JP3875643B2 - Coating equipment - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a coating apparatus for coating a container such as a beer bottle.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Containers that are used repeatedly, such as beer bottles, are rubbed against each other and damaged in each stage of the factory, shipment, recovery, and the like. Such scratches can give an undesirable image to the consumer. Therefore, the container is usually coated after filling a beverage such as beer and labeling the container.
[0003]
There exists patent document 1 as a prior art regarding a coating apparatus. Patent Document 1 discloses an apparatus that provides a coating belt that moves at a speed higher than the moving speed of the conveyor while contacting the container, and coats the entire circumference while rotating the container moving with the conveyor by the coating belt. ing.
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Examined Patent Publication No. 1-59221
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In general, the coating belt should be cleaned after the container coating operation is completed. Here, the coating liquid dripping from the coating belt at the time of coating should be separated from the coating liquid washed off from the coating belt at the time of cleaning and the cleaning liquid for cleaning. The coating liquid dripping from the coating belt at the time of coating can be recovered and reused. On the other hand, the cleaning liquid containing the coating liquid that is produced at the time of cleaning should be discharged after being treated appropriately in consideration of the influence on the environment, or should be reused.
[0006]
Furthermore, such a separate collection or discharge mechanism should be designed in consideration of ease of maintenance.
[0007]
The above Patent Document 1 does not disclose any of the above points.
[0008]
The present invention has been made on the basis of recognition of the above-mentioned problems. For example, the present invention provides a coating apparatus that has a function of separating and discharging or recovering a liquid that is discharged during coating and a liquid that is discharged during cleaning, and is easy to maintain. The purpose is to do.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The coating apparatus according to the present invention relates to a coating apparatus for coating a container, and the apparatus is disposed so as to be in contact with a conveyor that conveys the container and a side surface of the container on the conveyor, and is configured to rotate the container. An annular belt, a first supply mechanism for supplying a coating liquid to the annular belt, a second supply mechanism for supplying a cleaning liquid to the annular belt, and a liquid having a discharge port and dripping from the annular belt. A pan that is discharged through the discharge port, a first discharge path that receives liquid discharged from the pan through the discharge port at a first receiving port and discharges it to a first discharge destination, and is discharged from the pan through the discharge port. And a drive mechanism for positioning the discharge port on the first reception port or the second reception port. That. According to such a configuration, by using the first discharge path and the second discharge path, the liquid discharged from the pan at the time of coating and the liquid discharged from the pan at the time of cleaning are separately discharged or collected. Can do.
[0010]
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the drive mechanism moves the discharge port over the first receiving port or the second receiving port according to an operation mode such as a coating mode or a cleaning mode. It is preferable that it is comprised so that it can be moved to.
[0011]
A coating apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a control device, and the control device, for example, operates to coat a container on the conveyor while supplying a coating liquid from the first supply mechanism to the annular belt. In the mode, the discharge port is disposed on the first receiving port, and in the operation mode of cleaning the annular belt while supplying the cleaning liquid to the annular belt from the second supply mechanism, the discharge port is the second. The drive mechanism is controlled to be disposed on the receiving port.
[0012]
The coating apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention further includes a support base that supports the annular belt and the pan, and the drive mechanism moves the pan by moving the support base, thereby The discharge port may be positioned on the first receiving port or the second receiving port.
[0013]
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the coating apparatus of the present invention can be configured as an apparatus including a pair of annular belts. Such an apparatus includes a second annular belt disposed on the opposite side of the annular belt (first annular belt) with respect to the conveyor, a third supply mechanism that supplies a cleaning liquid to the second annular belt, A second pan having two outlets for receiving liquid dripping from the second annular belt and discharging the liquid through the second outlet; and a third receiver for liquid discharged from the second pan through the second outlet. A third discharge path that is received at the mouth and discharges to the first discharge destination or a third discharge destination different from the first discharge destination, and a liquid discharged from the second pan through the second discharge port. A fourth discharge path that is received at four receiving ports and discharged to the second discharging destination or a fourth discharging destination different from the second discharging destination, and the third receiving port or the fourth receiving port on the fourth receiving port. A second driving mechanism for positioning the second discharge port may be further included.
[0014]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described.
[0015]
The coating apparatus of the present invention is suitable for coating the surface of a container such as a beer bottle. 1 to 3 are diagrams schematically showing a configuration of a coating apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a plan view, and FIGS. 2 and 3 are a part for convenience of explanation. It is the figure represented as a cross section.
[0016]
A coating apparatus 100 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is configured to coat the surface of a cylindrical portion of a bottle 1 such as a beer bottle. The bottle 1 to be coated is conveyed in a predetermined direction (right direction in FIG. 1) by the conveyor 10 at an appropriate interval. A pair of annular coating belts (annular belts) 11 and 15 are disposed on both sides of the conveyor 10 so as to sandwich the bottle 1 on the conveyor 10. The pair of coating belts 11 and 15 are rotationally driven at a relative speed such that the bottle 1 carried on the conveyor 10 and conveyed in a predetermined direction rotates. For example, by rotating the coating belt 11 at a low speed and rotating the coating belt 15 at a higher speed, the bottles 1 on the conveyor 10 rotate clockwise while moving in the right direction in FIG. By rotating the bottle 1 in this manner, the coating liquid supplied to the surface of the coating belt 15 is applied to the cylindrical portion of the bottle 1 over the entire circumference.
[0017]
In this configuration example, the coating belt 15 is rotationally driven at a higher speed than the coating belt 11. The coating belt 15 driven at high speed is hung on a driving pulley 26, a driven pulley 25, tension rollers 35 and 36, and a plurality of pressing rollers 61 arranged in a row. A predetermined tension is applied to the coating belt 15 by tension rollers 35 and 36. The rotation speed of the coating belt 15 is detected by a sensor such as the encoder 81, and the controller 90 compares the target rotation speed with the rotation speed detected by the sensor. It is determined that an abnormality has occurred and a notification to that effect is given.
[0018]
A coating liquid is supplied to the surface of the coating belt 15 by a coating liquid supply unit 75. The coating liquid supply unit 75 can be configured, for example, by arranging a plurality of nozzles that spray the coating liquid on the coating belt 15 at predetermined intervals in the vertical direction. A brush 63 for homogenizing the coating liquid supplied to the surface of the coating belt 15 by the coating liquid supply unit 75 is disposed on the downstream side of the coating liquid supply unit 75 (downstream side in the rotation direction of the belt 15). Yes.
[0019]
When cleaning the coating belt 15, a cleaning liquid (for example, detergent, hot water) is sprayed from the cleaning nozzle 75 to the coating belt 15. A dewatering roller 76 is disposed on the downstream side of the cleaning nozzle 75. When the coating belt 15 is cleaned, the dewatering roller 76 is pressed against the coating belt 15 to dehydrate the coating belt 15.
[0020]
On the other hand, the coating belt 11 driven at a low speed is hung on a driving pulley 21, a driven pulley 20, tension rollers 31, 32, and a plurality of pressing rollers 57 arranged in a row. The rotational speed of the coating belt 11 is detected by a sensor such as the encoder 82, and the controller 90 compares the target rotational speed with the rotational speed detected by the sensor. It is determined that an abnormality has occurred and a notification to that effect is given.
[0021]
The position of the pressing roller 57 is adjusted by the adjusting mechanism 50 according to the size (diameter) of the bottle 1 to be coated. In this way, by making it possible to adjust the position of the pressing roller 57 according to the size of the bottle 1 to be coated, it is possible to quickly respond to the change in the bottle size. No equipment modification is required, and work efficiency and operation time can be significantly improved.
[0022]
The plurality of pressing rollers 57 are pivotally supported by the roller holder 51 so as to be rotatable about the rotation shaft 58. A rod 53 is connected to each roller holder 51. Each rod 53 is guided by a guide 53 so as to reciprocate. The pressing roller 57 is pressed against the bottle 1 by a pressing mechanism such as a spring 52.
[0023]
The adjustment mechanism 50 can be configured to include actuators such as air cylinders 55 and 56, for example. In this configuration example, the position of the guide 54 is adjusted according to the bottle size by the two cylinders 55 and 56, and thereby the position of the pressing roller 57 or the interval between the coating belts 11 and 15 is adjusted.
[0024]
A predetermined tension is applied to the coating belt 11 by tension rollers 31 and 32. Here, the positions of the tension rollers 31 and 32 are adjusted by the actuators such as the air cylinders 41 and 42 according to the position of the pressing roller 57, that is, according to the size of the bottle 1 to be coated. Regardless, a predetermined tension is applied to the coating belt 15. The positions and adjustments of the tension rollers 31 and 32 according to the position of the pressing roller 57 can be made, for example, in accordance with instructions from the controller 90 to the cylinders 55, 56, 41 and 42. Alternatively, the position of the pressure roller 57 and the position of the tension rollers 31 and 32 may be determined by linking the guide roller 54 with a roller holder that pivotally supports the rollers 31 and 32 by a link mechanism. May be adjusted by a structure that moves at a predetermined movement ratio.
[0025]
The mechanism for adjusting the distance between the pair of coating belts 11 and 15 as described above may be provided on the coating belt 15 side, or may be provided on both the coating belts 11 and 15.
[0026]
When the coating belt 11 is cleaned, a cleaning liquid (for example, detergent or hot water) is sprayed from the cleaning nozzle 71 to the coating belt 11. A dewatering roller 72 is disposed on the downstream side of the cleaning nozzle 71. When the coating belt 11 is cleaned, the dewatering roller 72 is pressed against the coating belt 11 to dehydrate the coating belt 11.
[0027]
In this configuration example, the coating liquid supply unit and the brush are not provided on the coating belt 11 side, but the coating liquid supply unit 62 and the brush 63 may be provided also on the coating belt 11 side.
[0028]
In the configuration in which the coating liquid supply unit 62 and the brush 63 are also provided on the coating belt 11 side, a guide member for guiding the container 1 may be disposed instead of the coating belt 15. In such a configuration, the containers 1 on the conveyor 10 rotate as the coating belt 11 rotates. In this case, the coating belt 11 is preferably driven so as to move in the same direction as the conveyor 10 at a portion where the coating belt 11 is in contact with the container and at a speed higher than the speed of the conveyor 10.
[0029]
Operations of the coating apparatus 100, for example, position adjustment of the pressing roller 57, coating operation, cleaning operation, and the like are controlled by the controller 90. The size of the bottle to be coated may be manually input to the operation panel 93 of the controller 90, may be input as an electrical signal or a command from another apparatus such as a host controller, or detected by the coating apparatus 100. Also good. In the configuration example shown in FIG. 1, a camera (for example, a CCD camera) 91 and an image processing device (not shown) are provided as detectors for detecting the bottle size. The bottle size can be detected by processing an image of the bottle captured by the camera 91 with an image processing apparatus. The bottle size detected in this way may be used to drive the adjustment mechanism 50 to match the bottle size, or to match the bottle size entered manually or entered from another device. May be used. In the latter case, when the detected bottle size is different from the input bottle size, an alarm or the like is issued and the coating operation or its start can be stopped.
[0030]
The coating apparatus 100 according to this embodiment has a mechanism that separates and discharges or collects the coating liquid dripping from the coating belts 11 and 15 at the time of coating, and the coating liquid and washing liquid dripping from the coating belts 11 and 15 at the time of cleaning. I have. Hereinafter, such a mechanism will be described with reference to FIGS. Here, FIG. 2 shows the arrangement of each part at the time of coating the container (corresponding to the manufacturing mode described later), and FIG. Show.
[0031]
Below the coating belts 11 and 15, drain pans 116 and 126 for collecting a coating liquid and a cleaning liquid that can be dripped mainly are disposed. The mechanical elements related to the support and driving of the coating belt 11 such as the pulleys 20 and 21, the tension rollers 31 and 32, the pressing roller 57, and the adjusting mechanism 50 shown in FIG. 1 are arranged on the drain pan 116. On the other hand, mechanical elements related to the support and driving of the coating belt 15 such as the pulleys 25 and 26, the tension rollers 35 and 36, and the pressing roller 61 shown in FIG. 2 are arranged on the drain pan 126.
[0032]
The coating liquid and the cleaning liquid collected by the drain pans 116 and 126 flow into the discharge ports 141 and 126 provided in the drain pans 116 and 126, respectively. The drain pans 116 and 126 are supported by support bases 111 and 121, respectively.
[0033]
A member 112 guided by a guide table 115 is connected to the lower part of the support table 111. When the member 112 is driven by an actuator such as an air cylinder 113, the support base 111 and the structure supported thereby move in the horizontal direction.
[0034]
Similarly, a member 122 guided by a guide table 125 is connected to the lower portion of the support table 121. When the member 122 is driven by an actuator such as an air cylinder 123, the support base 121 and the structure supported thereby move in the horizontal direction.
[0035]
At the time of coating the container, as shown in FIG. 2, the support bases 111 and 121 and the drain pan 116 supported by them are arranged so that the first receiving ports 142 and 152 for the liquid are located below the discharge ports 141 and 151. , 126 and the like are driven by cylinders 113 and 123, respectively. In this state, the surfaces of the coating belts 11 and 15 are pressed against the side surfaces of the bottles 1 on the conveyor 10, and the bottles 1 are rotating as the coating belts 11 and 15 rotate. Further, the bottle 1 is coated over the entire circumference by the coating liquid supplied to the coating belt 15 by the coating liquid supply unit 75 and uniformized by the brush 63.
[0036]
The coating liquid dripping from the coating belts 11 and 15 is collected by the lower drain pans 116 and 126, respectively, and flows into the discharge ports 141 and 151, respectively. As described above, the first receiving ports 142 and 152 are disposed below the discharge ports 141 and 151, respectively. The coating liquid dropped through the discharge ports 141 and 151 passes through the first receiving ports 142 and 152 and the first discharge paths (first pipes) 143 and 153 connected to the first receiving ports 142 and 152, respectively. It is discharged to 144 and 154 and collected. The recovered coating liquid can be reused after being processed (eg, filtered) as necessary.
[0037]
When the coating belts 11 and 15 are cleaned, as shown in FIG. 3, the support bases 111 and 121 are supported by them so that the second liquid receiving ports 145 and 155 are located below the discharge ports 141 and 151, respectively. Structures such as drain pans 116 and 126 are driven by cylinders 113 and 123, respectively. In this state, the distance between the coating belts 11 and 15 is widened. In the cleaning process of the coating belts 11 and 15, cleaning liquids (for example, detergent and hot water) are sprayed from the cleaning nozzles 71 and 75 to the coating belts 11 and 15, respectively, to wash off the coating liquid adhering to the belts and dehydrating rollers 72, The coating belts 11 and 15 are dehydrated by pressing 76 against the coating belts 11 and 15.
[0038]
From the coating belts 11 and 15 and the dewatering rollers 72 and 76, the coating liquid and the cleaning liquid dropped by the cleaning drop, and are collected by the drain pans 116 and 126, respectively, and flow into the discharge ports 141 and 151, respectively. As described above, the second receiving ports 145 and 155 are arranged below the discharge ports 141 and 151, respectively. The coating liquid and the cleaning liquid dropped through the discharge ports 141 and 151 pass through the second receiving ports 145 and 155 and the second discharge paths (second pipes) 146 and 156 respectively connected to the second receiving ports 145 and 155, and a waste liquid treatment apparatus (first not shown). (2 discharge destination) and collected, and after being processed by the waste liquid processing apparatus, it is reused or discharged.
[0039]
2 and 3, the first discharge paths (first pipes) 143 and 153 are configured independently, but the liquid discharged through these discharge paths is a coating liquid. Therefore, the discharge paths (first pipes) 143 and 153 may be bundled and guided to one collection container. Further, the second discharge paths (second pipes) 146 and 156 may be bundled together in the middle.
[0040]
As described above, in the coating apparatus according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, when the container is coated, the discharge ports 141 and 151 are positioned above the first receiving ports 142 and 152 for discharging the coating liquid, respectively. The discharge ports 141 and 151 are moved relative to the first receiving ports 142 and 152, and when the coating belts 11 and 15 are cleaned, the discharge ports 141 and 151 each discharge a second cleaning solution containing a coating solution. The discharge ports 141 and 151 are moved relative to the first receiving ports 142 and 152 so as to be positioned above the ports 145 and 155.
[0041]
Here, instead of moving the discharge ports 141 and 151 to switch the waste liquid path, the waste liquid path may be switched by moving the first receiving ports 142 and 152 and the second receiving ports 145 and 155.
[0042]
According to such a discharge or recovery mechanism, the path for discharging and recovering the coating liquid 142, 143, 144 (152, 153, 154) and the path for discharging and recovering the cleaning liquid including the coating liquid at the time of cleaning, 146 (155, 156) are completely independent of each other, so that a valve for switching the path is not necessary, and maintenance or cleaning of the discharge or recovery mechanism can be facilitated.
[0043]
On the other hand, for example, the discharge ports 141 and 151 are connected to a common pipe and branched into two via a path switching valve, and then a coating liquid recovery container and a cleaning liquid (dropped by cleaning). In the structure guided to the discharge path (including the coating liquid), the valve is likely to be clogged with the coating liquid, and a great deal of time can be spent for maintenance and cleaning. In the structure using such a valve, when coating is started after cleaning, the cleaning liquid accumulated in the common pipes connected to the discharge ports 141 and 151 (that is, the upstream side of the valve) is switched between the valves. As a result, a problem that the coating liquid is recovered in the recovery container is also assumed.
[0044]
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a usage pattern of the coating apparatus 100. The coating apparatus 100 can be disposed between, for example, a labeler (apparatus that labels a container) 201 and a case packer (apparatus that packs a bottle in a case) 202. In this case, the coating apparatus 100 coats the surface of the bottle with the label attached thereto. However, the coating apparatus 100 may be arrange | positioned so that the bottle before a label may be applied may be coated.
[0045]
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the transition of the operation mode of the coating apparatus 100. The coating apparatus 100 can execute, for example, the equipment mode M1, the preparation mode M2, the start mode M3, the manufacturing mode M4, and the end-of-work mode M5 in that order.
[0046]
Here, in the maintenance mode M1, for example, the type of the bottle to be coated (for example, the size of the bottle can be specified) is input to the controller 90, and the pressure roller is selected according to the size of the bottle. In this mode, the position 57 (as a result, the distance between the coating belts 11 and 15) is set.
[0047]
The preparation mode M <b> 2 is a mode in which, for example, the coating belt 15 on the high speed side is driven and the coating liquid is supplied to the coating belt 15 by the coating liquid supply unit 75, so that the coating liquid is familiarized with the coating belt 15.
[0048]
The start mode M3 is a mode in which the conveyor 10, the high speed side coating belt 15, the low speed side coating belt 11, the coating liquid supply unit 75, and the like are driven to prepare for bottle coating in the manufacturing mode M4. In the start-up mode M3, it is typically possible to check whether the coating is defective by coating a test bottle.
[0049]
The production mode M4 is a mode in which the surface of the bottle 1 containing a beverage such as beer is coated.
[0050]
The end work mode M5 is a mode in which the conveyor 10 and the coating liquid supply unit 75 are stopped and the coating belts 11 and 15 are cleaned. In the closing mode M5, the position of the pressing roller 57 (as a result, the interval between the coating belts 11 and 15) may be switched according to the type (size) of the next bottle. Such switching is called remodeling. The cleaning of the coating belts 11 and 15 is performed by changing the support bases 111 and 121 from the state shown in FIG. 2 to the state shown in FIG. That is, prior to cleaning, the discharge ports 141 and 151 are moved from above the first receiving ports 142 and 152 to above the second receiving ports 145 and 155, respectively. In the cleaning, the cleaning liquid is sprayed onto the coating belts 11 and 15 from the cleaning nozzles 71 and 75 while the coating belts 11 and 15 are rotated to wash off the coating liquid adhering to the coating belts 11 and 15 and dehydrated. This is done by pressing the rollers 72 and 76 against the coating belts 11 and 15 to dehydrate the coating belts 11 and 15.
[0051]
【The invention's effect】
According to the coating apparatus of the present invention, for example, it is possible to provide a coating apparatus that has a function of separating and discharging or recovering a liquid that is discharged at the time of coating and a liquid that is discharged at the time of cleaning, and that is easy to maintain.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a plan view schematically showing a configuration of a coating apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an arrangement of each part during coating of the coating apparatus shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an arrangement of each part during cleaning of the coating apparatus shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of how the coating apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is used.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of transition of operation modes of the coating apparatus shown in FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 bottle (container)
10 Conveyor 11, 15 Coating belt (annular belt)
20, 25 Drive pulleys 21, 26 Drive pulleys 31, 32, 35, 36 Tension rollers 41, 42 Cylinder 50 Adjustment mechanism 51 Roller holder 52 Spring 53 Rod 54 Guide 55, 56 Cylinder 57 Press roller 58 Rotating shaft 61 Press roller 62 Coating Liquid supply unit 63 Brush 71, 75 Cleaning nozzle 72, 76 Dehydrating roller 81, 82 Encoder 90 Controller 91 Camera 93 Operation panel 100 Coating device 111, 121 Support base 112, 122 Member 114, 124 Cylinder rod 115, 125 Guide base 116, 126 Drain pans 142, 152 First receptacles 143, 153 First discharge path (first pipe)
144, 154 Collection container (first discharge destination)
145, 155 Second receiving port 146, 156 Second discharge path (second pipe)
160 units

Claims (8)

A coating device for coating a container,
A conveyor for conveying containers;
First and second annular belts arranged on both sides of the conveyor to sandwich the containers on the conveyor and configured to rotate the containers on the conveyor;
A first supply mechanism for supplying a coating liquid to at least one of the first and second annular belts;
A second supply mechanism for supplying a cleaning liquid to each of the first and second annular belts;
A first pan that receives liquid dripping from the first annular belt and discharges it through a first outlet;
A second pan that receives liquid dripping from the second annular belt and discharges it through a second outlet;
A first discharge path for receiving the liquid discharged through the first and second discharge ports in the first receiving port group and discharging the liquid to a first discharge destination;
A second discharge path for receiving the liquid discharged through the first and second discharge ports in a second receiving port group and discharging the liquid to a second discharge destination;
When the container is coated, the first and second pans are arranged so that the first and second discharge ports are located on the first receiving port group, and the first and second annular belts are washed. is provided with a drive mechanism for the first and second discharge ports are arranged said first, second pan to be located on the second receptacle unit,
The first annular belt is disposed so as to move together with the first pan, and the second annular belt is disposed so as to move together with the second pan. By driving, the interval between the first and second annular belts is wider when cleaning the first and second annular belts than when coating the containers.
A coating apparatus characterized by that. The coating apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an adjustment mechanism that adjusts an interval between portions where the first and second annular belts face each other according to a size of a container to be coated. The coating apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a movable tension roller for applying a predetermined tension to the first annular belt. The coating apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising a second adjustment mechanism that adjusts a position of the tension roller according to a size of a container to be coated or a position of the adjustment roller. An input device that captures information about the size of the container to be coated;
A control device for operating the adjustment mechanism based on information captured by the input device;
The coating apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: The coating apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the input device includes a camera, and is configured to derive a size of the container by performing image processing on an image of the container captured by the camera. . The first and second annular belts are further provided with first and second dewatering members that are pressed against the first and second annular belts to dehydrate the first and second annular belts, respectively, when the first and second annular belts are cleaned. The coating apparatus of any one of Claims 1 thru | or 6. The coating according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising a notifying unit for notifying that there is an abnormality when the rotational speed of the first and second annular belts is abnormal. apparatus.

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