular container 31 and the outer peripheral surface.

Accordingly, the circular container 31 is, for example, a thin resin container, and is deformed by being sandwiched between the driving roller unit 35 and the rotating roller unit 34, for example, as shown in FIG. Even when the concave portion S is formed on the surface, the contact 39 extends in the radial direction of the circular container 31 by the concave portion S, and keeps a state in which it comes into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the concave portion S. As a result, the sensor 40 provided on the contact 39 can maintain a constant interval L even between the sensor 40 and the depression S of the circular container 31. For example, a deformation or the like occurs in a portion where the matching mark 32 is provided. In this case, the sensor 40 is properly fitted with the mark 32 regardless of the deformation of the circular container 31.
Can be detected.

When the sensor 40 of the matching mark detection mechanism 37A detects the matching mark 32 of the circular container 31 and outputs a detection signal to the rotation control mechanism 42, the rotation control mechanism 42 outputs a stop signal to the roller motor 36A. . Thus, the circular container 31 rotated on the conveyor 1 by the roller motor 36A stops at, for example, a position where the matching mark 32 faces the sensor 40, and positions each circular container 31 on the conveyor 1 in the rotational direction. can do.

Similarly, when the sensor 40 of the matching mark detection mechanism 37B detects the matching mark of the corresponding circular container 31, the rotation control mechanism 42
B by outputting a stop signal to the roller motor 36
B. Round container 31 rotated on conveyor 1 by B
Can be stopped at a position where the matching mark 32 faces the sensor 40 and positioned in the rotational direction.

The opening / closing drive mechanism 11 continues the closed drive state until the reciprocating table 7 reaches the downstream position shown in FIG. 13, during which the two circular containers 31 positioned in the rotation direction rotate. Each of the rubber rollers 34B of the roller unit 34 and each of the rubber rollers 35B of the drive roller unit 35 whose rotation has been stopped are gripped in a positioning state on the conveyor 1.

When the reciprocating table 7 moves to the downstream position and the circular container 31 on the conveyor 1 reaches just before the label sticking device 3, the opening / closing drive mechanism 11 is driven to open and the slide units 13 and 14 are opened. After being separated from each other and each rubber roller 34B of the rotary roller unit 34 and each rubber roller 35B of the drive roller unit 35 are separated from the circular container 31, the reciprocating table 7 is moved from the downstream position to the upstream position with the opening / closing drive mechanism 11. Return.

At this time, the circular container 31 is
7 is pressed down from above and below between the belt 20 and the conveyor 1, so that each rubber roller 34 B of the rotary roller unit 34 and each rubber roller 35 B of the drive roller unit 35 are separated from the circular container 31. , Circular container 31
Can be reliably prevented from moving on the conveyor 1 before being supplied to the labeling device 3.

Accordingly, the circular container 31 can be supplied to the label sticking device 3 in a state of being appropriately positioned in the rotation direction, and the positional accuracy of the label stuck to each circular container 31 by the label sticking device 3 can be greatly improved. Can be improved.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the matching mark detection mechanisms 37A and 37B for detecting the matching marks 32 provided on the circular container 31 rotating on the conveyor 1 can be advanced and retracted in the radial direction of the circular container 31. And a sensor 40 that is always in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the circular container 31 and a sensor 40 attached to the contact 39.
Is designed to detect the matching mark 32 while always maintaining a constant distance L with the outer peripheral surface of the circular container 31. For example, when the portion where the matching mark 32 of the circular container 31 is deformed or the like occurs. However, the sensor 40 can accurately detect the matching mark 32, and can accurately position the circular container 31 on the conveyor 1 regardless of its deformation.

In the second embodiment, the contact 39
Although the case where the small-diameter rubber roller 39C is provided on the tip side of the above is described as an example, the present invention is not limited to this, and a spherical rolling element such as a ball plunger may be used.

Further, in each of the above embodiments, the case where the label is applied to the outer peripheral surface of the container for positioning is described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this. It may be applied to a positioning operation or the like.

[0072]

As described above in detail, according to the first aspect of the present invention, an opening / closing drive means for opening / closing the conveyor in the width direction is provided on a reciprocating table which reciprocates in parallel with the conveyor.
By clamping the deformed container conveyed on the conveyor by the positioning clamp attached to the opening / closing drive unit, the deformed container is positioned in the conveying direction on the conveyor, so that the deformed container conveyed on the conveyor is clamped. By using the positioning clamp having the engaging portion corresponding to the shape, it is possible to position the deformed containers having various shapes.

Further, container holding means is provided above the conveyor and located downstream of the opening / closing drive means, and the deformed container is conveyed to the downstream side while being pressed from above and below between the container holding means and the conveyor. With this configuration, it is possible to reliably prevent the deformed container once positioned by the positioning clamp from being displaced while being transported downstream from the opening / closing drive unit.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, when the circular container is transported on the conveyor, the container rotating means is provided on the circular container while the container rotating means abuts on the circular container and rotates the circular container on the conveyor. A match mark detecting means for detecting a match mark is provided, and the match mark detection means is configured to detect the match mark while facing the outer peripheral surface of the rotating circular container at a substantially constant interval. When a matching mark provided on a low circular container is detected, or when the circular container is deformed while being rotated by the container rotating means, the matching mark can be accurately detected by the matching mark detecting means. In addition, the circular container can be reliably positioned in the rotation direction.

Further, according to the third aspect of the present invention, the outer peripheral surface of the circular container is provided so as to be able to advance and retreat in the radial direction of the circular container.
By forming the matching mark detecting means from a contact that is constantly urged in the direction of contact with the contact and a sensor attached to the contact, for example, a portion of the circular container provided with the matching mark is deformed. Even in such a case, the sensor can accurately detect the matching mark while always keeping a constant interval with the outer peripheral surface of the container with the movement of the contact following the shape of the circular container. Regardless of the deformation, accurate positioning can be performed on the conveyor.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external view showing a container positioning and conveying device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view as seen from the direction of arrows II-II in FIG.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view as seen from the direction of arrows III-III in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a main part showing an elliptical container, a clamp plate and the like in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an external view of the same position as FIG. 1 showing a state where the reciprocating table in FIG. 1 has moved to a downstream position.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a main part at a position similar to FIG. 4 showing a modification of the clamp plate.

FIG. 7 is an external view showing a container positioning / conveying device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view as seen from the direction of arrows VIII-VIII in FIG.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a connection state of a rotation control mechanism, a matching mark detection mechanism, and a roller motor.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged sectional view of the same position as in FIG. 8 showing a state in which a sensor detects a matching mark of a circular container.

11 is a cross-sectional view as seen from the direction of arrows XI-XI in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the same position as in FIG. 11 showing a state in which a sensor detects a matching mark of a deformed circular container.

13 is an external view of the same position as FIG. 7 showing a state in which the reciprocating table in FIG. 7 has moved to a downstream position.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Conveyor 2 Oval container 7 Reciprocating table 11 Opening / closing drive mechanism (opening / closing drive means) 15, 16 Clamp plate (positioning clamp) 15A, 16A Curved concave part (engagement part) 17 Container holding mechanism (container holding means) 31 circular Container 32 Matching mark 33 Container rotating mechanism (Container rotating means) 37A, 37B Matching mark detecting mechanism (Matching mark detecting means) 39 Contact 40 Sensor 42 Rotation control mechanism (Rotation control means)

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A conveyor for transporting a deformed container in an upright state from an upstream side to a downstream side, and a reciprocating reciprocator provided in parallel with the conveyor so as to reciprocate, and after returning in synchronization with the conveyor, returning. A reciprocating table provided on the reciprocating table so as to oppose the moving table with the conveyor interposed therebetween, and opened and closed to be driven to open and close in the width direction of the conveyor while moving in synchronization with the deformed container conveyed on the conveyor. Driving means, detachably provided to the opening and closing drive means to clamp and position the deformed container conveyed on the conveyor when the opening and closing drive means is closed and driven in the transport direction,
A positioning clamp having an engaging portion corresponding to the shape of the deformed container, and a deformed container positioned downstream of the opening / closing drive means and provided above the conveyor and positioned in the transport direction by the positioning clamp. A container positioning / conveying device comprising: container pressing means for conveying the sheet to a downstream side while pressing the sheet from above and below with a conveyor. 2. A conveyor for conveying a circular container provided with a matching mark in an upright state from an upstream side to a downstream side;
A reciprocating table that is provided reciprocally in parallel with the conveyor, and that returns after moving in synchronization with the conveyor; and a reciprocating table that is provided on the reciprocating table so as to face the conveyor with the conveyor interposed therebetween. Opening and closing drive means for driving the conveyor to open and close in the width direction of the conveyor while moving in synchronization with the circular container to be conveyed; and
When the opening / closing drive means is driven to close, the circular container is
Container rotating means for rotating the circular container on the conveyor while sandwiching the circular container from both sides of the container, and a circular container together with the container rotating means.
A match mark detecting means for detecting a match mark while facing the outer peripheral surface of the circular container at a substantially constant interval, and a match mark detecting means for detecting the match mark when the match mark detection means detects the match mark. Rotation control means for stopping the rotation means and positioning the matching mark of the circular container at a predetermined position in the rotation direction, and provided above the conveyor at a position downstream of the opening / closing drive means and provided by the rotation control means. A container positioning / conveying device comprising: container pressing means for conveying a container positioned in a rotating direction to the downstream side while pressing the container from above and below from the conveyor. 3. The matching mark detecting means is provided so as to be able to advance and retreat in the radial direction of the circular container together with the container rotating means ,
The countermark while maintaining a constant distance between the tangent <br/> probe which is always biased in the abutting direction on the outer peripheral surface of the circular container, the outer peripheral surface of the circular container mounted to the contactor 3. The container positioning / conveying device according to claim 2, further comprising a sensor for detecting the pressure.